Posts Tagged ‘Energy Auditing’

Civic Works Includes Pro Energy Consultants as a Member on its New Green Careers Advisory Board

November 17th, 2009

Civic Works has created a Green Careers Advisory board to develop its programs and create other workforce development initiatives that support environmental sustainability. Maryland’s Pro Energy Consultants’ President Adam Levitt has been appointed a board member to contribute his energy auditing, energy retrofit market and green career initiatives expertise.

BALTIMORE, M.D. – Nov. 16, 2009 – Pro Energy Consultants’ Maryland franchise owner has been appointed a member of the Civic Works Green Careers Advisory Board.  The board reviewed Civic Works’ green career initiatives at its first meeting Nov. 5.

The purpose of the Green Careers Advisory Board is to develop Civic Works’ 3E Energy Solutions program, which creates paid on-the-job training opportunities, and the B’more Green program—an environmental workforce development program that prepares Baltimore residents for entry-level positions in environmental technology and remediation.  The board will also create other workforce development initiatives that support environmental sustainability.

“Adam brings a strong understanding of the energy auditing and energy retrofit market, and the needs of employers to the Green Careers Advisory Board,” said Civic Works Green Careers Coordinator Eli Allen.  “His input is helping us shape our green career initiatives and ensures that the people we train have the skills necessary to succeed in the home performance sector.”

Pro Energy Consultants began partnering with Civic Works last September.  As part of the partnership, Pro Energy donates two residential energy audits to this nonprofit organization monthly.

“I’m pleased to be asked to join the Civic Works Green Advisory Board,” said Maryland Pro Energy Consultants President Adam Levitt.  “Pro Energy Consultants has worked hard to help Civic Works’ clients make energy efficient changes to their homes.  I welcome the opportunity to become further involved in the training that facilitates those changes.”

The Green Careers Advisory Board consists of employers, representatives of public agencies, professionals and community leaders who will meet up to four times annually.  Members will be asked to offer advice on such topics as the expansion of Civic Works’ programs, curriculum and development, as well as identifying potential funding resources and community partners.  In addition, members will work to identify additional green careers that Civic Works can offer training in.

Civic Works, a local AmeriCorps program, provides young people, unemployed and underemployed Baltimore residents with job training, life skills, and employment opportunities.  All of the organization’s projects—which include rehabilitating houses or building parks or gardens—are designed to give back to the community. Pro Energy Consultants, the nation’s first home energy auditing franchise, provides homeowners customized, comprehensive energy audits designed to maximize the home’s comfort and energy efficiency while reducing energy costs.

For more information about home energy audits, call 888-220-3170 or (410) 988-7794, or visit http://www.proenergymd.com .  For more information about Civic Works, call (410) 366-8533 or visit http://www.civicworks.com /.

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About Pro Energy Consultants

Pro Energy Consultants’ proven system for conducting energy audits is backed by more than 15 years experience and more than 10,000 energy audits. The company’s mission is to provide customized, comprehensive and diagnostic energy audits designed to maximize a home’s comfort and energy efficiency while reducing energy costs. This mission not only sets the worldwide standard for energy audits but also established Pro Energy as the world’s leading expert on the subject. In October 2008 Pro Energy began awarding franchises—making it the first national franchise in residential energy auditing. Being the ideal “green franchise” opportunity, it has quickly grown to more than 35 franchises nationwide. The company is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Conversation with an Energy Auditor

September 25th, 2009

Pro Energy ConsultantsInterview: QuestionWhat is the biggest overall misconception that homeowners have about energy efficiency?

Interview: AnswerMany homeowners think that, in order to dramatically improve their efficiency and lower costs, they need to explore cutting edge green technologies.  While those technologies are fantastic, energy efficiency starts with how the structure of a home and its systems interact.  After all, it’s the home where the energy is used…and wasted.

Interview: QuestionTell us a little about energy audits. Why are they important? What should homeowners expect?

