Glen Gallo's Blog (12)

Home Performance Contractor Dreams

The Three Laws of Home Performance Contractor

First Law

A performance contractor must do no harm through action or in action.

Second Law

A performance contractor must follow the principles of building science unless they are in conflict with the first law

Third Law

A performance contractor must protect…

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Added by Glen Gallo on November 13, 2012 at 10:33pm — 6 Comments

Building Science is not really science

Building Science is not really science; it is more of a concept. While the concepts were developed by scientists the system itself is not really hard science. The concepts are generally employed by building analysts and construction professionals. While I consider myself a student of building science I do not consider myself a building scientist. I am simply a tradesman with special training. While some in the field might have different opinions about their role in this industry I am…

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Added by Glen Gallo on October 29, 2012 at 11:26pm — 7 Comments

What does the the N factor stand for

I have a theory for what the N stands for in the N factor but really no clue. I understand what the n factor intends to do and how to use it but fail to understand how it applies in the real world and in particular to San Diego.

The N factor is a correction number that smooths the data for blower door numbers in multiple climate zones of homes of different size and height and brings the homes into a level playing field. We then can use this number…

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Added by Glen Gallo on October 6, 2012 at 11:20am — 7 Comments

Carbon Credits in California

So it begins. California is now on its way to carbon trading. The first wave is to hit in November for Industries here in California. Only 10 percent of the credits will be auctioned in the first year and by 2020 50 percent will be auctioned.

I have never been an advocate of the carbon credit/carbon trading. Touted as a simple Pigovian Tax (like any Pigovian tax is simple) It’s aim is to reduce carbon emissions. The idea is to put a limit on carbon and then have the market trade…

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Added by Glen Gallo on September 13, 2012 at 7:30am — No Comments

Mechanical Ventilation

Mechanical ventilation of your home is a good idea. That means a fan running 24 hours a day 365 days a year. It provides a means of reducing indoor air pollutants and improving IAQ. It’s good for you and your whole family. We have a cute saying “dilution is the solution to indoor air pollution”

But aren’t you supposed to show me ways to save money and use less electricity? I don’t get it

True…

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Added by Glen Gallo on August 31, 2012 at 3:03pm — 14 Comments

The Tortilla, The Kitchen Fan and The Energy Auditor

So, I was getting ready for my morning bike ride to the coast and decided I needed some calories. Part of my choice was some tortillas. I placed them in the toaster oven and went about my morning. This included drinking my morning coffee and checking my email.

Mmm what is that smell? I had inadvertently put the…

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Added by Glen Gallo on January 9, 2012 at 6:30am — 4 Comments

My opinion on Why Google PowerMeter failed

http://rede3.com/Why_Google_PowerMeter_failed.html

Why was the plug pulled on Google PowerMeter?

Google’s philanthropic branch launched Google PowerMeter in February 2009. Its goal was to put the power of seeing electricity usage into the hands of the consumer. The idea was born of a study that showed that those that had access to daily energy data reduced usage by 10…

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Added by Glen Gallo on September 25, 2011 at 12:15pm — 4 Comments

The Cost of doing Nothing

http://rede3.com/The-Cost-of-Doing-Nothing.html

In these tough economic times everybody is looking to save where they can. In our quest to reduce our costs often times we decide to do nothing at all. It seems like sound economic policy because doing nothing cost nothing right….…

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Added by Glen Gallo on September 4, 2011 at 8:50am — 2 Comments

My Letter to Governor Brown

CHEERS and The CEC

While I feel this will fall on deaf ears I felt it worth a try. I am (or was) a HERS Rater here in California. The CEC and CHEERS have “locked” many of us raters out of conducting business here in California. I have personally passed on jobs due to this squabble.

This lockout began in early October. It was thought that this would be resolved quickly. After a five month moratorium this obviously is not the case. As far as I know the problem is data…

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Added by Glen Gallo on March 1, 2011 at 8:30am — 1 Comment

Code is a four letter word

From my experience in the field I would say that code is the most overused misunderstood word. Early in my construction career I heard this word thrown around. It was and is referenced often with true meaning and good advice.

However it has also been used as a conversation ending to a dispute from the Ivory Tower “Thou shalt not doubt in me for I am the reference of thy Code and cannot be denied”. It is from these sources that I have issue. I have found that often times…

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Added by Glen Gallo on January 31, 2011 at 3:45pm — 3 Comments

Why I am optimistic about the future of Energy Efficiency industry.

As I sit here typing I am for the in a long time optimistic about our industry. The crash and burn of PACE and subsequently Homestar left many of us wondering if our industry would ever make it to prime time.

I have new found optimism. I am actually excited. In the last month I have seen the following.

Vice President Biden and the news conference regarding Home Score. Agree with it or not it got press. It also…

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Added by Glen Gallo on November 18, 2010 at 8:30am — 1 Comment

The Government and Retrofitting and my view on the need for third party audits

I just got done reading an article by Martin La Monica at the CNET green blog

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20022184-54.html

What was of particular interest to me was the pdf attached at the bottom.

.

Out of fifteen homes in the report below are some findings

***************************************************************************************************

Twelve homes failed final… Continue

Added by Glen Gallo on November 9, 2010 at 8:38am — 1 Comment

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