The town of Brookline, Massachusetts voted to ban gas and oil piping in future construction projects in hopes of reducing its carbon footprint, the Boston Globe reports. Brookline joins Berkeley, California and a handful of other cities in California as the first places in the U.S. to ban the use of fossil fuels to supply utilities like heat and cooking gas in new construction. Berkeleys ban only applies to new construction, while Brooklines also applies to substantial renovations closing a potential loophole.

Brookline and Berkeleys ordinances could signal a new trend in local climate action. To date, cities have mostly focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from generating electricity, but the votes in Berkeley and now Brookline show that the carbon footprints of heating and cooling buildings are receiving increased attention.

The numbers for the state of Massachusetts suggest this attention is warranted: commercial and residential buildings account for 24.5 percent of the states greenhouse gas emissions, while power plants are responsible for just 20 percent.

Tommy Vitolo, a Massachusetts state representative and Town Meeting member, told Boston.com that the decision that Brookline made...not only signals to our community that clean heating and cooling are possible and practical, but also shows residents and policymakers throughout the state, the nation, and the world that they can do it, too.

Despite local support for the new bylaw, it may prove a tough sell for the Northeastern U.S. more broadly. The regions cold winters and hot, humid summers, will make its transition away from natural gas and fuel oil more challenging than the comparatively temperate climes of California.

The electric heating pumps that would replace existing utilities are also costly to install and operate, especially compared to natural gas which is cheap, plentiful and can be easily installed even in old buildings. Natural gas industry groups offered up a federal estimate showing the cost of supplying the average Northeastern home with electric heating this winter would be $1,391 and just $712 for natural gas.

Steve Dodge, who leads the Massachusetts Petroleum Council, told E&E News, I understand their passion and the concern, but this is not the way to address it. This does nothing except cost Brookline property owners money and stifle new development. Dodge and others argue replacing dirty heating and fuel oils with biodiesels could offer another way of making the built environment less carbon intensive that doesnt upend existing infrastructure.

But supporters of the ban argue that natural gas short-term savings belie its true cost. Expanding and maintaining the regions gas distribution lines would cost billions, according to Greg Cunningham, who leads the energy and climate program at the Conservation Law Foundation. There are also safety considerations: a ruptured gas line exploded into flames in Massachusetts Merrimack Valley in 2018.

But undergirding this debate, and myriad others around the world, is the urgency of the climate crisis and the resistance to the systemic changes necessary to address it.

See the original post:
Natural gas bans spread to East Coast - The Hill

Microsoft have registered a patent to try and help reduce the problem of overheating in their laptops; and possibly even their future foldable devices.

At this point the idea is only a patent and theres no indication that when or if well ever see this idea implemented in any of Microsofts devices.

The idea is an interesting one, though; it could see more manufacturers looking for innovative ways to reduce the heat thats generated by our laptops

PC cases have a lot more going for them when it comes to heat management. Without the need to be portable form is far less important than function. Added to that PCs have much more room to circulate air and install heatsinks and fans.

For a laptop the first and most important job of the designer is to fit it on your lap and in your laptop bag. As a result laptops are typically pretty poor at dealing with high temperature.

High-end gaming laptops are able to look at more advanced cooling solutions but these come at a cost. When you start looking at things like liquid cooling you sacrifice portability and start pushing the price up.

Also read Five ways to keep your laptop cool during summer

Designing an efficient laptop is not easy; theres only so much you can do with the space available in the base section of a laptop. Microsoft have clearly been applying their mind to this problem. The patent was unearthed by Mayank Parmar.

Microsofts patent looks to address this by implementing a vapor chamber which would run from the base of the laptop to the screen portion. This chamber will connect the base section with the screen section.

This could change the way manufacturers approach the idea of heat management. The screen and the base where the CPU and GPU are housed are generally thought of separately; the majority of cooling focuses on the heat generating base.

The idea of making use of the screen section to help dissipate the heat would give designers more space and materials to use to try and solve heating problems.

Microsoft notes in their patent that the screen section of a laptop may provide an effective surface area for passive heat transfer.

The proposed vapor chamber design is focused on providing efficient cooling without affecting the integrity of the laptop hinge it will need to cross. This is most likely why the vapor chamber is has been preferred to a heat conductive material.

If the solution proves successful Microsoft is likely to find applications for the patent in their foldable mobile devices as well as future headsets.

Also read Microsofts Cortana will soon read emails on Outlook for iOS and Android

Follow this link:
Microsoft patents solution to prevent laptops from overheating - The South African

The Nest Learning Thermostat and lower-cost Nest Thermostat E are both expected to get discounts for Black Friday 2019, but there are two other smart thermostats you should consider this year. And guess what: theyre both already on sale at their Black Friday prices! The ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control is ecobees flagship model, and its basically a Nest Learning Thermostat with a built-in Echo Dot. Thats right, you can use it to give Alexa voice commands! Its the single best-selling smart thermostat on Amazon and its down to $199, its lowest price yet. Or if you dont care about Alexa voice control, you can snag an ecobee3 lite Smart Thermostat instead for an all-time low of $139!

Follow @BGRDeals on Twitter to keep up with the latest and greatest deals we find around the web. Prices subject to change without notice. BGR may receive a commission on orders placed through this article.

Excerpt from:
The best-selling smart thermostat on Amazons whole site is down to its lowest price for Black Friday - BGR

Early wintry weather has brought a sense of urgency for many Vermonters to consider how to balance having a comfortable home with an affordable heating bill. Efficiency Vermonts 10 ways NOT to save energy this winter consumer guide takes a lighter approach to exploring this question, while providing serious energy efficiency advice to help Vermonters stay warm for less.