Interview: AnswerPro Energy Consultants use state-of-the-art infrared imaging and blower door testing to determine wasteful energy use in a home or facility.  The blower door, installed to a home’s front door frame, acts like a giant fan and blows air out of the home, exaggerating the airflow and pressurization of the house and making energy leakage far more detectable. Pro Energy Consultants then uses the latest in infrared technology to scan the structure and systems in the home. This technical testing and equipment gives homeowners a clear picture of exactly where their home is losing energy, and therefore, wasting money.  The entire process takes approximately one to three hours.  Other than allowing the auditor access to the home, homeowners don’t really need to do anything to prepare for an audit.

Interview: QuestionIn your experience, what are homeowners always the most surprised to learn from their energy audit results?

Interview: AnswerMost homeowners are very happily surprised to learn that many of the repairs that have the biggest impact on energy efficiency are very inexpensive and easy to get done.  That is, once you know where they are!

Interview: QuestionAre there any specific energy efficiency challenges that homeowners in your state or region face?

Interview: AnswerAs a national company, we find that true, ethical energy auditors are constantly battling other companies that are using the energy audit merely as an entry point in order to sell other products or services.  A true energy audit should stand on its own and advocate for the homeowner’s best interests.  Period.

Interview: QuestionWhat advice would you give a homeowner who is hesitant to schedule an energy audit because they fear the recommended improvements will be too expensive?

Interview: AnswerIt’s very powerful to know what’s really wrong in your home.  While some of the improvements may be too costly to act on immediately, at least you’ll know.   Plus, there are always things that can be done inexpensively that will make a noticeable difference.

Interview: QuestionIn that same vein, what’s one low-cost weekend project that homeowners can do to make their homes more energy efficient?

Interview: AnswerIt may be out of range of some do-it-yourselfers, but insulating any and all recessed lights in your ceiling will almost always make a big difference.

Interview: QuestionNow it’s time for some inspiration. Tell us about one of the best home success stories you’ve seen in your time in this field.

Interview: AnswerWe recently audited two dormitories for a children’s not-for-profit in Ohio. Their savings in energy costs after we were done? More than 50%! They’re a non-profit trying to improve the lives of disadvantaged children, and they need every last dollar they can save. It was a real “feel good” story for us.

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Cut Your Energy Bills – Part 2

September 9th, 2009

PART 2 – CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY…

2. Water Consumption

Dollar Savings $400

If you’re not already aware of your household’s water use, you will be soon.  Almost four in five states anticipate water shortages by 2013, which could lead to steeper rates and penalties for excessive use.  When it comes to showering and washing dishes and clothes, you’re also paying to heat the water.

Stop Drips

It’s the fastest way to conserve, saving the average household about $70 a year.  Next, upgrade to water-efficient fixtures.  Low-flow showerheads can save as much as $265 per year on water bills.  ”A $30 showerhead can save more money than $3,000 worth of solar panels,” says Charlie Szoradi, of Green and Save, a company based in Devon, Pa., that analyzes the payback of energy-efficiency projects.  Switching to a low-flow toilet, which uses 1.28 gallons per flush compared with the 3.5 to 5 gallons of a 15-year-old or older model, can save $90.  Also check for utility rebates.

Watch the Water Heater

Lower the temperature to 120° F and insulate your hot-water pipes.  If your unit is more than a decade old, do your research now.  That way you’ll get a new unit that has a long warranty and is sized appropriately, not whatever’s on the truck of the only plumber who calls you back when your old heater breaks.

Easy, Low-Cost Solutions

Insulate your water heater.  Don’t prerinse dishes before loading them into the dishwasher. Add an aerator to faucets.

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Energy All-Stars

Kohler’s Cimarron K-3609 toilet, $300, excelled in our solid and liquid tests and used 1.28 gallons per flush.

Our testers described the watersaving American Standard FlowWise Dual Function 1660.717 showerhead, $50, as refreshing and stimulating.  The Moen Inspire 21777, also $50, used slightly more water but has more settings.

