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    Tone on Tuesday: On Solar Water Heating – Architecture and Design - September 9, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    In the early 1950s, two countries led the world in the development of solar hot water heater systems (SHWS): Israel and Australia.

    Based on technology pioneered in California and Florida in the 20s both countries were developing integrated tank models: water is heated pipes in 2-3 sqm of dark copper plates behind glass (the absorber), that then flows to and from a tank mounted horizontally above the absorber.

    As water in the absorber is heated by the sun it rises up the sloping panel into the tank, at the same time drawing down cold water into the bottom of the panel to be heated; a closed loop or thermosiphon. Simple and self-regulating, easy to manufacture, at first it appears a very elegant solution, and given the plentiful sunshine in both countries it seemed a no-brainer that this technology would be widely developed and implemented.

    Fast forward 70 years: in Israel there is hardly a building that doesnt have some form of SHWS; in Australia less than 5 percent of houses have one. The big question is: if both countries started out with the same enthusiasm, technology and access to sun, why did Australia fail?

    The answer is usually believed to be twofold: cheap energy and no incentives. Energy in Australia was cheap for ages, and a SHWS expensive (relative to an electric or gas storage heater). Payback periods of 6 to 8 years were considered too long; a really stupid argument, since no-one asks the payback period of a stone benchtop over laminate or a big window over a small one. Nevermind that a SHWS will continue to save money for decades, which the bench and window wont.

    Another reason was a lack of government regulations or incentives to install a SHWS (as had been in Israel since the 70s). The few rebates eventually introduced were state or council-based, periodic and without mandatory installation requirements. No national co-ordination, confused information and poorly promoted (need we add that over 70 years the conservative LNP has been in power for twice the time of the ALP).

    But the real failure, rarely acknowledged, was design: an integrated tank style SHWS is ugly, ungainly and difficult to install. The elegant idea of the original design was more than offset by the eventual clunkiness in appearance and the clumsiness of installation: great theory, terrible practice.No manufacturer made an effort to visually integrate a SHWS onto Australian roofs, rather the tanks were finished in bright aluminium or polished stainless steel, not coloured to match the roof. And adding insult to injury the manufacturers splashed garish signs across the entire tank; no other household product had this aggressive, not to say offensive, branding.

    Add to this the impracticality of installation: north-facing roofs required just structural reinforcement, but any other direction needed extra structure AND a separate frame, uglier than the SHWS itself. The increasingly popular two storey houses also needed the SHWS craned in.In any event the plumber had to install multiple fixings to fix the panels and tank in place, and several penetrations for the hot and cold-water pipes and the booster connections. All this on our preferred terracotta or concrete tiles, getting more brittle with age, not to mention being on those fragile tiles for maintenance. Two generations of plumbers, the most expensive sub-contractor on site, became inured to the attractions of the SHWS.

    Some Councils -like the then Leichhardt in Sydney - had a policy mandating a SHWS but prohibited them being visible from the street. This highlighted the contradiction facing homeowners: they wanted to be eco-conscious, but so difficult were the issues of aesthetics, efficiencies, approvals, frames and overshadowing they preferred not to install a system.But wait, theres more: in cold or frost-prone conditions the water can freeze and burst the absorber. The solutions, using a separate circuit of liquid with an antifreeze agent, or pumping warm water through on cold nights, increased the initial price and created other problems of failure. Hailstorms, common in coastal Australian cities (more than the Middle East) can wreck the panels laminated or tempered glass.

    One of the most vexing problems was the booster: using electricity or gas in cloudy or rainy conditions. The booster wouldnt know when the sun was about to come out, or when the users were about to use the water, so the system defaulted to use energy to heat the water overnight in case there was early morning demand for hot water. Early morning sunshine (or owners showering late) meant the solar input would be wasted in a pre-heated tank. A later solution was to use instantaneous gas to heat only the water that was not hot enough.

    Early issues were eventually resolved, but the design never suited Australian houses and conditions, and the public resisted installing them, so the potential for mass production to reduce prices was never achieved. Even more amazing, the manufacturers persisted with this design for over 40 years, spending more time seeking government rebates than looking at the design failures.Fortunately, two changes in technology improved the situation. About 20 years ago a better absorber, using evacuated tubes, that worked on a wider range of roof angles and orientations became common. The panels were still vulnerable to hail, but more efficient to eliminate the need for a bulky frame. Equally important, the tank was now separate from the panels, located on the ground and connected by a pump, where it was more easily installed and maintained, and where instantaneous gas boost could be connected.

    More recently there has been an even more radical change. Hot water can now be produced by a heat pump motor. Like an AC set to heat, they are super-efficient: every kWh of energy input pumps out 4 kWh of heat (a coefficient of performance, or COP, of 4). Now if we add a PV panel system, then the energy for the heat pump, and thus the hot water, comes for free.

    Technically this is a solar water heater but more efficient than the traditional types, particularly if the heat pump is set to run when the sun is out and the PVs are working, and the back-up has a COP of 4 when its not. The installation is easier: the tank and pump are on the ground near the kitchen / bathrooms, and the PVs are more easily fixed and hail resistant than the older hydronic glass panels.

    Despite 70 years of innovation water heating still produces as much greenhouse gas in Australian houses as the AC we have been discussing in recent weeks. Ten years ago, when I first wrote some of this critique in Architectural Review Australia, I called for more SHWS, saying:

    Australia needs a coherent program to promote solar water heating for 95% of its dwellings, particularly in widespread suburbia that has access to sunlight on almost every roof. Ten years from now, travellers arriving by plane should remark on three things: the red terracotta roofs on the houses, the blue swimming pools and the black solar water heaters that are offsetting the energy demands of the former two.

