Taking the Home Energy Scoring Tool a Step Further

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) puts a great deal of focus and concern into the area of weatherization. An abundant amount of recovery act funding went towards weatherization and in return the reduction of energy consumption. In an attempt to make the auditing and assessing aspect of weatherization readily available and understood by both experts and consumers alike the DOE has created the Home Energy Scoring Tool.
This tool is available online for free and unlike similar tools, such the Energy Star Yardstick, the Home Energy Scoring Tool does not take your actual bills or consumption into account; instead it takes the information about your home gathered by an assessor and provides you with a rank. The walk-through needed to gather information for the free online tool collects data from 45 different points. Once completed the tool will calculate your score and compare your home to other homes in your area. The tool is designed to measure the home itself, not how the home is used. To substitute for the home's actual use it makes the assumption that it is occupied by 2 adults and 1 child and that the thermostat is set at a certain level depending on the time of year.
Upgrades and improvements are then generated by the online tool and listed so they can clearly be seen and considered. The potential savings are also generated to show users how much they could affect their costs by making the improvements. The tool calculates a score of 1 to 10 which shows how your home is currently performing; the higher the score the better the performance. After this initial ranking it compares how it currently is performing to how it could perform if all of the potential upgrades were made.
If you plan to invest in home improvements this is a great tool to help you judge which improvements will result in the biggest savings. The upgrades pointed out by the audit will result in significant savings by improving energy efficiency. But, keep in mind that these readings do not take into consideration your actual use. Your home may be completely efficient, but your bills may still be high. If you are scoring high on the Home Energy Scoring Tool but your bills are still higher than you think they should be it may be time to look at how you use energy.
A home energy monitor provides a glimpse into your real-time daily energy use habits. Using this tool you can narrow in on waste. The average home has over 30 devices that are always using electricity, whether it is a charger that is still plugged in or a device in standby mode. Some devices in standby mode use as much electricity as in the on mode. The first step in changing your habits is to detect these always on "vampire" loads and stop them. A quick glance at the monitor occasionally will assure these loads are still off. Without continuous monitoring these vampires will sneak back slowly but surely, which is why continued monitoring is required. Using the monitor to maintain these devices can result in significant savings. One device by itself does not create a significant vampire load, but 30 or more devices combined can equal a lot.

If you are interested in controlling your energy costs Silas Inman invites you to start monitoring and controlling your energy consumption with Forward Energy Solutions, Inc. It is extremely easy and cost effective to begin monitoring your energy consumption. Every second you wait to start controlling your energy consumption and costs could result in a catastrophic bill, many companies have even seen a return on their investment in less than a single day. Get started now.

Read more »

How to Make Your Home Energy Efficient

With the high cost of living more and more people are looking at ways to save money. We waste so much energy though our everyday living and its costing us. With fuel prices constantly going up we need to use every trick in the book to keep the bills as low as possible. Below are some suggestions to make your home energy efficient.
What are your windows and doors like? If you live in an older house that hasn't been updated them your window frames may have rotted away which will cause a loss of heat in the winter. New double glazed windows and doors are much better at keeping the heat in.
Do you have insulation in your loft? If you haven't got any you will probably find that if you go into your loft it will be very hot. This is all your wasted energy. Laying some insulation of up to 10 inches thick will keep the heat in your home and will save you a great deal of money in heating bills. As well as loft installation having cavity wall insulation will help to keep your house worm.
The heating system in your home could be years old and not efficient. There are many types of energy efficient heating systems including reusable heat systems. Gas is becoming very expensive but with a combination boiler you will only heat the water you use and thus save money and energy.
You could install your own renewable energy system. Solar panels, wind turbines or air source heat pumps are available and look set to stay. That is just the tip of the iceburg. There are lots more systems some using hot rocks, others using biomass. Renewable energy is the only way forward and more and more companies are popping up offering installation of renewable energy systems.
The obvious tips are to remember to turn off electrical appliances when they are not in use. This sounds easier than it sounds. We have all taken energy for granted and often leave lights on. This can be stopped now with energy monitors. You can see exactly where the energy is being used which should then give you the incentive to change your behaviour and start turning things off.
Ensuring your house is energy efficient will not only save you money but will provide a healthier standard of living for the family.