3. Recycling

Dollar Savings $250

Though recycling saves the least money, it generated some of the highest results in our survey.  Two-thirds of people said they recycle paper and plastic, and over half recycle metal and glass — proof that being green isn’t just about saving green.

Rewards and Penalties Initiated

RecycleBank, which is now used by a million people across 20 states, lets you put all of your recyclables in one container instead of separating them by type.  Then it weighs the container and issues rewards or points redeemable at local retailers.  The average household gets $250 worth.  ”Pay As You Throw” programs, in 7,100 communities nationwide according to Skumatz Economic Research Associates of Superior, Colo., treat trash like a utility: Homeowners are charged for the garbage they throw out.  And if you’re not redeeming bottle deposits, you’re not alone. Millions of dollars are unclaimed every year.

Nontraditional Recycling Is Low

Our survey revealed less widespread recycling rates for items such as batteries (32 percent), printer cartridges (30 percent), small electronics (17 percent), CFLs (16 percent), and large electronics (12 percent).  Some of the most common reasons for throwing items away instead of recycling them were that people didn’t think the item could be recycled or they didn’t have enough information to do so.  But just about everything that comes into the home can be recycled. The Web site Earth911.com lists more than 100,000 recycling locations, which can be searched by material and ZIP code. If you come up empty there, contact your department of solid-waste management.

A large percentage of respondents told us they donated or otherwise gave away certain household items, including furniture (29 percent), small appliances (28 percent), and major appliances (21 percent).  If you go that route, first check with the Better Business Bureau (www.give.org) or Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org) to make sure you’re giving to a worthy cause.

Easy, Low-Cost Solutions

Start a compost bin for organic food scraps or ask whether the local farmers market will take them.  Trade household items on sites such as freecycle.org.  Invest in a reusable water container to cut down on your household’s use of plastic water bottles.  Take spent CFLs to a Home Depot for recycling.

Energy All-Stars

Whole Foods Recycled Foldable Tote, $4, was especially good at containing leaks and isn’t as bulky as most bags.  Its $1 cousin, A Better Bag, held the most and can be returned if it rips.  But it absorbed leaks, so spills are a bit harder to clean.

4. Electricity Use

Annual Savings $300

Between lights, electronics, and appliances, electricity accounts for almost 40 percent of the average home’s energy use.  But there are ways to cut back in each category without sacrificing.

By changing 10 bulbs and replacing three major appliances with energy-efficient models, you can save hundreds per year.  As our survey found, many American are already taking advantage of those savings.  Almost two-thirds have replaced an incandescent lightbulb with a CFL.  As for appliances, 34 percent of respondents told us they’ve upgraded to an energy-efficient model.  It doesn’t make sense to pitch a perfectly good appliance or electronic item, but if you’re in the market for a new one, the type you choose can make a difference.  For example, side-by-side refrigerators use more energy than top- or bottom-mounts, top-loading washers use more electricity and water than front-loaders, and plasma TVs use more electricity than LCD sets.

Easy, Low-Cost Solutions

Plug electronics into power strips with built-in sensors that automatically shut off devices that aren’t in use.  Set your computer to hibernate.  Use LED holiday string lights. Turn off lights when you leave a room.

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Energy All-Stars

The EcoSmart 423-599 240EDXO-14 compact fluorescent bulb was the top performer in our tests.  It replaces a 60-watt standard incandescent bulb and costs only $1.50.

The GE WCVH6800J, an $800 front-loading washer, scored excellent in both water and energy efficiencies, saving up to $125 per year over a traditional top-loader.

Good News: You’re Being Audited!

Unlike the IRS version, a home-energy audit can save you money.  It provides a comprehensive assessment of your home’s heating, cooling, and distribution systems; an insulation checkup; and a review of your energy bills.  A well-trained auditor will also interview you to correct any inefficient behaviors.  Audits have proven so effective at curbing energy use that Austin, Texas, requires home sellers to share their results with buyers.

Costs Vary

Certified auditors charge from $300 to $800.  Or consider doing it yourself, especially if you think your home is relatively efficient.  The Department of Energy’s Web site, at www.energysavers.gov, has detailed information on do-it-yourself energy audits and links to finding local auditors.   If the results of your DIY audit look bad, hire a professional for a more detailed assessment..