    The sentiment hasnt changed, just the technology to deliver it has: the black that I so ardently wanted is now PV panels on 2.2 million homes; it needs to be linked to heat pump hot water systems, storing energy in hot water, and then the last old-style SHWS can be taken down and consigned to the Powerhouse Museum.

    Tone Wheeler is principal architect at Environa Studio, Adjunct Professor at UNSW and is President of the Australian Architecture Association. The views expressed here are solely those of the author and are not held or endorsed by A+D, the AAA or UNSW. Tone does not read Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or Linked In. Sanity is preserved by reading and replying only to comments addressed to [emailprotected].

    Original post:
    Tone on Tuesday: On Solar Water Heating - Architecture and Design

    13 Best Home Improvement Projects To Tackle This Fall – Yahoo Finance - September 9, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    A recent survey by LightStream found that despite the coronavirus pandemic, 73% of homeowners are planning to renovate this year. And these homeowners are planning to spend big money, too the survey found homeowners plan to spend an average of $11,851 on these renovations. These numbers might sound shocking in light of the financial hardships many Americans are facing due to the pandemic, but it seems the health crisis actually mightbe the reason so many are so motivated to renovate.

    As a result of COVID-19 shutdowns that closed offices, businesses, schools and more, self-isolation has forced Americans to take a much closer look at their homes, Todd Nelson, senior vice president of strategic partnerships at LightStream, said in a news release. Many have clearly decided that renovation remains the right move.

    If youre one of the many homeowners whos eager to update your home this fall, these are the best renovation projects to tackle.

    Last updated: Sept. 3, 2020

    Fall is the perfect time to give the exterior of your home a fresh coat of paint, saidJames Watson, marketing director at Omaha Homes For Cash, which specializes in house flips and renovations.

    Summer months are too hot and paint tends to get runny with humidity, he said. Depending on where you live, winter weather is not conducive to painting your house. Fall temperatures and the lower humidity tend to make it the perfect time to spruce up the outside of your house.

    The cost of the project will depend on the size of your home and whether you tackle it yourself.

    If you are a DIY person, you can get the job done on an average-sized house for around $1,000, and the curb appeal and wow factor alone is well worth the investment, Watson said.

    Now is the best time to prep your lawn for 2021, saidBryan Clayton,CEO and co-founder of GreenPal, which helps homeowners to find a lawn service provider.

    Aerate and overseed turf to make sure youll have a great looking lawn next year, he said. Fall is the absolute best time of year to do this as the temperatures are cool enough for the seed to germinate and get established for the following year.

    According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost to aerate a lawn is $130 and the average cost to reseed a lawn is$964.

    Clear those gutters on the roof to avoid all kinds of problems, like wood-rotting along the roofline, Clayton said. Youll be glad you did.

    Save More:Blackouts Spread Across the West These Appliances Tax the Grid the Most

    Your gutters should be cleaned one to three times annually, according to HomeAdvisor. The average cost to hire a professional to clean your gutters is $157.

    If you live in an area that experiences freezing temperatures during the winter, now is the time to winterize yourirrigation system and pool if you have one, Clayton said.

    The average cost to winterize a sprinkler system is $81, according to HomeAdvisor. If you have a pool, expect to pay between $150 and $300 for winterization, the company said.Paying for these services now could save you money in the long run.

    Failing to get this done before your first frost could cost you thousands, Clayton said.

    One of the best ways to prepare your home for the winter is to check out your roof and make sure there isnt any damage to be fixed or debris that needs to be removed, saidJesse Silkoff, founder of MyRoofingPal.

    If there is work to be done, fall is a good time to take care of it.

    If your roof needs repair, the cost of this project will depend on the scope of the work. The average roof repair cost ranges from$353 to $1,435, with a national average of $887, HomeAdvisor reports. Small roof repairs tend to cost between$150 and $400.

    When it comes to preparing your home for the winter, you want it to be draft-proof, said Andy Kolodgie, co-owner of The House Guys. It is important to check the doors, windows and chimneys for air leakage. Depending on where you discover an air leak, you should consider adding a door snake if a door has a gap, caulking windows if your windows are not sealed properly or using spray foam if there is a non-visible leak such as a dryer exhaust vent. Blocking the breeze will prevent warm air from leaking outside.

    Story continues

    Kolodgie also said to double-check any openings in your attic.

    Most people insulate the whole attic but forgo adding insulation on top of the opening to the attic, he said. Having that 9-square-foot area insulated is a worthy task to add to your winter preparation list.

    The cost of these projects ranges from $20 to $200.

    These draft-proofing methods wont add value to your home, but you will save a considerable amount in energy savings during the winter months,Kolodgie said.

    Be Prepared:How Much It Really Costs To Protect Your Home Against Natural Disasters

    Sometimes caulk just wont cut it. If your doors or windows have gotten warped, now might be a good time to replace them.

    Over time, wood can swell and not fit into the window or door frame properly, said Jen Stark, founder of the gardening and home improvement blog Happy DIY Home. When this happens, drafts come into the house and your energy bill shoots up as you try to heat the house.

    Replacing your windows costs around $175 to $700 per window, and doors cost around $600 for the national average, Stark said.

    These improvements can pay off when it comes to selling your home, she said.

    Putting in new windows and doors to seal out drafts can boost your homes value by $8,000 to $10,000, and adding new exterior doors can boost your homes value by giving your home more curb appeal, Stark said.

    It can be quite costly to install solar panel arrays to power your whole home. A cheaper alternative is to install a solar-powered water heater.

    The solar panels used for a heater are smaller, simpler to install and easier to remove during roof maintenance, Kolodgie said. This is essential to do before winter, as you dont want snow on your roof for installation.

