Category Archives: Important Energy News

Air Check List


Posted by Robert Reed 
Indoor airPLUS Verification Checklist

 Address or Div/Lot#: 

 City/State/Zip: Date: Verified by

 Section Requirements (see Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications for details)
 N/A Builder Rater

 Water-Managed Site and Foundation 

 1.1 Site & foundation drainage: sloped grade, protected drain tile, & foundation
     floor drains.
 1.2 Capillary break below concrete slabs & in crawlspaces (Exception - see specification) o o o
 1.3 Foundation wall damp-proofed or water-proofed
     (Except for homes without below-grade walls)
 1.4 Basements/crawlspaces insulated & conditioned (Exceptions - see specification)
      Water-Managed Wall Assemblies
 1.5 Continuous drainage plane behind exterior cladding, properly flashed to foundation
 1.6 Window & door openings fully flashed 

 Water-Managed Roof Assemblies 

 1.7 Gutters/downspouts direct water a minimum of 5' from foundation
    (Except in dry climates)

 1.8 Fully flashed roof/wall intersections (step & kick-out flashing) & roof
    penetrations 

 1.9 Bituminous membrane installed at valleys & penetrations (Except in dry climates)
 1.10 Ice flashing installed at eaves (Except in Climate Zones 1 - 4) 

 Interior Water Management 

 1.11 Moisture-resistant materials/protective systems installed (i.e., flooring,
      tub/shower backing, & piping)

 1.12 No vapor barriers installed on interior side of exterior walls with high
      condensation potential 

 1.13 No wet or water-damaged materials enclosed in building assemblies
 2.1 Approved radon-resistant features installed (Exception - see specification)
 2.2 Two radon test kits & instructions/guidance for follow-up actions
     provided for buyer (Advisory-see specification)
 3.1 Foundation joints & penetrations sealed, including air-tight sump covers
 3.2 Corrosion-proof rodent/bird screens installed at all openings that cannot
     be fully sealed (e.g., attic vents)
 4.1 HVAC room loads calculated, documented; system design documented; coils matched
 4.2 Duct system design documented & properly installed OR duct system tested.
 4.3 No air handling equipment or ductwork installed in garage;
     continuous air barrier required in adjacent assemblies
 4.4 Rooms pressure balanced (using transfer grills or jump ducts)
     as required OR tested (check box if tested)
 4.5 Whole house ventilation system installed to meet ASHRAE 62.2 requirements
 4.6 Local exhaust ventilation to outdoors installed for baths, kitchen,
     clothes dryers, central vacuum system, etc.
 4.7 Central forced-air HVAC system(s) have minimum MERV 8 filter, no filter bypass,
     & no ozone generators
 4.8 Additional dehumidification system(s) or central HVAC dehumidification controls
     installed (In warm-humid climates only)
 Combustion Source Controls 

 5.1 Gas heat direct vented; oil heat & water heaters power vented or direct vented
     (Exceptions - see specifications)
 5.2 Fireplaces/heating stoves vented outdoors & meet emissions/efficiency
     standards/restrictions
 5.3 Certified CO alarms installed in each sleeping zone (e.g., common hallway)
     according to NFPA 720
 5.4 Smoking prohibited in common areas; outside smoking at least 25' from building
     openings (Multi-family homes only)
 Attached Garage Isolation 

 5.5 Common walls/ceilings (house & garage) air-sealed before insulation installed;
     house doors gasketed & closer installed
 5.6 Exhaust fan (minimum 70 cfm, rated for continuous use)
     installed in garage & vented to outdoors (controls optional)
 6.1 Certified low-formaldehyde pressed wood materials used
     (i.e., plywood, OSB, MDF, cabinetry)
 6.2 Certified low-VOC or no-VOC interior paints & finishes used
 6.3 Carpet, adhesives, & cushion qualify for CRI Green Label Plus or
     Green Label testing program
 7.1 HVAC system & ductwork verified dry, clean, & properly installed
 7.2 Home ventilated before occupancy OR initial ventilation instructions provided
     for buyer
 7.3 Completed checklist & other required documentation provided for buyer

