In todays economy, people are trying to save some green by going green. Rob Rutherford, the president and co-owner of Nelson Homes, located in Arrington, is trying to help his clients do that by offering numerous options to become more energy efficient.

Each of the homes available through Nelson Homes is energy-star certified, a government-backed certification promoting energy efficiency. In order to be certified energy star, the home must be 20 to 30 percent more efficient than a standard home. Some of the things Rutherford offers in addition to the standard energy star appliances and better insulation are geothermal and solar technology.

Were trying to set ourselves apart in the industry, Rutherford said. We want to be the energy experts.

Nelson Homes, a 15-employee operation, sells different types of homes, but specializes in modular homes. The average Nelson Homes home sells between $180,000 and $220,000, including the installation. Nelson Homes has sold more than 400 homes around Virginia since it opened in late 2000. Four other companies branched out of Nelson Homes and include another sale site in Rustburg.

Rutherford committed to being an energy star home builder in 2007. This year, he committed to being a 100 percent energy star home builder.

Since 2007, Nelson Homes has built 39 Energy Star homes, 22 of them in the Lynchburg area with 21 certified in the past 12 months, the most for the area. The next highest is Long Meadows Inc. with 19 total homes, 16 of which are in Lynchburg and three of which were certified in the past 12 months.

One of the things Nelson Homes focuses on is improving the insulation to help keep heating and cooling costs low. Some of their methods are draft-stopping caulk and foam, a wrapped crawl space to prevent heat transfer in and out of the home through the floor, and thicker walls. The walls are made with two-by-six framing, instead of the usual two-by-four.

A tight, well insulated house thats the biggest bang for the buck, he said. About 29 percent of an annual energy bill for a single home is spent on heating and 17 percent on cooling, which are both affected by a homes insulation, Rutherford said.

Alternative technology, like solar electric panels to harvest and store electricity and solar thermal to heat water, are also available to lower energy costs.

People can also install geothermal technology, something Nelson Homes has recently begun pushing. Geothermal systems use consistent underground temperatures to help heat and cool a house. Geothermal usually saves between 40 to 70 percent on home heating and 20 to 50 percent on home cooling, according to Nelson Homes website.

Excerpt from:
Nelson Homes pushing 'green'

Gilbert, Arizona (PRWEB) June 27, 2012

The Heat Is On And Its A/C Time!

Summer has arrived and A/C units are working overtime. As a homeowner the responsibility of having your comfort A/C system serviced and maintained is an important factor in assuring the longevity of that system and in keeping your home cool when the summer temps sizzle.

A/C Basics

Comfort air conditioning systems are designed to help keep people comfortable and to also provide healthy air quality. A complete air conditioning system is capable of adding and removing heat and moisture and of filtering and removing airborne substances, such as dust, allergens, and indoor pollutants from the space to be conditioned. When designing an air conditioning system, dehumidification and air flow are important factors to be considered in addition to temperature control.

A/C Maintenance

Properly maintaining air conditioning equipment is the best way to preserve your existing A/C system and to hedge your bet against expensive future repairs. A well maintained air conditioner will fail less frequently and will use less power and save you money. Be sure to have youre A/C system serviced no less than once a year, and in high dust areas a more frequent A/C serving may be required. Change your filter every month and make sure it fits tightly in the filter frame. If filters dont fit tightly then apply foam tape that can be found at local hardware store to the inside of the frame to assure a snug fit and to prevent dust and dirt from bypassing the filter.

A/C Repair

A/C Repairs can be expensive, and they can be repetitive. Air Conditioning units are machines and machines have a definite life expectancy. Wear and tear from operation under adverse conditions such as high ambient temperatures, dirty power supply, and transient voltage spikes from lightning storms and power company equipment failures can dramatically shorten the life of youre A/C unit, by causing damage to components and pushing the cost toward economic obsolescence.

A/C Replacement

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Air Conditioning Service Tips For The Homeowner! A/C Comfort 101

The options for sustainable energy in the home are growing beyond solar panels.

