In a recent column on the University of Illinois' progress toward goals articulated in its Climate Action Plan, I noted that Ben McCall, the associate director of the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment, had called special attention to the role of a team at Facilities and Services known as the Retrocommissioning Group.

Since then, through conversations on campus and elsewhere, I've been reminded that few people know much about the group or the work they do. Given our long-term interests of conserving resources and saving money, that's too bad, because the UI personnel who do retrocommissioning are champions of both.

So let me bring you up to speed.

In a nutshell, retrocommissioning refers to a process of analyzing the energy-dependent systems in a building HVAC and lighting and then doing what's necessary to get those systems operating as efficiently as possible.

Facilities and Services first formed a team dedicated exclusively to retrocommissioning in 2007. It was composed of five people and was led by Karl Helmink, an engineer with long experience in HVAC. Their tongue-in-cheek slogan then was "Saving the planet one building at a time." Since then, the group has grown to 20 people, and it now operates in two teams, so they've updated their slogan to "Saving the planet two buildings at a time." Both teams include engineers, field technicians, tradesmen and student interns.

The teams typically spend about two months on a building, and they employ a highly systematic approach. Their work entails a thorough analysis of available documentation on mechanical systems by engineers and a comprehensive investigation of operating conditions, equipment and more by field technicians and tradesmen.

Members of the team also confer with representatives from the facilities where they work throughout the process to make sure their needs are met. "When our work is finished," said Helmink, "they've got to be happy with the building."

One straightforward thing the retrocommissioning teams do is identify maintenance issues that tend to multiply in overlooked places as facilities age things like clogged ducts, stuck dampers, damaged coils and worn out sensors.

Beyond attending to such issues, they also focus on ensuring that lights and heating and cooling are on only as they are needed, rather than around the clock. Toward this end, they install occupancy sensors wherever they can.

Such tuneups can have really amazing impacts.

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Environmental Almanac: Group 'saving planet two buildings at a time'

Infrastructure upgrades, including a $2 million heating and cooling system, are among future plans Columbia State Community College officials presented to the Columbia City Council Thursday.

These improvements and the colleges accomplishments in the past year were the focus of a presentation given by president Janet Smith at Thursdays regular meeting of Columbia City Council.

The college has undergone heavy renovations and improvements over the past year and Smith said it is eying next to install a complete HVAC update to the Warf building, which is currently in the planning stage and will cost $2 million.

It has been three years in the process of obtaining the funds, well, its been longer than that so now we have enough to do the whole project and we will start as soon as we can get folks out after graduation, she said. And they will have to work very hard because weve got to get back in there in August for all of the new students that we expect.

Other projects the college is hoping to tackle in the next year include renovations of the library, Walters building and health services building. It also hopes to construct a new health sciences building.

Smith delved into other various campus programs, improvements and upgrades to facilities, including a $45,000 renovation to the Cherry Theatre, $133,000 renovation to Ledbetter Auditorium and a $2 million project to renovate Jones Student Center, which will have a ribbon cutting in the next few weeks.

Statues donated from former president Rebecca Hawkins have been another way Columbia State has worked to upgrade the look of the campus.

The key is a symbol the college has been using as a motivation point to students and the community as being vital to its development, Smith said.

We are a key to the lives of many individuals, we are a key to where they are going, were a key to our communities and to the economic development. We are also a key to the state achieving its goal and to increase the education level throughout the state, Smith said.

Smith also paid focus to the various clubs, organizations and civic groups that she said have helped encourage not only student involvement, but involvement from the community as well.

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Smith looks to CSCCs future

Beginner's guide to SSL certificates

A startup in Germany reckons it's found a, how can we put this, courageous way to merge cloud computing with staying warm at home this winter.

Rather than throw another log on the fire, you can install one of its toasty server cabinets in your basement. Assuming you have a spare ten grand and a 50Mbps pipe to the internet.

Cloud&Heat emerged this week to suggest homeowners and businesses can use hot racks to heat their buildings. For 12,000 euros (9,500), the company will install a large fireproof and tamper-resistant housing containing a load of compute systems.

The secured cabinet is then hooked up to heat reservoirs and tanks to warm water and air. Extra heating is vented outside the building when not needed.

The company said for smaller buildings the system could provide all the heating needed, while larger buildings could use the system just to heat water or air in combination with boilers and radiators. Once the installation fee is paid, Cloud&Heat covers all electric, data and maintenance costs (including replacing the server hardware every three to five years) for a period of fifteen years.

