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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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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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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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

ST. LOUIS As connected-home technology grows increasingly popular, consumers are looking for tech solutions that make life easier but dont require an engineering degree or quickly become obsolete. Maybe thats why the Sensi Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat landed top customer satisfaction marks in the inaugural J.D. Power 2016 Smart Thermostat Satisfaction Report SM.

The J.D. Power report found that ease of installation and usage were key factors in overall satisfaction with smart thermostats.

Consumers are gravitating toward products that are not just smart but that also provide clear additional value to our lives without a lot of hassle, said Robert T. Sharp, executive president of Emerson, commercial and residential solutions. The J.D. Power report shows what professional heating and cooling contractors and consumers have already experienced: The Sensi thermostat is reliable, simple to install, and a great investment. It also makes it easy to control your home comfort from anywhere, with the touch of a button.

In addition to ranking highest in overall customer satisfaction, J.D. Power recognized Sensi thermostat as the highest scoring smart thermostat brand in the areas of ease of install/setup, reliability, energy efficiency, price paid, and internet connectivity.

Smart thermostat customers are taking a hands-on approach to researching, buying, and installing a product that allows them to have, in effect, a hands-off experience, according to J.D. Power.

The Sensi thermostat, one of the most affordable choices in the connected-thermostat category, has several differentiating features. Whether the thermostat is installed by the consumer or an HVAC contractor, the Sensi thermostat provides detailed instructions and videos that clearly show each step from start to finish. With the in-app contractor designation feature, HVAC professionals can leave behind a virtual business card for customers to reference and get assistance when needed. It offers precision temperature control with +/- one-degree accuracy, and it earned Energy Aware certification. Consumers can also use the Sensi thermostat with popular smart-home platforms, including Wink and Amazon Echo.

For more information, visit sensicomfort.com.

Publication date: 2/3/2017

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If you want to keep cool and your home has existing ductwork, a traditional air conditioning unit can work perfectly. Our comfort specialists would be happy to answer any questions you have onyour air conditioning system.

Air conditioners do two things, they dehumidify the air and lower the temperature. In simplest terms, an air conditioner takes the heat from the inside and transfers it outside. Here are the steps on how air is cooled by an air conditioner:

If you have any questions on installing an air conditioner in your home, schedule a repair or call to speak with one of our comfort specialists today!

Are you suffering through hot summers? You don't have to! Go Green Heating and Air Conditioning provides an affordable solution for installing traditional air conditioning system in your home.

Through years of experience, our comfort specialists have narrowed the number of brands of air conditioners we offer to the list of brands below. They offer the best mix of quality, efficiency ratings, warranties, and they all offer easy maintenance when out of their warranty period. Through the years, we've learned which brand is best for each situation - every single house is different, so there is the right air conditioner out there for you!

For your complimentary consultation from one of our comfort specialists, contact us today!

Over the years,American Standard has continually proved to be a superior product at a value-packed price point. Our customers love them, and the majority of the air conditioners we install are from American Standard because we fully believe in all of the products they manufacture, including furnaces and ductless systems.

On all of their products, American Standard offers consumers incredible value with a great product - they also have a great warranty, they're easy to work on and spare parts readily available in service trucks from every HVAC company in our area.

Goodman Air Conditioning & Heating has been in business for over three decades. They manufacture their high quality air conditioners at affordable prices outside of Houston, Texas. They have an industry leading 10-year warranty on all of their products.

We've found their air conditioners to be well-designed, and incredibly efficient. If you have any questions on Goodman air conditioners, please give us a call.

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HVAC Services in the Greater Cincinnati Area of Ohio

Since 1986, families and businesses in Ohio have trusted Ricks Heating & Cooling with all their heating and air conditioning needs. For more than 30 years,our HVAC company has been providingfriendly and dependable services to keep our neighbors homes comfortable all year long. Whether you need to schedule an AC repair or a furnace tune-up, we are the only HVAC company you will ever need.

We proudly serve the following counties: Warren, Butler, Hamilton, Clermont, Clinton and extended areas. When you need HVAC services in the Morrow, Ohio area, count on Ricks Heating & Cooling. Contact us onlineor call us at 513-899-6005to learn more or schedule service today!

Whether you need a speedy air conditioner repair in Cincinnati during a heat wave or a furnace installation on a chilly day, Ricks Heating & Cooling has your HVAC service needs covered all year long. Are you readyto install a new air conditioner or want a whole-house humidifier to make your home more comfortable? We can do that and more!

If you think your HVAC equipment isnt operating to its full potential, or your heat pump needs its annual scheduled maintenance, we can come out for a HVAC Precision Tune-Up to ensure your system will run efficiently throughout the season. During maintenance, our expert service technician can also perform preventative maintenance and identify any minor issues that require repair before they become big problems.

No matter what kind of HVAC service you need for your Ohio home, Ricks Heating & Cooling has the experience, expertise, and tools necessary to complete your service in a timely and affordable manner to make sure your home is comfortable season after season.

We provide repair, replacement, installation, and maintenance services for the following:

In addition to regular HVAC services, Ricks can also evaluate your homes indoor air quality with our 10-Point Healthy Home Checklist. The quality of your indoor air is extremely important to the health and well-being of your home and family. We can check your home for risk factors and advise you on the steps you need to take to improve your homes air quality, including air cleaners, humidity control, and more.

At Ricks Heating & Cooling, our number one goal is providing dependable, professional service for our customers. We understand that your time is very valuable, so we schedule all appointments with a 2-hour window frame with the availability of a call-ahead so you are not just sitting around waiting on a service technician. We offer free in-home estimates on any new system installation. With more than 30 years of experience in the HVAC industry, Ricks is prepared to tackle all your heating and cooling problems.

When you need HVAC service in the Cincinnati, Ohio, area, call the experts you can trust at Ricks Heating & Cooling and get quality service for your home. We proudly serve homes and businesses throughout Middletown, Mason, Fairfield, Norwood, and the surrounding areas in Ohio!

Contact us onlineor call us at 513-899-6005to learn more or schedule service today!

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Rick's Heating and Cooling

We are pleased to announce that Lang Heating and Cooling has merged with John Betlem Heating and Cooling, Inc. and we are now conducting business together under the name John Betlem Heating and Cooling, Inc.

John Betlem Heating and Cooling, Inc. has been a family owned and operated business serving the Rochester area for over 75 years, and we proudly hold similar values and philosophy for doing business that you have come to expect with Lang Heating and Cooling.

If you are a Lang Heating and Cooling customer, we will honor all present Service Plans with the exception of oil, as well as all warranties on previously installed HVAC equipment from Lang Heating and Cooling. Though we will now operate as one company, you can rely on the same professional working relationship you have always enjoyed.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at 585-271-8888. For those of you in the 315 area, please be sure to include 585 to ensure we receive your call. We look forward to providing you with the excellence and quality you deserve!

Thank you,

Kathy Betlem, Vice President 585-271-8888

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