Journal of Indoor Environmental Quality

Thermal Signatures from the Sky

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to interview Gregory R. Stockton, President and Founder of Stockton Infrared Thermographic Services, Inc.™ based out of Randleman, NC.

Greg has been a practicing infrared thermographer since 1989 and is a Certified Infrared Thermographer with twenty-six years experience in the construction industry, specializing in maintenance and energy-related technologies.

I’ll leave readers to dig through his businesses and personal accomplishments at your own speed because I want to focus on one of Greg’s specialties which is aerial thermography. We’re not just talking about roof scans though that’s part of it …we’re talking about everything from recovering stolen energy taken from utilities, to animal surveys, to heat leaks in steam and water lines. Essentially anything that emits an infrared wave length can be picked up from Stockton’s eye in the sky. Greg’s also got some impressive people working with him and you ought to check out their credentials and while you’re there check out some of the highest tech toys these guys play with…many fine instruments coming out of the world leaders in infrared camera such as FLIR.

Greg is a leader in the industry and takes great pride in his people and services and has a special passion for illuminating in his own way the energy use in America’s inventory of buildings so they may be repaired to the benefit of future generations.

Image credit: Thermal Signature of Dallas Texas, Stockton Infrared Thermographic Services, Inc.™ and Google Earth

Seminary Residence Hall Awarded LEED Gold Certification

Decatur, GA. Opened last summer, the new "green" residence hall for Columbia Theological Seminary students has earned the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification by the United States Green Building Council. It is the first facility in Decatur, GA, to earn LEED Gold Certification and is expected to use approximately 50 percent less energy than a conventionally constructed facility.

An energy-monitoring system in the entry lobby allows students and visitors to see real-time energy consumption as compared with an average building performance.

For the full release see: http://www.ctsnet.edu/NewsPubs/NewsRelease.aspx?ID=605

For further information contact:
Ann Kohut, Kohut Communications Consulting, 770-913-9747, annielk(@)bellsouth.net, www.kohutcommunications.com or http://twitter.com/kohutcomm

Image credit: © 2009 Jonathan Hillyer / Atlanta

RBc: What do we like about Lord Aeck Sargent design approach on this project? Amongst several other elements it includes, “an exterior building envelope with above-average insulation values, energy efficient windows, and a geothermal mechanical system which will provide low operating costs and a long lifecycle.” Make note of the reasonable window to wall ratio… it’s possible to have both natural lighting and energy efficiency without compromising aesthetics. A very practical design in our books.

Additional topic resources:
http://www.healthyheating.com/Newsletters/June_06/Geoff_McDonell.htm http://www.healthyheating.com/IEQ_Radiant.htm
http://www.healthyheating.com/downloads/Geoff%20McDonell%202.pdf

Thermally Active Surfaces in Architecture

Excerpt: “Departing from the simple question Why do we heat and cool buildings with air?, this book focuses on the technique of thermally active surfaces. This technique uses water in building surfaces to heat and cool bodies - a method that is at once more efficient, comfortable, and healthy. This technique thus imbues the fabric of the building with a more poignant role: its structure is also its primary heating and cooling system. In doing so, this approach triggers a cascading set of possibilities for how well buildings are built, how well they perform, and how long they will last: pointing the way toward multiple forms of sustainability.” Source: Princeton Architectural Press

Learn more here: http://www.papress.com/html/book.details.page.tpl?isbn=9781568988801

RBc: I’ve just reviewed this new addition to our library of recommended reading for design professionals. Author Kiel Moe is an Assistant Professor of Architecture at the Northeastern University School of Architecture and has done an outstanding job illustrating the benefits of thermally active surfaces. We have been preaching thermally activated building systems (TABS) for many years and we’re pleased to see a section in this new resource from www.healthyheating.com contributor Geoff McDonell, B.Sc., P.Eng., LEED™ Ap. For more articles from Geoff use the search feature above.

The quality of this book is equal to any higher education text book on architecture, structural design, interior design and HVAC engineering with outstanding easy to understand graphics. We especially appreciate the inclusion of design details from numerous TABS projects from around the world.

A must have for the student or design professional.