Buildings are also required to meet a minimum set of power requirements and the ability to run a 50Mbps connection into the server cabinet. Building owners do not have direct access to the servers in order to maintain security protections, assuming they don't smash open the cabinets for whatever reason.

By dotting its servers around Germany, Cloud&Heat believes it can save on data center facility and cooling costs. There's also a potential indirect benefit for the environment as the hot air is being put to practical use rather than carried off by a cooling system.

One wonder what happens during the summer months, though.

Additionally, because the service is only offered to buildings in Germany the company can claim all data is stored within the borders ie: not the US and NSA and servers can be maintained and audited.

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Cold? Cuddle these HOT GERMAN RACKS, yours for only 12,000 euro we swear there's an IT angle

Robert Castellino has worn a lot of hats over the last 20 years he ran the ski-racing program at Eldora in the early 80s, worked in telecommunications, founded his own greeting card company, supported adolescents as a youth minister and, as a lifelong photographer, has authored five photographic story and guide books about Boulder, Denver and Colorado at large.

Now hes donned another hat environmental activist.

Ive always had a passion for the environment and the books Ive written in the past have always had a component about the ecology of commerce and our place in relationship to nature in Colorado, Castellino says. Nature has always driven my experience in Colorado and everything I know about the land and how it defines us. So thats been at the core of my passion as a photographer, being in touch with nature, the land, the diversity of the landscape and the people in it, how we celebrate it in our everyday lives. Thats why so many of us come here, to be connected with the outdoors and enjoy this amazing lifestyle we have.

A little more than two years ago, Castellino decided he needed to take action to save the natural beauty that has inspired him throughout his life. On Nov. 15 and 16, the result of Castellinos decision will culminate in the Colorado Climate Summit, a conference that Castellino says will move attendees past the conversation about the global climate crisis and toward solving the problem.

There will be some of the usual conference trappings keynote speakers will kickoff the event: Alison Holloran, executive director at Audubon Rockies; Mario Molina, strategist and department director with the Climate Reality Projects Climate Leadership Corps; and Coreina Chan, manager in the Rocky Mountain Institutes buildings practice division.

But after a series of presentations with experts, the conference will get hands-on. Attendees will break out into teams, based on geography and expertise, and work with presenters to solve a series of real-world problems facing Coloradans, from glacial melt to drought to beetle kill to fire, in hopes of not only addressing the ecological effects but the economic bearing as well.

Here is the major deal the Switch 2020 contract, says Castellino. We are requesting that every person who participates ... sign their own contract, a checklist based on how far down the road they are, what they are going to do to make the switch to renewable energy by 2020 and reduce their water footprint by 50 percent by 2025. Accountability is part of the process.

Castellino says even those who cant attend the summit will still be able to create their own Switch 2020 contract by reaching out to summit participants who live near them. Castellino plans to work with other summit organizers to create an online map of participants, allowing people around the state to find someone in their community who can share the knowledge they gleaned from the conference.

That notion of community is the driver here, says Castellino. How can we reach 64 counties and make a difference on the ground there are seven regions in our state and we have different cultural interests based on where we live in Colorado. How can we reach out across these cultural barriers, geographically and demographically, bringing together people who arent just activists but who are doing things?

Castellino says that diversity is key to addressing the climate change crisis, and hes got the numbers to back up that belief. Census data shows that Latinos make up approximately 21 percent of the states population, and according to projections from the State Demography Office, Latinos will make up one-third of Colorados population by 2040. To address the states fastest growing demographic, the Colorado Climate Summit partnered with the Americas Latino Eco-Festival. ALEF Executive Director Irene Vilar will present at the summit.

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Less talk, more action

(11/12/14) - As the temperatures are cooling down, furnaces are heating up.

We want you to keep you and your family safe, and warm this winter. Here's some helpful safety tips from Consumer's Energy.

1. Furnaces should be inspected once a year using a qualified appliance service/heating and cooling professional.

2. Change air filters at least every other month (more often when pets are in the home) during the heating season.

3. Weather permitting, perform a visual inspection of the chimney and vent pipes to make sure they are free of obstructions such as leaves and nests.

4. Never use gas stoves or charcoal grills to heat homes. These appliances can produce dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide when used improperly.

5. Never leave a supplemental heater or fireplace unattended. Keep clothing, papers and other flammable items well away from gas appliances and supplemental heaters.

