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Issue 10 Volume 3

October 2005

Giving Thanks to Our Builders
from Kelly & Dana Parker
I don’t remember the energy crisis of the 1970’s, but I’ve heard and read plenty about it. Experts are fond of comparing the oil shortage and ensuing crisis that began in 1972-73 with the rising costs and energy concerns of today. That comparison is only valid on one level – for the first time since WWII, Americans had to examine their own energy habits and make some sacrifices. Beyond that, the comparison is weak at best. The oil shortage of the 1970’s was politically driven. Arab members of OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) refused to ship petroleum to the U.S. and its Western allies in retaliation for their support of Israel during a conflict with Egypt. The crisis of today is one of centralized, therefore vulnerable production and distribution, combined with diminishing supply. We won’t be talking our way out of this one.

Let’s look at centralized production and distribution. Americans have witnessed the weaknesses of our energy system repeatedly in the past few years through rolling blackouts where a misstep in one distribution center creates a chain reaction, leading to loss of power over massive geographic areas. Most recently, localized hurricanes disrupted the nation’s crude oil production because we’ve ‘put all our eggs in one basket’, so to speak. When extreme weather hits the Gulf of Mexico (and there will be more), we all pay for it.
As far as diminishing supply goes, that’s self-explanatory – oil is a finite resource located deep beneath the ground which takes millions of years to produce – when it’s gone, it’s gone. They’re called fossil fuels for a reason.

It is time to start learning from our mistakes. There are alternatives out there, and GWS is helping to promote some of them, including geothermal systems and solar cells. These systems are localized, renewable, and very clean compared to their fossil fuel counterparts. However, these systems are not an exclusive solution, the real solution lies in integrated, localized systems. Wind farms are a great idea for regional power production in the Midwest, where it’s flat and windy. Tidal power would be a fitting source of energy on the coasts, and solar energy is the cleanest, most renewable power source on the planet. We simply haven’t spent enough time and money on the research and development. A combination of these various technologies (modern and ancient) could effectively meet all of our future energy needs, without additional strain on the environment that makes life not only possible, but worth living.

A society sustained by a combination of clean, local, renewable energy sources is a society prepared for the inevitable. Things break, but as long as the entire infrastructure of a society is not dependent on a single source to make it run, that society is less vulnerable to outside forces and can always use its “back-ups” to keep things running.

But until renewable and localized infrastructures are put in place, there are issues that require immediate attention. U.S. households are faced with an unprecedented price hike for natural gas - today. We’ve been hearing for months that this winter may be the most expensive heating season in our history, and now there is data to back that up. In the months before Hurricane Katrina, reports circulated about heating costs rising 20-30% more than last year. After Katrina, previous assessments had to be refigured and we are now hearing that it may cost up to 70% more to heat the average home with natural gas this winter. That’s bad news for Oklahomans and Texans, and everyone in the Midwest, who all rely heavily upon natural gas. Fuel oil (used largely on the East coast) and electricity will also experience a price increase, though not as severe.

Gas companies claim that supply isn’t the biggest problem, but utilities are paying much more for the natural gas in storage right now, especially after the disruption of domestic production following the hurricanes. Weather will be an enormous factor in the amount of gas needed for heat. The colder the weather - the bigger the problem. Several energy companies and experts have suggested the following tips in preparation for the coming winter:

• Conserve! Set your thermostat at least 2 degrees lower than in previous winters and wear warmer clothing indoors.
• Perform routine maintenance on your system. Clean or replace filters per instructions.
• Seal your leaks! As members of the building community we should be aware of the benefits of this practice. Seal windows, doors and ducts. Some of this is best handled by a professional, but will be well worth the investment in the winters to come.
• Switch the direction of your ceiling fan to blow warm air downward. You will know when this is appropriate.
• Keep window blinds and curtains open during the day; the sun will add heat to your home for free. Remember to close the blinds and curtains at night and they will act as added insulation to keep heat in.

These are some easy-to-follow tips for battling winter heat costs, but there is much more information available on the web. Look into programs offered by your local utilities; they are aware of the situation and many are developing strategies to help their customers get through the upcoming season. Unfortunately this crisis, like all crises of necessity, will hit the poorest population the hardest, so please look into local efforts to help your neighbors stay warm and safe this winter. Good luck.

