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HPW Meeting Notes November 8th 2011

November 8th, 2011 by Charlie Rogers

Yvonne Krause – RePower

Bainbridge conversion rate is 8.3% rates for projects that achieve 10% or more (11% if projects achieving less than 10% are included)

Bremerton is delivering HomePrint program through partnership with PSE. Has finished 65 of them so far. 3 upgrades so far in the first month (10% conversion rate).

Kitsap county has 160 assessments thus far. Conversion rates for that program is 26%.

Program has created 21 jobs so far (11 from CSG and 10 from contractors).

Marketing on Bainbridge features residents in campaign. Posters show people who did upgrades and their energy savings.  One motivation for islanders is to conserve enough energy to avoid need for second substation. They created a detailed incentive booklet to give customers a decision guide. Every customer in the program gets one.  As soon as they stopped their poster campaign, they saw their call volume drop. Now that they restarted it, calls are going up again. Yard signs are huge—keeping up with the Jones’s.

Lead energy advisor answers a lot of technical questions to help homeowners make sense of differences between auditor and contractor recommendations.

 

Rashad Morris – Washington Environmental Council

Working on state level to get laws passed to help residential energy efficiency industry. He was considering a bill to make energy audits required at time of sale. He now wants to take a more holistic view. This includes 4 main goals:

  • Develop long-term strategic plan for the State of Washington’s energy efficiency
  • How do we make what we currently have work better?  (For example, suggesting that the legislature look at the prevailing wage classification issue and fix it)
  • Educating real estate professionals to appreciate and identify energy efficiency measures in buildings.
  • Have a pilot program that will allow for point of sale disclosure of energy usage

Mario Pedroza – Puget Sound Clean Air Agency

There are 7 clean air agencies in the state. They enforce the burn bans. They permit and regulate sources of air pollution in their area. They respond to complaints. Their asbestos program regulates all material removal. The fees pay for their program. They enforce the federal requirements, state regulation and their own regulations.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring group of minerals. The same things that make it such a good building material are what makes it dangerous for humans. It is chemically inert. Hardly anything can react with it and it can break down into very small fibers (1 micron in length). We can breathe it into our lungs and it does not go away. It is ubiquitous in building materials; asbestos is found in insulation, fire proofing, acoustic material, cement products, flooring, roofing, suspended ceiling tiles, gaskets, etc.

The problem comes when it deteriorates or you try and remove it. Don’t panic if you find it. If it is in good condition it probably will not be a problem. There is no minimum dosage level where it is OK. It is legal today in the U.S. to use asbestos; you can just not make them. Some of the asbestos duct wrap can be up to 90% pure asbestos. China’s asbestos standard is <10% is labeled as asbestos free; in the U.S. the standard is 1%.

Homeowners can do their own asbestos abatement. It is not generally recommended, but the cost for removal by a contractor can be prohibitive.

Most important aspect of asbestos removal is to wet the material with soapy water to prevent the fibers from getting into the air.

Oftentimes putty around older windows can contain asbestos. The rope around the fireplace insert can be made of asbestos.

Before demolitions or renovations you are required for a AHERA-certified inspection. It can cost $400+ dollars for the inspection. Homeowners doing their own abatement are not required to do this.

There is no known safe exposure to asbestos. There is a latency period and the problem tends to manifest itself in 10 to 40 years. Smoking increases problems by about 50 times. Lung cancer, scarring of lungs, mesothelioma, cancer of the pleura, etc. are all effets.

Once asbestos is in your body it stays there.

Asbestos duct wrap that is not friable is probably safe to run the blower door. It is not safe with vermiculite.

Announcements

Next meeting is January 10th from 6 to 8pm (tentative date/time)

Michael Stuart’s Infrared class November 17th – call Gretchen to register 930-5355

No HPW holiday party this year; we will be directing people to the EcoBuilding Guild event if there is one.