1. Wear your jacket to bed.

Your home shouldnt be the same temperature as your back yard. If it is, it might be time for weatherization. The last decade has seen dramatic improvements in how we insulate homes. We now know almost all Vermont homes can save money just by adding insulation and air sealing in crucial areas in the attic and basement and you wont have to wear your jacket to bed.

New incentives from Efficiency Vermont make comprehensive weatherization more affordable than ever. Most Vermonters are now eligible for 50% back on the cost of the project, up to $4,000. You can also pay for your project monthly with the Efficiency Vermont Home Energy Loan, which offers 0% interest financing.

2. Build an ice cave inside your home to store leftovers from Thanksgiving.

Your home shouldnt be cold enough to maintain an ice cave! In addition to weatherizing your home, look for an efficient refrigerator. Dont know where to start? Research the most efficient products on the market, compare prices and reviews with our online tool. Or, look for the Efficiency Vermont SMART CHOICE in stores. Products with this logo are the most energy-efficient products on the market and tested for the highest standards of quality and performance.

3. Sit in the dark every night.

Lights shouldnt cost you a fortune. Replace your incandescent light bulbs with ENERGY STAR LEDs, which can save you up to 90% for each bulb. LEDs are available in almost every size, shape and color (from warmer tones to brighter whites), so check out your local retailer to find the right bulbs for your home.

4. Build a blanket fort for you and your family to sleep in right next to the woodstove.

Blanket forts are tons of fun, but you should be able to sleep in your own bed and stay warm if your heating system is up to date and working. If your heater runs on oil, it should be maintained annually. A gas system and or heat pumps should be checked every two years. Keep dust and debris off the heat sources in your home to ensure that heat is getting to you. Clear off radiators, baseboard heaters, air vents and ducts and check that the heat flow isnt blocked.

5. Wear a wetsuit in the shower.

Water heating is a homes second-highest energy cost. If you feel like you need to take cold showers in the winter, it could be time to look into a new, more efficient model. Efficiency Vermont partners with local utilities to offer incentives on highly efficient heat-pump water heaters. These electric water heaters use the renewable electricity on Vermonts grid to keep your water warm efficiently.

6. Use the drafts blowing through your house as a natural hair dryer.

If your house feels windy inside, youve probably got some holes you can seal! For windows and doors that feel drafty, there are some cost-effective actions you can take before you consider buying new (which can be very expensive). You can replace individual panes that have cracked and replace the glaze on an old window. A simple bead of caulk or weather-stripping around windows and doors can keep warm air from escaping. Lock your windows to keep that seal tight. You can also install Low-E storm windows yourself for an added barrier.

7. Wrap old towels around your heating ducts.

Save your old towels for drying off your pets! You can keep heat in your ducts by sealing seams and joints. If your ducts are going through unheated spaces like attics or garages, add insulation on top of the seal to make sure the heat is going where its needed. An Efficiency Excellence Network member will look for these energy-saving opportunities as part of a comprehensive weatherization project. Or get $100 from Efficiency Vermont to DIY some projects yourself.

8. Make a bonfire out of your summer clothes with the desperate thought that it may never be warm again.

Summer will come around again soon enough, so dont panic! Instead, look into more-efficient heating options. Keep warm without breaking the bank with a heat pump heating and cooling system. Heat pumps are efficient electric heaters that double as an air conditioner and dehumidifier in the warmer months. You can pair incentives from Efficiency Vermont with offers from your local utility to increase your savings!

If a fire helps you feel toasty on cold nights, think about an efficient pellet stove. Instead of burning your swimsuits, pellet stoves use low-moisture, cleaner-burning, compacted wood. An Efficiency Vermont rebate can help reduce the upfront cost.

9. Invite yourself over to the neighbors every night.

Community gatherings are a great way to stay warm and active in the winter. But dont overstay your welcome just because your house is too cold! Consider a smart thermostat so that the house is warm when you need it to be. Smart thermostats learn your behavior and turn off when you leave the house, and warm it again when youre on your way home. Theyre adjustable from your smartphone and can even respond to the weather outside.

10. Hibernate until May

While its tempting to stuff yourself at Thanksgiving and then curl up like a bear until spring comes, its probably not feasible for you and your family. There are many ways to make your home more affordable, more comfortable and more resilient to the cold winter ahead. Explore our guides for more ideas and resources.

Efficiency Vermont is helping our state transition to a more affordable and cleaner future. Since 2000, Efficiency Vermont has brought Vermonters together to reduce the cost of energy. We work with our partners to provide incentives, technical advice, and efficient products to help customers save money, and lower carbon emissions. For more information, contact Efficiency Vermont at 888-921-5990 or visit http://www.efficiencyvermont.com.

The rest is here:
"10 ways NOT to save energy this winter" -- And what to do instead - Rutland Herald

The development is still in its early stages, completion is set for end of 2020 (Photo: Megan Hoegler)

High upfront costs have traditionally led developers to shy away from geothermal technology to heat and cool residential developments. But advancements in technology and a demand for sustainable building methods is recalibrating this way of thinking.

Technology is advancing, said Adel Esayed, dean of the Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies at Torontos George Brown College. As a result, customers want to see that reflected in their homes.

Birchcliff Urban Towns, a new townhouse development in Torontos east end, exemplifies that mindset change. The project includes 52 townhouse units in a U-shaped two-storey building thats tied together through a central courtyard. A geothermal system will heat and cool the development, which is currently under construction at Kingston Road and Birchcliff Avenue.

Theres been a big shift towards sustainability, so developers are starting to say Hey, this is something we can use as a marketing tool, said Lane Theriault, president of Subterra Renewables, a Toronto-based green energy supplier working on the Birchcliff Development. I can think of 100 or so buildings in the Golden Horseshoe that use geothermal and were built in the last 10 years.