6. When using generators, make sure they are connected by a licensed electrician and only operated where there is adequate ventilation. Never use a generator in basement, enclosed garage, breezeway or near air intakes.

7. Install an audible carbon monoxide alarm that will sound if dangerous levels of carbon monoxide are present in a home or building.

Carbon monoxide is known as the "silent killer." According to Consumer's it's a tasteless, odorless, invisible gas "caused by the incomplete combustion of fuels like oil, propane, natural gas, coal, wood, kerosene, gasoline, diesel fuel and charcoal." Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, nausea, fatigue or dizziness.

See more here:
Safety tips for heating your home this winter

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

Those who work at the Veterans Outreach Center in Utica strive to serve and honor local service members not just one day out of the year, but every day. Cara Thomas reports about their latest renovations and projects to come.

UTICA, N.Y. -- Food and shelter are two basic necessities that many veterans unfortunately don't have, that's where the Veteran's Outreach Center of Utica steps in.

"We have a full donation room, full food pantry. We have case management services, Internet cafe for veterans and their family members," said Executive Director Vincent Scalise.

Since the veterans center opened in 2009, employees have been making improvements to the building and expanding their services little by little.

Over the past year, they've done renovations throughout the building, including on the sub-level where they're making space for the new Utica Community Food Bank.

"That construction is almost complete. We did major improvements to the first floor with the class rooms, the heating and cooling systems," said Scalise.

The Veterans Outreach Center also has plans to transform their three upper floors into emergency housing. But construction for that can't happen just yet.

"We're going to be putting on a new roof, come the spring. We almost have all the funds secured that we need for that so we're moving forward," Scalise said.

In terms of new services, starting January 15, veterans will be able to receive free legal services. Syracuse University's College of Law is opening New York's first veteran's legal clinic. Utica will be one of their satellite locations.

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Veterans Outreach Center Eyes Free Legal Services, Emergency Housing

You never know when you might have to repair or install your own water heater. In case such an event does occur one must be prepared to do so. Listed below are some useful tips which help you to effectively repair or install your water heater.

When you are going to install a water heater, the first thing that you need to check is whether the appliance is the right one for you. A water heater may be an electric heater or a gas-fuelled one. A gas-fuelled heater is relatively cheaper to operate. But, this may vary depending upon the location of your house. Moreover, if your house does not have a gas connection, then an electric heater is the only available option.

The next thing that you will have to check is the plumbing in the house. The pipes meant for the hot water and the cold water will have to match the dimensions of the water heater. If it does not match then the necessary arrangements need to be made before the installation of the heater can be carried out.

Now when it comes to the actual installation process, one must be very careful to ensure that all the electric or gas utility attachments are switched off. Once that is done, the tank holding the hot water can be drained off in order to connect the necessary pipes for the heater.

Once you have finished draining the old unit, you are ready to install the new one. Install any of the additional fittings that have been provided with the unit. The next step should be to connect the water pipes and the gas pipes and ensure that all the connections have been made correctly. You need to make sure that the gas is let out of the house properly. Once the connections have been completed properly you can safely install the water heater.

It might be a good idea to insulate the unit before you use it. It is a long term advantage as it will help in reducing undue incurring of costs and time.

Water Heaters Repair

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Water Heaters Repair and Installation | Cooling And Heating

(BPT) - A remodeling project is one of the most invigorating lifestyle changes a homeowner can make. However, trusting a contractor with both your home and your money can feel overwhelming. Spare your time, money and sanity by following these steps for choosing the best remodeling contractor:

1. Decide what you want out of your newly remodeled home. Start thinking about goals, amenities and a rough timeline, making sure you can clearly articulate your ideas to a contractor. Idea centers, such asHouzz or the James Hardie Photo Showcase, can serve as inspiration for kick-starting your remodeling project. This phase is also ideal for researching sustainable building products. By using green products, homeowners save money on heating and cooling costs, and builders can decrease constructions carbon footprint.

2. Ask for advice. Youre not the first person to remodel your home, so dont go through the process alone. Talk to friends, relatives, neighbors and coworkers about their remodeling experiences. In addition to collecting referrals, ask targeted questions about how those contractors communicated throughout the process and mitigated any setbacks. If you know a building inspector, ask which contractors regularly meet code requirements.

