News

Friday, January 16, 2015

By KATHY CLEVELAND

Staff Writer

A couple of weeks ago, someone living in the outskirts of Brookline got very lucky.

A passerby noticed smoke coming from the front porch and called for help, and fire damage was confined to a small area of the porch.

The problem was wood ashes a common cause of winter fires when they arent disposed of properly, Brookline Assistant Fire Chief Scott Knowles said.

January is a peak month for house fires, and local fire officials have some tips for avoiding the devastation of a winter fire.

These fires are usually caused by heating equipment, and on average, wood stoves, fireplaces and other forms of alternate heat are involved in more than 60,000 U.S. home structure fires a year, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

While these numbers are frightening, nearly all of these fires are preventable, J. William Degnan, state fire marshal, said in one of his recent newsletters.

More:
Fire officials from Merrimack, Brookline and Bedford warn of winter dangers

Tenants of one Brooklyn building struggling to get heat in bitterly cold temperatures finally get relief after getting help from "NY1 For You." NY1's Susan Jhun filed this follow up report.

These days when renter Tracy Berkley comes home he can take off his jacket without freezing.

"I no longer have to get up three or four times a night to check my space heater or run the shower for twenty minutes to heat the bathroom up," Berkley says.

That's a luxury for the Brooklyn tenant who we first told you about last week. Berkley had been living without any heat since November when a fire broke the building's boiler, leaving the asthmatic renter in the cold, using any means to stay warm.

"I've got the oven on and I've got the electric heaters on and I've got blankets," Berkley says.

Berkley told us a new boiler was installed after the fire and turned on briefly but since then he said the building manager refused to turn the heat back on.

We contacted the manager for the building and he told us even though a new boiler was installed and heat could be provided, the pipe line size was not big enough for the boiler, cooking gas and hot water heater.

He said he knew it was cold and that's why he was encouraging tenants to move out.

We contacted the Department of Housing Preservation & Development and National Grid, and the two agencies came out immediately to work to get the heat back on.

"I am so grateful for NY1. I'm grateful to have heat," Berkley says.

Here is the original post:
NY1 For You: Brooklyn Tenant Gets Heat After Months in Cold

Ruskin, FL (PRWEB) January 13, 2015

Florida Home Partnership (FHP), a non-profit housing developer, continues its energy conservation efforts by providing water heater blankets at no cost to residents of Hillsborough and Pasco Counties. Water heater blanket packages are available for pick-up at the FHP main office in Ruskin or at the model home office in Dade City, Florida. Homeowners and renters are eligible to reserve packages. The only requirement necessary is "having a hot water heater in your home."

On average, water heating costs homeowners between $400 and $600 annually. One way to cut this cost is to insulate the water heater which can reduce standby heat losses by 25%-45%, remarked Earl Pfeiffer, FHPs executive director. Making these blankets available to the community is consistent with our mission of helping keep the cost of housing low. Energy efficiency is one major way to control home operating costs.

A short six minute video is available on FHPs website, http://www.flhome.org, demonstrating how to install a water heater blanket. While newer water heater models may not need additional insulation, homeowners can determine the need for insulation if the tank

Water heater blanket packages including written installation instructions are available beginning Monday, January 12, 2015, and are available while supplies last. Residents are limited to one blanket per home. Residents with two tanks may request an additional package. Apartment and business owners may also make special requests to reserve packages.

Scheduled pick-up times are Monday Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the FHP main office on 201 14th Ave, SE, Suite H, Ruskin or in Dade City at the Sunset Hills model home office (36982 Sol Vista Drive, Dade City). Packages must be picked-up within one week of the reservation, otherwise items may be redistributed without notice.

To reserve a package, call FHP's main office at the 813.672.7889 or email sara(at)flhome(dot)org.

About the Florida Home Partnership Florida Home Partnership (FHP) is a non-profit Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) that offers affordable homeownership opportunities to low and moderate-income first-time homebuyers through the USDA Self-help Homeownership Program, townhome ownership, and affordable rentals. The agency also manages Hillsborough County (FL) Homeowner Rehabilitation Program.For more information about the program, call 813-672-7860 or visit http://www.flhome.org, friend us at - http://www.facebook.com/Floridahome, follow us at - @flhome1.