    A solar-powered water heater including installation costs around $4,000, Kolodgie said. This will add minimal value to your home roughly $1,000 but there is a federal tax credit for solar panels and you will save money on heating.

    Replacing your HVAC filter is a small project, but a worthy one,Kolodgie said.

    These are inexpensive around $10, he said. Any amount of debris trapped in the filter will cause a decrease in airflow, creating an energy deficiency.

    Although its more costly than simply replacing your filter, if your HVAC system hasnt been cleaned in the past 15 years, consider getting it serviced this fall.

    There is a lot of dust and debris which will slow down the flow of the air and cause heat to escape in places where it is not efficient for your home, Kolodgie said. Further, doing this will also help if you are hypoallergenic.

    Servicing your HVAC will cost about $100 and could save you from an expensive repair in the winter,Kolodgie said.

    Tips:25 Tricks To Sell Your House for a Bigger Profit

    The fall is also a great time to switch over your basic thermostats to smart thermostats, Kolodgie said. You can control your heat remotely and conserve more energy while youre away from home.

    A smart thermostat such as the Google Nest or ecobee will cost you $200 and add the full value back into your home if you plan to sell before your version becomes outdated,Kolodgie said.

    This is the ideal time to convert your garage into a functional living space that works for you, said David Cusick, chief strategy officer at House Method. With remote work more popular than ever and commuting becoming a thing of the past, homeowners are also looking to add more space as they live through lockdowns and quarantines. The garage is a great place to start.

    Cusick said the cost will depend on the scope of the project. If you want to convert your garage into a full guest house with a kitchenette and bathroom, the project could cost up to $30,000. If it makes more sense for your needs to convert your garage into an office space, expect to spend around $5,000.

    This kind of project can be costly and may require regulatory checks from your local building authority, he said. However, adding this extra space could increase your homes value by 10-15%. Moreover, you can rent out the space or put it on Airbnb to start making money immediately after the projects completion.

    Find Out:What Homes Will Be Worth in Your State by the End of 2020

    The fall and winter are filled with great food and drinks in the kitchen, so why not spend some time updating your cabinets and countertops? saidChris Gold, CEO and owner of Chris Buys Homes in St. Louis.

    Not only will this project make your home more inviting for holiday guests, but it can increase the resale value of your home when its time to sell.

    As a realtor, I know how much attention is put on the kitchen cabinets when showing a house, Gold said. If they are outdated or ugly, people instantly start talking about how much money and time it will take to replace them. If they are modern and new, people get excited and rave about how much they love them.

    Gold recommends replacing cabinets and countertops, rather than just painting them, even though this is a bigger undertaking.

    Sometimes [paint] can help, but most times it honestly makes them look worse, he said.

    Gold said kitchen cabinets typically cost between $200 and $600 per linear foot, and the entire project is likely to cost between $4,000 and $6,000.

    An unfinished or underused basement can be transformed into an entertainment space for your family and now is the time to take on this project, said Romana King, real estate expert and director of content for Zolo,Canadas largest independent brokerage.

    As the days get shorter and the weather gets wetter and colder, we are all going to end up staying inside for longer and longer periods, she said. To help, homeowners should consider creating a dedicated entertainment zone such as a family room, den or multi-use playroom.

    King said a basement is often the ideal area to create this space.

    King acknowledged that this could be a major and expensive undertaking she estimated it will cost $60,000 to $70,000 but said the investment could be well worth it.

    Homeowners will have the benefit of a communal gathering space where the family can either relax or let off steam, and between 70% to 75% of the costs will be recouped with the added value to the home, she said.

    More From GOBankingRates

    This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 13 Best Home Improvement Projects To Tackle This Fall

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    13 Best Home Improvement Projects To Tackle This Fall - Yahoo Finance

    EGYPT: Start-up Shamsina develops its third version of solar water heaters – AFRIK 21 - July 5, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Shamsina improves its offer. After six years of existence, the Egyptian start-up, which specializes in manufacturing solar water heaters for disadvantaged communities, is redesigning its product. Shamsina is supported in its project by the innovation laboratory of Harvard University in the United States. The American laboratory incubated the start-up in January 2020, as part of their BuildIt programme.

    Shamsina, created by two Egyptian-American entrepreneurs Deena Mouse and Sara Mousa, is developing a new version of its solar water heater, the third in fact, and hopes that its product will be mass-produced. The start-up also plans to create a scalable company that can serve the millions of Egyptian families who currently lack the means to heat water reliably and safely. We plan to start production in the spring of 2021. We will produce our models and moulds and entrust production to an existing plant. Well be able to produce them at the speed, scale and quality we need, says Startup Shamsina.

    We will use what we describe as a cross-subsidy model which consists of selling the heaters at a normal price of about $300 (4,840 Egyptian pounds) and also at a reduced price of less than $100 (1,613 Egyptian pounds) for the poorest. Production will be subcontracted to Egyptian factories, the start-up says.

    Like the previous versions, the third version of Shamsina solar water heater will consist of two main units: a water storage unit and a solar panel. The new solar water heater technology will be installed on rooftops or other locations with long periods of direct sunlight. The heat radiation from the sun will pass through stainless steel panels to quickly heat the water. The new prototypes insulation will allow the water to stay hot longer than the first two Shamsina solar water heaters, which keep the water hot for only two to three hours. The start-up is thus innovating on traditional flat panel heating by making it more compact and better adapted to local infrastructures.