Las Vegas MGM Mirage City Center - Mechanical Facility

Las Vegas MGM Mirage City Center - Tour of Mechanical Facility

Just getting back from the Uponor radiant cooling engineering conference and have to say the tour of the Las Vegas MGM Mirage City Center Mechanical Facility was outstanding.   The entire MGM project covers approximately 18,000,000 square feet and spans 67 acres which includes the Aria, Mandarin, Veer, Harmon, and Vdara Hotels/condos as well as Crystals retail and entertainment district which is the largest retail facility to receive LEED™ Gold Core and Shell certification.

Crystals uses a fully automated mechanical system which includes radiant floor cooling to meet ASHRAE and LEED’s energy and thermal comfort requirements, additional specifications include:

• Remote Central Plant for chilled water allowing more usable space within the complex
• Two 4,000 kW gas turbine generators
• Two 400 BHP waste heat hot water boilers
• Six 5,740 ton dual-compressors, 12.47 kV water chillers for a total of 34,440 tons of cooling
• Six 10,890 gpm of field-erected cooling towers for a total of 65,340 GPM of
condenser water
• Three 1000-BHP hot water boilers which are integrated with the cogeneration system waste heat recover units
• Three 2,500 kW, 12.47 kV, diesel fired emergency generators 

A big thank you to my co-presenter, Peter Simmonds, Ph.D., event host Uponor, and the 700 plus invited conference attendees who made this engineering conference possible.
 

 

Learn more about radiant cooling:
http://www.healthyheating.com/Page%2055/Page_55_i_cooling_eq.htm

2010 Uponor Convention | Radiant Cooling Engineering Summit , Bellagio Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, April 8-9

 
Join us for the 2010 Uponor Convention — our largest gathering of professionals who install, design and specify PEX radiant cooling and heating systems, plumbing and fire sprinkler systems.

Taking place at the fabulous five-diamond Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, you won’t want to miss our major industry announcement as well as the premiere of the new Uponor Advantage program.

We’ll also offer product and program seminars and exhibits, fun speakers, evening events and of course, lots of fun. Only Uponor can put on an event like this.

Convention Details Date: April 8 and 9, 2010
Time: Kick off meeting Thursday, 2 p.m.; wind down with a reception Friday evening
Cost: $649 USD initial guests; $300 USD each additional companion sharing the same room
Includes: Two nights lodging at the Bellagio, meals, convention activities and a registration gift

To make registration changes, contact the Uponor Travel Team at 866.247.7478.
___

RBc: I'm looking forward to presenting at this convention...lots of great stuff including the opportunity to hear Peter Simmonds, Ph.D. of IBE Consulting Engineers, talk about some of the unique projects he's worked on including New Yorks Cooper Union…bonus for those attending is to see the City Center Las Vegas project with over 500,000 square feet of radiant cooling courtesy of the summit host – Uponor.

EPA and DOE Join States to Speed Energy Efficiency Progress in the United States

WASHINGTON – As part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to increasing energy efficiency and reducing costs, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced today the creation of the State Energy Efficiency (SEE) Action Network. This network is meant to help states achieve maximum cost effective energy efficiency improvements in homes, offices, buildings and industry by 2020. Strengthening energy efficiency initiatives across the country helps to save money and protect the environment at the same time.

For further information Contact:
Enesta Jones
jones.enesta (at) epa.gov
202-564-7873
DOE PUBLIC AFFAIRS:
202-586-4940
_________

Past deliverables from the network have included, “The Rapid Deployment Energy Efficiency (RDEE) Toolkit” which is designed to help state and local authorities and energy efficiency program administrators plan and implement successful programs as they advance energy efficiency through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The Toolkit was developed under the guidance of and with input from the Leadership Group of the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency, with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

RBc: A quote from the tool kit includes something we support, “The measure mix (the technologies that are cost-effective for the program to rebate) of HVAC programs varies largely based on weather and primary fuel (electric or gas). For example, in some areas of the country measures such as ground source heat pumps and hydronic heating systems are cost-effective and have been incorporated into residential HVAC programs.”

We suggest readers learn more about low temperature radiant hydronic heating systems.

Building envelope integrates thermal/pv solution

Building envelope integrates thermal/pv solution

We came across this innovative integrated thermal/pv solution which lends itself well to new buildings and retrofits. As it relates to the thermal component - in principle using the building envelope as a surface to collect and discharge heat makes sense and though we haven’t come across any research papers or design methodologies to study – it is an approach that would have benefits determined by similar design considerations of roof mounted collectors, i.e.: location, orientation, collector performance, etc. We'll see more of these creative solutions as industry begins the massive task of bringing the inventory of inefficient structures into the modern world high performance buildings.

