Comments on: The Feds Object To Energy Smart Local Governance http://firedoglake.com/2008/04/29/energy-smart-local-governance-with-federal-objections/ Firedoglake weblog Sat, 28 Nov 2009 22:19:06 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: A Siegel http://firedoglake.com/2008/04/29/energy-smart-local-governance-with-federal-objections/#comment-1418608 A Siegel Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:49:41 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/04/29/energy-smart-local-governance-with-federal-objections/#comment-1418608 <p>Scaring me … but I am aware of threat. </p> <p>A neighbor chopped through the roots of two pines that were to the SE of my home. Definitely lost shade over vehicles. And, lost some shading over portion of the roof. Sigh …</p> <p>Now, I’ve got radiant barrier paint that I’ll be putting on the inside of the roof in the next few weeks. That should do a good part of what is required to keep roof / attic from heating up. Won’t do anything about sun coming in windows. (Thus, shades … )</p> Scaring me … but I am aware of threat.

A neighbor chopped through the roots of two pines that were to the SE of my home. Definitely lost shade over vehicles. And, lost some shading over portion of the roof. Sigh …

Now, I’ve got radiant barrier paint that I’ll be putting on the inside of the roof in the next few weeks. That should do a good part of what is required to keep roof / attic from heating up. Won’t do anything about sun coming in windows. (Thus, shades … )

]]> By: TLinGA http://firedoglake.com/2008/04/29/energy-smart-local-governance-with-federal-objections/#comment-1417629 TLinGA Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:18:15 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/04/29/energy-smart-local-governance-with-federal-objections/#comment-1417629 <p>I was able to get the utility rates for my condo for the year prior to my purchase. The rates were good, and fit within my budget. </p> <p>A year or two after the purchase, the homeowners association cut down the tree shading the southeast side of my home. After that travesty, my home cooling bills went through the roof, from 80-100 per month in the summer to over 300 per month that August. The first summer was so bad that the upstairs AC unit (over 20 years old) gave up the ghost from the additional load. Even the new AC unit can’t keep up, the ducting can’t move enough air to maintain a reasonable temperature.</p> I was able to get the utility rates for my condo for the year prior to my purchase. The rates were good, and fit within my budget.

A year or two after the purchase, the homeowners association cut down the tree shading the southeast side of my home. After that travesty, my home cooling bills went through the roof, from 80-100 per month in the summer to over 300 per month that August. The first summer was so bad that the upstairs AC unit (over 20 years old) gave up the ghost from the additional load. Even the new AC unit can’t keep up, the ducting can’t move enough air to maintain a reasonable temperature.

]]> By: Tom65 http://firedoglake.com/2008/04/29/energy-smart-local-governance-with-federal-objections/#comment-1417613 Tom65 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:11:29 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/04/29/energy-smart-local-governance-with-federal-objections/#comment-1417613 <p><em>In response to questions from the building industry, EPA’s Energy Star residential branch chief, David Lee, said in a letter that <strong>the agency does not advocate putting its standards into law…</strong></em>,</p> <p>Umm…what? So what the fuck are the standards for?</p> In response to questions from the building industry, EPA’s Energy Star residential branch chief, David Lee, said in a letter that the agency does not advocate putting its standards into law…,

Umm…what? So what the fuck are the standards for?

]]> By: DWBartoo http://firedoglake.com/2008/04/29/energy-smart-local-governance-with-federal-objections/#comment-1417475 DWBartoo Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:25:13 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/04/29/energy-smart-local-governance-with-federal-objections/#comment-1417475 <p>Amen!!!</p> Amen!!!

]]> By: dude http://firedoglake.com/2008/04/29/energy-smart-local-governance-with-federal-objections/#comment-1417474 dude Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:24:43 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/04/29/energy-smart-local-governance-with-federal-objections/#comment-1417474 <p>Yes, and the contractors who do work by habit. Habit can be a good thing for consistent results and often lower prices; but if a copper guy is given the task of wiring aluminum, I sure hope he does a little homework before he goes to the job site!</p> Yes, and the contractors who do work by habit. Habit can be a good thing for consistent results and often lower prices; but if a copper guy is given the task of wiring aluminum, I sure hope he does a little homework before he goes to the job site!