    The idea of setting up the Shamsina start-up was based on an observation. After a field survey, Sara Mousa, the CEO of the start-up noticed that almost half of Egyptian households do not have access to modern water heaters. In several unplanned areas of Cairo, the CEO also found out that families use kerosene lamps, gas tanks and fireplaces on a daily basis to heat water to meet their basic needs such as bathing, cooking and cleaning. These are alternatives, of course, but they are very dangerous because of their negative impact on the health of the population (respiratory diseases). Kerosene, gas and fires are fossil fuels. They therefore emit carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.

    The first version of the Shamsina heater was installed in 25 homes and organisations in eight governorates of Egypt. Subsequent prototypes with a capacity of 0.1 m each were built and sold for about $210 (3385 Egyptian pounds) to local families throughout Egypt. To implement this project, the start-up received support from numerous companies and organisations including Yomken, Nebny, Ruwwad and Hand Over. With the launch of Shamsinas new version of solar water heaters, several other households will also see a change in their lifestyle.

    Start-up Shamsina has received funding from Davis Projects for Peace, an initiative for all students at Davis United World College Scholars Programme schools in the United States and the American non-profit organization Synergos. The start-up is currently seeking seed funding of approximately $50,000 (806,340 Egyptian pounds).

    Ins Magoum

    Read the rest here:
    EGYPT: Start-up Shamsina develops its third version of solar water heaters - AFRIK 21

    West Branch to make the ride in smoother | News, Sports, Jobs – SalemNews.net - July 5, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    BELOIT The West Branch school board this week approved repairs to the driveway at the Beloit campus.

    The board approved a resolution to proceed with driveway repairs at the middle and high schools at a cost of $49,827. Vasco Asphalt Company will start the stand alone project immediately, with the cost to be covered by the Maintenance Fund.

    The board also approved continuation of a sports participation fee for the 2020-2021 school year. Fees will be $75 per student for unlimited sports for seventh- and eighth-grade students and $100 per student per sport for ninth- through 12th -grade students. There is a cap of $200 per student and $400 per family.

    Also at the meeting, the board accepted a dry erase board for the high school weight room valued at $860 from DFC Sports & Fitness and expressed thanks to Greg Shaheen for installing two boiler tanks and one new water heater in the district at an estimated labor cost of $1,190 and Scott Tuel, general manager of Ventra Salem, for arranging the donation of over 400 face shields.

    In other business, the board accepted the resignation of Jerry Yeagley effective Sept. 1 after 18 years with district, as well as the resignation of Starr (Fisher) Martin as family & consumer science teacher, Rebecca Zeisler as vo-ag teacher and Stephanie Ruark as guidance counselor.

    The board also approve Christy Biery as student success liaison paid with funds allocated for the Students Success and Wellness Initiative, Joseph Ginocchi as student attendance & community liaison/suspension coordinator, and Leslie Pierce as a consultant on an as needed basis for no more than 24 hours per week.

    Additionally, the board granted supplemental summer conditioning contracts for the 2020-2021 school year to Ken Harris for football, Walt DeShields for girls basketball, Michael Brown for boys basketball and Penny DeShields for volleyball; and approved a stipend for the completion of the CCIP/Federal Programs for Micki Egli, not to exceed $8,500.

    The boards next regular meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 6 at the high school.

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    West Branch to make the ride in smoother | News, Sports, Jobs - SalemNews.net

    Demolition of public housing complex where 2 died starts – Winston-Salem Journal - July 5, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    COLUMBIA, S.C. Workers are preparing to start the demolition of an 80-year-old South Carolina public housing complex where two men died from carbon monoxide poisoning from a poorly maintained heater.

    The 400 residents of Allen Benedict Court in Columbia were never allowed back into their homes after the bodies were discovered and the neighborhood evacuated in January 2019.

    Crews are installing fences around the project and will start removing asbestos, lead and other dangerous materials on Monday, the Columbia Housing Authority said in a statement.

    Officials said they hope to have heavy equipment on site to begin tearing down buildings within two weeks and have the project finished by November.

    Calvin Witherspoon Jr., 62, and Derrick Roper, 31, were found dead in separate units in the same building. Firefighters immediately checked all 244 homes in the complex and found unusually high gas levels in at least 65 units coming out of water heaters, stoves and other appliances.

    Residents were evacuated and never returned as Columbia officials determined it would be better to just tear the complex down.

    The Columbia Housing Authority was fined just under $11,000 earlier this year after pleading guilty to 24 safety violations including broken smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers as well as failing to do routine maintenance.

    Read the rest here:
    Demolition of public housing complex where 2 died starts - Winston-Salem Journal

    Ask a Firefighter: Beware the hazards of summer boating – The Westerly Sun - July 5, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Nothing says summer fun like being on a boat, but boaters, swimmers and marina staff must be aware of the unique dangers in and around the water.

    Electricity and carbon monoxide (CO) bring particular risks to the boating world. CO is a deadly gas that is odorless, colorless and tasteless. Often called the silent killer, CO is created when fuels such as gasoline, diesel, or propane do not burn fully. Another potentially silent and deadly hazard is electricity and water. Electric Shock Drowning (ESD) is the result of the passage of a typically low-level AC current through the body with sufficient force to cause skeletal muscular paralysis while immersed in water, eventually resulting in the drowning of the victim. Learning how to protect you and your family from these dangers will make your time on the water most enjoyable.

    According to the Centers for Disease Control, all carbon-fuel engines on boats, including onboard generators, produce CO. The most common symptoms of low-level CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. Higher levels of CO inhalation can cause death. CO poisoning can also cause you to pass out and fall into the water and drown. A person who is sleeping or intoxicated can die from CO poisoning before waking and realizing you have symptoms.

    Your local firefighters have a few recommendations to protect you from CO poisoning while you are on your boat. The first step to staying safe is to install CO alarms inside your boat and test the alarms before each trip. Whenever the CO alarm is activated, move to a fresh-air location right away and fully investigate the cause.

