Jack Duffy
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May 23, 2017
Expect to see changes that will allow oil and gas companies to sell more product even in areas where renewables and conservation are cheaper without subsidies. Hiding the science of climate change will make it easier for America to continue to avoid a movement to 21st Century technology that will leave American behind the rest of the world competitively. Consider that Norway will ban new gas powered cars by 2025 and Germany makes houses that use 1/20th the energy of an American house.
America could fall well behind the rest of the world but there is at least on bright spot as Tesla just became America’s most valuable car company in a few years and will soon dominate solar collection with a
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May 04, 2017
Renewables create almost as many jobs as fossil fuels that receive all the government attention. More astonishing is that energy efficiency produces more jobs that both but gets zero attention from politicians. The following article (originally posted here) outlines these details. Credit: Jim Barrett, Chief Economist.
Coal is big. Solar’s bigger. But energy efficiency is the biggest.
Blog | April 28, 2017 - 10:19 am
By Jim Barrett, Chief Economist
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May 01, 2017
Wöhler Technik GmbH is pleased to announce the acquisition of Retrotec Inc, effective May 1, 2017. Managing Directors Ben Walker and Darren Kennedy will continue to run the operations. A new company titled, “Wohler Retrotec, Inc.” will be formed.
The German enterprise Wöhler was founded in 1932 and since then has earned an international reputation as a manufacturer of high quality measurement instruments for the Building and HVAC industries. The product lines of both companies include Blower Door Systems and leakage testers, which will perfectly complement each other. “Especially the professional customers of Wöhler and Retrotec Inc will benefit from the collaboration of these two experts who join their know-how and experience” comments Johannes Lötfering,
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April 17, 2017
One of the world’s largest projects built to save energy
Trump’s proposal to eliminate popular money-saving energy efficiency programs, including the EPA’s Energy Star Program and the DOE’s Weatherization Assistance Program will be a major loss for consumers, experts have warned — but also for the climate.
A professor at the University of California at Los Angeles were able to analyze data on the energy use of 178,777 commercial buildings from the years 2005 to 2012. Their findings show Energy Star and LEED-certified buildings used 19.31
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April 17, 2017
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) funded study shows Passive House for tall buildings in NY can reduce heating energy consumption by 85%. When compared to the base case targeting LEED Silver, the Passive House design saved 47% in energy use intensity while only increasing construction cost by 2.4%. Improved air quality and longevity make this a very good investment over time.
Thank you to NYSERDA for funding the study to determine how the construction industry can become more energy efficient.
Passive House is the equivalent of the German PassivHaus Standard.
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March 21, 2017
The Washington State Department of Commerce has released, "Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard Version 3.0." Below are notes as related to residential airtightness testing:
Section 5.11: Airchange on rehab gets 3 pts for 7 ACH and 7 pts for 5 ACH. This could be difficult in some types of houses. Key step, is to find all the attic leaks around plumbing stack vents and chimneys that can be sealed off with foamboard, foam and sheet metal for chimneys. Then wiring penetrations and pot lights that must all be replaced with sealed LED units to save on leakage and power. This work is most easily done by removing the insulation which will allow the tops of all wals to be sealed between the 2x4 and sheetrock. All open joist ends must be blocked and sealed. Then look at joist spaces in the basement that should all be foamed. DOE has a Bypass Guide
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March 18, 2017
Leakage to Outdoors and Advanced DucTesting Methods
-When is it required?
-Setup options
-Complex setups
-Additional leakage to the outdoors tests
