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January 2009 In This Issue: ENERGY STAR Changes Wall Street Reports Lessons From Nature Explore the Big Picture Put Your Head to Work Satellite Launched Presidents Corner Announcements Know someone who should This newsletter has been |
Remember ENERGY STAR Changes for 2009
How will this affect you??? Builders using the Performance Path to Energy Star to qualify their homes must include at least one Energy Star qualified product category: Heating or Cooling, or Windows, or 5 or more Energy Star light fixtures, appliances, ceiling fans equipped with light fixtures, and/or ventilation fans. Any builder currently following the performance path that selects windows as the Energy Star Qualified Product will not have to do anything different as long as the NFRC label has an Energy Star certified symbol on it. Also, there will be no changes if you already use 5 Energy Star qualified appliances to satisfy the performance path requirements.
- Energy Star for New Homes Version 3 is Coming in 2010… Some of the changes in version 3 include requirements for: Radiant Barrier, Whole House Ventilation, HVAC Pressure Balancing, Verification of Water Management During Construction for - Roofs, Walls, and Foundation. What the Wall Street Reports about Home Building “Housing Glut,” they say. “Stop Building,” they repeat. This is obviously written by people who already have a nice home, do not have heavy equipment payments, and do not earn their living in the building industry. The Wall Street reported on the NAHB’s lobbying effort to approach Congress with a $240 billion bail out called “Fix Housing First” which they say will create more demand for housing that people cannot afford. The aid request proposes new homes be offered at a 3% mortgage rate instead of the current 6.2% rate. (WSJ 11/14/08 p. A3) Another idea floating around proposes subsidizing lower refinancing rates for existing mortgages. This addresses the default hemorrhaging but does nothing to help the existing builders except stop the inflow of foreclosed homes from entering the market and competing with and depressing values of new housing. Lessons from NatureBy now we have all accepted the indisputable reality that housing starts have been in steep decline for almost two years. Housing starts were down to an annualized rate of 779,000 from a high of 2.2 million in early 2006 (WSJ 11/19/08 p.C1). NABH reports builder-sentiment is at an all time low since they began surveying in 1985. Enough said so now what? Everything in nature has a season or a cycle as well as a carrying capacity. This is true of business too. To cope we can consider resilience. Hopefully you’ve put on some fat (aka cash) from bountiful seasons so there is cash flow to maintain the business through the tough winter ahead. A resilient system has back-up plans and multiple ways to survive. If you have been building monocultures, that is one price point, one size of house, one market then you have fallen into a vulnerable model. A nimble builder in survival mode can build smaller homes and rental properties, remodel homes, provide room additions or provide on energy efficient retrofits. We tend to focus on the one millions new homes forgetting there are at least 77 existing homes in states of disrepair and characterized by inefficiency. GWS has deep experience in energy efficient retrofitting and can guide you through how to adapt your homebuilding skills for the retrofit market. In nature nothing is wasted. There is no unemployment. Species evolve or die. Fortunately for builders, they have a choice. Retrofits on existing homes begin with the blower door test. GWS provides a list of recommended improvements to make in order based on the best return on investment. Homeowners find assurance that third party (GWS) as scientifically tested their home and provided a list of what to do and what order to approach it. It’s a win-win for all. At GWS our goal continues to be to help the industry become more energy efficient so they can be less reliant on fossil fuels, put less mercury in the air, and create less greenhouse gases. Whether the market pressures create it or government mandates dictate stricter codes, we at GWS recognize the future is energy efficient building. GWS is only half of the team; we need to partner with builders and contractors to work towards this goal. Call us today to learn about becoming an Energy Star builder and a zero-energy builder. Explore the Big Picture. Put your Head to WorkA slowdown in business means you may find yourself time with on your hands. This is a perfect time to put your head to work. The building industry has been changing for several years now and it is time to recognize the trend of green building and energy efficient building as you regroup and retrench to stay in your industry. The Wall Street Journal article “Green Gap” reports in increase in LEED accredited professionals. Two years ago there were 30,000 LEED-AP but this year that number has doubled to 60,000 (p. R12 WSJ 11/17/08.) There is a demand for green builders but a gap in peoples’ skills in those products and processes. This gap means opportunity for you. As contractors and subs struggle to ramp up their green building skills, there are increased opportunities to learn. Come see us. Stay home and learn. Surf in a group. Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite Launched
It's Working! Energy use is down. Americans are driving 5% less now than a year ago. Gasoline consumption has dropped for 11 consecutive months (WSJ 11/26/08). Electrical consumption is on a downward trend also. Parts of the country are seeing a 3% decrease in electrical consumption overall, but the household use is where those gains are approaching 7%. The message of conservation and efficiency is working, but is everyone happy about that? When utility companies invest $2 trillion in long term projects those monies are based on a projected 1-2% annual increase in consumption. If the rate design is “decoupled” from usage then the base rate of delivery is increased to cover the basic costs. This means consumers who have a lower consumption rate experience higher utility costs. Kelly Parker, P.E.
2009 RESNET Building Performance Conference For more information go to: www.natresnet.org/conference/default.htm
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© 2008 Guaranteed Watt Saver Systems, Inc. 6444 NW Expressway, Suite 836A, Okla. City, OK 73132. 888-488-0206 888-488-0212 fax info@gwssi.com
Changes to EPA’s Energy Star for New Homes! The EPA new Energy Star requirements for central air conditioners (CAC) and air source heat pumps (ASHP) went into effect January 1, 2009.
New to the scene is the Institute of Green Professionals. Leading voices that have shaped the industry are aligned with IGP to offer an advanced education in big picture sustainability. Membership to IGP provides you with access to 7 courses on-line geared toward “sustainable development.” IGP exists to create a common literacy among the various stakeholders in the building industry. The topics covered are advanced, global, and holistic. Explore the big picture and become a leader in the emerging sustainable development field: 
February 16-18, 2009 New Orleans, LA