Located at Kingston Road and Birchcliff Avenue, Urban Town Homes will be one of a handful of geothermal developments in the GTA. (Photo: Megan Hoegler)

Geothermal uses the ground as a source for transferring heat between the earth and the building. In doing so, Esayed noted, the geothermal systems use very little energy, reducing a buildings GHG emissions by up to 80 per cent.

It has a much lower operating cost than other systems, Esayed added. Geothermal heating pumps can save customers between 35 to 60 per cent on their heating and 25 to 50 per cent on cooling compared to a conventional heating and cooling system.

The greatest drawback is the steep installation cost. To install geothermal pipes, boreholes must be dug anywhere from 60 to 250 metres (200 to 800 feet) below ground. Depending on the size of the site, system size, accessibility and how much drilling is required, geothermal installation can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000.

What determines how deep you go is the cost of the drilling, Theriault said. What a lot of people dont understand is that the first part of the hole, the top layer, is actually the most expensive to dig through. Because thats where all of the clay and sand is, because its prone to caving, you have to case that part of the well.

It also requires a certain level of skill to install.

Sizing, design and installation of geothermal requires pro expertise for the most efficient system, Esayed said. Its still relatively new, so there are fewer installers and less competition, this is why installation prices for geothermal are still so high.

While it may be expensive to install, geothermal costs next to nothing to run. Once its installed, its basically free energy, Theriault said.

Conventional equipment is sort of the oppositecheap to install but very expensive to run, he added. They use a lot of energy, they break down a lot and youve got to replace them. With geo, once its in the ground, it sort of lasts forever.

According to Birchcliff Towns general contractor, John Wyman, there are currently 10 workers on site. He anticipates the build will need between 30 to 40 workers as it progresses into the later stages.

Cast-in-place concrete is being used for the below-grade portion of the building, including the underground parking lot, while crews are using conventional wood frame construction for the rest of the complex.

The development will be free of natural gas as well as rooftop heating and cooling units, eliminating a noisy eyesore, Theriault noted. Instead of rooftop heating and cooling units, each suite will have a mechanical box connected to a two-in-one heating and cooling pump.

Construction on the Birchcliff Development began in June 2019. The current completion timeline is set for the end of 2020.

Read the original:
Geothermal technology on the rise in residential developments - On-Site Magazine

If you were taking a walk down just about any street in any borough of Montreal on July 23 this year, when the temperature topped 26 Celsius (and the nighttime low was 25 C), you would have heard the buzzing and whirring of air conditioners cooling the homes on both sides of the street.

Some homes, mostly apartment buildings or the typical Montreal duplexes, werent built with the need for air conditioning in mind. In order to cool their homes, people typically install window air conditioners. Often with single-family homes, we see the addition of powerful central air-conditioning units.

The same applies to a quiet street in Ahuntsic, where the home of Damien Chaveron and his family is located. Lined with neatly manicured lawns and honey locust trees waving in the occasional warm breeze, one might find the area tranquil, but ordinary. That is until arriving at the Chaveron home.

From the outside, the house has noticeable differences from the other homes on the street. The most obvious difference on the modern facade is in the size of the windows facing the front yard. Also, if you look long enough, you might also notice there is no visible air conditioner.

Thats because the Chaveron home is a Passive House (Passivhaus). What does that mean? Put simply, it is an intelligently insulated airtight building with an excellent mechanical ventilation system that utilizes its location to use as little as one-tenth the energy of a standard house to heat and cool, according to Richard Price, president of Construction Le Tournesol, the company responsible for retrofitting the Chaveron home.

Its one of the first homes built to the Passive House standard in Canada and the first in Quebec. One could say its a pioneer in a growing movement across the country. As indicated by Passive House Canada, a national non-profit professional association promoting the Passive House high-performance building standard, the popularity of such homes has grown in the last five years. The figure has jumped from only about 20 or so as the concept was being introduced to 2,000 or more by 2017, with the production of multi-unit building complexes in Ontario.

The living room and dining room in the Chaveron familys Passive House.Pierre Obendrauf / Montreal Gazette

Upon entering the Chaveron familys open-concept home, there is a light and airy feel in spite of the small windows on the north side of the facade. Compensating well for the small windows, large windows on the south side of the house allow an abundance of natural light to pour in.

The large south-facing windows also help to utilize the warmth of the sun for heating in the winter. Given the ultra-efficient insulation in the windows and walls that creates an airtight building envelope and the natural warmth from the large south-facing windows, the only heating system required for the 2,800-square-foot home is a small, toaster-sized 240-volt heater and four baseboard heaters as supplementary heat when necessary.

A wall of exposed wood planks is seen in the living room of the Chaveron familys Passive House.Pierre Obendrauf / Montreal Gazette

Simplicity seems to be the key to making this home comfortable as well as beautiful, with the most immediately notable esthetic being a feature wall of exposed wood planks in the living room.

Theres a quiet stillness to the home with its lack of fans or loud air-conditioning unit forcing bursts of cool air through the space. Hardly noticeable in the ceilings are small, circular vents gently pushing air through a virtually silent ventilation system.

Retrofitted to be passive without air conditioning at first, the family had to add a small rooftop one recently because of the progressively hotter, more humid summers.

With nighttime temperatures remaining at 30 degrees Celsius, buildings dont have time to cool off. Therefore, even a house with such high standards (as the Chaveron family house) might need a small air conditioner, Price explained.

One thing that adds to the sensation of stillness are the walls, which Chaveron points out are roughly 24 inches thick, with 16 inches of that being insulation alone. Not only does it insulate for temperature, but it also insulates for sound.

Furthermore, windows with triple glazing help to regulate the inside temperature of the home. This is especially notable in the winter when the home is kept warm by retaining its own heat emitted from the household appliances and people in the home.

