Ground source heat pumps have been around for a while. And while they are highly efficient, since they use the grounds constant temperature as a source for winter heating and summer cooling, the cost of installing them has proven prohibitive since a residential unit can run between $20,000 and $30,000.

With that in mind the Cuomo Admninistration wants to put up a $15 million plan that could yield up to $6,000 in rebates for people wishing to install such systems. The geothermal industry was earlier seeking tax breaks worth about $5,000. They note that in addition to the energy efficiency, installation of such systems creates jobs.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a $15 million proposal to accelerate the use of renewable heating and cooling technologies in New York to stimulate the clean energy economy. The new policy framework released by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority includes a proposed two-year, $15-million program to provide rebates for the installation of ground-source heat pumps. This plan will support the states goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New York 40 percent by 2030 from 1990 levels.

New York has made great strides to combat climate change by supporting the use of new technologies and growing our clean energy economy, Governor Cuomo said. We will continue to make green investments that will encourage the use of clean, affordable energy to reduce our carbon footprint and support sustainable communities throughout the state.

Currently, fossil-fuel based thermal energy primarily natural gas, propane and oil is the main energy source for space heating, space cooling and domestic hot water in the residential and commercial sectors. It is responsible for approximately 32 percent of New Yorks energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing emissions is integral to the Governors Reforming the Energy Vision strategy for a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers.

Renewable heating and cooling technologies not only provide environmental benefits, they can provide energy bill savings, increased comfort levels and health benefits compared to conventional heating and cooling technologies.

The NYSERDA framework, the Renewable Heating and Cooling Policy Framework: Options to Advance Industry Growth and Markets in New York, sets out policy options and market-based solutions for the next few years, and identifies approaches for longer term action. Interested parties are invited to comment on the framework. More information on the framework policy is available here.

The proposed $15 million rebate program would provide about $6,000 for a typical residential consumer for the installation of a ground-source heat pump. This technology has tremendous potential to provide New Yorkers with a heating and cooling system that is energy efficient and reliable. However, it is not yet cost-competitive with conventional technologies so providing rebates will help stimulate market growth.

In addition to the rebate, the framework identifies a range of options for the next few years to lower costs, reduce barriers and grow the market, including:

Community-based outreach, education and bulk procurements. Integrating renewable heating and cooling in new housing developments and campuses, which can be more economically efficient and lower cost due to the scale of the projects. Developing a unified and streamlined permitting process. Reducing project development risks by providing support for feasibility and engineering studies. Introducing renewable heating and cooling technology into existing trade and distribution channels. Advancing new business models and financing innovations that can mitigate high upfront costs by spreading them over time.

The framework also explores methods to implement renewable heating and cooling mandates for public buildings, new construction, and renovation.

The expanded use of renewable heating and cooling technologies is critical to helping New York reduce greenhouse gas emissions, said Richard Kauffman, Chairman, Energy and Finance, New York State. The policy framework outlines several opportunities that we can explore for the best path forward in our efforts to expand the reach of clean energy throughout our state and curb climate-changing emissions.

NYSERDA, which developed the framework, will work with stakeholders and launch renewable heating and cooling programs in 2017 upon approval by the Department of Public Service, as part of the Clean Energy Fund. Once approved, NYSERDA expects to offer the rebate program in the Spring. NYSERDA, DPS, and the New York Power Authority will be collaborating to advance the framework.

Accelerating clean heating and cooling technologies like ground-source heat pumps is another significant step under Governor Cuomos direction to make New York the cleanest and most energy efficient state in the country, said John B. Rhodes, President and CEO, NYSERDA. The recommendations outlined in the Framework strongly support New Yorks nation-leading clean energy strategy and we look forward to working with the industry to bring these ideas to fruition.

This proposal will help to streamline the implementation of renewable energy technology all across New York State, said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO. By undertaking screenings and feasibility assessments for geothermal heat pump projects, we will accelerate their installation and expedite achieving a clean energy economy for all New Yorkers.

Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, Chair, Assembly Committee on Energy said, NYSERDAs proposal supplies a roadmap for how we can increase the use of clean, geothermal energy in NY, which is currently under-utilized. This will go a long way towards helping to meet the States ambitious renewable energy goals.

