Preservation Green Lab's report offers affordable alternatives for homeowners seeking to save money and help the environment

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new study released today offers welcome insight for homeowners weighing the financial and energy tradeoffs between replacing or repairing older, less efficient windows. The report, "Saving Windows, Saving Money: Evaluating the Energy Performance of Window Retrofit and Replacement," was commissioned by the Preservation Green Lab and funded by The National Park Service's National Center for Preservation Technology and Training.

It analyzes decades of research about the performance of double hung windows, comparing the relative energy, carbon and cost savings of various choices in multiple cities across the United States. The report concludes that upgrading windows (specifically older, single-pane models) with exterior storm windows and insulating shades can result in substantial energy savings across a variety of climate zones.

"A number of existing window retrofit strategies come very close to delivering the energy benefits of high-performance replacement windows at a fraction of the cost," said Mark Huppert, technical director of the Preservation Green Lab. "From weather stripping and sealing, to installing exterior storm windows or interior cellular shades, almost every retrofit option offers a better return on investment than outright replacement."

These findings have important environmental and economic ramifications for consumers. Residential buildings are responsible for approximately 20 percent of total U.S. energy use and carbon dioxide emissions. Many of these buildings are single-family homes where heating and cooling represents the largest uses of energy, and where windows are an important factor in home energy efficiency. Americans spend over $17 billion annually on heating and cooling.

"Homeowners and designers who want to upgrade existing windows have many choices: from simple low cost, do-it-yourself solutions to complete replacement, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars," said David J. Brown, executive vice president and chief preservation officer of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "This report provides the context and data to help budget conscious consumers make sound decisions."

Whether you live in Boston, Chicago or Phoenix, the conclusions are nearly identical," said Kirk Cordell, the executive director of the National Center for Preservation Training and Technology. "With careful planning, it's possible to affordably increase the energy efficiency of a home or residential building without compromising its design quality or historic character."

Research support for the study was provided by Cascadia Green Building Council and Ecotope, a consultancy focused on energy efficiency and sustainability.

The full report is at http://www.preservationnation.org/saving-windows-saving-money.

About the Preservation Green Lab The Preservation Green Lab is a sustainability think tank and national leader in efforts to advance the reuse and retrofit of older and historic buildings. A project of the National Trust for Historic Preservation (www.preservationnation.org), the Green Lab was launched in 2009 and is based in Seattle, Wash.

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New Study Shows Window Retrofits Provide Significant Energy Savings at Less Cost than Full Window Replacement

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Serious Energy, Inc. has sold its architectural glass and fiberglass window business in Longmont, CO to Alpen High Performance Products. Alpen HPP will continue to manufacture architectural glass and fiberglass windows at its Longmont facilities. Alpen HPP will concentrate on its successful high-performance, custom fiberglass residential and commercial window products. Serious Energy will retain its residential vinyl window and door operations produced at its Vandergrift, PA plant. Serious Energy and Alpen, which have a longstanding relationship and a shared interest in high-performance suspended films, are exploring opportunities for future product, distribution and technology collaboration.

According to Serious Energy CEO, Tassilo Baeuerle, We believe we can provide better customer service and accelerate growth by focusing on our core competencies in energy-efficient windows (Serious Glass suspended film products), and acoustical products (QuietRock sound-damping drywall) for the built environment. Given our long history with Alpen, we were happy when they sought to acquire the architectural glass and fiberglass business. Both companies are committed to a smooth transition, and we look forward to continuing our mutually supportive relationship. Serious Energy remains focused on enabling our vinyl window customers to receive the same high performing, energy efficient windows they have come to expect over the years.

Alpen CEO, Brad Begin, added that Alpen expects continued success as the long standing Colorado team now fully concentrates on the innovative high performance fiberglass product line and its historical strength in the high performance architectural glass market, led by veteran industry innovator Robert Clarke.

Serious Windows residential vinyl products offer high energy efficiency ratings and are popular with homeowners and contractors. Serious also continues to market its iWindow commercial replacement product. According to Mr. Baeuerle, Q2 results were strong for the window segment: Total window sales posted very positive gains in Q2 2012.

QuietRock ES, Serious Energys fast-growing soundproofing drywall panel, delivers industry-leading Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings while providing an easy-to-install conventional drywall solution, making it the primary choice by professionals. Although its products have broad market appeal, QuietRock products meet the exacting requirements of architects involved in sound attenuation. In 2012 QuietRock ES sales has seen impressive double-digits growth rates over prior year. The company experienced increased sales on both the East and West coast, and in both commercial and residential markets. The company will continue to expand in all regions.

Serious Energy, Inc. manufactures and markets acoustical and thermal solutions to the built environment through its QuietRock, Serious Window and iWindow brands. With an advanced development team, multiple manufacturing plants and a broad network of distributors throughout the U.S. and Canada, Serious Energy products have been installed in thousands of projects worldwide, including the Empire State Building. For more information, visit http://www.SeriousEnergy.com.

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Serious Sells Architectural/Fiberglass Windows Division to Industry Ally and Delivers Strong First-Half 2012 Growth

DANVILLE The Danville school district could kick off a project to replace the windows at the high school.

School board members on Wednesday will vote on whether to pay Schmidt Associates, Inc. $15,000 plus mileage and printing fees to provide architectural drawings and bid specifications for the project, which could begin next summer.

The Danville School Board will meet at 6:30 p.m on Wednesday at the Jackson Building, 516 N. Jackson St., Danville. A copy of the agenda is available online athttp://bit.ly/OXtlD7.