Read more from the original source:
Florida Home Partnership Distributes Free Water Heater Blankets

Tenants in one Queens building are dealing without heat as temperatures stay cold in the city. NY1's Michael Herzenberg filed the following report.

"Its very cold in here, you have to go to bed with robes and socks. Thats crazy because there's no heat, said Woodside resident Earlene Jenkins.

Jenkins says her heat doesn't work.

It's not cold in her Woodside Public Houses apartment, but she says that's because she constantly boils water on her stove which fire officials say is unsafe and she uses a space heater.

The pipe in the bathroom is hot to the touch, but the rest of the radiators aren't.

It's much the same scene from the first floor to the sixth floor of her building and Jenkins says she's worried about her 91-year-old father who lives with her.

"How dare they not give my father, 91 years old, heat. How dare they. He has to walk around with robes, she said.

"There's no heat, it's terrible, said her father.

"They said they would come and fix it and nothing has been about it, said resident Luis Bernal. They did come but they said everything would be fine and they're still no heat at all.

NYCHA says building 31-49 was experience gas pressure problem that has been fixed. Officials say they will continue to check on the apartments but residents are skeptical of any real improvements.

Original post:
Woodside Tenants Suffer Without Heat During Deep Freeze

New York, NY (PRWEB) January 09, 2015

Over the past five years, solar investment tax credits have helped mitigate the decline of the Solar Water Heater Installation industry, which otherwise suffered from reduced demand due to the real estate markets collapse and tepid recovery. Although an assortment of federal and state investments into solar energy have subsidized the cost of industry services, they have been insufficient to restore the industry to its prerecession heights. Since first being introduced in 2006, the tax credits have been extended through 2016 and caps on subsidies to residential customers have been removed. Despite economic challenges, these policies have underpinned moderate growth over the past five years.

According to IBISWorld Industry Analyst Edward Rivera, Most of industry revenue comes from residential installations; therefore, the health of the housing market plays a large role in determining the fate of solar water heater installers. The industry has benefited in recent years from a rise in housing starts and increased home renovations. This resulted in more solar water heaters installed in new construction projects, says Rivera.

The industry is highly fragmented, with low barriers to entry and a prevalence of independent operators that service local markets. Participation in the industry is expected to expand in the coming five years as construction companies increasingly offer solar water heater installation services. Revenue is also expected to grow at a faster pace through 2019, though its uncertain whether the federal policies that have been so favorable to the industry in recent years will continue. Regardless, technological advancements in solar water heaters and rising demand from the corporate sector are expected to drive the most demand for industry services.

For more information, visit IBISWorlds Solar Water Heater Installation in the US industry report page.

Follow IBISWorld on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/IBISWorld Friend IBISWorld on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/IBISWorld/121347533189

IBISWorld industry Report Key Topics

Operators in this industry install solar water heater systems as part of general residential and commercial contracting services. These operators are contracted either directly by the customer or by solar marketing companies that arrange a buyer for solar thermal systems and contract an industry operator to carry out the work.

Industry Performance Executive Summary Key External Drivers Current Performance Industry Outlook Industry Life Cycle Products & Markets Supply Chain Products & Services Major Markets Globalization & Trade Business Locations Competitive Landscape Market Share Concentration Key Success Factors Cost Structure Benchmarks Barriers to Entry Major Companies Operating Conditions Capital Intensity Key Statistics Industry Data Annual Change Key Ratios

About IBISWorld Inc. Recognized as the nations most trusted independent source of industry and market research, IBISWorld offers a comprehensive database of unique information and analysis on every US industry. With an extensive online portfolio, valued for its depth and scope, the company equips clients with the insight necessary to make better business decisions. Headquartered in Los Angeles, IBISWorld serves a range of business, professional service and government organizations through more than 10 locations worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.ibisworld.com or call 1-800-330-3772.

Excerpt from:
Solar Water Heater Installation in the US Industry Market Research Report from IBISWorld Has Been Updated

As the city continues to deal with bitterly cold temperatures, one Brooklyn tenant battles to get heat in his apartment. NY1s Susan Jhun filed the following NY1 For You report.

"It's just inhumane, said Bed-Stuy tenant Tracy Berkley.

Cold to be precise, just plain cold. That's the condition Berkley has been living in for the past couple of months.

"Since November 1, I've been without heat. There was a fire in the building, said Berkley.