John Franceschina, President, NY-GEO said, New York is now charging ahead with a rapidly evolving program to address climate change that combines renewable heating, cooling, power generation and electric vehicles. NY-GEO thanks Governor Cuomo, who has come to the rescue of 1,000 family-supporting geothermal jobs, while paving the way for New York to meet the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030.

Roger Downs, Conservation Director, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter said, The Sierra Club applauds Governor Cuomos leadership in energy efficient technologies such as geothermal. Geothermal heating and cooling represents one of New Yorks best and most cost-effective strategies to achieving our net zero energy goals and deserves the same financial encouragement as other desirable energy sources like wind and solar.

Several barriers currently stand in the way of widespread market adoption of renewable heating and cooling technologies. These include higher upfront costs than conventional technologies, cost-effectiveness challenges, inadequate access to low-cost investment capital, limited customer awareness and confidence in the technologies, and a range of supply chain barriers to growth. In addition, heating and cooling equipment is typically only replaced toward the end of its useful life about 15-20 years so the opportunity to switch to renewable energy is limited.

NYSERDA will accept written comments on the policy framework through close of business on March 10, 2017. It will also conduct a webinar on March 2, at 10:00 a.m. Parties interested in submitting comments on the framework or participating in the webinar, should contact NYSERDA at renewableheatingandcooling@nyserda.ny.gov

About Reforming the Energy Vision Reforming the Energy Vision is Governor Andrew M. Cuomos strategy to lead on climate change and grow New Yorks economy. REV is building a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers by stimulating investment in clean technologies like solar, wind, and energy efficiency and generating 50 percent of the states electricity needs from renewable energy by 2030. Already, REV has driven 730 percent growth in the statewide solar market, enabled over 105,000 low-income households to permanently cut their energy bills with energy efficiency, and created thousands of jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and other clean tech sectors. REV is ensuring New York State reduces statewide greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and achieves the internationally-recognized target of reducing emissions 80 percent by 2050. To learn more about REV, including the Governors $5 billion investment in clean energy technology and innovation, please visit http://www.ny.gov/REV4NY and follow us at @Rev4NY.

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A new report has been launched by HVAC resource site AC Contractor Referral Network. It offers expert guidance on various AC System types available to those looking for home or office heating & cooling system solutions.

Philadelphia, United States February 7, 2017

An HVAC heating and cooling installer information site in Philadelphia has launched a new report on the different types of options available to customers looking to add a new device or replacement product in their home. Whether someone is moving home, building their own property or simply wants an eco friendly option installed, there are a number of factors to consider.

Click here to read the full article: Types Of Heating & Cooling Systems For The Home.

The site is a high quality resource for homeowners and businesses in need of professional air conditioning service technicians. The process of finding quality, local contractors that have the necessary knowledge and skills needed for the task at hand can be frustrating. The site was developed to aleviate that frustration by helping people find the quality help they need to get their desired results.

In the new report launched by the company, readers can discover a range of different options available to them when they want to install a new heating and cooling system in their property. Each has different styles and benefits.

The first is the split air conditioner, which comprises of two key parts: the outdoor and indoor unit. The outdoor unit contains the compressor, an expansion valve and the condenser, while the indoor unit has a cooling coil or evaporator coil and the cooling fan. This type of device is best suited to those who have a furnace but no conditioner, and offers an economical solution.

Another option is the packaged air conditioner. Most of the time, an HVAC contractor will recommend a packaged air conditioner if the customer needs to cool more than one room, or if they need to cool a large space in the house or the office.

Alternatively, a central air conditioning system can be used for cooling large buildings, offices, and homes. This has a large compressor that can provide tons of cool circulating air through a supply system.

There are a number of options and things to consider depending on the application. These options and considerations are discussed in detail in the report. Interested parties can find out more at http://www.heatingandcoolingnearme.org.

Contact Info: Name: Elishama Jiles Email: info@heatingandcoolingnearme.org Organization: AC Contractor Referral Network Address: 1261 S Peach Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19143, United States Phone: +1-215-309-9405

For more information, please visit http://www.heatingandcoolingnearme.org

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ANDERSON With temperatures in the 30s and a brisk wind blowing, crews from Indianapolis Roofing & Sheet Metal started the process last week of replacing the roof on the Madison County Government Center.

