All Blog Posts (708)

15 ways to meet Obama's energy-saving challenge to the nation

1. Plug the Leaks!

2. Install a better thermostat.

3. Replace your lightbulbs.

4. Buy Energystar!

5. Reduce your hot water use.

6. Find 10 more ways on your own.

Remember what he said Tuesday night: Let's cut in half the energy wasted by our homes and businesses over the next 20 years, or else!

Added by Tom Delconte on February 14, 2013 at 10:21am — 3 Comments

MEEA assists with Home Energy Certification programs

The following post was written by MEEA Program Manager Will Baker

Currently, The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) is assisting the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Energy (MDNR-DE) in facilitating a stakeholder process to develop a state-specific voluntary home energy certification program. Previously, MEEA completed similar tasks for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) as a…

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Added by Andrew Navolio on February 14, 2013 at 9:00am — No Comments

14 Design Don’ts for High Performance Homes

There are a lot of ways to design a home. Designing one for high…

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Added by Chris Laumer-Giddens on February 14, 2013 at 7:30am — 8 Comments

Revolutionary Heat Pump Design Good for 10,000 years, here in five!

Today, according to experts, most heat pumps only have a durability of 15-25 years, but researchers at the University of Stavanger in Norway (USN) and the University of Oslo believe that they have developed a new heat pump that…

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Added by Tom Delconte on February 14, 2013 at 6:00am — 7 Comments

Mapping the Market Triggers for an Efficiency Tipping Point

We've been talking about Market Transformation of energy efficiency for a long time.  And the home sale transaction has been long viewed as a lever that can…

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Added by Laura Reedy Stukel on February 12, 2013 at 7:51pm — 2 Comments

R. Buckminster Fuller

I was fortunate to learn about R. Buckminster  "Bucky" Fuller from my good friend Johhny Weiss at Solar Energy International.  Johnny spent some time with Bucky back in the days of John Denver and the Windstar Foundation near Aspen Colorado.  Johnny told me this story about Bucky. When Bucky was in school the teacher drew a line on the chalkboard.  Bucky asked his teacher, “What does that line weigh".  I love this story and the stir this must have created in the classroom.    Bucky was…

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Added by Elliott Management Consultants on February 12, 2013 at 7:13pm — No Comments

Heat Pumps and Record Snowfall

      I remember a rash of nuisance service calls rolling in on weekends like this, the snowfall being the key part.  It is amazing how well prepared a Heat Pump is for cold weather, with safeties, defrost controls, and supplemental heat (in most).  Unfortunately, they do not come with windshield wipers to keep the condensers clear of snow, and snow will decrease the airflow across the condenser to a breaking…

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Added by Christopher Morin on February 8, 2013 at 6:09pm — 4 Comments

Cleaning and Replacing The Condenser Fan in Refrigerators

Strange noises emanating from the refrigerator really upsets clients. In addition to the noise, the refrigerator feels warm to the touch. We get these calls often for refrigerator…

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Added by Carlos Hazbun on February 8, 2013 at 1:08pm — No Comments

Building America Solution Center and 2013 Building America Technical Update Meeting

Hello friends - I wanted to take a moment to let you know about a tool you’ve probably heard about from me or our colleagues– the Building America Solution Center. it's now live and can be accessed here: …

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Added by Stacy Hunt on February 7, 2013 at 1:19pm — No Comments

EMC Affordable YesHaus

A key mission of EMC is to Provide Affordable Housing for All People Worldwide.

First a word from our sponsor ... All YesHauses are affordable!  EMC continues to push the market trends by selling cost competitive homes with superior energy features.

Over 7 million households in the US spend more than half of their monthly income on rent and many of those households are  in substandard housing.  From my own experience, I remember weatherizing a home in…

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Added by Duke Elliott on February 7, 2013 at 1:01pm — No Comments

Lights, Camera, Energy Efficiency!

More energy efficient stage lighting? Yes, please! Theatrical lighting is found in many schools, churches, and local theaters. The Tungsten lamp on the left runs at 575 or 750 watts, lasts for about 1,500 to 2,000 hours, and requires oft-replaced gel slides for color changes. And it gets very hot. By comparison, the LED…

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Added by Melissa Ulbricht on February 7, 2013 at 1:00pm — No Comments

EMC Affordable YesHaus

A key mission of EMC is to Provide Affordable Housing for All People Worldwide.

First a word from our sponsor ... All YesHauses are affordable!  EMC continues to push the market trends by selling cost competitive homes with superior energy features.

Over 7 million households in the US spend more than half of their monthly income on rent and many of those households are  in substandard housing.  From my own experience, I remember weatherizing a home in…

Continue

Added by Elliott Management Consultants on February 7, 2013 at 12:38pm — No Comments

The XX Factor

ACI launched a new initiative in February of 2012 to address challenges, remove barriers, and promote opportunities for women in the traditionally male-dominated home performance and weatherization industry. It is called Women in Home Performance, and it presents a forum for business development, education, mentoring, and networking through webinars, ACI events, a LinkedIn discussion group, and online trainings. Both men…

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Added by Macie Melendez on February 6, 2013 at 9:44am — 1 Comment

When do I do the air leakage test?

Thankfully more and more new homes in Ontario are being 3rd party airtightness tested. Some do it to comply with EnerGuide80, some builders want to distinguish their build quality by having it ‘pass’ an air test or to meet a branded standard like EnergySTAR and many, surprisingly, still don’t get tested at all. Understandably many builders and architects are nervous about…

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Added by Greg Labbe on February 5, 2013 at 5:12am — No Comments

Outdoor Reset & ECM Pumps

    There are some opportunities that come along for homeowners that seem to good to be true, and most of your parents and grandparents can tell you if it looks this way it probably is.  But, how about quick return on your investment that will continue to save money for the life of your boiler?  This is what an outdoor reset control will do for them.  Add the feature of a more comfortable home and most people start asking: What is the catch?  The catch is the technician needs to not only…

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Added by Christopher Morin on February 4, 2013 at 6:31pm — 2 Comments

FREE RESNET EnergySmart Contractor Course with Green Training USA

         

The RESNET EnergySmart Contractor designation is a company credential (one full-time employee must complete training and pass the exam). It allows you to work with homeowners to improve their comfort and safety, and help them reduce their energy bills.

You will be credentialed to work in concert with certified energy auditors to complete home performance improvement work in compliance with RESNET's…

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Added by Green Training USA on February 4, 2013 at 1:12pm — 1 Comment

Advances in Spray Foam

Last December, Building Science Corporation (BSC) Principal Dr. Joe Lstiburek presented a full day webinar session on spray foam concerns and solutions, using information based on field experience and laboratory research. The webcast featured reports on BSC…

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Added by Anna Jursik on February 4, 2013 at 12:34pm — No Comments

High Performance Home Simple to Buy - Like a Latte???!

A group of industry visionaries has set out to make the home-buying process as simple as buying a latte! It's an inspired vision of simplicity and data-sharing all built around the consumer. Latte Vision Video

According to their website, Inman News is the leading source of independent real estate news, information, advice,…

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Added by Laura Reedy Stukel on February 2, 2013 at 8:00am — No Comments

Rock Wool Old Dog New Tricks

I've been reading a lot of info from Europe on rock wool. It is claimed to be close in R-value to foam and much greener with open vapor. I am interested in using for exterior and basement insulation. Does anyone have experience using rigid rock wool? Thanks.

Added by Richard Scott Mills on January 31, 2013 at 1:32pm — No Comments

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