Diana Maneta, executive director of the Montana Renewable Energy Association, answered some of our questions about other large and small options. Her answers are edited for length.

What are some of the other options for homeowners beyond solar panels?

There are a few good options:

There is solar thermal for water heating. With a solar water heater, you will have a panel on your house with coils with nontoxic antifreeze, and the heat obtained from the sun heats the coils. You would still need another source of water heating as a backup.

There are small wind systems. Here in Missoula, wind is not a great resource. In other places in the state, where it is very windy, it makes sense to get a small wind system installed. You also need enough space at least an acre and you need to consult local zoning ordinances.

And ground-source heat pumps. These are taking advantage of the fact that a few feet below us, the ground maintains a much more constant temperature. You dig trenches and lay coils a few feet down in your yard. Theyve got this kind of antifreeze coolant running through them, and the ground being warmer than the air, it will transfer the heat into the coils. And its the opposite in the winter.

Theres micro hydropower. Rather than damming a river, you just divert some water from the river or stream, and that water runs through a turbine and produces electricity. This is only available to people with running water on their property, and it should have at least a 10-foot drop. You would also need to have the rights to use the water.

What are some small changes homeowners can make that will save money and make their houses more sustainable?

What we always tell people is before you even think of installing renewable energy, consider conservation and efficiency. There are some simple steps that will save you money and are good for the environment. And if you do decide to install a renewable energy system, you will be able to install a smaller one.

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The benefits of sustainable energy: Little things such as caulking, weather stripping and insulating home can save money

Making a few easy changes around the house can mean substantial savings. Here are sixsimple fixes we found courtesy of Real Simple.

1. Seal sneaky leaks. Seal electrical outlets in the exterior walls of your house. Foam insulating gaskets act as a barrier so conditioned air stays in, rather than leaking out. Just unscrew the outlet cover, install the gasket, and replace the cover.

2. Go with the flow. Install a high-performance showerhead. This uses 1 gallons of water per minuterather than 2 gallons. By switching, a family of four (each person taking daily 10-minute showers) could save about $88 a year on water and energy costs with gas water heating and $135 a year with electric, according to figures from the DOE Federal Energy Management Program.

3. Swap out bulbs. Replace incandescent bulbs with CFLs (compact fluorescent lightbulbs). A $10 CFL uses about a quarter of the wattage of an incandescent bulb, which amounts to more than $30 in savings per replaced bulb over the lifetime of the CFL.

4. Wash clothes in cold water. You may already know that this saves energy, but do you know how much? "Up to 90 percent of the cost of washing clothes comes from heating the water, so use hot water only for very dirty clothes," says Adam Gottlieb of the California Energy Commission. Another tip: "Match the water level to the amount of clothes, or wait to wash full loads," suggests Clement. "The water savings can be enormous."

5. Close (or open) your blinds. Leave blinds down on south- and west-facing windows on hot summer days to keep your space cool. "This prevents the sun from warming your home and making your cooling system work harder," says Clement. "In winter, leave blinds up to allow the sun to help heat your home."

6. Upgrade your heating (and cooling) system. Install (and properly program) a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat costs $50 to $80, is easy to install, and can save about $180 a year. You can shave 2 percent off your heating (or cooling) bill for each degree you lower (or raise) the thermostat for at least eight hours a day while you're away from home or asleep.

For more ways to cut your energy bill, click here.

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6 simple energy-saving home fixes

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BISBEE City buildings will be getting some insulation to help cut heating and cooling bills at city hall, public works and the library thanks to an $11,936grant.

Andy Haratyk, operations manager of Public Works, explained that the state called the city and said there was some money left in the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant pot from the governorsoffice.

The city was granted money from a previous EECBG to provide new double-pane windows for city hall to save on heating and coolingbills.

They were so impressed with us and the good work weve done weve sort of become a poster child for our handling of this grant, addedHaratyk.

He was asked if there was any additional energy conservation work that the city could do and he indicated there was. The money from this grant, which requires no city match of dollars, will add insulation to city hall, the public works building and the Copper Queen Library, according to the grantapplication.