Its the first step toward the installation of a new heating and air conditioning system, which is expected to cost an estimated $1 million.

The Madison County commissioners awarded a contract last Tuesday to Indianapolis Roofing & Sheet Metal, which submitted the lowest of eight bids received at a cost of $187,986, which was below the estimated cost of $250,000.

The Madison County Government Center was dedicated in 1973 and has been in use for the past 44 years.

Consultant Terry Burnworth of Pyramid Engineering said the roof was replaced in 1983, but the original roof is still in place.

Right now there is water seepage around the perimeter of the building, he said. There are two layers of concrete on the roof. One is structural and the second is a wearing deck which is sloped to drain water.

Burnworth said some concrete patching work may be required.

He said with the county replacing the heating and air conditioning system this year it was the perfect opportunity to replace the roof.

Standing on the courthouse roof, Todd Durnil, project manager for Pyramid, said the crews are working to remove the roofing material.

You can see different shades where the roof has been patched, he said. They will strip off the existing roof and the insulation on the original roof.

Durnil said 3 inches of rigid insulation will be installed and the new roofing material, with a 15-year warranty, will be placed over the insulation.

This process is less labor intensive, so we should see no problems making the deadline of March, he said. They can work anytime the temperatures are above 20 degrees. They think this is balmy.

Commissioner John Richwine, R-North District, said the roof work had to be started so that when the new boiler and chiller arrive, they can be installed easily.

The roof had to be replaced before the new HVAC system is installed, he said. Its getting to be an old building and we need to take special care of it.

Richwine said the county has been making repairs to the courthouse square over the past few years.

A new sidewalk was installed along the plaza area on Ninth Street, and work is continuing to improvements on the Meridian Street entrance.

Last year, the Madison County Council approved an allocation of $81,000 from food and beverage tax revenues for the beautification of the plaza area of the courthouse.

Richwine said there have been discussions about how to use those funds and work should start this summer.

The proposal is to plant trees along Ninth Street, with decorative art on the building and columns using vibrant colors.

John Lavine, an intern with the Madison County Council of Governments and an architecture student at Ball State University, said at the time the proposal is to give the area a more contemporary feel.

We want to create a destination place, he said. The artwork would celebrate Andersons natural history.

The total cost estimate for the project is $260,000 and the commissioners are looking for other funding sources.

Owens said the renovation of the plaza would make the Government Center more attractive to visitors.

Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 640-4863.

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Work begins on courthouse roof repairs - The Herald Bulletin

Commercial Energy Savings Possible with Air Purification and Ventilation

Johnson Controls introduces its all-new YORK EcoAdvance module, a game-changing solution that captures and removes molecular contaminants from indoor air while intelligently managing the flow of outside air into a building. This process substantially reduces heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) peak loads by more than 40 percent, resulting in an average of 20-40 percent annual energy cost savings. The YORK EcoAdvance is powered by HVAC Load Reduction (HLR) technology, which won the prestigious 2016 R&D 100 Award, an international competition that recognizes the most technologically significant products introduced over the past year.

What sources describe as a revolutionary EcoAdvance module is easy to install in conjunction with air handling units, energy recovery ventilators or rooftop units. It minimizes the amount of outside air necessary to maintain air quality, while meeting and exceeding the requirements for ASHRAE Standard 62.1 Ventilation for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). The technologys intelligent, self-cleaning operation automatically removes contaminants from the building via exhaust and uses smart sensors to continuously monitor system performance and air quality inside a building.

Historically, customers have had to pay more for higher energy efficiency HVAC systems, but sources say the YORK EcoAdvance turns this upside down. When installed at a large corporations headquarters, HLR technology enabled a $200,000 savings in HVAC equipment, while increasing the energy efficiency of its existing systems, reducing HVAC system water consumption, and improving air quality. Similarly, HLR technology helped a nationally recognized universitys fitness center achieve energy consumption savings of 28% and peak savings over 40%, while improving IAQ measurements of CO2, VOCs and formaldehyde.

The York EcoAdvance can help buildings achieve U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) status. A Fortune 10 technology company implemented HLR technology and earned 14 LEED points by leveraging the Indoor Air Quality Performance pilot credit (EQpc68) and energy efficiency credits. EcoAdvance is also eligible for utility rebates where applicable, making retrofits to existing HVAC systems an attractive opportunity.