Bottom Line

Not all energy-saving projects are equal.  So have the auditor prioritize any suggested work by savings and payback time.

Also remember that not everyone who hangs a green shingle has the training to identify inefficiencies.  There are eco-consultants, who might charge $99 for a 60-minute walk-through of your home, pointing out leaky faucets and inefficient lightbulbs.  Then there are general contractors who see energy efficiency as the one bright spot in an otherwise shrinking industry.  Last but not least are single-product salespeople.  ”Homeowners have been hearing forever that replacing their windows can save 40 percent,” says Chandler von Schrader, head of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Home Performance with Energy Star program.  ”These claims aren’t justified and they create a false expectation.”

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Cut Your Energy Bills – Part 1

September 8th, 2009

You can save $1,500 with these 4 strategies

Most homes, including yours, waste energy.  That inefficiency is costing you plenty, but it doesn’t have to.

Even if you’ve already switched to compact fluorescent bulbs and retired the refrigerator in the basement, there’s more you can do.  Some of the simplest projects, such as adding insulation and sealing cracks and ductwork, can yield the biggest savings.  And thanks to new federal tax credits, it will take less time for those projects to pay for themselves.

Yet in a recent nationally representative Consumer Reports survey of 2,014 Americans, only 12 percent had added or upgraded their home’s insulation in the last three years.  Just a paltry 5 percent had insulated their heating and cooling ductwork.

Conflicting and confusing claims can make it hard to know where the real savings are.  So we’ve examined the claims across four key categories — heating and cooling, water, recycling, and electricity — and ordered them by potential money and energy savings based on national rates for electricity, gas, and water.  We’ve also mined our survey data to figure out what consumers are doing and where there’s room for improvement. The result is a road map for taking your home’s energy efficiency to the next level.

1. Heating and Cooling

Annual Savings $550

Approximately 40 percent of residential energy bills are for heating and cooling.  That’s also where you can reap the greatest savings.  In the winter, warm air inside your home rises and escapes into the attic through holes and gaps. It’s replaced by colder exterior air that’s pulled in through cracks and gaps in the lower levels.  That leads to drafty, uncomfortable rooms and high energy bills, even in newer homes.  ”There’s a huge gap between what’s in the building code and what’s needed for optimal energy efficiency,” says Frank O’Brien-Bernini, chief sustainability officer for Owens Corning, an insulation manufacturer.

Eliminate Leaks

Use a combination of caulk, foam board, expandable sealant, and weather stripping to fill gaps.  Attics in particular are often full of holes from recessed lights, electrical wiring, chimney chases, and more. Look for dirty insulation, which is a sign of air leaks. In the basement, check for gaps around ductwork and plumbing pipes.  And don’t forget about window and door frames, as well as electrical outlets and switches.  Cracked caulking and staining around those openings are indications of air leaks.  One trick of the trade: Turn on all of the exhaust fans in the home and then use an incense stick or smoke pen to spot leaks.  Or try that without the fans on a windy day.

Check Insulation Levels

If your attic has less than 11 inches of fiberglass or rock wool or 8 inches of cellulose, you would probably benefit by adding more.  Also check for missing insulation, over the attic hatch, for example. Compressed insulation loses its effectiveness, so don’t store things on top of it. You may also need to add insulation in the basement or crawl space.  Go to www.proenergymd.com and search for “ZIP code insulation program” to find specific recommendations for your area.

Correct Ductwork

It’s the last step, and the one that’s the most overlooked.  Spending $500 to seal leaky or poorly insulated ducts that run through crawl spaces, attics, or other unconditioned areas can save you about $400 per year, according to the Energy Efficient Rehab Advisor.   Remediation is dirty work that requires the right materials.  Leave it to a qualified heating and cooling pro.