Wasting no time, public works immediately put the project out to bid and the council awarded Arizona Comfort Systems the contract to install the insulation for $10,934. The company will use a natural blend of cellulose and fiber insulation. The company also agreed to repair a few holes in one of the ceilings at cityhall.

The truth in taxation hearing was held as required by law raising the property tax from $2.0363 to $2.1577 per $100 of assessed value that will generate an additional $27,857 for the general fund. The raise was necessary to make up for the $1 million loss in city property values as determined by the county Assessors Office, explained city Finance Director DeeFlanagan.

No one from the public offered an opinion during the publichearing.

The council unanimously approved the 2012/2013 budget of $24,869,653, again with no publicinput.

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Grant to help cut costs to cool, heat Bisbee City Hall

MENDOTA - The Mendota Civic Center will finally be getting a new roof after the Mendota City Council approved a bid at its June 18 regular meeting.

The faulty shingles on the Civic Center will be torn off and replaced with a metal roof, with the work being done by Wiesbrook Sheet Metal of Plainfield. The council approved the bid not to exceed $242,000.

That business was handled under Alderman Walt Weiland's report. In other action from his report, the council approved an ordinance to update information in regard to bulk water sales by the city.

Alderman Bill Hunt reported that the Mendota Chamber of Commerce made a request to the city for a donation to help with expenses for the Fourth of July fireworks. The council agreed to donate $1,500, the same as it did last year.

Another donation request, this one from the Tri-County Fair Association, was also approved in the amount of $500.

The council amended the wage ordinance passed at the last meeting in regard to pay raises for the fire chief and assistant fire chief. The fire chief will get a $1,500 raise over last year and the assistant chief a $600 raise.

In action from Alderman Randy Morris's report, the council approved a bid of $7,300 from Walter Bros. Plumbing, Heating and Cooling to install a heating ventilation and air conditioning system at 700 Illinois Ave.

Under Alderman Justin Setchell's report, the council agreed to issue a plumber's license to Arturo Escatel and a forestry license to Do It All Service.

Alderman Jim Fitzpatrick informed the council of a request to use Snyder's Grove for a wedding on July 7, which was approved by the full council.

For the complete article see the 06-20-2012 issue.

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Council OKs bid for new civic center roof

It would be a shame to spend $15,000 on a new heat pump only to find out that it's not operating efficiently because it wasn't installed correctly. Or that the air you paid to condition was seeping into your attic or crawl space, instead of heating or cooling your living room.

These are the kind of mishaps that hiring contractors trained by the regional Performance Tested Comfort System program can help you avoid.

The program, administered by the Bonneville Power Administration, trains and certifies heating contractors to install heat pumps to the highest standards so that the units deliver the greatest energy savings and comfort possible.

"There are a lot of different things about heat pumps that need to be done correctly to be as efficient as the manufacturer says it is," said Stephanie Vasquez, PTCS program manager for BPA.

Additionally, it's important that the ductwork is tight, she said.

"A lot of times, the ductwork is put together in a way so that air is coming out of cracks and holes all over the place, heating the crawl space or attic instead of the rooms," Vasquez said. "It can waste up to 30 percent of the energy used by the unit."

PTCS provides step-by-step support to contractors to ensure that your new heat pump has been commissioned and configured to deliver conditioned air to its greatest potential.

That's why homeowners should look for contractors certified by the PTCS program, Vasquez said. Plus, if you want to take advantage of Clark Public Utilities' $500 rebates for installing a new energy-efficient heat pump or sealing ducts, hiring a PTCS-certified technician is a requirement. The utility offers a list of contractors who have received the PTCS training and certification.

Contractors certified by the program install heat pumps to standards higher than current building codes so that the units will perform well and have a long life -- and so you can avoid the need for backup heat.