EcoAdvance features built-in electronics and software, including networking for Internet-of-Things (IoT) connectivity, that are engineered to control, record and report all aspects of the HVAC load reduction system operation 24/7. Customers can verify savings, monitor IAQ, and remotely configure and control the system using a computer, tablet, or smart phone. In addition, sophisticated proprietary algorithms are designed to maximize energy savings, and BACnet enables integration with building automation systems (BAS).

EcoAdvance is suitable for both new construction and equipment replacement projects, where it can enable downsizing of equipment, and retrofit applications on existing HVAC systems. A network of multiple modules offers a scalable and flexible solution for any building. The lightweight modules, which can be installed vertically or horizontally, fit through standard doorways, require minimal maintenance and deliver a 20-plus-year operating life.

york.com/ecoadvance

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February 2017 Products - Contracting Business

Impressionist painter Claude Monet was able to see beauty in the swirl of fog encompassing Britains Houses of Parliament at the end of the 19th century. Most people regarded it as a very unpleasant inconvenience. Today, Londoners recognise the sources of the citys current air quality problems: diesel vehicle exhaust and natural gas combustion for heating and cooking. Back in the 19th century, a small group of architects and scientists was just beginning to recognize the fog Monet painted as a threat to people, buildings and the city itself.

Officially known as the Palace of Westminster, the current Houses of Parliament were built between 1840 and 1870, after the medieval building was destroyed by fire. The reconstruction was the grandest architectural project of 19th-century Britain. From fierce debates about the style of the building to the installation of new heating and cooling technologies, the project captured the attention of politicians and public alike.

Mysteriously, the stone chosen for the building began to show signs of rapid decay while the building was still under construction. It soon became evident that the cause of that decay was Londons soot-filled air.

Claude Monet, The Houses of Parliament, Sunset, 1903. Image: Wikimedia Commons.

This embarrassing and expensive turn of events quickly contributed to new ideas about the environmental management of the city. By centurys end the government had passed new laws regulating the air of London, forerunners to contemporary clean air laws. A seemingly solid part of the city one of its buildings had enabled a new understanding of its most intangible element: the air.

My research on the architectural history of the Houses of Parliament reveals the surprising story of a building whose problems helped speed the creation of these new environmental laws.

At the start of the reconstruction, the government commissioned four experts to select stone for the building. The stones appearance would have to represent Great Britains growing political and industrial power. It also had to be durable enough to last as long as the British Empire. Two prominent geologists of the day, William Smith and Henry de la Beche, joined with a well-known sculptor and the palaces architect, Charles Barry, to make a recommendation.

Concerned that some buildings weathered faster than others in Britains cold, rainy climate, the group went on an extensive tour to quarries and medieval buildings around Britain to gather data for their decision. They based their eventual choice of a magnesium limestone on further chemical analysis by Professor John Frederic Daniell, who predicted that the molecular composition of the limestone would resist weathering.

In the early 1800s architects believed that weathering of buildings was caused by the passage of time and the effects of observable weather like rain or ice. As industrialisation increased, they and other experts began to suspect that additional atmospheric effects also played a role. But the nature of these effects and their causes was not yet understood.

As early as the 17th century, residents and visitors had complained about the atmosphere of London. John Evelyn lamented the Clowds of Smoake and Sulphur, so full of Stink and Darknesse in Fumifugium, his 1661 treatise on air. With its air filled with smoke from thousands of coal fires and without regularly favorable winds, London was already blackened with soot.

Blackening and corrosion on the Arch of Hadrian in Athens, caused by acid rain. Image: Carole Raddato/Wikimedia Commons.

Its atmospheric conditions only worsened as population and industry grew, adding ever more chimneys to the skyline. In 1816, one Londoner described visitors shock at encountering the dirt and nastiness of the citys blackened air. In his 1852 novel Bleak House, Charles Dickens included a description of the notorious London particulars, the fogs when streets were so full of dense brown smoke that scarcely anything was to be seen.

By this time, scientists in Great Britain had begun to offer some explanations for the worsening atmosphere and its damaging effect on buildings. Robert Angus Smith performed a series of experiments on rainfall that allowed him to conclude that the atmosphere of industrial Britain contained measurable quantities of sulphuric acid. He concluded that a new phenomenon that he named acid rain corroded the surfaces of buildings, causing their premature decay.