 Rater/Provider: Builder: 

 Company: Company: 

 Signature: Signature:

Moisture Control

Radon

Pests

HVAC

Combustion Pollutants

Materials

Final

Guidance for Completing the Indoor airPLUS Verification Checklist:

1. Only ENERGY STAR qualified homes verified to comply with these specifications can
  earn the Indoor airPLUS label. See Indoor  airPLUS Construction Specifications for
full descriptions of the requirements, terms, exceptions, abbreviations, references,
and climate map used in this checklist. Verification is not complete until this
checklist is completed in full and signed.

2. Check one box per line. Check “N/A” for specifications that do not apply for
specific conditions (e.g., climate) according to the Exceptions described in the Indoor
airPLUS Construction Specifications. Check either “Builder” or “Rater” for all other
items to indicate who verified each item. Items may be verified visually on site during
construction, by reviewing photographs taken during construction, by checking
documentation, or through equivalent methods as appropriate. If using a performance
testing alternative to meet requirement 4.2 or 4.4, the box marked “Tested” must be
checked and testing documentation must be provided in the Home Energy Rating
System/Builder Option Package (HERS/BOP) file.

3. The rater who conducted the verification, or a responsible party from the rater’s
company, must sign the completed verification  checklist. The builder must sign the
checklist if any items in the “Builder” column are checked, and by so doing accepts full
responsibility for verifying that those items meet Indoor airPLUS requirements.

4. The builder provides one copy of the completed and signed checklist for the buyer.
The HERS/BOP provider or rater files a copy with HERS/BOP and ENERGY STAR documentation
e.g., Thermal Bypass Checklist) for the home. 

5. The checklist may be completed for a batch of homes using a RESNET-approved sampling
protocol when qualifying homes as ENERGY STAR. For example, if the approved sampling
protocol requires rating one in seven homes, then the checklist will be completed for
the one home that was rated. 

Note: The Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications are designed to help improve indoor
air quality (IAQ) in new homes compared with homes built to minimum code. These measures
alone cannot prevent all IAQ problems; occupant behavior is also important. For example,
smoking indoors would negatively impact a home’s IAQ and the performance of the
specified Indoor airPLUS measures.

Notes: 

For further information on the Indoor airPLUS program, visit epa.gov/indoorairplus.

Qualified homes earn the
Indoor airPLUS label.
Place it next to the
ENERGY STAR label.

All Indoor airPLUS qualified homes meet strict
guidelines for energy efficiency set by ENERGY STAR,
the nationally-recognized symbol for energy efficiency.

110 Volt (AC) Electric Heater FACTS!


Posted by Robert Reed

Portable Electric Heaters (110 Volt AC)

Information you MUST know to be well informed!

As the new heating season is upon most of the Northern Hemisphere (US) the airwaves are being bombarded with ads for the latest and greatest portable (space) electric heaters.  We have compiled information so you can be an informed consumer and spend your money as YOU see fit.

The information is for “portable”  electric space heaters by type.  We have rated them in each category from (1)  being the best (for the use listed) to (3) being the least, and (0) not advisable.  As with ALL heat producing products you MUST may attention to the safety instructions provided with your purchase as ALL items have different safety requirements.  Feel free to voice any questions or concerns.

NOTICE Heating information;

REGARDLESS of what the commercials state or is printed in the advertisment here are the FACTS!

1.  The 110 volt AC receptacles in 99.9% of ALL households in the U.S. REGARDLESS of circuit breaker or wire-size are rated (max current) at 15 AMPS.

2.  The MAXIMIUM amount of heat available NOT COUNTING the power required to run a fan is 1,650 Watts or 5,630.03 BTU per Hour.

Note:  The average heater with fan uses about 1,375 watts of power per hour.