    Larger boats, such as cabin cruisers and houseboats, sometimes have generators that vent toward the rear of the boat. This venting poses a danger of CO poisoning to people on the rear swim deck or water platform. Because of this danger, it is suggested that swimmers avoid the water near rear swim decks or water platforms. Since the exhaust from a nearby vessel can send CO into the cabin and cockpit of another boat, you should always dock, beach, or anchor at least 20 feet away. Traveling at slow speeds or idling in the water can also cause CO to build up in a boats cabin, cockpit, bridge and aft deck, or even in an open area. You should always keep hatches, windows, portholes and doors free from debris so exhaust can vent freely.

    While CO may be the silent killer and present a hazard in the air and around the boat, electricity poses a silent threat in the water. Electric Shock Drowning can occur when marina electrical systems leak electrical current into the water. It is important to note that there is no visible warning or way to tell if water surrounding a boat, marina or dock is energized or within seconds will become energized with fatal levels of electricity.

    According to Electrical Safety Foundation International, ESD can occur virtually in any location where electricity is provided near water, and the majority of ESD deaths have occurred in public and private marinas and docks. The typical victim of ESD is a child swimming in or around a marina or dock where electricity is present. The electricity that enters the water and causes ESD originates from the wiring of the dock or marina, or from boats that are connected to the power supply at the marina or dock.

    In most circumstances, victims do not immediately feel electrical current when they enter or swim in the water around a marina or dock, thus giving the victims the false impression that it is safe to swim. Electricity enters the water when an electrical fault occurs aboard a boat. Often the electric fault occurring aboard the boat is intermittent. For example, the fault that places deadly current into the water may only occur when a light switch is turned on, or when a hot water heater, battery charger, air conditioning unit or other electrical device cycles on. Water can appear and feel safe and in a split second become energized with deadly electricity.

    Even though ESD is more common in fresh water, salt water is not completely risk-free. The danger of shock exists wherever there is water and electricity. Depending on the level of the electric current, you may feel tingling or lose control of your muscles, suffer from paralysis and drown. The current can also trigger a fatal heart rhythm. Remember, there is no visual warning or other clue that water may be electrified, and it doesnt take much electricity to cause drowning. In fact, as little as 2 watts can be fatal to a swimmer.

    Like many risks, there are steps you can take to prevent this horrible tragedy from happening to you or your loved ones. The best preventative measure is to never allow swimming near the boat, marina, or launching ramp. It is also a good idea to have your boats electrical system inspected annually by a certified marine electrician. Ground-fault circuit interrupters and equipment-leakage circuit interrupters should be tested monthly to ensure functionality. Only use shore power cords that are UL-Marine Listed because they are safe to use near water. Household cords are never appropriate for a boat, at a marina, or on a dock! Verify the location of your main breakers on the boat and the shore power source so that you can respond quickly in case of an emergency.

    In an emergency, disconnect the shore power at the breaker, throw a flotation device to the victim, and call 911. Remember to never jump in after someone who is experiencing ESD, because you may fall victim as well.

    Your local firefighters are a great resource for learning more about carbon monoxide prevention in your home and on your boat. For more information about Electric Shock Drowning, visit http://www.esfi.org.

    This column was written by Jane Perkins, Fire Safety Specialist for the Rhode Island Southern Firefighters League and Captain of the Watch Hill Fire Department. If you would like to see a question answered in this column, please e-mail her at askafirefighter@yahoo.com.

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    Ask a Firefighter: Beware the hazards of summer boating - The Westerly Sun

    Electric Water Heater Market Geographical Segmentation, Comprehensive Analysis to 2026 – Cole of Duty - July 5, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    The electric water heater market is slated to observe heavy growth in the coming years owing to the growing electrification rate, majorly across developing economies. Increasing investments by governments towards their infrastructural development would also add up to the overall market growth through the forecast timespan.

    Apart from these trends, increasing preference towards the implementation of energy-efficient electric appliances due to the ever-increasing electric bills would further complement industry outlook through 2026.

    Similarly, significant improvement in product performance and design would increase the deployment of electric water heaters. Additionally, strong competition among the electric water heater market counterparts would further complement its growth.

    Moreover, improvement in crucial issues including dry firing, calcium deposition, and standby heat losses would augment the product deployment. Furthermore, the development of smart water heaters with integrated AI applications and improved UI capabilities would further support product penetration across several sectors.

    Europe is known for its extreme climatic conditions, especially during winters. The region has witnessed a significant adoption of water heating technologies over the years. Regulatory norms also play a key role in the regional growth.

    The European government has introduced stringent eco-design norms as well as building standards to promote the adoption of energy-efficient electrical appliances. Europe electric water heater market is slated to witness a notable growth owing to strong product demand across both residential and commercial applications.

    In addition, product differentiation through extensive features like remote controlling, voice activation, and leakage detection is likely to encourage product deployment in coming years.

    Flexible installation and easy repair as well as maintenance of currently used electrical circuits are projected to impel product deployment in the residential sector. In addition, major market players are increasingly focusing on the forward integration of these systems and also provide customers with extensive post-sale services for their convenience.

    Moreover, availability of several capacities and designs that are suitable for a number of user demands is pushing the adoption of electric water heaters in the residential sector. The addition of novel technologies with enhanced performance would also add up to the segment growth and augment overall electric water heater market.

    All in all, increasing deployment across residential and commercial sectors, stringent government norms regarding electricity usage, growing technological advancements, and a healthy competitive landscape are overtly indicative of massive growth opportunities for the electric water heater market.

    Some of the major market players contributing to the overall market growth include Rinnai, Bosch, Bradford, A.O Smith, and Rheem Manufacturing among others.