A buttoned-up house won’t leak energy, but you should still have your heating and cooling equipment inspected annually, and change furnace and A/C filters monthly.  A programmable thermostat is also worth every penny.  By automatically lowering your heating-system thermostat 5 to 10 degrees at night and during the day if no one is home, the device will shave up to 20 percent off of your heating costs.  It can also save on cooling costs.  In our survey, roughly six in ten respondents with a programmable model have seen savings. But you need to stick to those settings to save.

Easy, Low-Cost Solutions

Lock double-hung windows to prevent air from escaping. Open curtains on south-facing windows on cold days to let in the sun.

Energy All-Stars

The Lux Smart Temp Touch Screen TX9000TS programmable thermostat, $80, was especially easy to operate and maintains steady temperatures. The screen on the $55 Hunter Set & Save 44360 was easier to read than most. Some tested thermostats were so difficult to use that you might end up using more energy.

Part 2 Tomorrow -

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Energy Efficient Schools, Homes Improve Student Performance

August 25th, 2009

A recent article by the American Institute of Architects lays out the case for energy efficiency in schools as a means of improving student performance.  It’s an interesting article, albeit one that doesn’t come as a huge surprise.

According to the article:  “Numerous studies now indicate that better lighting, ventilation and indoor air-quality in schools contribute to higher student achievement. Indeed, buildings with more filtered air and fewer materials that contain toxins reduce the instance of asthma and colds and flu, and therefore absenteeism among students, and it also reduces teacher turnover.”

Of course, improving energy efficiency in schools is an investment that pays for itself exponentially – healthier kids, healthier planet, lower energy bills, and on and on.  For us, the most striking part of the article is the question that necessarily arises: Does the same hold true for energy efficiency in the home?

We’ll leave the number-crunching to the think tanks, but can’t help but imagine that any of the perks of energy efficiency that improve performance in schools would have the same effects at home, including increased comfort and improved indoor air quality.  We’re already aware of the multitudinous ways in which energy efficiency can benefit children by helping to guarantee that the planet will continue to be livable as they grow older.

But an equally important benefit, as evidenced by this study, is that energy efficient buildings truly are healthier living environments.  With indoor air pollution making the EPA’s Top-5 list of environmental threats to public health, this is no small potato.

When weighed against such a huge payoff, our reasons for putting off any efforts to improve the efficiency of our homes (take, for example, the excuse of “inertia”) seem really… well… lame.  A little caulking in the basement, a little foam up in the attic, maybe an extra layer of insulation – you really could do that.

By Will Mallett

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Lenders Catch on to the Value of Energy Efficiency

August 25th, 2009

Energy efficiency has  been described as everything from the new green to low hanging fruit to the fruit lying on the ground.  And while we have seen some progress in terms of home energy efficiency, barriers for homeowners remain.  Among the the top noted hurdles: Inertia (we can help) and cost.  A recent article in the Wall Street Journal brought to light several existing programs from lenders designed to increase the rate of energy efficiency retrofits in existing housing.  The piece provides a good assessment of these programs, which include the following:

- Homeowners seeking a second mortgage or refinancing may have the costs of energy efficiency upgrades bundled into the mortgage to be repaid over the life of the loan, so long as they agree to reduce their current energy usage by a certain amount.

- Purchasers of a newly constructed property that meets Energy Star standards may receive up to a$1,000 credit on closing costs that creep up on signing day.

- Borrowers wishing to increase their qualifying income level for loans may be able to use low monthly energy bills.  Participating lenders include: Bank of America’s Countrywide Financial, CitiMortgage, and lenders who sell their loans to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  Here’s how the deal is described in the Wall Street Journal:

If borrowers earn $3,000 a month and save $400 on bills, the lender would consider their income $3,400. Borrowers can potentially add quite a bit to their qualifying income this way, since even simple fixes can bring big savings on energy bills. Air sealing, for instance, helps reduce heating and cooling costs by as much as 30%, and runs just $300 to $500 if you do it yourself, or $1,500 to $2,000 for a contractor.