According to BPA's website, a PTCS-certified technician will:

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Energy Adviser: Training helps avoid mishaps on heat pumps

13-06-2012 05:51 Contact us : Call us now : 720-366-1512 Website : Meiers Mechanical (M and M Heating & Air-conditioning) has been in business for over 14 years and is family owned and operated in Longmont, Colorado. We specialize in Furnace Installation, Furnace Repair, Air Conditioning Installation, Air Conditioning Repair. We service all brands, including Trane and Carrier. We install and service furnaces, A units humidifiers and all over HVAC components for Longmont, Boulder, Erie, Broomfield, Loveland, Lyons, Frederick, Johnstown and Fort Collins. We also offer 24/7 emergency service. Call us today!

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M and M Heating and Air Conditioning - work concept - Video

Naples City Council is expected to consider a $120,000 contract to design a new heating, ventilation and cooling system for city hall during its regular meeting today.

Council's approval would appropriate $110,605 from the general fund contingency toward the contract with Matern Professional Engineering, Inc. of Maitland Fla, north of Orlando.

The need for a new air conditioning system first came up Monday at a meeting addressing the city's annual capital improvement plan program. The entire system will cost about $620,000 to design and build, staff estimated.

The existing system has slowly failed to cool the more than 35-year-old building where some offices bake in 85 degree heat in the summer months.

At Monday's meeting, Community Services Director Dave Lykins said the city has tried to repair the system over the years but a total replacement is now necessary.

Councilman Gary Price wants to discuss an investment with such a high price tag on a building built in the 1970s.

"We don't know what the state of the building is," he said, adding that he hopes it has as many years left in it as a new air conditioner would.

"It's a large number to be confronted with," he said of the price. "I don't think staff did anything wrong. ... I think it's prudent to get some professionals in there to tell us what's wrong and what we're fixing."

Downtown apartment decision

Council is expected to decide whether or not to allow a downtown architect to add a small apartment onto the side of an existing gallery and office space.

Excerpt from:
Naples council to consider $120,000 contract for new city hall AC system

AUBURNDALE, Fla. - Saving money on electric bills just got a lot easier for homeowners interested in adding insulation to their attic and reducing their home's heating and cooling costs.

Attic Armor insulation from Fi-Foil Company, a product designed using advanced Gas Filled Panel (GFP) insulation technology, combines insulation R-value with radiant barrier performance to provide an easy to install do-it-yourself project.

GFP Insulation Technology was developed using the same proven technology used in low-e, argon gas-filled, double-paned and triple-paned windows. Attic Armor consists of multiple, honeycombed layers of thin, low-e metalized aluminum. These baffled polymer chambers are enveloped by a sealed barrier and filled with either air or a variety of inert gasses.

Fi-Foil has packaged the product for retail centers that do not have the room for bulky fiberglass or foam packaging. Attic Armor is packaged in 48 square foot boxes in two SKUs. The boxes are only 12" x 6" x 18" or 26". Two boxes easily fit in a shopping cart and will insulate a 10' x 10' room.

Fi-Foil licensed this GFP technology and perfected the manufacturing process for large-scale production. The company now holds the exclusive licensing rights to GFP technology for use in residential and commercial building applications.

GFP thermal insulation technology was funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, and developed by researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Attic Armor for residential installations and GFP Insulation(TM) for commercial applications utilize an advanced insulation technology. Attic Armor was named product of the year at the Global Insulation Conference & Exhibition held in Toronto during September 2011.

These sealed exterior aluminum foil barrier films provide thermal resistance, flammability protection, and properties to contain air or a low-conductivity inert

gas. GFP Insulation incorporates an advanced design and specially formulated components to effectively address the three methods of heat transfer: radiation, conduction and convection.

In addition to unique thermal characteristics, GFP Insulation is fiber-free, does not off-gas. It is mold resistant and will not absorb moisture, is packaged flat and expanded for installation, lightweight and easy to transport and install, and meets LEED and other Green Building Rating System requirements.

For further details, call Fi-Foil Company, Inc. at 1-800-448-3401, email info@fifoil.com, or visit http://www.gfpinsulation.com.

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Fi-Foil's New Award-Winning GFP Attic Armor Insulation for D.I.Y.