Which has left the asthmatic renter in the cold using any means to stay warm.

"During the day I've got the oven on and I've got the electric heaters on and I've got blankets, said Berkley.

And at night, Berkley says he gets little sleep since he worries about the electric heaters catching on fire.

Berkley says the building's manager refuses to turn the new boiler on to provide heat. Tenants have an order to vacate at the end of the month due to unsafe conditions but until then they say they n eed heat.

"I want the heat on until I have to leave. If the owner is not interested in turning the heat on for the sixty days that he's giving me then pay my broker's fee and pay my first and last months security and I'll move out tomorrow, said Berkley.

We contacted the manager for the building and he told us even though a new boiler was installed and heat can be provided, the pipeline size is not big enough for the boiler, cooking gas and hot water heater. He says he knows that it's cold and that's why he's encouraging tenants to move out.

Read more here:
NY1 For You: Heat Restored for Freezing Bed-Stuy Tenants

Tammie Millen reacts to the cold wind as she takes an exercise walk around the track at Blacksburg High School on Wednesday.

Weather forecasters are predicting blustery temperatures, prompting officials to issue heating safety tips and recommendations for residents to protect pipes, animals and to check on the elderly.

The National Weather Service is predicting an overnight low Wednesday of 13 degrees, with wind chills at zero or 5 below zero. Thursday, temperatures aren't expected to get above freezing with a high of 30 degrees and an overnight low of 19 degrees.

The weather service has issued a wind chill advisory from midnight Wednesday to 9 a.m. Thursday.

Most local hardware and department stores are sold out of outside faucet covers and cedar shavings used in dog houses. Store owners also said kerosene and space heaters are selling fast.

Charlie Patton, of Ace Hardware in Gaffney, said plenty of pipe insulation is available to protect exposed pipes and a few kerosene heaters remain in stock. Irwin Ace Hardware officials said they will likely receive a shipment of outdoor faucet covers Thursday morning.

The state fire marshal issued fire and heating safety tips Wednesday, urging people to check smoke alarms to make sure they work. People who can't afford a smoke alarm can call their local fire department to have an alarm installed, said Spartanburg Fire Chief Marion Blackwell.

State Fire Marshal Bert Polk said fire deaths increase 63 percent in the winter months.

Last year, there were 14 fire deaths in Spartanburg County a grave spike from prior years and twice as many as any other county statewide.

If you have a space heater, it's important to keep it at least 3 feet away from any furniture or equipment, Blackwell said. Many times, people want to put them close to the bed, but it can catch fire. A dog or cat can accidentally knock them over, too, so it's important to watch them carefully.

Continued here:
Spartanburg County prepares for extreme cold weather

This section displays the last 50 news articles that were published.

As the snow piles up and temperatures hit below freezing, the heating systems in our homes start to put in some serious work. Everything from water heaters and vents, to generators and warming up cars. As Brian Dwyer reports, you have to be very careful to avoid the dangers of carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas, which can cause sudden illness and death. Find out more on how to prevent CO poisoning on the CDC's website.

It's called the silent killer. You can't see carbon monoxide. You can't smell it. You can't even taste it in the air.

"Our body has an affinity to use carbon monoxide to replace the oxygen in our body," Herman said about why it's so dangerous.

It can hit you in minutes. That's the danger. In the winter months, that danger can be anywhere. As we crank up the furnace and the hot water heaters, one bad pipe, one gap or rust hole and that gas gets into our air.

Watertown Fire Department officials said a professional should take a look at least once a year.

"I don't think it's that expensive. It's a good insurance policy that number one, your furnace is going to work when you need it and number two, they'll pick up those issues that you typically wouldn't," Watertown Fire Captain and public education officer Theodore Kolb said.

You also need to check the outside vent that gas goes to. If it's not a chimney, there's a chance it's lower on the outer wall of your home. Any blockage and that gas gets shoved right back in your air.

"Now that the snow has been pushed up against the home, you've got to make sure those vents are kept clear for incoming air and exhaust air," Chief Herman added.

See original here:
Winter Cautions with Carbon Monoxide

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Newswise RICHLAND, Wash. How much energy was used to heat the water for your morning shower is probably the least of your groggy, uncaffeinated thoughts.