NW Ecobuilding Guild is going through with the Green Home Tour in April on Earth Day

In April there will be software training for moisture migration through walls

PSE changed incentives; allowance in the floor insulation R11 to R30 for $200.

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Tuesday November 8th: HPW Meeting – BPI CEU’s Available for Attendance.

November 2nd, 2011 by David Bangs

Home Performance Washington, October General Meeting
Repower Bainbridge, Asbestos and Energy Policy

Our next HPW meeting is coming up Tuesday, November 8th, at 3pm at the Broadview Branch of the Seattle Public Library, two miles north of the Greenwood Branch, at the corner of 130th and Greenwood.  Our meetings are open to all and not sponsored by the library. Join other members afterward at Seattle Greendrinks, downtown. [info below]

Current HPW Members may earn BPI Continuing Education Credits by attending this meeting and staying for Mario Pedroza’s one our session on Asbestos issues.

November 8th, 3-5pm
Broadview Branch, Seattle Public Library
12755 Greenwood Ave. N in Seattle

Confirmed Presentations:

 Yvonne Krause – RePower Bainbridge
RePower Bainbridge is a community-wide program dedicated to helping Bainbridge Islanders save energy, reduce costs, make their homes more comfortable and create a more sustainable Island. The program has already completed 1500 Home Energy Checkups toward their goal of 4000. View www.positiveenergybi.org/repowerbainbridge ahead of time to gain perspective and formulate some discussion questions!

Mario Pedroza – Puget Sound Clean Air Agency– 1 hour – BPI Continuing Education Credits for Attendance.
Mario will introduce us briefly to the work of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, then jump into the issues of how to handle asbestos in homes.  What is it?  How can we identify it? How should our professional members talk about it? How do we remove it and dispose of it?  And, what training or certifications are required?

Rashad Morris – Washington Environmental Council
The Washington Environmental Council is working to put an “Energy Awareness Act” before the 2012 legislature. Come hear an update on their latest thinking, and provide feedback.

Specialty Contractor Spotlight
Jake Rayle – At Foam
At Foam is HPW’s only member that specializes exclusively in applying spray foam insulation.  Be sure to meet Jake and discuss how his business might benefit yours!  www.at-foam.com/ 

Afterward – All Are Invited to Seattle Greendrinks:
After the November 8th HPW meeting, let’s socialize with the Seattle Greendrinks crowd and PSE at the historic Moore Theatre downtown at 1932 2nd Avenue The November Greendrinks will begin at 5:30pm. Please bring your own glass/cup/plate. 

More information: http://www.seattlegreendrinks.org/events/2011/nov/november-greendrinks-sponsored-puget-sound-energy-and-featuring-earthcorps

 

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Video: Solar bottle lights in the Philippines

October 30th, 2011 by David Bangs

A different approach to energy efficient homes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBWi3NtND68&feature=youtu.be

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SAVE Act: Leaders Warm to Putting Energy into Underwriting

October 30th, 2011 by David Bangs

By Kenneth R. Harney

Syndicated columnist

Full story at: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2016599564_harney30.html 

 A bill in Congress would force the big three mortgage agencies to take account of energy costs in every loan they insure, guarantee or buy. It would also require them to instruct appraisers to adjust their property valuations upward when accurate data on energy-efficiency savings are available.
 
WASHINGTON — When you apply for a mortgage to buy a house, how often does the lender ask detailed questions about monthly energy costs or tell the appraiser to factor in the house’s energy-efficiency features when coming up with a value?

Hardly ever. That’s because the big three mortgage players — Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Housing Administration, who together account for more than 90 percent of all loan volume — typically don’t consider energy costs in underwriting.

Yet utility bills can be larger annual cash drains than property taxes or insurance — key items in standard underwriting — and can seriously affect a family’s ability to afford a house.

A new, bipartisan effort on Capitol Hill could change all this dramatically and for the first time put energy costs and savings squarely into standard mortgage-underwriting equations.