3.  Regardless of the COST of the heater you are LIMITED in the amount of heat you will get.  THIS CANNOT be changed by the looks or cost of the heater.

4.  To figure the cost to operate your choice,  multiply your Cost Per Kilowatt of electricity  X 1.3 X the number of hours in operation (in heat mode).  This will give you a very good average on what you can expect to pay for using these devices.

.

Note: All pictures are for information ONLY!

The list of heaters is as follows;

Fan Forced Heaters  

Air is warmed over a coil element and fanned into the room.  Features a cool-touch housing.

Quiet, Slow, Steady Heat                3

Quick Heat                                            1   

Directional/Personal Heat             1       

Strong/Intense Heat                         3   

Best For Active Homes                     1

Ceramic Heaters

 

Air is warmed as it passes over a ceramic and

aluminium heating element.  Heat is distributed

via a fan.

Quiet, Slow, Steady Heat                      1                   

Quick Heat                                                  3

Directional/Personal Heat                  3

Strong/Intense Heat                              2

Best For Active Homes                         2 

 

Convection Heater (electric radiator)

The air passes over a large heating element,

circulating a steady long-term heat throughout

the room.

Quiet, Slow, Steady Heat                              1

Quick Heat                                                         O                                

Directional/Personal Heat                         3

Strong/Intense Heat                                     3

Best For Active Homes                                3

 

Quartz-Radiant (infrared) 

Heats with energy similar to the sun, glowing elements

radiate heat directly forward for immediate

personal warmth.

Quiet, Slow, Steady Heat                                 2                  

Quick Heat                                                             2

Directional/Personal Heat                              1 

Strong/Intense Heat                                         1

Best For Active Homes                                    O

 

Utility Heaters

The air is warmed over coil elements

(Similar to a toaster) and a fan forces the

air into the room.  Usually features a metal housing.

Quiet, Slow, Steady Heat                                     3

Quick Heat                                                                 1 

Directional/Personal Heat                                  1

Strong/Intense Heat                                             3

Best For Active Homes                                         O

 


Reclaim/Recycle Waste Water from Oil/gas Drilling Operations


Posted by Robert Reed

Could these be the thing of the past?

May be forwarded or copied!

Due to the huge amount of waste water from gas and oil drilling operations, especially in a shale type of deposit where “Fraqing” is a normal process to access the gas/oil, and improper disposal can be an environmental nightmare, ASEI has arrived at a solution to this problem.

Note: Sample photo on home page.

Instead of the oil companies injecting the “Waste Water” into a well, or using an open pit, we can through our mechanical process remove the dissolved solids, and clean/purify the remaining water without the use of filters that have to be disposed of, or the addition of possible hazardous chemicals.

 

Our process is a combined work of several professions, and methods. The following is a basic overview of our units/system. These units/systems can be small and portable (semi trailer mounted) or larger stationary units.

  1. When the water is first received it is tested for content. (what is in it). It then goes through a multistage gravity separator. At this point any petroleum products such as oil, gas, diesel, hydraulic fluid etc. are separated from the water.

  2. Next the water is put through a mechanical separator which removes any particles of dirt etc.Greater than 10 microns in size.

  3. (1 micron = 0.000039 of an inch) (Your hair is about 100 microns thick)

  4. The final stage is where the water is pumped through a controlled temperature and pressure vessel where it is separated from any remaining salts and solids. The end product is water that can be less than .04 ppm (parts per million) of contamination.

For illustration purposes .04 ppm = .$.04 in $1,000,000.000.00

The solids from this process can be further separated or disposed of in accordance with EPA guidelines.

For additional information Click here!


Solar Shutdown: Feinstein to Block Energy Projects


Posted by Robert Reed

Posted December 22nd, 2009 at 11.32 am in Energy and Environment.