The warmth of the floor all year long, allowing us to stay bare foot, even in deep winter, is one of the highlights for Damien Chaveron of living in a Passive House.Pierre Obendrauf / Montreal Gazette

Even the floors remain warm throughout the winter. Incidentally, when Damien Chaveron was asked what his favourite features of the home were, he stated, among several things, the warmth of the floor all year long, allowing us to stay bare foot, even in deep winter.

When we think of eco-conscious homes, we often think of renewable energy or extremely efficient energy use. It isnt quite as common that we think of water consumption or water in a renewable way.

Damien Chaveron looks at underground rain collector for his Passive House.Pierre Obendrauf / Montreal Gazette

The Chaveron home, however, is equipped with what is known as a greywater system. In such a system, water is preserved from baths and showers that is piped to a surge tank. From the tank, it is piped into an irrigation system to be used for flushing toilets

Ecohome, a website dedicated to informing builders and homeowners about sustainable, long lasting and healthy homes, expounds on why this practice is not common in Canada. It explains that water, as a resource, is undervalued in Canada because its so easy to come by. Its underpriced in terms of what our utility companies charge us.

While the average person in a developing country will (use) about 20 to 30 litres of water per day, research shows that the average Canadian generates over 300 litres of waste water each day. This statistic makes Canadians one of the highest per-capita consumers of water on the planet, the website points out.

Damien Chaveron is seen in basement of his Passive House.Pierre Obendrauf / Montreal Gazette

Moreover, until residential greywater recycling systems offer Canadian consumers a noticeable return on their investment through savings in their utility bills, usage is unlikely to change unless we also start to feel the shortage.

Of course, if one thinks as Damien Chaveron does about the long-term benefits of such a system, maybe feeling the immediate effects of conservation isnt necessarily the point. In fact, it may be a long while before the family recoups the monetary cost of retrofitting their home (around $500,000) even with the very low utility bills of about $800 for the year. After all, perhaps its not only monetary benefits that count.

In terms of comfort, Chaveron clarifies, its worth the cost for my family. Living in this house is a real pleasure every single day. Never cold, never too humid nor too dry. Outstanding air quality. It goes clearly beyond our expectations.

The back facade of Chaveron familys Passive House.Pierre Obendrauf / Montreal Gazette

See more here:
Retrofit gives Ahunstic family the first Passive House in Quebec - Montreal Gazette

(Photo : Photo by Marcus Carlsson on Unsplash)Do you know that electric vehicles have major differences from combustion engines? These play major factors in how they perform in wintertime. All key features revolutionize aspects of performance and even levels of winterizing involved.

Do you know that electric vehicles have major differences from combustion engines? These play major factors in how they perform in wintertime. All key features revolutionize aspects of performance and even levels of winterizing involved.

Combustion engines need several components that keep it running. But so far, the battery system is still superior to EVs. The Achilles heel is the cooling system and fuel supply components that freeze over in the wintertime.

1. Lack of a radiator is not a problem.

Not having a radiator equipped, a preheat function is more efficient. Radiators generate heat but need a complex cooling system for it to work. Having a cooling system makes it susceptible to cold weather.

2. All Wheel Drive effects of two to four electric motors.

Getting AWD equipped is an add on trim is an extra expense for conventional cars. Electric cars come with AWD like dual motors. They distribute traction control better for front and rear axles. Without extra cost to install.

3. Less moving parts to worry about.

Built on an electric skateboard chassis with motors mounted on axles, power cell. Moving parts need lubrication that wears down components. Without moving components, it will be easier for maintenance. In winter, cold affects them severely. Though discharge is caused by turgid electrolytes can be managed.

4. The battery electrolytes freeze are the only liquids.

Combustion engines have coolants, oil, and fuel that gels up or gets turgid in winter. Electric cars have liquid electrolytes that get cold and causes discharges. Compared to the problems of coating moving parts with oil. Blockages of the fuel lines due to moisture and fuel injectors that are a problem in winter. The coolant will need heating an engine block heater. EVs have none of these fluids.

5. Starting the car and warm-up is not needed.

There is nothing more awful than warming up an engine. Depending on if the ICE is winterized. Usually, an engine block heater is installed purposely, and an exterior electric power cord is needed! But, EVs use the grid to do preheat without bleeding a full charge. Starting an EV connected to the grid will recoup power too.

6. Extensive winterizing is not a necessity.

Winterizing is not as extensive for EVs in wintertime. Owners of ICE vehicles are tasked to fully winterize the mechanical parts and systems in full. This major difference is crucial to compare both.

7. Center heavy EVs and AWD like the handling and slow driving is perfect for winter driving.

Having FWD or RWD determines if a car is prone to oversteer or understeer. Placement of the engine in front affects the balance and shifting of weight in motion. EVs with center-balance and AWD like control keeps more control than ICE vehicles.

8. The Regenerative brake system is able to recoup power for the EV.

An EVs brake system helps regain energy. Though when power goes low it is affected. Equipped with this system is more efficient than simple ABS.

These key features are excellent compared to ICE vehicles. Though dependent on a full charge in wintertime. It has fewer problems to worry about compared to conventional cars. Agree or not?

See the original post:
Electric Vehicles: Key features of Electric Vehicles that Have an Advantage in Wintertime - Auto World News

MARC STEINER: Welcome to The Real News. Im Marc Steiner. Great to have you all with us once again.

