AUDITS

“Efficiency Evaluations,” by Carol Brzozowski, is a five-web-page article describing the auditing process including the different types of audits, the advantages, paybacks, and more. While designs for new buildings seem to be highlighted in the article title’s tag line, the energy-efficiency potential of the country’s existing building stock is what is primarily addressed. See this article in Distributed Energy , July/August 2010, at http://www.distributedenergy.com/july-august-2010/efficiency-evaluations-demandresponse-1.aspx.

“Energy Audits in HVAC” was written by Barb Checket-Hanks, Service & Maintenance Editor, Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News . This is about energy auditing from the point of view of the HVAC company that does the auditing. This interesting article is in Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News, August 16, 2010, at http://www.achrnews.com/Articles/Article_Rotation/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000880657.

Energy Newsbrief: Library – WSU Energy Program.

Suzanne DeChillo/The New York Times

When it comes to saving energy, many Americans seem to get it — and at the same time they don’t get it at all.

That’s the takeaway from a new study by researchers from Columbia University, Ohio State University and Carnegie Mellon University who found that people are far more likely to focus on switching off lights or unplugging appliances than on buying new bulbs or more efficient refrigerators. But people’s perceptions of the relative savings of various actions are significantly at variance with reality.

Delusions Abound on Energy Savings, Study Says – Green Blog – NYTimes.com.

East Side Green Drinks | Promoting Green Businesses.

The Excellence in Building Conference and EXPO serves as a cornerstone for building science education. This 3-day event offers educational sessions at all levels of competency, covering every detail of the construction process.

EEBA || Conference & Expo.

US DOE RFI Industry Responses

Energy Labeling Outlook.

This is a leave no trace/ pack in and pack out event. (No refuse receptacles in the park) Please bring your own plate, cup, utensils and a dish to share as we relax and catch up.

Where: Linden Orchard Park
North 67th Street & Linden Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98103

Date: August 25

Time: 6:30 – 9:00 PM

Cost: Free to members, $5 suggested donation for non-members

Contact: education@cps.ecobuilding.org

The Environmental Energy Technologies Division of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, Calif., has issued a PACE Status Update that clearly analyzes the current regulatory impasse regarding property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing.

Most PACE programs halted abruptly this summer following a July 6 letter from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) that essentially blocked access to home loans for properties with PACE liens that take priority over mortgage debt. “Whether PACE resumes its expansion as an innovative tool for financing energy efficiency and clean generation,” the brief states, “depends on outcomes in each of the three branches of government, discussions on a PACE pilot phase among federal agencies, litigation in federal court, and legislation in Congress – all highly uncertain.”

Efficiency First Blog » Blog Archive » Update on the Status of PACE Financing.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building Technologies Program is offering a Webinar on Tuesday, August 24, 2010, from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. ET titled “ENERGY STAR Pilot Verification Testing Program.”

In support of the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program (SEEARP), DOE is testing appliances for compliance with the applicable ENERGY STAR Program Requirements to verify that off-the-floor products indeed perform to qualifying levels. This Webinar will discuss the pilot verification program, results to date, and plans for future testing in 2011.

Target audience:
This Webinar is geared toward energy efficiency program sponsors, state rebate program administrators, retailers, utilities, and other energy efficiency advocates.

Presenter:
Richard Karney, Program Lead in Testing and Verification for the Buildings Technology Program at DOE.

This Webinar is free of charge, but you must register in advance to obtain the URL and password for logging on via the Internet, and the phone number to connect to the audio. Learn more about the Webinar.

Visit the Building Technologies Program Web site for information about research and development of technologies and practices to achieve energy-efficient commercial and residential buildings.

EERE News: DOE Webinar August 24, 2010: ENERGY STAR Pilot Verification Testing Program.

The Association of Energy Engineers, AEE, has jumped on the bandwagon, too. Now, being offered is a Fundamentals of Energy Auditing course, and they developed a test with some books. www.aeecenter.org

A Ben Meadows catalog appeared in my mail box. It has items some of the members might like. I do not recall seeing this item previously, www.BenMeadows.com . I have not checked the Ben Meadows web site out myself as of yet. You have to be an engineer to join AEE, but I do not know if that is true for their courses.

Dale

Members of Home Performance Washington can now purchase FLIR and Fluke IR cameras at substantial discounts (20%+ off list) via a distributor-negotiated pricing program arranged with Platt Electric right here in Washington State. Individual and/or company members of Home Performance Washington may select their specifically preferred camera model(s) # from the FLIR & Fluke product lines and purchase directly from Platt via their designated Tools Specialist: Platt Electric Supply

Members can make their purchases from existing inventory on hand in most cases or to order & receive within 3-4 days on almost all other models that our group has been considering. Any special manufacturer promotions should be identified and tracked by the individual buyer without notification by HPW or Platt. If anyone is interested in financing and/or would like to open an account with Platt, they are prepared to assist you. Go to their website and download an account application. Alternatively, any HPW member may arrange their own financing and/or direct payments; orders will be taken but not processed or product delivered until paid in full. Members will not be afforded any further pricing negotiations or special payment plans by Platt, FLIR or Fluke.

Please contact HPW for more information…