CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lamp)

TEST TIME: True or False?
• It will be illegal to manufacturer or sell an incandescent light bulb in 2014.
• CFLs are 25% bigger than standard light bulbs and do not fit all fixtures.
• Standard pigtail-designed CFLs are unsuitable for many lighting fixtures such as chandeliers.
• CFLs cannot be used outside in cold climates or in cold garages.
• You must evacuate the room for 15 minutes when a CFL breaks and releases the poisonous mercury vapor.
• Phillips Lighting helped Congress write the legislation

Strange, but ALL true.

The Energy Bill that passed in Washington DC last month did indeed phase out the traditional incandescent bulbs in favor of the compact fluorescent's starting in 2012. There are people who say if CFLs are such a great money-saving idea why does it need to be mandated by law? Whether the law is challenged, rescinded or stays, it is obvious CFLs will be in our future and we’ll have to learn where to use them, how to use them, and how to deal with the hazardous waste implications.

What do you think? Have you already switched over to CFL fixtures? Are you receiving any inquiries about CFLs from home buyers? CFLs offer many advantages but there are also disadvantages and your customers will expect you to be able to talk to both sides of the issue and address their concerns.

For everything you EVER wanted to know about CFLs visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_fluorescent_lamp

When a CFL Bulb Breaks, use Specialized Clean-up Procedures
Builders would be well advised to distribute a print out of how to clean up a broken CFL to their subcontractors as well as the new home buyers. The most recent publication was released February 25, 2008 from the EPA office in Maine. http://www.maine.gov/dep/rwm/homeowner/cflreport.htm

Basically, ventilate the room immediately for at least 15 minutes and evacuate. Upon returning gather the broken parts in a glass jar with a lid that seals. DO NOT use a vacuum cleaner as this only aggravates the diffusion of mercury gas into the air. Though mercury can be swallowed or absorbed by the skin, the more dangerous potential poisoning is through breathing mercury gas. This is of special concern to infants and pregnant women. For a detailed discussion on the mercury gas vapors, see TreeHugger.com at this page:

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/05/ask_treehugger_14.php

For more information, please contact GWS @ 1-888-488-0206 or visit our web site www.gwssi.com.

 



What Happened?

Did you get busy during the holidays and not follow the Energy Bill that was passed? The average fuel efficiency will go from 25 mpg to 35 mpg by 2030. All total, this bill will reduce America’s energy use by 7% and CO2 emissions by 9% by 2030.
It was a massive piece of legislation that has been called “The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly.”  Read a categorical breakdown on TheDailyGreen.com at: http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/energy-bill-47121901

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Massachusetts is the First to Pass a Law Requiring
Home Energy Audits

People purchasing an existing home will now have the right to see the past year’s utility bills and the seller is be required to provide a home energy audit that would reflect the home’s efficiency and identify areas of potential improvement. Full story at: http://www.boston.com/realestate/news/articles/2008/01/11/bill_seeks_home_energy_use_at_sale/

 





Kelly Parker, P.E.
President: GWS and RESNET

BIG FEBRUARY
February is a hot month for homebuilders! Between the International Builder’s Show in Orlando and the RESNET Conference in San Diego, there is a lot to report. Feb. 14 was “Green Day” at the IBS where builders were told that green building could help them sustain their own businesses and distinguish new homes from existing ones in a slow market. Biggest news from the RESNET conference was the National Standard for Energy Audits for Existing Homes was unveiled.

The provisions of this Standard are intended to define a framework for a home energy audit process, consisting of two levels: a Checklist Home Energy Audit and a Comprehensive Home Energy Audit.  The Checklist Home Energy Audit may take the form of an “On Line Survey” or an in-home “Clipboard Survey”.  The Comprehensive Home Energy Audit may consist of a Home Energy Rating (“HERS Rating”) or a Comprehensive Home Energy Assessment.  An accredited Provider or a program may apply the definitions contained in this Standard to improve the energy performance of existing homes through uniform, comprehensive energy audits for existing residential buildings.

Also ENERGY STAR announced that it would be releasing new programs in addition to the Advanced Lighting Package and the Indoor Air Package.

The 2008 RESNET Building Performance Conference featured dozens of top-notch presentations that are now available to you in PDF format through this web site.   http://www.resnet.us/conference/2008/presentations/default.htm 

For more information, please contact GWS @ 1-888-488-0206 or visit our web site www.gwssi.com.

 



NAHB Green Building Conference in New Orleans
2May 11-13, 2008

 

 

 

 

Get contacts, tools and ideas that are good for both the environment and your bottom line. The National Green Building Conference is the only national conference targeted to green building for the mainstream residential building industry. Network with designers and suppliers, attend exceptional education sessions and develop the skills you need for profitable green building. 

For more information go to: http://www.nahbgreen.org/

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Gulf Coast Green 2008 - Symposium & Expo
April 3 - 6, 2008


Houston
Gulf Coast Green 2008 Symposium is the leading green building conference targeted to design and construction professionals along the Gulf Coast region. The focus is green or sustainable building, but includes broader issues such as sustainable land use and global warming. GCG 2008 will take place on April 3 and 4, 2008 at Reliant Park in Houston, Texas. New this year is the first Sustainable Energy and Green Building Consumer Expo hosted by GCG and the City of Houston. The expo is free and open to the public on April 5 and 6, 2008, at Reliant Park.

More information: www.gulfcoastgreen.org.

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