3. Research and contact businesses. Start gathering information on your referrals and local prospects by visiting their websites or making phone calls. Make sure these remodeling contractors have the required licenses, liability insurance and ability to obtain local permits for your project. Most will also tell you if they belong to a professional association such as theNational Association of the Remodeling Industry or National Association of Homebuilders. For exterior remodeling, theJames Hardie Building Products website includes a contractor locator tool homeowners can use to search for reputable contractors. TheBetter Business Bureau also issues warnings about those that might not be trustworthy. Through your research, select three to five potential contractors.

4. Set up meetings with contractors. After identifying your top candidates, schedule face-to-face meetings with each to discuss your project. Ask questions and make sure communication is fluid and straight-forward. How many projects does the contractor handle at one time? Are his or her past projects similar in scope to yours? More of these questions can be found at theJames Hardie Hire a Pro resource center. If you find a particular meeting goes especially well, ask for references and a bid on your project.

5. Compare bids and references. Think of this step as putting the finishing touches on your selection process. When contacting references, ask them to rate their satisfaction with the project. Did the contractor meet time and budget requirements? As soon as the bids come in, look at the cost breakdown of labor and building materials. The best contractor is not always the cheapest. Nows the time to find out if a contractor uses the best quality products that meet your budget. For instance, does he or she installfiber cement siding on home exteriors, or, opt for the cheaper, less durable vinyl siding? Make sure contractors are choosing long-lasting products that will stand the test of time.

6. Choose your contractor and sign a contract. With all of your research on hand, select the best contractor for your project. After confirming with the contractor, draw up a contract that includes a description of the work, products to be used, cost and completion dates and let the project begin.

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6 steps for choosing the best remodeling contractor

Plants grow around the Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park's Education Center, and soon they'll be growing atop it, too.

Installation of the first phase of a green roof began Wednesday on the building at 1501 W. Sixth St. If the last of the necessary funding comes through, the project could be completed next week. Officials said the new roof is educational, economically beneficial and environmentally friendly.

"It was just too cool a project to let go by," said Dave Skellie, coastal land use specialist with Pennsylvania Sea Grant.

He prepared a grant application on Erie's behalf for the green roof on the Education Center, which is owned by the city and maintained by L.E.A.F.

Skellie and L.E.A.F. Director Charlotte Mashyna said hundreds of trays of soil pre-planted with sedums were being hoisted onto the roof, covering an area a little more than 2,000 square feet.

The green roof will retain stormwater and reduce the amount flowing into Cascade Creek, which runs through the park. Additionally, water that does flow from the roof will have been filtered naturally through the plants and soil, improving the quality of the stormwater that moves on to Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie.

"We're very environmentally conscious, and it is an environmentally good thing to do," Mashyna said.

The project also is expected to extend the life of the building's roof, and having plants growing there will reduce energy bills.

"They do help with the heating in winter and the cooling in summer," Skellie said.

Mashyna said the roof also is an educational project, showing the community an alternative for keeping water clean and heating and cooling costs down. Information about the green roof will be shared through public workshops and programs for students.

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Green roof planted atop L.E.A.F. building in Erie

Augusta, Ga. (PRWEB) November 04, 2014

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett recently signed a law allowing low speed vehicles (LSVs) on roadways with posted speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less. LSVs are also known as neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs).

This is great news for Pennsylvanians who want to reduce their carbon output and cut their transportation costs, says Mary A. Sicard, consumer marketing manager at Club Car, the manufacturer of the Villager LSV.

Villager LSVs do not use carbon fuel, and they create no carbon monoxide. They get up to 30 miles to a six-hour charge and cost just pennies per day to operate.

Enjoy the Ride of Your Life

The nimble Villager LSV makes it easy for drivers to stop at shops, restaurants and to chat with friends. They foster social interaction and integrate shopping and dining into the fabric of life. They are also easy to park.

Residents of gated, retirement, urban, college and military communities are using their Villager LSVs for neighborhood transportation, shopping, dropping kids off at school, going out to dinner, zipping to the gym or just cruising, Sicard says.

With more than 75 percent of all American vehicle trips coming in at 10 miles or less, these jaunts -- and the savings -- add up quickly.

What is an LVS?

Unlike golf cars, LSVs are classified as motor vehicles and regulated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. LSVs must have vehicle identification numbers and be titled, licensed and insured. Only licensed drivers may operate them.

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Club Car Welcomes Pennsylvania Law Allowing Low Speed Vehicles (LSVs) on Roads with Speed Limits of 35 mph or Less