Photo credit: Dawn Solar's Combined Heat and Power System: Dawn Solar Thermal System with PV tiles during construction.

HOME a film by Yann Arthus-Bertrand

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqxENMKaeCU&feature=player_embedded

RBC: Regardless of ones position of man's occupation of earth, this video presents material for discussion and has wonderful images.

2009 Foothills Conference & Trade Show.

 

Welcome to the 2009 Foothills Conference and Trade Show. This is the seventh time that The Alberta Hydronics Advisory Council has hosted the hydronics community and this event promises to be even bigger and better than in previous years. Three full days of Hydronics information combined with two days of industry tradeshow.  This is the only hydronics conference and trade show in Canada in 2009! This year the Wet Head Gang challenges you to raise the standard of quality, educationand professionalism.

We are delighted to have great Wet Head Gang speakers including John Barba, John Siegenthaler, Robert Bean and Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr. Our industry Trade Show features 80 booths which will give delegates, industry representatives, and sponsors an opportunity to meet and network in a Trade Show environment. You will see the very latest products and talk directly to the people responsible for boilers, controls, radiant tubing, pumps, and anything else to do with hot water heating systems.

Again this year - manufacturers’ technical showcases

Manufacturers’ Technical Showcases will give you an opportunity to “get up close and personal” with products and services provided by our Exhibitors in a seminar setting.

More opportunities for education

The three-day format will provide you with exceptional learning and networking opportunities and is an excellent value. You will leave with the latest and greatest tips and information on the hydronics industry and we hope that you will also be inspired to continue to raise the level of professionalism within our industry. And knowing the people involved in hydronics, we also know you will be entertained throughout your time at Foothills.

On behalf of the FHC Steering Committee and the Alberta Hydronics Advisory Council, thank you for joining us. Have a great Conference and Show!

Dave Hughes and Sean Leonard

Co-Chairs, 2009 Foothills Conference and Trade Show
____________________________________

RBc: This show is dear to my heart as I was the chair for the very first one. Be sure to come on out for a really good time and a superb educational program.

EcoPinion Survey, “Branding Green But Seeing Red,” Highlights Lack of Consumer Awareness and Acceptance of Green Brands

Washington, DC, March 10, 2008

EcoAlign, a strategic marketing agency focused on energy and the environment and an affiliate of DEFG LLC, today released the results of the third EcoPinion survey on green brands and brand messaging. The third EcoPinion Survey highlights the fact that very few brands have any resonance in the market for green products and services. Consumers largely have a neutral, wait-and-see stance on company commitments and leadership on renewable energy, energy efficiency and the environment. “There is a great opportunity to become a green brand leader with the right commitment and marketing approach,” stated Andrea Fabbri, COO and Chief Marketing Officer. “But the current emphasis on public relations and advertising is not going to do it alone.”

Findings from the EcoPinion Survey Report include:

1. Fifty four percent (54%) of consumers could not name, on an unaided basis, a company who supplied renewable or “green” energy.

2. Seventy one percent (71%) of respondents were not familiar, on an aided basis, of 10 “pure play” companies in the renewable and green energy space.

3. When asked about how committed respondents thought their electric utilities are to promoting or providing renewable energy or energy efficiency, ratings were about evenly split: 31% thought not at all committed, 36% were neutral and 33% rated the commitment level 7 or higher on a 10-point scale.

4. Respondents were then shown a mix of 12 companies representing various industries and asked which they thought were most committed to using or providing renewable energy. GE dominated with 81% while Toyota was second at 65%.

5. Seventy seven percent (77%) of consumers think that an energy efficient or green operational model is the single most important quality of a corporation trying to be an environmental leader.

6. Respondents were asked to rate their familiarity with various terms. Seventy-one percent (71%) rated their level of familiarity 8-10 with the term “energy efficiency” versus only 53% for “going green.”

A copy of the full EcoPinion report is available at no charge by visiting EcoAlign’s website at www.ecoalign.com.

For more information on DEFG, please visit our website: www.defgllc.com.

RBc: I had an enlightening discussion with EcoAlign’s COO and Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Andrea Fabbri and Ms. Dana Cogar, Research Director of the EcoPinion surveys. Seems their research and our research is running parallel paths with similar conclusions. I highly recommend you download the reports and stay tuned to subsequent publications from this very observant organization. Additional Reading: Tower of Babble - Three Rules for Design, and Industry Observations