A bill introduced Oct. 20 would force the big three mortgage agencies to take account of energy costs in every loan they insure, guarantee or buy. It would also require them to instruct appraisers to adjust their property valuations upward when accurate data on energy-efficiency savings are available.

The SAVE Act (Sensible Accounting to Value Energy) is jointly sponsored by Sens. Michael Bennet, a Democrat from Colorado, and Johnny Isakson, a Republican from Georgia. Along with the traditional principal, interest, taxes and insurance (PITI) calculations, estimated energy-consumption expenses for the house would be included as a mandatory new underwriting factor.

Full story at: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2016599564_harney30.html

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Bipartisan Bill Introduced in the U.S. Senate to Account for Energy Costs in Mortgage Underwriting

October 27th, 2011 by David Bangs

From: RESNET - Full Story http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=4xoe5idab&v=0015qcJ7P_42YjLe6ZacJ-Yqkza6F31cKHOPr-Y2uVRBhSolxa1VC19z8n7q1qcjJSKw8MmMYRmS-ngL7FuztNJckJh07W3pqe3lcjwnC1Af4E%3D
 
 
 
   
 
 
U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) introduced a bipartisan bill that would enable better mortgage underwriting, reflect the value of energy performance in the appraisal, encourage investments in energy efficient homebuilding and create more than 80,000 construction jobs.

Under the Sensible Accounting to Value Energy (SAVE) Act, federal mortgage loan agencies would consider a homeowner’s expected energy costs when determining the homeowner’s ability to make monthly mortgage payments.

There are two main elements of the proposed legislation. The first is the recognition of the energy as an housing cost. This would change the current PITI (Principal, Interest, Taxes and Insurance) into PIETI (Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance plus Energy). This means that with every dollar the home saves in energy it would increase the buyer’s ability to afford the efficient home by the same amount. This has been a structural reform advocated by RESNET since 2006 (see RESNET Policy on Energy Efficient Mortgages)

The second main element of the SAVE Act is the Loan to Value Adjustment, which incorporates the Net Present Value (NPV) of expected energy savings into the home’s appraisal.

Both elements will allow homeowners to invest in improved energy performance and finance it through the traditional mortgage.

The proposed legislation would recognize RESNET home energy ratings for calculating the energy savings for the mortgage loan.

According to the legislation’s sponsors, the average homeowner spends more than $2,000 each year on energy costs – more than on either real estate taxes or homeowners insurance, both of which are regularly accounted for in mortgage underwriting. On average, these energy costs amount to more than $60,000 over the life of a 30-year mortgage. The SAVE Act would address this blind spot, giving a more complete picture of the costs of homeownership and borrowers’ capacity to service debt.

Under the SAVE Act, lenders would account for expected energy costs along with other recurring payments in the debt-to-income qualifying ratios, which test the borrower’s ability to afford regular monthly mortgage payments. According to a new study from The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, the SAVE act is predicted to create 83,000 new jobs in construction, renovation and manufacturing by 2020.

“It is rare to have such diverse interests come together, and that’s because this is a common-sense bill,” said Bennet. “The Save Act would help provide access to useful information about energy usage that home owners, buyers, appraisers and underwriters want and need. It would lead to more complete and accurate mortgage underwriting, would encourage investments in home energy improvements, create more than 80,000 jobs and lighten the load for Colorado families’ budgets.”

“As someone who has 30 years of experience in the resident real estate industry and who has lived through multiple recessions, I understand that recovery in the housing market and job creation in the construction sector is pivotal to getting our economy back on track,” said Isakson. “I place my support behind this bill because it has the potential to create jobs without any cost to taxpayers, and it will also improve mortgage underwriting in this country by including energy as a factor in the process.”

The bill has support from a broad coalition of real estate, business, building trade and conservation groups, including RESNET, Leading Builders of America, Appraisal Institute, U.S. Green Building Council, National Association of Manufacturers, International Code Council, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, ASHRAE, Efficiency First, Alliance to Save Energy, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, American Gas Association, American Public Gas Association, Natural Resources Defense Council, and National Association of State Energy Officials.

