October 2006

Issue10 Volume 4

10 Years Later, Altus House Exceeds Estimates
by Ed Jacobi, GWS Project Engineere
About 10 years ago GWS provided building science consulting and HVAC design for a private homeowner in Altus, Oklahoma. GWS performed the Manual J load calculations, sized the HVAC equipment, and achieved an Energy Star rating for the homeowner.

This homeowner was diligent in keeping records of all of his utility bills, month-by-month, to make sure that he was conserving as much energy (and money) as we predicted he would. He sent GWS all of his monthly usage data in spreadsheet format since he moved into his new house in 1996. GWS used his real data to do a current energy performance analysis.

The results are amazing! Using the Energy Star Efficiency Calculator, this 5,900 square foot home performs in the top 1% of homes in the nation for heating and cooling energy conservation. When GWS performed the design and analysis for the envelope and HVAC, GWS predicted that the cost for heating and cooling would be $0.35 per square foot per year in 1996 dollars. In spite of energy price escalation and monetary inflation since 1996, the current average heating and cooling cost for the home is just $0.25 per square foot per year in 2006 dollars. Well done!

Photovoltaic Systems
by Bernardo Lopez, GWS Operations Manager

What is a Photovoltaic System (PV)? Why should you consider investing in PV system? Basically, PV systems make electricity from the sunlight. The power they produce can be used to operate lights, appliances, and electronics that normally consume power from regular utilities. Some homeowners and businesses install PV system due to their remote locations where power lines are out of reach. This allows the consumers the ability to generate their own power and save on utility costs. Some consumers that are tied into regular power grids via power lines often install PV systems to help reduce high-energy bills. In some cases these regular power grids are metered to record daily energy usage and energy flowing away from the building. Some utility companies compensate qualified PV system owners if their systems feed energy back into the power grids. In simple terms, if your PV system is generating power and is actually supplying power back to the utility company, then some utility companies will buy the power your system made back from you. This is not a bad way to control your electric bill.

There are many different types of PV systems but they all generally consist of the same components. These components are: solar cells, inverters or generators, and back-up batteries. An example of a solar cell can be found on a solar powered calculator. The concept is almost the same in PV systems but on a much larger scale. Instead of one solar cell, there are solar modules, which are groups of solar cells that are interconnected electronically. Most solar modules are mounted on rooftops and then connected to an inverter. Inverters are electronic devices that convert DC power into AC power which is commonly used in most homes. Most inverters control the charging of multiple batteries that are used for power storage. The batteries serve as a back-up system on cloudy days or nights when the sun is not available.

Investing in a PV system is not cheap, but the cost is determined on the size and power output desired. Most systems cost between $16,000 to $30,000 and have a life span of 25 years or more. Although the initial cost is high, with today’s rising costs of energy,  a moderate return on investment could be achieved. This is just one of the renewable resources available today to conserve energy and protect the environment.

If you have the need for more information, please contact
GWS @ 1-888-488-0206.

Building Code Seminar:
“Residential Energy Code Symposium”
Norman, Oklahoma,  November 2, 2006

The City of Norman will be hosting a Building Code Seminar November 2, 2006.  Titled, “Residential Energy Code Symposium”, this year’s seminar should offer something of interest for both inspectors and residential contractors alike. Speakers will be Kelly Parker and Donney Dorton of Guaranteed Watt Saver Systems, Inc.

The evening’s presentation will include: building envelope fundamentals, moisture-proofing, U-values of common energy components and their proper application as well as a thorough presentation of the new energy requirements required in the 2003 and 2006 IECC.  Due to an increased consumer awareness of energy efficiency backed by financial incentives from both federal and state governments, this year’s subject matter comes in a timely fashion for all those involved in residential construction. Therefor the evening’s presentation is open to both inspectors and building contractors.  We hope that you will join us for what we anticipate to be a very lively, interactive presentation that will educate its viewers on home health, safety, durability and energy code compliance.

Registration will be from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and adjournment will be at 10:00 p.m.
For more information please contact Brenda Wolf at (405) 366-5432.

AIA Oklahoma Fall Convention
Stillwater, Oklahoma,  November 2 - 3, 2006

• 11th Annual Architect's Fall Convention for all Oklahoma-licensed architects.
• Earn 10 HSW hours if attending 1 1/2 day convention.
• Thursday afternoon, AGC and ACEC will join AIA.
• Friday is for architects only.

For more information please visit: http://aiaok.org   or
 http://www.aiaok.org/convention_11_06.php

Building Science 2006
Dallas, Texas,   November 7-8, 2006
The Building Science 2006 advanced course is a full two-day seminar on building science topics ranging from fundamentals, such as the control of heat, air and moisture in buildings, to applied sessions on disaster management and building investigations. The course is focused on commercial, institutional and multi-family buildings. Residential topics relating to unvented roofs/attics, basement and crawl space construction will also be covered and examples relating to single family construction will be presented.

For more information please visit: www.buildingscienceseminars.com

Sunbelt Builder’s Show
Grapevine, TX, DFW Metroplex   Nov 16 – 18, 2006

Sponsored by: Texas Association of Builders and National Association of Home Builders

The Show was recently named one of the Fastest Fifty growing tradeshows by Tradeshow Week Magazine.

If you are in the building industry you should be there! Join more than 5,000 home builders and vendors from across the Southwest.

Sunbelt presents 40 education sessions designed to build your business and increase your bottom line. From The Star Awards to the Remodelers Round Up, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to network with your friends and colleagues!

For more information please visit:  http://www.sunbeltbuildersshow.com