So what is it going to take to prevent a climate catastrophe? Nothing short of a radical restructuring of society, say supporters of the Green New Deal. One of the disconnects with the Green New Deal for some in our country is about the effects it has on poverty and unemployment; creating jobs that pay a wage you can live on, not just a living wage, how we transfer from fossil fuels to a clean economy, and how that works. How does that get there? What is that ambitious plan? What does that translate to that place? And one of those unifying factors seems to be the development of new housing, public housing at the core of creating a new green economy. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez raised it during her campaign and is the leading light in pursuing that in our Congress.

One of the people who created the idea of a Green New Deal for public housing is Daniel Aldana Cohen, who is an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Pennsylvania, where he directs the Socio-Spatial Climate Collaborative and also works as a fellow for the group Data for Progress. Our other guest today who joins us is Emma Collin. Emma Collin is a director of programs for Gulf Coast Center for Law and Policy in New Orleans. And thank you both for joining us. Good to have you with us.

EMMA COLLIN: Thank you, Marc.

DANIEL ALDANA COHEN: Thanks for having us.

MARC STEINER: Im glad you could both make it today. And the last time we talked to you, Daniel, was when you wrote the piece Green New Deal for Housing in Jacobin Magazine, which was a really phenomenal article. But I want to jump off of this to talk about how you take the Green New Deal idea that climate change is upon us. And begin, both of you, to talk a bit about how you turn that into a popular understanding of how public housing and developing housing is at the center of that; to make it real for people. I mean, thats still a disconnect, I think. And Ill start with you, Daniel, and then well go over to Emma.

DANIEL ALDANA COHEN: Great. Thanks so much. Thats a really great question. I think that when the Green New Deal first came out, it had really three big ideas, a rapid reduction in carbon pollution, which is whats causing the climate emergency, tons and tons of green jobs, jobs for everybody, and also, reductions in inequality of race and class.And I think that third idea is what really trips people up. People were asking, Oh, well, is it really wise or even feasible to connect social policy around inequality with climate policy? And whats so great about the Green New Deal for Public Housing Act is it explains, very clearly actually, how you do those things at the same time.Once you follow the carbon off of the graph and into the actual physical objects that we live with and live through, then you find that housing consumes about 40% of energy in the United States.

The government owns about a million units of public housing. That would be the fourth largest city in the country. And I think anybody can really understand how green retrofits to that housing that takes all the carbon out of the buildings, makes those homes safe and clean and comfortable, and homes in public housing or are often not, and adds resiliency centers, sort of safety centers for communities during storms, and creates hundreds of thousands of jobs, I think that story resonates. I think people will understand what it means. The polling that we did at Data for Progress finds that this is a very popular idea, a majority support.So Im really excited. I think that the Green New Deal for Public Housing Act is the first of many policies that shows that when you actually dispense with the abstractions and look concretely at an aspect of everyday life, then its very easy to identify interventions that will attack carbon pollution and inequality at the same time.

MARC STEINER: So Emma, lets talk a bit about the work that you all do at the Gulf South Green New Deal. I mean, so youre at the epicenter, in some ways, because youre at a place where climate change has really affected the coastal areas of the Gulf in our country, devastated it. Youre also in an area that employs a lot of people in the fossil fuel industry.

EMMA COLLIN: Thats right.

MARC STEINER: Whether its Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, all through there. So this is a really interesting juxtaposition of forces going on, and youre pushing for a Green New Deal. So just describe a bit about that struggle and how that all fits in.

EMMA COLLIN: Sure. Thank you for that, Marc. Its an interesting point because I think, in the same way that there are a lot of political tensions, as you pointed out, I also think the Gulf South is a prime opportunity zone for a Green New Deal. And if we can figure out how to make a Green New Deal work in the Gulf South, we can figure out how to make it work nationally, because exactly like you said, this region of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, where were working, is an epicenter not only for industry, for military, for oil and gas, in a way where a transition here would change the entire national economy, its also a frontline of climate disaster, of rising seas, of storms. And in a way that I think people are more receptive People here know whats happening in a way that I dont always think is reflected in the national narrative.

MARC STEINER: What do you mean by that?

EMMA COLLIN: Nobodys unaware of climate change.

MARC STEINER: I guess not, given what happens.

EMMA COLLIN: And I think folks are a little too quick to count out the South. I think we live in a purple region. Without so much voter suppression and gerrymandering, the South will go blue. I think if we saw more national investment into voting rights here, we could really flip the South and the country. Thats a different conversation.And I do really appreciate your question about how we achieve a popular understanding to make the Green New Deal real for people, because it is this maybe abstract thing.

But to Daniels point about these three prongs of the Green New Deal, were talking about addressing climate change, creating jobs, and rooting that whole transition in equity. We were really clear that work that happens from the top down, doesnt work in the Gulf South.So theres no national piece of policyI say this with a lot of love and respect for Representative Ocasio-Cortez and the other folks whove worked on this resolution. We knew that national policy often misses the mark on the unique and complex realities of the Gulf South, and that we needed to assert for ourselves, through collective process across the region, what a Green New Deal would have to look like to succeed in our region and succeed nationally. And thats the work of Gulf South for a Green New Deal is to assert our own values, our own needs, our own priorities.

MARC STEINER: So I do want to talk about three things if we have time here. Lets start I do want to talk about the politics of this for a moment, how that happens in this country and how you both think that you begin to build a popular support for this idea. I said before we went on the air, I ran a public meeting not long ago where some of the workers literally were saying, Look, I make $25 an hour in a dirty industry, and you want me to install solar for $15 an hour?And thats a real question for people because people are talking about a living wage. But people are talking about you cannot live on just a living wage. So lets look at this from both perspectives. And Daniel, Ill start again with you. Its national perspective, youve written about this because this has to be the unions. And organizing and how you do this in a different way. If its public money to build something in this country and so lets start with that Daniel I want to hear what happens on the ground in the South. Go ahead, Daniel.