“The SAVE Act creates private sector jobs while making our homes more energy efficient,” said Ross Eisenberg, Environment and Energy Counsel at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “And by accomplishing these goals without the need for major federal spending, the SAVE Act will spur job growth in the private sector without adding to the federal deficit. That is a ‘win-win’ for the business community, and is the kind of realistic, commonsense policy everyone should want to get behind.”

“This bill is a win for homeowners, the economy, and a cleaner environment. The legislation would empower homeowners and lenders with better information about energy bills so they can make more informed decisions. This proposal would enable increased investment in the energy efficiency of homes, leading to lower energy bills. At the same time, it also would help create jobs and reduce toxic pollution from wasted energy,” said Philip Henderson, senior financial policy specialist, Natural Resources Defense Council.

“We strongly support this legislation because it will improve mortgage underwriting performed by federal mortgage agencies by ensuring that energy costs are included in the process,” said Appraisal Institute President Joseph C. Magdziarz, MAI, SRA. “It would require use of qualified, competent appraisers and would help ensure that appraisers have access to data needed to analyze the effects of energy-efficient home improvements in the marketplace. Consumers would benefit from the bill’s efforts to help ensure they receive a reliable, credible opinion of value.”

“With this act in place, we believe it is possible to substantially increase the energy efficiency of new homes over the next decade while retaining affordability for our customers. This truly is a win-win opportunity for our customers, the economy and our environment,” said Ken Gear, executive director of Leading Builders of America, Inc.

The SAVE Act is one of RESNET congressional priorities. The RESNET network is urged to contact their Senators, educate them on the need for such legislation and urge them to co-sponsor the legislation.

From: RESNET - Full Story http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=4xoe5idab&v=0015qcJ7P_42YjLe6ZacJ-Yqkza6F31cKHOPr-Y2uVRBhSolxa1VC19z8n7q1qcjJSKw8MmMYRmS-ngL7FuztNJckJh07W3pqe3lcjwnC1Af4E%3D

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WA State Non-Residential Energy Code Trainings

October 20th, 2011 by David Bangs

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Council is offering trainings on the 2009 WA State Non-Residential Energy Code (NREC) in November and December 2011.  Trainings will be held in Wenatchee (11/4), Yakima (11/8), Burlington (11/18) and Tacoma (12/7).  Our flyer with information about how to register is located on our website – http://www.neec.net/ – under our home page News Blog.  This training is eligible for 6 hours of continuing education.  

New in this training are demonstrations on how to fill out the NREC Compliance Forms and additional details on key topics such as continuous insulation, air barrier management, lighting power allowance calculations, economizers and energy recovery requirements.

If you have already attended one of our trainings we would like to request your help to notify your colleagues who may be interested.  Feel free to forward this announcement and they are welcome to give us a call if they have questions.  

If you have questions about the trainings or the 2009 WA State Non-Residential Energy Code, please contact:

Lisa Rosenow
Northwest Energy Efficiency Council
(206) 624-0283

lisa@putnamprice.com

We appreciate your participation and support!

Brittany Price

Northwest Energy Efficiency Council

605 1st Ave, Ste 401

Seattle, WA 98104

p: 206-624-7570

f: 206-292-4125

www.neec.net

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Energy Efficiency Efforts In 2010 Marked Biggest Savings in 30 Years

October 17th, 2011 by David Bangs

http://www.cbbulletin.com/413271.aspx

Columbia Basin Bulletin

Report Shows Energy Efficiency Efforts In 2010 Marked Biggest Megawatt
Savings Gain In 30 Years

Posted on Friday, October 14, 2011 (PST)

Increased conservation during 2010 by Pacific Northwest electricity
users saved 254 average megawatts, the equivalent annual power use of
153,900 homes, according to the annual “Utility Conservation
Achievements Report” released this week by the Northwest Power and
Conservation Council and Regional Technical Forum.

