Chuck Ross » Building technology

A More Direct Approach

Administrator — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:31:49 +0000

With new generation capacity becoming both more difficult to get approved and expensive to finance, electric utilities are looking at more creative strategies for squeezing inefficiency out of customer-side distribution systems. One idea gaining attention—direct current (DC) distribution—actually represents a step backward to practices common during the days of Thomas Edison. However, new standards and products now under development could bring such designs back into a range of commercial facilities. This article ran in the April 2010 issue of Electrical Contractor magazine.
A More Direct Approach

A Smart Start: Metering

Administrator — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:14:39 +0000

Large commercial, industrial and institutional building owners have been tracking their energy use for years, knowing that even the smallest efficiency improvements can make a big bottom-line difference in facilities of their scale. Now the same energy auditing and monitoring capabilities are being developed for owners of individual buildings and homes, and these new tools also provide opportunities for electrical contractors seeking to diversify their service offerings during an economic downturn. This feature ran in the April 2010 issue of Electrical Contractor magazine.
A Smart Start: Metering

Onsite Power

Administrator — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 17:59:16 +0000

The next big idea in renewable energy: Small-scale installations producing power that can be used onsite. Building-integrated systems are evolving from promising to practical, and standards developers are creating the necessary specs required for distributing onsite-generated electricity to specific building systems. This article ran in the March 2010 issue of Architectural Products magazine. The link leads to the magazine’s online reading tool – click the “Enlarge” link under each page to display a full-size page.
Onsite Power

Financing the Future

Administrator — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:13:57 +0000

Renewable-energy technology is advancing at a rapid clip. What’s not widely known is that financing options for those who wish to own/operate solar, wind and other energy-generating equipment are evolving just as quickly. Making sense of your financial choices takes some homework, though, and likely more than a few phone calls, including at least one to your accountant.

This article is one of a continuing series in the Electrical Design Library published by the National Electrical Contractors Association.

Financing the Future

EIFS Gets Some Relief From Critics

Administrator — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:59:50 +0000

EIFS (Exterior insulating finishing systems) can no longer be called “alternate” exterior cladding products. With their recent acceptance by the ICC and high-performing test results in energy efficiency and moisture resistance, these products are making a comeback.

This article originally ran in the June 2009 issue of Architectural Products magazine.

EIFS Gains Some Relief From Critics

Passive Solar Design: A Cool Idea for Hot Savings

Administrator — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:07:30 +0000

Solar panels are getting a lot of attention lately as a way to turn the energy of the sun into electricity we can use in our homes. With another solar technology, passive solar design, builders also can create homes that require significantly less energy to heat and cool. This article was published originally in April 2009 on the LowesForPros.com website.
Passive Solar Design: A Cool Idea for Hot Savings

Your Solar Energy Options

Administrator — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:02:54 +0000

Even if you’ve never previously thought about solar (PV or thermal) as an option for your building, it’s a good time to investigate your solar-power options.

This article is one of a continuing series in the Electrical Design Library published by the National Electrical Contractors Association.

Your Solar Energy Options

Sustaining Your Business With Sustainable Design

Administrator — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 14:12:03 +0000

There’s no doubt that green building is in the black, even as the overall housing market hemorrhages red ink. The value of green-building construction climbed from $10 billion in 2005 to between $36 billion and $49 billion in 2008, according to a recent McGraw-Hill Construction report. Builders in the field agree with this assessment, but say both builders and homeowners need more education on what “green” really means. This article was published originally on the LowesForPros.com website.
Sustaining Your Business With Sustainable Design

Green Building Design Is in the Details

Administrator — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 14:09:35 +0000

Environmentally sensitive and energy efficient construction is a hot topic among potential homebuyers today. In fact, a recent McGraw-Hill Construction report predicts the green-building market could triple by 2013. According to the report, the burgeoning green market could reach a potential value of $96 billion to $140 billion, indicating a possible bright spot in today’s otherwise dismal housing sector. Becoming successful in this field begins with not only educating yourself, but your buyers as well. This story was published originally in March 2009 on the LowesForPros.com website.
Green Building Design Is in the Details

Begin Boosting Efficiency With an Energy Audit

Administrator — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 14:42:08 +0000

Energy-efficient upgrades offer all of us the opportunity to cut both energy related emissions and energy bills, without the fuss of installing and learning to operate a new technology. An energy audit is an important first step to understanding which of these upgrades will pack the biggest energy-savings punch. This article originally was posted on the LowesForPros website in March 2009.
Begin Boosting Efficiency With an Energy Audit