DANIEL ALDANA COHEN: Sure. Thanks. Thats a really great question. This has to be a transition that works for everybody and we cant leave workers behind. Thats just essential. In our report where we talk about is strong apprenticeship programs, which by the way are extremely popular pool above 60% and are pooling strong apprenticeship programs to move public housing residents and other low income workers into the union pipeline. And we estimate that were looking at tens of thousands of construction and maintenance jobs, good union, right paying jobs for a year. And so this was a huge benefit and I think youre absolutely right. We need to not think just about how do we hold on to the jobs that we have and the levels of compensation, we have to do that.

We actually have to grow the economy of taking physical care of our built environment, of our bridges, of our roads, of our rails and so on. Making sure that those are good union jobs. But I think we also have to make sure that we are lifting up entire communities. And this built to me is very exciting because its not just going to uplift the physical structures of public housing, which it will absolutely do. It will also lift up whole communities by bringing wealth and opportunity and skill building and capability building in the 21st century green economy.So to me, the Green New Deal is a huge run for workers. We do have to talk with folks, we have to build trust, we have to build momentum. But I think that with every win that we get, were actually going to build more support for more wins as we go along.

MARC STEINER: Emma, let me just let you jump in on that as well. Im also curious to explore just for a minute here. I mean, one of the things that has destroyed most movement and labor in the South is race and racism. We have people divide unions and destroy them apart and tear them apart, I should say. So to talk about that in the context of how that fits into this, the organizing youre seeing and how that could change the dynamic politically.

EMMA COLLIN: Yeah. Thank you so much for this question. I really appreciate that that direct ask. I just want to uplift what Daniel said as well, that workers cant be left behind. And Gulf South for a Green New Deal is very explicitly including workers from the beginning too, in conversation and deep conversation about what a Green New Deal would need to look like to advance their needs and their familys needs.And yes, race; the way that white supremacy gets leveraged to divide movements in the South. It was a clear historical precedent. And Gulf South for a Green New Deal is an initiative Im extremely proud to be a part of. And I think it really calls for the value and the worth of all people. And I think all people have a part to play in this movement. And also, its very unapologetic about following and centering and prioritizing the lack and indigenous leadership.

And I think thats really beautiful for a lot of reasons and not just this historical need for reparation of relationships and harm done. I actually think theres a strategy there because it is primarily black and indigenous communities in the Gulf South whove overcome these like insane obstacles of racist from colonization to even Hurricane Katrina. And I think communities that have survived these disasters and figured out how to overcome disaster. I have learned a lot of lessons about how our entire society will need to confront the climate crisis. And so I think that following black and indigenous leadership is not only important and tying that to poor white working people in the South, like all of these movements are connected. But I think that decision to follow black and indigenous leadership is not just important. I also think its highly strategic.

MARC STEINER: And I just want to get before we run out of time lets talk a bit about the symbols here for a moment. Daniel, again, Ill start with you. And Emma, please jump right in. I think its still public confusion and public mind about how a Green New Deal for public housing really fits into the scheme A) of building a green economy, what that really means, and B) for many people in United States, its still a battle for peoples consciousness about the government being an anathema: What do you mean government is going to build this? Private industry needs to build this. Thats what were built upon. So lets talking about those two things real quickly. And then, Emma, I want to have you jump in about what you feel on the ground from that, where you are in the Gulf South.

EMMA COLLIN: Thank you so much. Yep.

DANIEL ALDANA COHEN: Thats a great question. Briefly, if you had traffic congestion in New York in the 1930s, you wouldnt solve it by adding an extra lane for horse-drawn carriages any more than in the 1990s you would solve a heating crisis by adding coal-burning stoves. So what it means in the 21st century to bring a building up to codeto global standard, and in particular global affordable housing standardis all electric systems; heating, cooling, heat pump systems that allow you to dehumidify air in the summer Thats important in Philadelphia where I live, and Im sure its important in New Orleans as well. And we could go through the list from windows to energy recovery ventilators and so on.

So what were talking about is leveraging the public power, public ownership of this housing to accelerate the adoption of 21st century green technologies throughout the building sector. And the skills and the capabilities we build for public housing are absolutely going to spill over into private housing and commercial things. And just one quick note: The public sector is very unfairly maligned. NYCHA, which is New York Housing Authority, has had a lot of problems. Thats true. But in the 1990s NYCHA teamed up with the New York power authority, which is a public utility to run a contest to see who could build the first energy efficient apartment size a fridge. NYCHA won the contest.

They built tens of thousands of fridges in Iowa. Actually, the old fridges were all recycled and upstate New York ultimately, public housing authorities all over the region got free fridges and the utilities were paid off with the savings and all Americans ended up benefiting from the invention of this energy star fridge that could fit into an apartment.So we actually have really good examples are already of public institutions, specifically public housing and public utilities leading on green innovation that benefits the entire country and we want to do that again, but more faster and at an even greater scale. You know we can do it. And I think that people will be really surprised at how well this is like a two and

MARC STEINER: Emma, bring it home for us to the Gulf South and New Orleans.

EMMA COLLIN: Sure. Yeah. Thank you, Marc. I just want to shout out with the Gulf South for Green New Deal policy platform, which we just launched after six months of collective work calls for an end discriminatory housing policies and also to provide pathways for high quality affordable housing and I got to shout out some really incredible housing work happening in mobile with the center program housing, the greater New Orleans fair housing action center, the greater New Orleans housing Alliance and really folks all over the region who kept bringing housing to this climate conversation. And I know that, like you said, thats not always intuitive for folks, but I think people living on the front lines of climate and housing crisis can see the connection.