We need to transform to a new, clean energy economy but we can’t build solar panels in the Mojave Desert if California Senator Diane Feinstein has anything to say about it:

Senator Dianne Feinstein introduced legislation in Congress on Monday to protect a million acres of the Mojave Desert in California by scuttling some 13 big solar plants and wind farms planned for the region.

To read the entire article click here


Cap and Trade Bill Passes House


Posted by Robert Reed

Cap & Trade Bill Passes in the House

HR2454, the Climate Change and Energy Bill, narrowly passed in the House of Representatives today. The bill passed with a 219-212 vote, with the majority of Republicans voting along party lines and dozens of Democrats voting against it. The 1000+ bill, which imposes heavy regulations in order to slow down climate change, will be voted in the Senate.

This bill as written will cost “rate payers” (those persons/companies who pay electric utility bills) untold THOUSANDS of $$.  In the last session of the Arkansas State Legislature (2009), it was estimated that to “update” the existing coal fired plants in Arkansas alone would cost $500-$700 MILLIION, just to conform to the new Clean Air requirements.  This did NOT include what HR2454 mandates.


WELCOME !!! to our WORLD


Posted by Robert Reed

First and foremost I want to personally thank you for your visit and the time you spend with us.

I will try to stay out of the politics of this issue but WILL report on what is really going on.  I will not argue with or against “Global” warming, ENOUGH of that is already out there for you to view.  I will report on how this topic may or may not impact you as a consumer and us as a company.

The “Energy” world as I knew it, some 36 years ago, when I first got involved is vastly different.  We now have a “Professional” in EVERY corner telling us “What we should do”.

I DO NOT claim by any strech to have ALL the answers, but will attempt to sort, fact from fiction.

A few facts:

1.  My first home energy conversion was in Spring Valley CA. 1975.  A two bedroom with attached garage, NO central heat/air, utility of $35.00 a month.

2. I have 16 years as an engineer in the U.S. Navy Honorable discharged as a MMC(SW) E-7 (Machinist Mate Chief Petty Officer)

3.  Certified by the U.S.Navy to test and treat water made from the ocean, with a MAX allowed contamination of .002 ppm.

4.  Have built and tested (1987-88) a vapor fuel system for an automobile, and a “solar powered waste oil recovery unit”.

Note:  This was published in the Aberdeen, SD newspaper.

5.  We have more technology in our cell phones than was on the Apollo missions, which put our men on the moon.

6.  One of the oldest examples of “Energy” conservation and usage is in the United States.  Guess where!

Answer later in this post.

7.  We still build our homes like it was done in days gone by.

8.  Building codes are still the “MINIMUM” requirement.

9.  People buying a car, spend more time on that, than is spent buying a home.

Note:  CAR;  make,model,color,mpg,insurance,trade-in value,msrp,discounts,rebatesfinancing.

House:  Nice home, can I get a loan for it.  How long is the loan,what %, what are my payments?

On the average when shopping for a car it takes about 6 months to make that decision.  (ALL things) considered.  TEERM OF DEBT 60 months (5 Years)

When one is shopping for a home, one is located, viewed, loan apporved TERM (30 (THIRTY) YEARS!, most states only require ONE year of guarentee on the NEW HOME!

Question?  1.  What does it cost to MAINTAIN the home?

(Taxes, Lawn,paint,wear and tear)

2.  What does it cost in UTILITIES per month/year?

3.  How long will it be before I HAVE TO REPLACE!!  Water heater,stove,disposal,ect.

REMEMBER you buy a vehicle for 5 years and a home for 30!

10. Answer to question  6.  Gila Cliff Dwellings

I sincerely appreciate your time and look forward to a LONG and no doubt eventful trip down the path we have chosen. There will be a link in the near future where you can request subject matter for me to coment on.

May you have a Very safe and happy holiday this month.

R.L.Reed C.E.O

American Spirit Enterprises Inc.


Energy News


Posted by admin

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Let us breakdown what’s really going on in our Energy Industry and shoot straight to the point and expose those who…. well, don’t exactly want to be exposed.