Inspector’s Corner
The Elements of a Comfortable Environment
by Kenneth Lackey, DFW Supervisor
Cooling Principles
   Air temperature, humidity, air movement, and the temperature of the surface around us all influence comfort. Air temperature and humidity determine how much heat the air can hold. The higher the air temperature and the higher the humidity, the more heat the air can store. The more heat contained in the air around us, the more difficult it is for the our bodies to release it’s heat. Therefore, it is harder for our bodies to stay cool in a hot, humid climate than in a hot, dry climate.

   Moving air always makes you feel cooler because it carries heat away from the skin and increases the evaporation of sweat. Circulating air inside your home is the key element to staying comfortable during hot weather. Rapidly moving air works well by itself, and can be combined with air conditioners, evaporative coolers and whole-house fans to further improve comfort.

   Ventilating with outdoor air carries heat away from the home and reduces air conditioning costs whenever the outdoor air temperature and humidity are comfortable.

   High outdoor temperatures and absorbed sunlight heat the walls and ceilings of a home. These surfaces then become radiant heaters and the air temperature in the home rises. The higher the indoor air temperature and relative humidity, the more discomfort and the greater the desire for mechanical cooling.

   Humidity is very important to comfort. Humidity is measured by either relative humidity (RH), or dew point. Dew point is the temperature at which water vapor condenses to a liquid. Relative humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air, compared to the amount the air could hold if it was totally saturated. At 70% RH or above, the air feels either hot and sticky, or cold and clammy, and is not comfortable to most people.

Heat Gain, Climate, and Cost
   Absorbed sunlight, heat generated inside the home (from appliances, human activity, lights…etc.), high humidity, high outdoor temperature, and air leakage make homes uncomfortably hot and necessitate using various cooling strategies. Solar gain through windows accounts for 15-20% of cooling costs. Solar gain through the roof and walls accounts for another 20-30%. Air leakage varies widely and accounts for 5 to 30% of the cooling costs, depending on the amount of air leakage, the outdoor temperature and relative humidity. Another 15 to 25% of the cost comes from internal gains caused by bathing, cooking and operating electric appliances. Heat conduction through the walls and roof due to temperature differences between indoor air and outdoor air is a modest 5 to 15% of cooling costs. The most cost-effective cooling strategies are those which prevent heat from building up in your home. Internal gains are a big factor in all cooling efforts, but are more of a problem in humid climates. The extra humidity added by showers and cooking must often be removed by the air conditioner.

   The Air Conditioning  and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) estimates the average number of hours that people use air conditioners to maintain comfort in different U.S. climates. Figure 1-7 shows the continental United States with these “cooling hours” shown as lines on the map. ARI publishes a method for estimating cooling costs: multiply the number of cooling hours by the number of watts drawn by the air conditioner: then multiply by cost per kilowatt hour.

                                                 Hours  x  Watts  x  $/kwh  = Cost

Cooling Cost and Investment in Energy Savings 

  You can figure your monthly or yearly cooling cost by estimating how much extra electricity you buy when turning on your air conditioner. Table 1-b demonstrates home electricity costs and illustrates how to record your cooling costs. First, estimate the basic monthly cost of operating lights and appliances  (from energy bills for months using no electric heating or cooling ). Subtract that lighting and appliance cost from each cooling months electricity cost. This figure provides the monthly  air conditioning cost.

(last column in the example). Total all the monthly air conditioning costs. This yearly cooling cost allow you to estimate possible yearly savings from various cooling energy saving measures. For example, if a group of improvements will save 20 percent, and you spend $650 a year for air conditioning, then you will save 20% x $650 =$130 each year.

   If you made an in vestment of $520 in improvements and they will save $130 per year, your initial investment will be repaid completely in 4 years ($520 divided by $130). If you think of it like an investment in stocks or bonds: dividing the $130 yearly savings by the larger initial investment of $520 gives you annual return on investment of 25%.  A very good investment!!!

Next month “ Stopping Heat Gain”

   $ Initial Investment Divided by $ Yearly Savings  = Payback Period (years)

   $ Yearly Savings Divided by $ Investment       =  Yearly Return  (%)

Announcements:
We recently received this question from a subscriber and it’s one that has been asked more than once. In our November issue, Kelly Parker will provide an in-depth answer to this interesting question.

   “I am considering building another home for myself in the very near future. I would like your opinion on A/C systems and what the best set up is for allergies, dust control, comfort and fresh air. The home I build will be tight and will need fresh air. The last time I built I used an ERV, Humidistat, Media filters w/UV, 14SEER Amana dual speed system with return airs in all bedrooms as well as main part of home. Let me know your thought. I want to build an energy conservative and healthy home as best I can without breaking the bank this time.”

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