    Some Points From Table Of Content:

    Chapter 4 Electric Water Heater Market, By Product

    4.1 Electric water heater industry share by product, 2019 & 2026

    4.2 Instant

    4.2.1 Global market from instant, 2015 2026

    4.2.2 Global market from instant, by region, 2015 2026

    4.3 Storage

    4.3.1 Global market from storage, 2015 2026

    4.3.2 Global market from storage, by region, 2015 2026

    Chapter 5 Electric Water Heater Market, By Capacity

    5.1 Electric water heater industry share by capacity, 2019 & 2026

    5.2 <30 Liters

    5.2.1 Global market from <30 liters, 2015 2026

    5.2.2 Global market from <30 liters, by region, 2015 2026

    5.3 30-100 liters

    5.3.1 Global market from 30-100 liters, 2015 2026

    5.3.2 Global market from 30-100 liters, by region, 2015 2026

    5.4 100-250 liters

    5.4.1 Global market from 100-250 liters, 2015 2026

    5.4.2 Global market from 100-250 liters, by region, 2015 2026

    5.5 250-400 liters

    5.5.1 Global market from 250-400 liters, 2015 2026

    5.5.2 Global market from 250-400 liters, by region, 2015 2026

    5.6 >400 liters

    5.6.1 Global market from >400 liters, 2015 2026

    5.6.2 Global market from >400 liters, by region, 2015 2026

    Chapter 6 Electric Water Heater Market, By Application

    6.1 Electric water heater industry share by application, 2019 & 2026

    6.2 Residential

    6.2.1 Global market from residential, 2015 2026

    6.2.2 Global market from residential, by region, 2015 2026

    6.3 Commercial

    6.3.1 Global market from commercial, 2015 2026

    6.3.2 Global market from commercial, by region, 2015 2026

    6.3.3 College/university

    6.3.3.1 Global market from college/university, 2015 2026

    6.3.3.2 Global market from college/university, by region, 2015 2026

    6.3.4 Offices

    6.3.4.1 Global market from offices, 2015 2026

    6.3.4.2 Global market from offices, by region, 2015 2026

    6.3.5 Government/Military

    6.3.5.1 Global market from government/military, 2015 2026

    6.3.5.2 Global market from government/military, by region, 2015 2026

    6.3.6 Others

    6.3.6.1 Global market from others, 2015 2026

    6.3.6.2 Global market from others, by region, 2015 2026

    More:
    Electric Water Heater Market Geographical Segmentation, Comprehensive Analysis to 2026 - Cole of Duty

    Your next BMW might only have heated seats for 3 months – CNET - July 5, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Things are about to get weird in here.

    German luxury cars are renowned for the breadth of their options sheets. On one hand, this means you can get your next BMW 5 Series configured exactly how you want it. On the other hand, it means you'll often wind up paying for extra for seemingly basic things like, say, a spare tire. Now, BMW is raising the ante by making many car options into software services enabled whenever you want them. The disconcerting part? They can be disabled, too.

    In a VR presentation streamed from Germany today, BMW ran through a series of digital updates to its cars, including more details on the new BMW digital key service announced with Apple at last week's WWDC and confirming that current model cars will be fully software upgradeable over the air, a la Tesla. The first such update will hit BMW Operating System 7 cars in July. Packages are said to be approximately 1GB in size and will take roughly 20 minutes to install.

    But, the most notable part of the day's presentation was the new plan to turn many options into software services. BMW mentioned everything from advanced safety systems like adaptive cruise and automatic high-beams to other, more discrete options like heated seats.

    These options will be enabled via the car or the new My BMW app. While some will be permanent and assigned to the car, others will be temporary, with mentioned periods ranging from three months to three years. Some, presumably, will be permanent, but during the stream's Q&A portion BMW representatives demurred on the details.

    So, yes, you could theoretically only pay for heated seats in the colder months if you like, or perhaps save a few bucks by only enabling automatic high-beams on those seasons when the days are shortest.

    You may recall, BMW already demoed a program like this in 2018 by charging for limited-time access to Apple CarPlay. At the time I called this "next-level gouging" and I wasn't in the minority, the reaction being so negative that BMW eventually scrapped the program.

    Yet this new move basically takes that approach and brings it to another level. Imagine pressing the seat heater button only to be prompted to renew your subscription, or having to pay extra to get an engine note on your new M4 that suits your sensibilities. All this is possible -- and likely. And, frankly, ugly.

    This "vehicle as a platform" approach may indeed save some consumers money, particularly in the lease-heavy luxury sedan space where average ownership intervals are measured in months, not years. Also, this approach could open the door even further into letting consumers get exactly the specification they want, instead of bundling discrete options into packages in the name of streamlining manufacturing processes.

    However, the potential downsides are troubling, particularly when it comes to used car sales. BMW representatives indicated that upgraded features will apply to the car, not the user, but indicated that all the details on used car sales are still being worked out. Again, there are some positives here, like being able to have a better-equipped second-hand car than the original owner, but it's hard to not see this as simply another shot of revenue for BMW in a transaction that might otherwise not involve the company at all.

    Tesla recently found itself in hot water for disabling Autopilot on a used car. This is just the beginning, and how consumers react will be key, though at the end of the day this sort of thing feels inevitable. Service-based pricing is taking over everything from what we're watching tonight to what we're having for dinner. Why not what's sitting in our driveway, too?

    Link:
    Your next BMW might only have heated seats for 3 months - CNET

    So, What Exactly Is Building Electrification? – Greentech Media News - June 5, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Buildings were first electrified nearly 150 years ago. So, why is it that building electrification is now among the energy industrys most popular buzzwords?