That’s the biggest one-year gain since regional energy-efficiency
programs began more than 30 years ago.

The 2010 savings bring the region’s total since 1978, when energy-
efficiency programs began in the Northwest, to 4,600 average megawatts
- enough power for four cities the size of Seattle. Those total savings
equal what was needed in 2009 to power the states of Idaho and Montana
combined.

The measures implemented in 2010 saved Northwest electricity ratepayers
$135 million and will produce the same amount of savings every year for
the next 15-20 years, at least.

“The efficiencies you make in one year continue to save energy” in
succeeding years, said Terry Morlan, the Council’s Power Planning
Division director. The report was previewed by NPCC energy policy
analyst Gillian Charles, conservation resources manager Tom Eckman and
senior power division analyst Charlie Grist Wednesday during the
Council’s meeting in Portland.

Overall utilities spent about $389 million to achieve the $135 million
in savings in 2010, but the investments made last year will continue to
bring savings in the years to come and very soon pay for themselves.

The Council and RTF, an advisory committee established in 1999 to
verify and evaluate electric energy efficiency savings, calculated the
savings from the results of a survey of the region’s electric
utilities, the Energy Trust of Oregon, the Northwest Energy Efficiency
Alliance, and the Bonneville Power Administration.

The fiscal year/calendar year 2010 survey represents the activities of
76 utilities serving over ninety-eight percent of the region’s retail
electricity sales. The RTF has not independently verified the reported
savings and expenditures.

The 2010 savings surpassed the Council’s target for the year in its
Northwest Power Plan, 200 average megawatts, by 25 percent. Regional
energy conservation achievements have surpassed power plan targets in
every year since 2005.

The Council revises its power plan every five years, forecasting energy
demand 20 years into the future and recommending a mix of electricity
resources to meet that demand. The current plan is for the years
2009-2029.

To see summaries and individual utility reports for 2010 go to:

http://www.nwcouncil.org/energy/rtf/consreport/2010/

The savings occur when electricity is used more efficiently – using
less power to accomplish the same tasks. Those saving can be gain by
replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents or LED
bulbs, which produce the same amount of light with less electricity, in
homes, businesses, and industries, and also by improving insulation or
replacing windows in buildings so less power is needed to heat or cool
them.

Replacing inefficient motors, pumps, furnaces, and other types of
machinery also yields energy savings, as do changes in how much energy

is used during the day, such as through programmable thermostats. The
RTF has identified 90 measures that improve electric energy efficiency.

Other highlights include:

–The average cost of the efficiency to utilities in 2010 was 1.7 cents
per kilowatt-hour. The average cost of power from new generating plants
that use wind or natural gas is much more expensive – between 9 cents
and 10 cents per kilowatt-hour.

– Among the various sectors of electricity use, the biggest
improvements in 2010 were in commercial businesses and industries.
Those two sectors together accounted for half of the savings.

– Residential improvements accounted for 28 percent of the savings.
Most of the residential improvements were in lighting.

– Improved efficiency of products such as water heaters, furnaces,
clothes washers and other equipment, which is tracked by the Northwest
Energy Efficiency Alliance, accounted for 18 percent of the total.

The Council’s 20-year Northwest Power Plan, which is implemented by the
federal Bonneville Power Administration, the largest electricity
supplier in the region, calls for meeting 85 percent of the growth in
demand for power through 2029 with energy efficiency. The plan, which
also serves as a guide for investor-owned utilities, includes targets
for efficiency improvements.

The Northwest Power and Conservation Council is a compact of the states
of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington and is directed by the
Northwest Power Act of 1980 to prepare a power plan to assure the
Northwest region an adequate, efficient, economical, and reliable
electricity supply and a companion program to protect, mitigate, and
enhance fish and wildlife of the Columbia River Basin affected by
hydropower dams.

http://www.cbbulletin.com/413271.aspx

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Appraisers get guidelines for setting the value of energy-saving home improvements

October 16th, 2011 by David Bangs

http://www.washingtonpost.com/realestate/appraisers-get-guidelines-for-setting-the-value-of-energy-saving-home-improvements/2011/10/05/gIQAiZRkSL_story.html

By , Published: October 7

Here’s some good news for homeowners who have gone green and installed energy-saving features but haven’t been sure whether appraisers will credit them with higher valuations: Thanks to a new industry-issued appraisal addendum, the odds have improved that they’ll get the market value they’re due.