Were being really clear in our work that the win for us is not any specific Us inserting this Gulf South for we need to do a policy platform into the world is a huge step for us. Thats not quite the win. Even policy getting past is not quite the win for us. How were framing our win is when theres material improvement in our own communities and in peoples lives. And every community in the Gulf South, every time we have these conversations, housing is a huge issue.And thats true in climate disaster and hurricanes. And thats also true in the case of gentrification and just rising cost of living and stagnant wages. And from all of these kinds of conflating directions, affordable housing and high quality affordable housing is a need. So its intuitive, we know its a need for our communities. And in this economic transformation of the Green New Deal, we know that to be well equipped for a changing climate, we need all of our people to be housed.

MARC STEINER: And just to conclude this: Im curious what you all think. How important is it that national legislation, whether it comes from Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez, and others, to be pushed in this political debate in the coming year before the election? Clearly even if it does pass, its not going anywhere given the political climate on Capitol Hill at the moment. But how important is that as a political battle to push this forward at this moment Daniel, youve written about that?

DANIEL ALDANA COHEN: Well, let me start quickly. Ive just written a book called the planet to it and why we need a Green New Deal with three fantastic coauthors. And the argument that we make is that theres basically no doubt there were facing a big recession thats coming. Its going to coincide with climate emergencies because theyre coming at us all the time. And thats likely to coincide, we hope, with a progressive electoral wave. And so I think our view is that the Green New Deal movement is standing on the shoulders of giants. And those giants are the environmental justice, racial justice, labor justice groups that have been fighting for a just transition and for climate justice for decades. And were putting together policies that, as we just heard, are intuitive; that combine a tax on inequality, needs in communities, a tax on carbon pollution.

And I think what we need to do right now is get very concrete and specific ideas, just like the Green New Deal Public Housing Act, so that when the moment for the next green stimulus comes, we dont really waste it like we did during the Obama years. But this time weve really come forward with specific plans and we can hit the ground running. I think were in a really good position right now to make sure that the next round of green investment is truly oriented towards lifting up communities, towards lifting up labor, to talking carbon pollution and showing everyday people how beneficial the Green New Deal will be in their life right away. Not in 10 years, not in 30 years, not in 2050, but right now.

MARC STEINER: Right now. Emma Collin, close it off for us with a closing thought here.

EMMA COLLIN: I echo what Daniel said. We know in the Gulf South, in our region, that national policy often misses the ground a little bit. So Im extremely excited that this national policy conversation is happening. Were excited to engage. I think Im really trying to get our people, community leaders from region, to these congressional hearings and really be able Thats what were doing, is elevating a Gulf South perspective to this national conversation.And I think its important; the federal legislation will be extremely important. And we also need to keep our eyes open for the opportunities, whether or not itll include the language of the Green New Deal, to really materialize this transition that were all working for on the local level; on the state level. But I think were in a political moment where something is happening, and Im really excited to see whats next.

MARC STEINER: We can only hope so and fight for it. Emma Collin and Daniel Aldana Cohen, thank you both so much for joining us tonight. I look forward to other conversations as we really kind of go into this in depth as we approach this election year. Thank you both so much for your work and for joining us today.

EMMA COLLIN: Thank you Marc. Im so glad to be here. Thank you.

DANIEL ALDANA COHEN: Thank you, Marc.

MARC STEINER: Take care. And Im Marc Steiner here for The Real News Network. Thank you all for joining us. Take care.

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A Green New Deal for Public Housing Is Key to a Carbon-Free Future - The Real News Network

Want to get a jump start on upcoming deals? Meet the major New York City players at one of our upcoming events!

While Asthma Alley may sound like a term for a dusty 18th-century corridor from a classic British novel, it is actually the nickname for a place that more than50,000 New Yorkers call home. The Bronx neighborhood of Mott Haven has some of theworst air pollution levels in the U.S., and its residents are hospitalized for asthma-related illnesses atfive times the national rate.

Along with cars, buses and other outdoor pollutants, poor indoor air quality is a major contributorto respiratory illnesses in the Bronx.

Nearly one out of every five children in the Bronx has asthma, said Keith Kinch, co-founder and general manager of BlocPower, a Brooklyn-based energy technology startup. We believe that installing modern air source heat pumps in the boroughs multifamily buildings could go a long way toward reducing that number.

BlocPower has teamed up with Con Edison to help Bronx building owners replace their oil heating systems withenergy-efficient heat pumps that can help improve indoor air quality. Through this partnership, BlocPower installs heat pumps in Bronx buildings for no upfront cost. Instead, owners make fixed monthly payments to BlocPower over time.

Bisnow spoke with Kinch to learn more about the benefits of heat pumps and why he believes they are a smart choice for multifamily buildings in the Bronx and beyond.

Bisnow: How do heat pumps work?

Kinch: Most people are likely familiar with heat pumps already. Refrigerators are heat pumps. Air conditioning units are heat pumps. They are a tried-and-true technology that uses electricity and refrigerant to move heat from one place to another. BlocPower offers a different technology cold-climate air source heat pumps. These systems can heat and cool buildings year-round in a more energy-efficient way than traditional systems.

In the winter, pumps will move heat from outside your building to inside the building and are two to three times more efficient than any boiler-based heating system. In the summer, they will pump heat out of a building and are 25% to 50% more efficient than conventional window units.

Bisnow: How can these systems help communities like the Bronx?

Kinch: For one, savings. Many Bronx building owners spend thousands of dollars on wasteful heating systems, and they lack the upfront capital to install energy-efficient alternatives. Heat pumps are efficient and low maintenance. They include smart monitoring systems to ensure they are operating efficiently all day, every day.

Secondly, health. The Bronx is well known for having one of the highest asthma rates of any area in the nation. This is due in part to pollution and housing conditions. Heat pumps are healthier than the boiler-based systems that are in many Bronx homes because they include filters that allow them to deliver purified indoor air into buildings. They are also a form of non-combustion heating; they run on electricity and avoid carbon emissions, unlike an oil heating system. This can mean cleaner air and lower asthma rates for the entire community.