While these are constructive steps, they are all mortgage-based approaches which, for the most part, have yet to ignite a broad efficiency fire.  There has been much discussion as to why this is the case, but it should come as no surprise, in this economic climate, that homeowners don’t have a 20-30 year investment horizon for efficiency.

A small credit on closing costs is positive, for sure, but incremental tweaks like this are drops in the bucket, and getting efficiency mobilized in a substantial way demands much larger thinking.

A promising program in play in Colorado and Maine that entitles homeowners to save on their interest rates comes closer to the mark, and feels more similar to the ingenious program developed by Architecture 2030, which entitles home owners to reduce their interest rate correlating directly to the percentage saved.

The key assumption in all of these programs is that home energy improvements increase the value of homes.  It is great to see mortgage markets beginning to reflect this, as the sooner housing markets recognize the tangible value of energy efficiency, the sooner we’ll get out of incrementalism start seeing the kind of massive fundamental change that our housing stock and our planet so desperately need.

By Peter Troast

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US marines in Afghanistan launch first energy efficiency audit in war zone

August 17th, 2009

Commandant calls for 10,000-strong contingent to be more energy efficient to save lives and money

The US Marines Corps ordered the first ever energy audit in a war zone todayto try to reduce the enormous fuel costs of keeping troops on the ground in Afghanistan.

General James T Conway, the Marines Corps Commandant, said he wanted a team of energy experts in place in Afghanistan by the end of the month to find ways to cut back on the fuel bills for the 10,000 strong marine contingent.  US marines in Afghanistan run through some 800,000 gallons of fuel a day. That’s a higher burn rate than during an initial invasion, and reflects the logistical challenges of running counter-insurgency and other operations in the extreme weather conditions of Afghanistan.

“We need to understand where the fuel goes,” Conway told a Marines Corps energy summit today. “The largest growing demand on the battlefield today is for electricity and how we create that.”  He added: “We are going to more efficient. We have got to be.”  Conway’s announcement — and the summit itself, which is the first of its kind — were seen yesterday as a dramatic shift in the US military’s approach to energy consumption and climate change.

The Pentagon began to acknowledge America’s reliance on fossil fuels and climate change as a national security concern in 2002. A report from the Pentagon’s military advisory board last May called on military bases to work to lower their carbon footprint.  A number of bases inside the US have begun to tap into renewable fuel sources including wind and solar energy.  But the Marine Corps are the first service to try to put those policies into action on the battlefield.

Conway, who led the marine invasion of Iraq in 2003, said he was motivated by the high costs — as well as the risks to troops – of getting oil and water to combat zones.  For land-locked Afghanistan, the nearest port at Karachi in Pakistan is more than 400 miles away from marine bases, and maintaining those long supply lines has become an increasingly dangerous proposition.  Some 80% of US military casualties in Afghanistan are due to improvised explosive devices (IEDS), and many of those placed in the path of supply convoys.

The costs of shipping water and fuel to the troops is also becoming unsustainable.  The price of a gallon of petrol in a war zone can cost up to $100.  ”It is a shocking figure to compute what it costs by the time you pour that gallon of gas into a Humvee or an aircraft in the place you are operating,” Conway said.  He said he was looking to his energy auditors to find ways of cutting back energy consumption at operating bases, and also to pare down the equipment carried by each individual marine.  An average marine carries about 9lbs of disposable batteries in their kit to power equipment such as night vision goggles and radios.

One immediate target of the auditors is likely to be climate control.  Some 448,000 gallons alone are used to keep tents cool in the Afghan summer, where temperatures reach well over 40C, and warm in the winter, said Michael Boyd, an energy adviser to the Marine Corps.  The marines have been exploring ways to reduce that consumption by spraying tents with a foam coating.  ”That’s a huge saving and you are no longer putting trucks on those roads, and tanker drivers in harm’s way and everyone else involved on the way,” Boyd said.

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ASHRAE Building EQ: An Intelligent Energy Measurement System. | Energy Circle

August 11th, 2009

ASHRAE Building EQ: An Intelligent Energy Measurement System. | Energy Circle.

http://www.proenergymd.com

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