Parliamentary inquiries into the decay of stones at the Houses of Parliament took note of Smiths scientific conclusions and their implication: the urban atmosphere of the 19th century threatened not only the well-being of people but the physical fabric of cities.

But what was the solution when the economic might of the British empire depended upon the chimneys and boilers of its furnaces? London and other British cities already had one legal instrument relevant to the crisis: nuisance law. Established under medieval common law, a nuisance was simply an activity or a structure on one property that adversely affected another property. Nuisance law dealt with the resolution of such conflicts, typically by ordering the cessation of the nuisance or by recommending the payment of damages.

In the 19th-century city, however, cause and effect could be very distant from one another. If the Houses of Parliament were being damaged by smoke, how could a judge determine which chimney the smoke had come from? Statutory law supplied a different approach with laws that regulated pollution at the source.

Old King Coal and the Fog Demon bring asthma, pneumonia, pleurisy and bronchitis to London; cartoon from the British humor magazine Punch, 1880. Image: Public Domain Review.

Over the latter half of the 19th century, Parliament passed new laws that allowed municipal authorities to set limits on the emission of smoke from factories. The 1853 Metropolitan Smoke Abatement Act imposed the first constraints on the production of smoke in the city of London. The 1875 Public Health Act included provisions for smoke prevention that applied to the entire nation.

Many other social and economic developments during the 19th century contributed to rising awareness of air pollution and to the formulation of environmental laws. But one of the most direct contributions was triggered by the Houses of Parliament. Architecture was an early victim of the effects of industrialisation; but it was an early protagonist in the remedies developed to combat them.

Timothy Hyde is associate professor of architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

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Architecture was an early victim of air pollution and an early protagonist in combating it - CityMetric

Jordan first developing country to install solar air conditioning ... Jordan Times AMMAN Jordan is the first developing country utilising solar energy for the cooling and heating of buildings, Minister of Environment Yaseen Khayyat said on ... and more »

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Jordan first developing country to install solar air conditioning ... - Jordan Times

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KRQE News 13 investigates eastern New Mexico fraud scheme ... KRQE News 13 LOGAN, N.M. (KRQE) Ask anyone in eastern New Mexico about the devious fraud scheme that impacted scores of victims in places like Logan, San Jon or ... and more »

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KRQE News 13 investigates eastern New Mexico fraud scheme ... - KRQE News 13

Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) advised that cold weather over the past month is resulting in increased natural gas use and higher bills. The company issued tips to help Southern Californians save money on their natural gas bills this winter.

SoCalGas calculates that a typical residential bill will go from about $67 in December to about $117 in January, or about $50 higher. Colder weather, which began in late December and was frequent through most of January, is the main reason. About $45 of the typical $50 increase is due to customers using more gas during the cold weather. About $5 comes from a slightly longer billing cycle in January: 31 days compared to 29 days in December.

The price of natural gas is about 13 percent higher this month, or about 4 cents per therm. That higher natural gas price would have made the typical bill higher by about $4, except that SoCalGas charges for transporting the gas are actually lower this month than last month, offsetting most of the impact of the higher natural gas price. The net effect of the price on a typical bill is $1.

Compared to the same time last year, a typical residential bill this January is about $25 lowermostly because the weather during the same period last year was even colder.

SoCalGas rates do not include costs for the Aliso Canyon incident.

During winter, most customers use three to seven times more natural gas. Heating is often the number-one energy expense for most customers during the winter and can account for more than 50 percent of the total natural gas bill. Colder weather also impacts water heaters because they must work longer and harder to heat the colder water coming in. Water heaters can account for 25 percent of natural gas use.

Savings Tips

Here are some tips to keep natural gas bills as low as possible:

Set your thermostat at 68 degrees during the day and 55 at night if your health permits it. Lowering your thermostat three to five degrees can save up to 10 percent on heating costs.

Clean or replace your furnace filters according to manufacturer recommendations.

Have your air ducts tested for leaks. Leaky ducts can cost between 10 to 30 percent in heating and cooling costs.

Install proper caulking and weather-stripping; this can save roughly 10 to 15 percent on heating and cooling bills.