]]> By: DWBartoo http://firedoglake.com/2008/04/29/energy-smart-local-governance-with-federal-objections/#comment-1417473 DWBartoo Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:23:04 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/04/29/energy-smart-local-governance-with-federal-objections/#comment-1417473 <p>My experience as well, dude.</p> <p>It’s them with a little knowledge what don’t get the connections right.</p> <p>Such as sticking the wires in the back of a ‘device’ rather than using the screws and tightening them sufficiently.</p> <p>All too common an occurrance …</p> My experience as well, dude.

It’s them with a little knowledge what don’t get the connections right.

Such as sticking the wires in the back of a ‘device’ rather than using the screws and tightening them sufficiently.

All too common an occurrance …

]]> By: dude http://firedoglake.com/2008/04/29/energy-smart-local-governance-with-federal-objections/#comment-1417469 dude Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:19:02 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/04/29/energy-smart-local-governance-with-federal-objections/#comment-1417469 <p>I agree. Maintenance is also important. Many houses still have it in my area, not just the service connections. It is still used pretty regularly in industrial wiring too. Maintenance on aluminum wiring mostly consists of taking off switchplates and receptacle covers and seeing if connections are still sound—and I guess some panel inspection. Big problems occur with do-it-yourself-ers. At least that is my observation.</p> I agree. Maintenance is also important. Many houses still have it in my area, not just the service connections. It is still used pretty regularly in industrial wiring too. Maintenance on aluminum wiring mostly consists of taking off switchplates and receptacle covers and seeing if connections are still sound—and I guess some panel inspection. Big problems occur with do-it-yourself-ers. At least that is my observation.

]]> By: DWBartoo http://firedoglake.com/2008/04/29/energy-smart-local-governance-with-federal-objections/#comment-1417465 DWBartoo Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:15:54 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/04/29/energy-smart-local-governance-with-federal-objections/#comment-1417465 <p>Indeed most Mains wiring to the ‘box’is aluminum, but many who have aluminum wiring IN their homes are unaware of its dangers.</p> <p>Properly installed and MAINTAINED, it theoretically is safe, but in practice it leaves something to be desired.</p> <p>As copper becomes more expensive, aluminum will regain favor, but it must be dealt with on a higher level of competency than heretofore has been the case.</p> Indeed most Mains wiring to the ‘box’is aluminum, but many who have aluminum wiring IN their homes are unaware of its dangers.

Properly installed and MAINTAINED, it theoretically is safe, but in practice it leaves something to be desired.

As copper becomes more expensive, aluminum will regain favor, but it must be dealt with on a higher level of competency than heretofore has been the case.

]]> By: DWBartoo http://firedoglake.com/2008/04/29/energy-smart-local-governance-with-federal-objections/#comment-1417459 DWBartoo Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:10:28 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/04/29/energy-smart-local-governance-with-federal-objections/#comment-1417459 <p>Yes the ‘corrosion’ reality of aluminum wiring means that those whose homes are so wired, should tear it all out or expect just what happened to you.</p> <p>I hope no one was injured and that you didn’t lose too much of everything, Ann.</p> <p>Very frightening, Aluminium wiring …</p> Yes the ‘corrosion’ reality of aluminum wiring means that those whose homes are so wired, should tear it all out or expect just what happened to you.

I hope no one was injured and that you didn’t lose too much of everything, Ann.

Very frightening, Aluminium wiring …

]]> By: dude http://firedoglake.com/2008/04/29/energy-smart-local-governance-with-federal-objections/#comment-1417458 dude Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:10:24 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/04/29/energy-smart-local-governance-with-federal-objections/#comment-1417458 <p>Actually, aluminum wiring remains perfectly legal. The problem is usually that the installing electricians install it like copper–use the wrong fittings and connection procedures which do not allow for the greater thermal expansion of aluminum versus copper. As a result, wiring comes overheated and undone and flame ensues. It can be installed right, but it has a huge black eye now and nobody wants to. It died in the marketplace like butylene piping. People should know that service to your panels from the light pole can still be and often is aluminum–its normal and seldom fails. Installers have learned to deal properly with it after 40 yrs of trying!</p> Actually, aluminum wiring remains perfectly legal. The problem is usually that the installing electricians install it like copper–use the wrong fittings and connection procedures which do not allow for the greater thermal expansion of aluminum versus copper. As a result, wiring comes overheated and undone and flame ensues. It can be installed right, but it has a huge black eye now and nobody wants to. It died in the marketplace like butylene piping. People should know that service to your panels from the light pole can still be and often is aluminum–its normal and seldom fails. Installers have learned to deal properly with it after 40 yrs of trying!

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