    Most buildings run on multiple fuels. They use electricity to power lights, refrigeratorsand electronic devices. And they consumefossil fuels such as natural gas or propane to power furnaces, boilers, and water heaters.

    That persistentreliance on fossil fuels makes buildings one of the largest sources of planet-warming pollution. In the United States, buildings account for roughly 40 percent of the countrys energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, andnearly half of homesrely on natural gas as their primary heating fuel.

    Building electrification, beneficial electrification, or building decarbonization all describe shifting to use electricity rather than fossil fuels for heating and cooking. The goal of such a transition: all-electric buildings powered by solar, wind, and other sources of zero-carbon electricity.

    Heat pumps are the big one. Building electrification is an attractive alternative today because fossil-powered appliances and equipment already haveviable electric substitutes. It's just a matter of making and paying for the switch.

    Heat pumps are the enabling technology of widespread building electrification. Unlike conventional furnaces or boilers, which burn fuels to produce heat,heat pumps use electricity to send heat where its needed or remove it from where its not, much like a refrigerator. And because heat pumps can either expel heat from the indoors during the cooling season or capture heat outdoors from the ground or air and draw it indoors in winter, they offer a two-for-one benefit: heating and air-conditioning from the same equipment.

    In a fully electrified home or office, furnaces and boilers that today run on natural gas, propane, or heating oil can be replaced with ground- or air-source heat pumps. Gas-powered water heaters can be replaced with heat pump water heaters. And in the kitchen, gas-powered ovens and burners can be replaced with electric ranges and induction cooktops.

    Heat pumps aremuch more efficient than the equipment they replace. Air-source heat pumps or heat pump water heaters are three to five times more energy efficient than their natural gas counterparts. And researchers are using artificial intelligence to make heat pumps even more efficient.

    Yes, and the technology keeps getting better.

    A misconception persists that heat pumps will fail in extreme cold. Not so. A recent Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) report found that cold-climate heat pumps can heat homes even when the outdoor temperature plunges to minus 12 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Maine is so confident in the performance of cold-climate heat pumps the state adopted a target to install 100,000 heat pumps by 2025.

    It is true that older models, and the models that are designed to be in Southern or Mid-Atlantic climates, do not perform as well in the super-cold temperatures we have here. But the ones were promoting perform great in those temperatures, Efficiency Maines Michael Stoddard told GTM.

    Yes, including public health and safety. A growing body of research is documenting the danger posed by indoor air pollution in homes with gas stoves.

    RMI and several environmental and public interest advocacy groups recently published a report that surveys two decades of research into the links between combustion of gas indoors for cooking and negative effects to human health. Researchers found that cooking with gas can lead to nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide levels that would violate outdoor pollution standards and that children in a home with gas cooking have a 42 percent increased risk of having asthma.

    Once restaurant chains, professional chefs, and amateur chefs at home experience cooking with electric ranges or induction cooktops, they tend to prefer the power and control and safety of all-electric cooking.

    It depends. Full electrification is typically the cheaper option in new buildings. Builders avoid the cost of installing natural gas lines and meters, and improved energy efficiency can check rising electricity bills. Another RMIreport found that new homes outfitted with electric heat pumps, a tight building envelope, and rooftop solar panels are economical even in cold-climate locales like Duluth, Minnesota.

    For existing buildings, its a bit more complicated.

    Researchfound that in many cases building owners can reduce overall energy use, lower their energy bills, and reduce emissions when replacing oil and propane furnaces, boilers, and water heaters with electric heat pumps. But consumers may pay a higher upfront cost to install air-source heat pumps or heat pump water heaters instead of gas models.

    In much of the country, rebates or other incentives are not yet available for the more efficient electric equipment. Owners of older buildings may have to pay to upgrade electrical panels, and invest in energy efficiency improvements, to accommodate full electrification.

    It appears so, but there will be some complications; grid operators must be ready for a new seasonal peak. Ongoing investment will be required in home weatherization, installation of flexible, grid-responsive heat pump water heaters, deployment of long-duration energy storage, and other measures to blunt peak electricity demand during extended cold weather events.

    Economy-wide electrification (including transportation) could increase U.S. electricity consumption by up to 38 percent by 2050, according to theNational Renewable Energy Laboratory. Overall final energy use would decline by up to 21 percent, however, because electric end use technologies are so much more efficient than equivalent fossil fuel equipment.

    In a recent paper, the Austin-based energy research organization Pecan Street found that if every single-family home in Texas was converted from natural gas to electric heating, households would save up to $452 annually on their utility bills but the states power grid would shift to a winter peak. The grid could evolve to handle this. This is not a wholesale rethinking of how the grid would have to operate, co-author Joshua Rhodes told GTM.

    Ultimately itwill come down to a combination ofpolicy push and consumer pull.

    As in many aspects of America's energy transition, California has taken a leading role on the policy side. Already, around 30 U.S. cities and counties, mostly in California, have followed Berkeleys lead in passing ordinances that either encourage or mandate all-electric buildings in new construction.

    The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is busy writing the rules for a $200 million program that will provide incentives for low-carbon space and water heating technologies in new and existing buildings. And the commission recently revised outdated rules that had made electric space and water heaters ineligible for billions of dollars in rebates under Californias ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programs.

    California regulators recently approved another $45 million for heat pump water heater incentives through 2025. New York state regulators went bigger, approving nearly a half-billion dollars in funding for heat pumps through the same year.

    Consumer awareness remains a challenge.A recent poll found that majorities of Californians were unfamiliar with heat pumps and induction cooktops, despite70 percent preferringwind and solar over natural gas to power appliances in their homes. But in jurisdictions with favorable electricity rates and incentives, such as the region served by Sacramentos municipal utility, all-electric homes are already becoming the default for new construction.