Wash clothes in cold water to save up to 10 percent on water heating costs.

Turn down the temperature on your water heater.

Take shorter showers to reduce your natural gas use.

Fix leaky faucets and pipes. Hot water leaks cause increased demand on the water heater which increases natural gas use. One drop of water per second can waste 500 gallons of hot water per year.

Limit use of non-essential natural gas appliances such as spas and fireplaces.

Customers can find more ways to save on natural gas bills by going to: socalgas.com/winterbills or socalgas.com/facturadeinvierno (Spanish).

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Culver City Observer - - Culver City Observer

Although North Carolina residents arent usually forced to deal with multi-inch snowfalls very often, winter temperatures in the Tar Heel state do give heating and cooling units a workout while also decreasing the comfort level of homeowners trying to economize by lowering the thermostat.

Many local builders and remodelers spend fall and early winter months helping homeowners find ways to make their domiciles more efficient. However, there are also projects that individuals can add to the to-do list that will help raise the toasty factor during cold-weather months.

Erik Anderson is vice president at DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen, a division of Anderson-Moore Builders, Inc. Anderson is also a NC Certified Lead Professional, Certified Graduate Builder and Remodeler, a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist and a Certified Green Professional and says that winterizing projects range from extensive undertakings to simple updates. John Orsillo is the owner of Renaissance Renovations and offers landscaping, renovation and home improvement services.

Spark: What are three to five easy steps that a homeowner can take to make his/her home more energy-efficient during cold weather?

Anderson: Make sure weather stripping is in place and in good condition around all doors. Test to see if you see any cracks or feel cold air blowing through.

Recessed lights allow for warm air to move up through your ceiling and into the attic. Even though you may have lots of insulation in the attic, insulation is a thermal barrier, not an air barrier. Air can still rise through the insulation and the recessed lights act as chimneys. Use a cap over the recessed light to minimize air flow into the attic. According to the Department of Energy, recessed lights account for 50% of the thermal loss in homes.

A lot of older homes have insulation in their attic that has settled or just is not enough compared to current code requirements. Look at the possibility of adding more insulation in the attic area. It can be something you can do on your own or have a company do it for you.

Orsillo: In winter, probably the most potential damage to a home can be caused by freezing pipes. Anything exposed should be insulated, and this is a job anyone with hands can do. Places like Lowes and Home Depot sell the different diameter sizes to cover pipes, already with adhesive on the back.

Another thing to do is change the filters in the heating system so it doesnt have to work as hard. Also, make sure the outside unit is clean and get the system checked by a professional. A clogged system can equal a lot of damage or a nonfunctioning unit. And its bad to have stuff in your gutters. Clogged gutters can lead to damage to the gutters and surrounding soffits. Either have someone clean them out or take a weekend and do the job yourself.

Finally, make sure you have good weather-stripping around windows and doors. Replacement windows and storm doors are a great investment. A single, full view glass storm door is usually between $250 and $350, plus maybe $75 installation.

Spark: What are some of the overlooked areas of energy inefficiency during cold weather months?

Anderson: Believe it or not, leaving the bath fan on for long periods of time. A bath fan can recycle the entire air volume in a house in a few hours. People need to use them to get the moisture out, so put a timer on it or get one with a humidistat in the unit that will turn off when the humidity gets down to a certain level.

Bonus rooms, the ones over garages or finished attic spaces will often tend to be cooler in the winter and warmer in the summer. Even if you see the insulation on the walls, sometimes there is not enough in the ceiling area. Maybe the previous homeowner did the work and simply put some insulation in the rafters, which will not be enough to meet current codes. Sometimes cold air will flow through the floor system, even though there is insulation in there, it does not stop air flow. Putting baffles in each floor joist cavity will help. Also, adding an air barrier, like Tyvek, over the insulation on the walls between the finished space and the attic will help minimize heat loss.

Orsillo: Most people dont go into their attic space very often, but the insulation in the attic should be checked out along with making sure there are no leaks. The correct insulation, correctly installed, can make a big difference in the amount of heat that escapes.

Spark: What are some of the services your company offers to help homeowners winterize their homes?