"The high school is so big. We would have to replace the windows over a period of time to ease both the expense as well as the disruption and cleanup of the building," Superintendent Mark Denman said.

The project calls for demolishing and replacing the exterior windows on the school's west facade, along North Jackson Street, except for a curtainwall system on the northwest side of the building that already has been replaced. The work is estimated between $300,000 to $500,000.

Denman said the window replacement is recommended in the district's health life safety plan.

Also at the meeting, board members will hold a public hearing on a proposed budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year and then vote on whether to adopt it.

The proposed spending plan, which has been on display at the Jackson Building, would spend about $66.1 million, and bring in about $63.67 million in revenue. The district would cover the projected $2.43 million deficit with reserve funds.

The education fund which pays for most salaries and day-to-day expenses would spend about $50.16 million and generate about $49.87 million in revenue, leaving a $292,798 shortfall.

"Like other public school districts, we're seeing a decrease in general state aid and ... a loss in federal (jobs bill) funding," Denman said. "We're also anticipating a 5.9 percent reduction in (equalized assessed valuation of property) in the district, which will be a loss of more than $900,000 in property taxes. That's why we must continue to be cautious with our expenses."

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Danville board to consider window replacement at high school

Hillside Elementary students and staff will relocate to Lutheran Church of Hope for the first couple months of the new school year as workers finish a window replacement project at the school.

District officials voted two weeks ago to continue with the replacement project even though it means displacing classes for the first eight to 10 weeks of school. The buildings windows have leaked since the school was first constructed about eight years ago, school officials said. As crews began replacing them earlier this year mold was found along some of the windows and wall boards.

Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway, is about five and a half miles west of Hillside, 713 Eighth St.

The church was selected because its large enough to accommodate all of the students and staff, has safe access for buses, and has a large cafeteria area, gym, art and music rooms, according to the districts website.

Superintendent Peter Ansingh has said he understands the inconvenience that relocating classes will have for parents, students and staff, but said that it is in the best interest of everyone involved to have the windows replaced immediately instead of waiting to replace some until next summer.

Our worst fear would be that we get to a point in December or January where the mold has gotten out of hand and then what do we do in terms of relocating all those students? Ansingh said during a recent school board meeting. Its a huge inconvenience for sure, but well be able, we hope, in mid-October to welcome students and staff back to a watertight school.

The district is hosting a series of meetings and events for students and parents before classes resume on Aug. 21, including an informational meeting tonight:

5:30 p.m. tonight Hillside parent meeting at Phenix Early Childhood Center, 415 Seventh St.

Tuesday, Aug. 14, 11 a.m. 2 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. Walk-in registration at Phenix.

Monday, Aug. 20, 4-5:30 p.m. Ice Cream Social at Lutheran Church of Hope.

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Hillside Elementary to relocate to WDM church temporarily

02-07-2012 15:07 Click here The last of three videos on caravan or motorhome window care and replacement work.

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Caravan windows: Repair and replacement - Video

01-07-2012 14:32 Outer Molding will be replaced next week to complete the job.

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Window Frame and Window Replacement Project - Video

Teenager Chris F'Sautia, a late replacement for the sick Digby Ioane, scored the first try and his fellow winger Dom Shipperley, lock Adam Wallace-Harrison and replacement back Nick Frisby also crossed for the Super Rugby champions.

In their first match after the international window, Queensland tired in the second half as the many Wallabies in their ranks began to feel the lingering effects of the hard-fought series win over Wales.

The always game Rebels, hoping to give former Wallabies centre Stirling Mortlock a win in his final home match, hit back in the second half with tries from Kurtley Beale and Lachie Mitchell but never closed to within 10 points of the Reds.

To make matters worse, they lost flyhalf James O'Connor to a hamstring injury in his first match back after recovering from a liver injury which had kept him sidelined for a month.

"The game didn't go to plan, the big send off," Rebels captain Gareth Delve said in a pitchside interview.

"But we showed great character in the second half. In the first half we made too many mistakes and left ourselves with a mountain to climb."

Another Wallabies flyhalf, Quade Cooper, was replaced at halftime by the Reds after setting up Wallace-Harrison's try five minutes before the break.

It was a moment of magic from the least lauded of the playmakers on the field, however, which set up the best try of the night after 26 minutes.

Centre Mike Harris made the most of his pack winning a scrum against the head by chipping over the defensive line and regathering his own kick.

The Reds moved the ball quickly outside to F'Sautia, who looked like he might score a brace on his first start but he was forced to look for support and his pass back inside found Shipperley who crossed in the corner.

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Reds win at Melbourne Rebels

DUNCAN Move over McDonalds. Duncan Public Library just got a temporary drive-through window.

Around 2:30 p.m. Thursday, a car came through a window at the library and one person was reported to have been transferred to Duncan Regional Hospital with minor injuries.

Office Wesley Wainscott with the Duncan Police Department was the lead officer on the scene.

Wainscott reported a female driver was pulling into a parking spot on the south side of the library, when the incident occurred.

She thought she hit the brakes, but her foot must have slipped and she hit the accelerator, Wainscott said.

The car traveled through the side of the library and drove into a book shelf in the non-fiction area of the library.

The shelf couldnt withstand the force of the car and collapsed as a result.

Who said non-fiction has to be boring?

Library Director Jan Cole said the library would stay open, despite having a temporary drive-through window on the side.

Cole said the damage was somewhat contained in the non-fiction area, affecting that one shelf.

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Vehicle checks into Duncan library

28-06-2012 11:57

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How? Part 6, Step 4 - Video

28-06-2012 11:50

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How? Part 9, Step 7 - Video