Bisnow: Aside from the potential health benefits, are there other ways heat pumps impact building residents?

Kinch: Heat pumps can help improve tenant satisfaction. They act as an all-in-one heating and cooling system in each tenant's unit, allowing them to control the temperature and set it for their specific comfort level year-round. Also, their airflow is steady and quiet as a whisper, while oil heating can be very loud and come out in bursts.

Bisnow: How can underserved communities afford to make the switch to heat pumps?

Kinch: Through our partnership with Con Edison, BlocPower has made it possible for building owners to install these systems for no money down and start saving right away.

BlocPower finances and maintains these systems, allowing owners to make a predictable, low monthly payment to the company that is typically lower than their current oil heating and maintenance bills. These lower operating costs translate to a higher net operating income. Buildings that become more energy-efficient can see an increase in value of 44%.

We believe these systems can make a real difference. This is why BlocPower is gathering hundreds of millions of dollars from private financial partners to finance heat pump installations in the Bronx and throughout the country.

This feature was produced in collaboration between Bisnow Branded Content and BlocPower. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

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Asthma Rates Are Out Of Control. Are Outdated Heating Systems To Blame? - Bisnow

Smart thermostats do more than automate a fixed heating and cooling climate control schedule. These app-enabled smart home devices make it possible to adjust your thermostat from your smartphone whether you're on the couch, at the grocery store or on vacation -- anywhere your smartphone is connected to a cellular or a Wi-Fi network. Many of these devices also work with Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri now too, giving you yet another way to adjust your thermostat settings with remote access.

Some smart thermostat systems also use smart features like a motion sensor to determine if you're home or away and automatically change the temperature -- both heating and cooling -- for you. Other systems rely on a geofencing radius -- once you get a certain distance from your home, they switch to away mode and then back to home mode when you return.

To accompany these modern features, a lot of connected heating and cooling systems boast innovative designs. From a rounded shape to a responsive touch screen, today's thermostats look different than they used to.

Let's explore the available options model-by-model. We'll highlight what makes each model stand out from the rest and ultimately pick an overall winner of the best smart thermostat from the pack. Here's a list of smart thermostats we've tested recently:

Read more:Amazon Echo, Google Nest and all the best smart home gifts of 2019

The Ecobee SmartThermostat is my favorite pick for best smart thermostat available today. Yes, it's expensive at $249, but it has the performance and features to back it up -- especially if you want to talk to Alexawithouthaving to buy an Amazon Echo. If you don't want or need an Alexa speaker, the $169 Ecobee3 Lite Wi-Fi thermostat is also a great option. Read our Ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control review.

Now playing: Watch this: Ecobee's new thermostat is part Alexa speaker

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The Honeywell Lyric T5 costs $150, making it our choice for the best smart thermostat pick for those on a budget. I know that isn't exactlyaffordable. But it's a solid price tag for a Wi-Fi thermostat. Many models, including the Nest Learning Thermostat and the Ecobee4, cost $249. This makes the T5 a great "budget" option that works with Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri (via Apple HomeKit). Read our Honeywell Lyric T5 Wi-Fi Thermostat review.

Read more: The best smart home devices of 2019

The Ecobee SmartThermostat has a built-in Alexa speaker. Ask the speaker for the temperature, current weather forecast, to tell you a joke -- and to adjust the air conditioning of your smart thermostat, all without needing a separate Alexa speaker. This Wi-Fi programmable thermostat also offers mobile app integration with Google Assistant and Siri, so if you have a Google-Assistant-enabled smart speaker or a HomePod, you can control it with Google Assistant and Siri commands. Read our Ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control review.

Read more:12 smart thermostats to make your home the right temperature

Read more: Nest Thermostat, Amazon Echo, Philips Hue: The best smart home tech of the decade

The Ecobee mobile app setup is straightforward and easy to install and navigate. That sounds simple enough, but so many apps make it tough to find the specific setting or feature you're looking for. Not so with Ecobee's smartphone app. And that's important because the mobile app is one of the main ways to interact with your Wi-Fi thermostat when you aren't standing directly in front of it (aside from using a voice command). Read our Ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control review.

Let's talk about testing. Smart thermostats start with the installation. Installations can vary widely from thermostat to thermostat and HVAC system to HVAC system, but there are some basic steps required for installing these devices. As always, consult a professional installer if you have any questions about the setup process. Here are the general steps:

Was the thermostat setup especially difficult to install? If so, why? Certain models require a C-wire, for example, which can complicate the installation if you don't have one. Not sure what a C-wire is? Start here.

From there, I move on to the app. Every smart thermostat has one. I download the app and create an account if I don't already have one. Then I configure the thermostat following the steps in the app. This usually means connecting to the local Wi-Fi network, giving your thermostat a name like "Hallway" or "Bedroom" and then you can start using your thermostat.

How well does the app work? Is it easy to navigate to the thermostat settings you need? Is it simple to create a schedule or enable geofencing? This factors into the thermostat's usability score, along with how simple the thermostat hardware itself is to control manually.

I also test smart home integration, especially voice-enabled systems you can access through voice assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri. Most connected thermostats have compatibility with at least one voice assistant and some, like the Ecobee3 Lite and Ecobee SmartThermostat, work with all three. Do the voice commands flow naturally, like they would in an actual conversation? Did the thermostat actually adjust the temperature -- heating and cooling -- according to your commands?

All of these things determine a smart thermostat's overall score and how likely I am to recommend it.

Read more:

Originally published earlier this year.

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The best smart thermostats of 2019 - CNET