Anderson: We need to meet with the client to discuss what their issues are. Once we do that, then we can pull from our resources to get the company or companies that would address this issue. For example, a recent project dealt with the fact the client had moisture damaged sheetrock at the peak of their vaulted living room ceiling. After lots of research and meetings, we determined it to be inadequate insulation and, because of that, moisture in the house was condensing on the sheetrock and deteriorating it. We removed the sheetrock and insulation and installed a spray foam insulation with a much higher R-value than traditional fiberglass insulation.

Spark: What are some of the newest trends or technologies that homeowners should know about that improve the function of their home in cold weather months?

Anderson: As mentioned, spray foam insulation is a great product. Also, homeowners should look at the house as a system. If you put spray foam insulation in the walls and ceiling, your HVAC system will need to be modified because of this increased efficiency. Everything ties together in homes now. In the past, our houses leaked like a sieve, so there were constant air exchanges. House and remodeling projects are constructed so tightly now, we need to make sure all the parts work well together.

Orsillo: The NEST thermostats allow homeowners to more precisely program the temperature to specific schedules. And really, the old technologies like weather-stripping and insulation are still very important in making sure a home is winterized.

Spark: Along with winterizing, what are some of the projects homeowners can start considering for spring that might be larger and that will help long-term?

Anderson: Have a qualified HVAC contractor balance your HVAC system. Many homes do not have adequate supplies installed. It may not be the HVAC system; it may be the ducts of the HVAC system.

Lots of people look at finished basements and attics for inexpensive additional living space. These areas must be designed differently than the rest of the house because of the added thermal loss potential in the attic or decreased thermal loss in the basement (both of which are very different from the main level of the house).

Additionally, if you are going to do a spray foam attic, the time to do it is before it gets hot. Workers cannot work in the attics in the summertime for very long. If you want to suck out all the blown in insulation and spray the roof deck with spray foam, think about doing it now.

And if you have an older home, new doors and windows will make a huge difference. Single pane glass in windows is not very efficient.

Orsillo: A lot of the projects involve maintenance. Schedule annual check-ups for the HVAC system. Keep filters clean. Trim trees and bushes in the spring and fall. And just a simple thing shut off the water to outside hoses, drain the hoses and put them away. You can also get foam covers for outside water spigots.

For more information, contact Erik Anderson at (336) 722- 3625 or erik@andersonmoore.com or John Orsillo at (336) 813-2670.

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Taking steps to winterize now can save homeowners money later - Winston-Salem Journal

In the past five years, the district has built a new elementary wing and a library wing, and prior to these projects, the district added band, choir and special education classrooms. Then, in a separate project, renovated the school's gym, all of which Superintendent Jim Bridge said likely played a major role in the district's influx of 125 students in the past 10 years.

"Every time we've built onto our school, we've added kids. There's no rhyme or reason to how that happens, but it happens and I don't think a lot of communities in our area are able to claim that," Bridge said. "I hope 10 years from now we're up another 125 kids."

But, for now, the district is focused on reveling in the rewards of a years-long process to complete the project.

Today, students will be tasked with helping faculty and staff move into the 10-classroom addition, and Bridge said he couldn't be more excited. And part of that excitement comes from being able to do so two months ahead of the original April projected completion date.

The expansion is located between the community library and garage structure on the south side of the school, and is attached to the existing school structure. The classrooms will be used for middle and high school English, science and math. Additionally, there are administration offices and a centralized entrance to the school.

"How could you not be excited?" Bridge said. "It's very encouraging for our community. It feels like the first day of school, the last day of school and Christmas vacation all piled into one."

Next, the district will begin working on an extra addition in the school's courtyard which will add two more classrooms and install new heating and cooling systems. Because of its location, School Board President Gary Jarding said school officials opted to hold off on starting this phase of the project because certain classrooms will be out of commission while the courtyard expansion is being completed. Thus, the board felt it prudent to ensure the main expansion would be completed to squash any space concerns, Jarding said.

A 17-year member of the Hanson School Board, Jarding has been part of several renovation and expansion projects, but he said they've all gone over with ease among the community members.

And this project is no exception.

"They've seen before that we can do it, so they have faith that the projects we do will help us grow," Jarding said. "Every building project we've done has been positive and nicer buildings always contribute to bringing in more kids this one should do the same."

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Hanson School District officials hope expansion drives up enrollment - Daily Republic