Read more »

Electrical Home Power Generation Projects - Measuring Using the OHM Function on a Multi-Meter

Today let's talk a little about using our multi-meter in building your home power generation project. You might be using any of the alternative energy power generation type programs. The ability to measure accurately and correctly is essential.
I have an analog meter in front of me. I really believe that if you learn not only what the measurements are but what they mean and where they come from, then you will be a better meter person.
The other day we discussed the parts of the meter. Today we will get into using the meter itself. First, let's talk about using the Ohm function to measure resistance. Machine turned on? Let's do it.
If you're not too sure what ohms or resistance means in electrical terms, stop a few minutes and look it up. It's right here in the internet. Look it up and get a basic understanding. I'll wait.
OK? Great. Pick up your machine and set the meter to Resistance or Ohms. Check to see if your meter has a separate switch for this function.
Now think about this. Electrical resistance and electrical continuity are actually exact opposites. Right? Resistance is holding back the electrons and continuity is allowing free movement.
Your meter will use ohms to measure the resistance. There is no measurement for continuity. If you have no resistance, then you have continuity. Right? Stay with me now.
The less resistance you have, the more continuity you will have. What all this means is that when you accurately measure resistance, you can make assumptions about the continuity.
Ok, look at your meter. Have your test leads sitting alone and not touching anything. Then look at your dial. The pointer (or needle) of the dial should be clear over at the left position. This shows you have an "open circuit." You would be safe in saying that there is no continuity between your red probe and your black one. Still with me?
Now look at your OHM scale. It should be the top most scale and you will note the values are highest on the left side of the dial and they gradually reduce to "0" on the right. Note now that this is the opposite of the other scales. They will have the lowest values on the left and keep increasing as you move right.
This is pretty basic stuff, but most important. If it seems somewhat hazy, go back and reread. This will be all routine in a short time, but only if you get it right now.
Ok, let's work with the meter a bit.

1. First, connect the black test lead to the jack marked "common" or "-".
2. Now connect the red test lead to the jack that is marked with the Omega (Omn symbol) or you might see the letter "R" near it.
3. If you machine allows it, set your range to R X 100.
4. Now take the test leads at the end of the probes and hold them together. Your pointer on the dial should move all the way to the right. Now find the "zero adjust" knob and rotate it so that the meter moves to "0" or as close to "0" as possible. You will be able to see that this position is what is called the "short circuit" or "zero ohms" indication for this range (R X 1) ALWAYS REMEMBER TO "ZERO" YOUR METER IMMEDIATELY AFTER CHANGING THE RESISTANCE RANGES.
5. If you are unable to obtain a zero ohm indication on your meter, it could be that you need to replace weak batteries. Retry these steps after you replace the batteries.
6. Now let's measure the resistance of a good lightbulb. Find the two electrical contact points on the base of the bulb. They are right on the bottom. Have someone hold the bulb by the glass only while you press the black probe against the threaded base and the red probe against the center tab on the base. Now watch the needle move from its resting place at the left and zoom quickly to the "O" over on the right.
7. Now change the range of you multi-meter to R X 1. Zero the meter once more for this new range. Now repeat what you did before and note how this time the meter does not go as far to the right like it did a while ago. Why? Because the scale of resistance has been moved. The scale you select is very important. Each number on the R scale can be read directly. Try all different ranges and you will see what I mean. This is good experience. It is essential that you understand the different ranges. This is important: The values that you find on the left side are harder to read accurately than those on the right. You need to prove this to yourself. Read 5 ohms on the meter while in the R X 100 range. It looks similar to 0. Now try it at R X 1 range. Much easier. Here is an important point to remember: When you are testing resistance, try to adjust the range so that the readings you obtain will be taken from the middle of the dial, rather than the far right or left.
8. One more thing and then we will quit for the day. Let's test the resistance between hands. Zero your meter when you have set it to the highest R X value that is possible. Hold one of the probes in each hand very loosely and read the meter. Now squeeze both probes very tightly. Did you note the resistance reducing? Let go of both probes and wet your hands. Pick them up again. Note the resistance is now lower. This should show you why it is so important that the probes do not touch anything than exactly what is being tested. Your fingers can provide an alternate path for the electrons when your fingers are touching the probe. An older glass automotive fuse lying on a metal surface will indicate the resistance of the metal surface. If you are not careful, each and every fuse, good or bad, will register as "good" no matter of the reality of the matter.

I think we have covered enough for today. Tomorrow we will discuss more of the meter functions and gain more practice with this fine machine. Residential home power generation is not rocket science, but it does need to be done correctly. No exceptions!

Read more »

Library Design

This library was designed by architects Alsop and Störmer and built between 1998 and 2000 but the particularity of this library is both unique and radical. It is in the shape of an inverted capital letter 'L'.
The upper part of this 'L' shaped building is supported by thin steel pillars that are set at apparently random angles. This serves to give the viewer the impression that the building is 'walking', creating a real sense of movement. Various 'pods' style structures are home to public meeting rooms, children's areas and the library's Afro-Caribbean section. The windows are arranged in a what, at first sight, appears to be a haphazard manner. The windows situated on the upper floors reward the visitor with some wonderful views of London.
The Library opened to the public on March 8th, 2000. Due to the publicity raised by the library design winning the Stirling Prize it attracted some 500,000 visitors in its first year. The judges stated that they were impressed with the building's unique approach. The designers had taken the plan footprint of a conventional library design and then elevated it to create a public space beneath the building. This library design also moves the quiet reading space away from any street level noise.
Same as the University of Tripoli the Peckham design has given great thought to energy conservation. Natural light floods into the building through the glass wall. This reduces the need for artificial lighting. The library design radiates a sense of fun and its existence has had a positive and regenerative effect upon the surrounding environment.