However, some homeowners are discovering they have even less need to think about early-morning energy use thanks to an increasingly popular alternative to conventional electric water heaters - the heat pump water heater. Results from a new field study are challenging an earlier understanding that heat pump water heaters are efficient no matter how theyre installed. It turns out using ducting for air intake and exhaust impacts both the appliances and an entire homes energy use.

Heat pump water heaters can use up to 63 percent less energy than traditional electric water heaters, said the studys lead researcher, Sarah Widder, of the Department of Energys Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. When water heating makes up about 18 percent of U.S. residential energy use, heat pump water heaters offer a real opportunity for energy savings.

Until now, many have thought those savings would be offset by an increased use in heating systems. Thats because heat pump water heaters work by transferring heat from the air into water, which can lower indoor temperatures. This can reduce energy use during the hot summer months, but lead us to heat our homes more in the winter. But PNNLs field tests showed that, depending on how heat pump water heaters are connected to exterior ducting, they can reduce a homes overall power use. The results also showed heat pump water heaters may not affect a homes heating and cooling systems as much as previously thought.

New water heater in town Due to their high efficiency, heat pump water heaters can be much less expensive to operate than electric resistance water heaters, the large, tall cylinders that warm water in 41 percent of U.S. homes. Heat pump water heaters are increasingly being installed in lieu of their conventional electric cousins. Heat pump water heaters make up about 1 percent of new water heater sales nationwide. The total number of units sold increased from 34,000 in 2012 to 43,000 in 2013, according to ENERGY STAR.

Before PNNLs field study, the only data on the impact heat pump water heaters have on whole-home energy use was from an idealized computer model that didnt draw on real-world data. To take a deeper look at total energy consumption, Widder and her colleagues installed heat pump water heaters in the PNNL Lab Homes, two especially equipped manufactured homes used to evaluate energy-efficient technologies.

A heat pump water heater was installed in one of the homes without any ducting whatsoever. Another, identical water heater was installed in the second home with one of two configurations: ducting that only vented the appliances exhaust, or full ducting that both collected outside air and later exhausted used air back outside. Both homes used the same electric resistance heating, cooling and ventilation system.

Sensors placed in each of the Lab Homes measured energy use, indoor and outdoor temperatures, humidity and more. Computers controlling both homes periodically ran hot water and turned on lights to simulate actual occupancy identically in both homes. The PNNL team ran the experiment through the summer and winter of 2013.

Read the original:
Hot Showers, Lower Power Bills with Heat Pump Water Heaters

Preparing for an earthquake is kind of like locking the doors of your house, according to quake preparedness buff Matthew Springer.

Your chances of getting burglarized are miniscule, but you lock your doors anyway. Likewise, the probability of a major earthquake happening on any given day are small, but being ready is still a matter of common sense, Springer said.

Springer is an associate professor of medicine in the cardiology department at UC-San Francisco, but he has a passion for earthquake preparedness. He blogs and gives frequent talks on the topic, most recently on Monday to a group of more than 40 people at the St. Helena firehouse.

Some experts focus on preparing for the big one, like the 7.9-scale quake that hit San Francisco in 1906. But Springer said quakes with an intensity of between 6 and 7 like Loma Prieta in 1989 or Northridge in 1994 are bad enough to cause widespread damage, injuries and deaths, but small enough to still happen semi-regularly. The Aug. 24 quake in South Napa measured 6.0.

The Red Cross likes you to prepare for 1906. I want you to prepare for 1989, Springer said.

Springer said that despite a dubious Triangle of Life chain email thats been criticized by experts, the best thing to do during an earthquake is get under something sturdy, like a dining room table.

People used to be taught to stand in a doorway, but that strategy actually originated in the days of adobe structures, when wooden door frames were the sturdiest part of a building. In modern structures, doorways arent any safer than the rest of the house, Springer said.

Running out of a building is a bad idea, and has led to many people being hurt or killed by falling bricks, masonry and glass, Springer said.

The question of whether to turn off the natural gas right after an earthquake is a controversial one, Springer said. Once the gas is turned off, PG&E advises homeowners not to turn it back on until the pipes have been inspected, which could take weeks to schedule after a major disaster.

Springer said his advice is to sniff for natural gas right after an earthquake, and only turn the gas off if you smell it. Keep an appropriate wrench near the valve.

Go here to see the original:
UCSF professor shares quake preparedness tips