The Appraisal Institute, the country’s largest and most influential association in its field, published the long-awaited addendum Sept. 29. It’s designed to be attached to any standard appraisal report covering a property with significant green features. Owners, sellers, buyers, refinancers and real estate agents don’t have to wait for an appraiser to use it. They can download it at no cost and ask that it be made part of the appraisal submitted to the lenders.

Click link for full article

http://www.washingtonpost.com/realestate/appraisers-get-guidelines-for-setting-the-value-of-energy-saving-home-improvements/2011/10/05/gIQAiZRkSL_story.html

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Michael Stuart IR Thermography Class – November 17th.

October 13th, 2011 by David Bangs

Date: November 17, 2011

Time: 8:30 to 4:30

Location: tm4group Training Center at Green Depot (EcoHaus),
at 4121 1st Avenue S. in Seattle

Taught by the Master, Michael Stuart, this class is the primer on understanding this exciting new energy efficiency technology. Network with others in the industry while you gain in-depth knowledge of the science of thermography in this full day’s training.

  • From basics to advanced in 8 hours you’ll the gain the in-depth science complete with examples of thermography.
  • Test up to 10 IR cameras in this hands-on interactive class. Plus, learn the features and benefits to each.
  • Learn the business of the “business of thermography.” How it can increase your company’s bottomline.

Cost: $129.00 (8-hours of instruction, hands-on training, all materials and a light lunch provided)

Early Bird Discount (through 11/7) $89.00

HPW Members: $69.00

Call Gretchen at 206-930 5355 today to register.  Last class filled quickly so call to reserve a seat today.

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Sustainable Works – Accounts Payable Clerk – PART TIME

October 13th, 2011 by David Bangs

Job Description

Title Accounts Payable Clerk – PART TIME
Location Headquarters, Tukwila, WA
Reports to Director of Operations and Finance

Job summary

Provide fiscal and administrative support through daily administration and accounting/ bookkeeping functions with focus on accounts payable, sub-contractor compliance, and general administration in support of operations for a startup non-profit construction firm.

Summary of essential job functions

  • Facilitate all daily accounts payable transactions
  • Verify lien releases from sub-contractors
  • Verify Subcontractor intent and affidavit filings through The Department of Labor and Industries for services performed per bid pack
  • Ensure timeliness and accuracy of Subcontractor Certified Payroll administration
  • Primary point of contact for supplier accounts
  • Primary point of contact for vendor accounts
  • Assist in seamless financial administration from customer project completion through collecting utility incentives, paying Subcontractors and reconciling expenses.
  • Investigates all vendor inquiries for payment and provide response
  • Maintain a functional relationship with the Accounting Specialist in preparing reconciliation documents for the grant compliance
  • Tracks company credit card charges and reconciles statements
  • Monitor loans, accounts payable, and receivables to ensure that payments are on time and notifies the Director of Operations and Finance of any issues
  • Act as backup for payroll administration and assist with related recordkeeping
  • Assist with preparing project and bid pack closeout documents
  • Track sub-contractor apprentice programs and usage
  • Assist in the administration city specific business requirements for new neighborhoods including business licenses, finding temporary office space etc.
  • Additional duties as require
Job Requirements

Required

Four (4) year degree in business, accounting or related field or equivalent work experience
Excellent problem solving skills and attention to detail
 
Preferred
4 years related experience in the construction industry, non-profit or grant funded organization.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel are required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities as needed.

SustainableWorks is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.

SustainableWorks provides preference to veteran’s, displaced workers, and union members.

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