Read more »

Log Homes Plans Provide A More Natural Living Environment

If you look closely at the real estate market currently, you'll find that there are now lots of modern houses available that individuals are very interested to live or invest in. Yet there remain others who take a different approach and choose to live in the coziness provided with living in log homes.
Log cabin homes are referred to those which are made out of timber and some high quality lumber. What's excellent about the wood product is that it is organic and natural. Natural supplies, reported by research, can exhibit such a great level of comfort and lightness to the feel of the home. An additional good thing about log cabin homes is that there are various homes plans that you can pick from.
These cabin home packages, also called kits, are composed of the important supplies used for the construction of your log home. Such kits may vary in the amount of materials in it based on the size of the home you want to get. These subsequent items are what will be as part of your log homes plans.
First are the items that you'll want for the floor coverings. You'll typically need the flooring, the siding for the rim joist, some items for decking as well as the beam system of the whole house. This is actually perfect if you are looking to get a second floor.
Next will be the outside walls for these luxury homes. Materials for this comprise the doorways, the studs for the interior, the base plates and of course the logs themselves.
The rooftop is very essential too and you will certainly find this included in the package. You'll get the roof valley, sheathing, gable dormer and many more. This will complete the total appearance of your house.
Patio supplies may also be provided in the packages. The materials within the kits would be the parts for the flooring like the girder, the decking materials, and of course the roof over it all.
So if you like being all natural with your residence, and relish the feel that these homes bring, then you can surely benefit from log cabin homes. You can look for for these kinds of kits on the internet. Be sure to seek information and get your materials from the most reputable builders around.

Read more »

New Home New Life

Moving to a new home means having a new life indeed. A lot of changes to encounter though but this is something cheerful and to be considered as an important turning point of a person's life. The whole idea of having a new place gives a person the opportunity to meet new people and deal with new aspects in ones existence.
Every time people plan out on moving, there is always going to be what they called a housewarming event. This will eventually let all the people who are closest to your heart join you in celebrating this significant happening in one's life. Neighbors and new friends around the society are always welcome to accompany the new folks in town as well. This would definitely make it as a good start living the life in a new home. Before anything else, one should actually plan out how many people they want to invite for the main event. This way, the host would be able to know what food to prepare and how much food to anticipate. Considering that you would be expecting different kinds of people, for sure they vary in so many ways. Religion perhaps is something one should think about ahead of time. This would relate to the food and the kind of preparation you will be having in the party, besides, no one would ever want to ruin the whole celebration by offending one person to another because building great relationship with the neighborhood is the best thing one can do being new in the community.
This traditional way of getting together is also a way of returning the hospitality received from friends and relatives in the past. It is also an approach in finding new ideas on how to set up your new home. Guests would eventually hand in gifts and wonderful presents but this is not really expected from everyone though. These favors could be used in firing up the look of your new house or could be used along the food that has already been prepared. There are a lot of gift ideas that could be brought by the invitees that would deliver symbols of joyous life in the new home. Be it represented by breakfast gift baskets, to gardening gifts or kitchen essentials that would exactly impose anybody's best wishes for the new home owner. Anybody can have an enjoyable and memorable housewarming party in town with all the exclusive preparations, considering the fact of all the significant trivial details.

Read more »

Improving Your New Home

Low house prices mean many people are buying new property, and looking to build their lives somewhere new. Many people will find upon moving into new homes that they have a bit of home improvement cut out for them. Here are three things you should prioritise when fixing up your new place.
At the beginning you need to concentrate on improvements that will save you money. You just spent a chunk of money on the house, so you'll need to make it as cost effective as possible. Items like washing machines, boilers and windows can all increase your bills if they are not functioning properly, so invest in double glazed windows, get a front loading washing machine and replace your boiler. By quickly making these changes you can cut down on your bills for years to come.
The second step is to re-paint. Many homes have grubby walls which have not been attended to in years. You may not initially notice the poor state of your walls, but it makes a huge difference. A splash of paint and you may not even recognise your sparkling new house. You can easily do the painting yourself, or bring in some professionals to get it done.
Finally, take a look at the garden. Many New homes have horribly overgrown gardens - these can be easily ignored but they leave the house feeling less than perfect. So get out on a nice sunny day and tame that wilderness, it will make a huge difference to the aesthetics and also give you a place to entertain friends and family in the summer months.
If you make these three improvements your new house should be looking great with just a little bit of work. You can focus on other improvements later, but it's crucial to get these ones out of the way early.

Read more »