    Guidehouse Insights (formerly Navigant Research) expects global revenue for all-electric home technologies to surge fivefold to $12.9 billion by 2029,even as consumer awareness lags.

    Natural gas companies, naturally.

    An American Gas Association study concluded that policy-driven residential electrification i.e., bans on fossil fuel heating equipment would be burdensome to consumers and to the economy and result in a spike in peak electricity demand. Clean energy advocates have questioned the studys cost and emissions assumptions.

    The Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), one of the nation's largest natural gas utilities, has mobilized to thwart building electrification in the state. SoCalGas has taken heat for funding a pro-gas advocacy group, Californians for Balanced Energy Solutions (C4BES), that is working to prevent local governments from enacting all-electric building ordinances.

    In Arizona, Governor Doug Ducey (R) recently signed a bill that prohibits municipalities from enacting codes or ordinances that ban natural gas in buildings.

    Yes, but the opportunity looks fairly limited.

    Natural gas companies say that renewable natural gas captured at sewage treatment plants, dairies, and other sources of organic waste can displace natural (fossil) gas and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But even gas industry-backed studies find that renewable natural gas has the potential to replace only a small percentage of current gas consumption in California (9 percent) or nationwide (14 percent).

    A recent report (PDF) prepared for the California Energy Commission found that building electrification is likely to be a lower-cost, lower-risk long-term strategy compared to renewable natural gas.

    Sure.There'sa long listof challenges, in fact, though all could be overcome. Among them: How to finance a massive scale-up in retrofits to electrify existing buildings? What are the best ways to dispel myths about electrification for contractors (Heat pumps dont work in the cold!) and consumers (I wont give up my gas stove!)? And how to get rid of outdated regulatory barriers?

    First-movers are already showing the way see GTMs profile of one familys quest to ditch gas in their California home.

    Equity issues loom, too. Without intervention by policymakers, the first buildings to electrify will be those whose owners are most able to do so. As these buildings abandon gas, the customers who remain mayshoulder a larger share of the costs to operate and maintain the distribution system.

    Whatever the road forward, political leaders must develop long-term plans to wind down legacy fossil gas systems without leaving low-income households to pay for potentially stranded assets.

    Continued here:
    So, What Exactly Is Building Electrification? - Greentech Media News

    Solar Water Heater Market 2026 Price By Revenue, Regional Outlook And Consumption – Cole of Duty - June 5, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    An expanded market requirement of solar water heater is for the most part determined by growing awareness about different cost and the environment associated recipients of solar energy since it is green, free of cost, as well as renewal source of energy. In addition, the several backings from United Nations (UN) and government to emerging economies are driving the worldwide market for the solar water heater.

    Get Access to sample pages @ https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/sample/3267

    The proficiency level of the solar water heater shifts from a climatic area to another climatic area in view of the power of daylight. The constraint of solar water heater in cold climatic region and winters is one of the prominent constraints of the overall market. With customers preferring high-effectiveness and tankless water heater design, the makers of water heater are concentrating on upgrading their products to keep up their status in the worldwide water heater market. A tankless water heater provides space-sparing advantages and is exceedingly proficient.

    Various Government Schemes and Programs to Boost the Solar Water Heater Market

    Governments in various nations are likewise boosting the utilization of natural resources of energy, hence fuelling the requirement forsolar water heaters market.The aspect that affects the solar category is the high price of ownership from the structured market in addition to inferior quality from the un-structured market which in turn heightens the upkeep cost. With innovations going in the industry will offer the bunch of products that will be able to cater to the needs of the customers. Energy effective hybrid water heaters are additionally being produced on a vast scale by makers.

    Smart water heaters are likewise picking up status in the worldwide market for water heaters. These are outfitted with regulating and communication systems which could be carried off with the assistance of a mobile application or cell phones or even smart assistants, for example, thermostats. The majority of smart electric heaters are environment-friendly integrated with low power utilization measures. The electric water heaters are the leading market since it goes with lower maintenance and low ownership cost, thus it moreover dominates the global market in the approaching years. On the other hand, the business is moreover profited from, growing customers capability to pay for new water heaters along with the rise in the disposable income.

    Launching of green building standards and regulations to hold back greenhouse gas emissions are considered to positively influence the business setting. Technological innovation in voided tube collector figure is expected to diminish the cost as well as enhance the effectiveness of the solar thermal system would additionally further the demand for the product.

    Refurbish of social housing schemes for lower income groups is indicated to fuel the Brazil market for the solar water heater. During August 2016, the United Nation relaunched the Minha Vida, Minha Casa, a social housing scheme for lower-income families which assigned installing of solar water heaters in new buildings.China is considered to be the biggest market for the solar water heater (SWH) capturing all over half of the overall market. It is trailed by Australia, Japan and India. The Asia Pacific market has the fastest developing business sector inferable from the regions vast capability of solar power generation. In the course of recent years both China and India are contributing intensely to the advancement of solar power based appliances and solar power generation.

    Chinas Himin Solar had witnessed a lucrative market a decade ago as the worlds biggest solar water-heating company. However owing to a shift in customer preference, the sales are plummeting at present. The company reflects as an exemplar of how big Chinese groups can scramble to accommodate to their quick-shifting domestic market. A few prominent market players functioning in the Asia Pacific market for solar water heater are Genersys, EMMVEE Solar Systems, Phoneix Solar System, Nuetech Solar System, GE Co., Siemens AG, Rheem Manufacturing Co., Heat Transfer Products Inc., in addition to Rinnai Corp.

    Follow this link:
    Solar Water Heater Market 2026 Price By Revenue, Regional Outlook And Consumption - Cole of Duty

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