Energy Efficiency Gives the Economy a Lift- 2016 Annual US energy consumption is about the same now as in 2000, despite growth in GDP of 30% over this 16-year period, due to energy efficiency. This trend can be seen going back as far the 1970’s when energy efficiency efforts began. Energy Efficiency accounts for nearly 1.9 million US jobs-10x times more than oil and gas drilling, 30x times than coal mining. The industry is projected to grow by supplying 245,000 high skilled jobs to the US job market.

Most People Appreciate Energy Efficiency- Most Americans overwhelmingly support wasting less and saving more in our residences and businesses, and has bi-partisan support. In fact, a 2016 post election poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies for the Conservative network found 90% of Trump supporters ranked Energy Efficiency as important.

2016 Successes in Energy Efficiency- Clean energy and energy efficiency wasted less and saved more in energy bills while lowering multiple states carbon footprint. From those states who failed to invest in these resources are wasting more and saving less. Costs have doubled for the 5 lowest states, compared to the 5 highest states that invested in these resources and pursued strategically smarter energy use.

Highlights from 2016:

• Utilities: Exelon, with a broad coalition including NRDC, was instrumental in passing Illinois’ most significant piece of climate and clean energy policy in the state’s history. When enacted, Illinois will have one of the top energy efficiency programs in the entire nation, building on the success of laws passed in 2007 that helped build a local clean energy workforce of more than 85,000 jobs state-wide, two billion in consumer savings, and the lowest electric rates in the entire Midwest.
• Low income: The California Public Utilities Commission adopted major improvements to its longstanding low income energy efficiency program, expanding it to rent-assisted multifamily buildings to the tune of $80 million, and easing the energy burden on low-income households, in a decision that could become a national model.
• Cities: Through efforts of the City Energy Project, a joint initiative of NRDC and the Institute for Market Transformation, the City of Orlando recently passed an ordinance called the Building Energy and Water Efficiency Strategy, which is projected to save an estimated $208 million in energy costs, drive the creation of more than 500 local high-wage jobs, conserve 900 million gallons of fresh water, and avoid an estimated 1.1 million metric tons of carbon pollution over the next 15 years.
• States: California approved the nation’s first computer energy standards, which will reduce energy used by computers by one third to one half. In California alone, the new standards are projected to save more than 2.3 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity a year — equivalent to annual electricity use by all the homes in San Francisco. But if the standards become largely de facto national standards as expected, U.S. consumers will save up to $3 billion annually on their energy bills, and electricity use would be cut by the equivalent of seven coal-fired power plants.
• Regions: The NW Power and Conservation Council released a new regional plan that will produce the equivalent of more than a dozen giant coal-fired power plants’ worth of inexpensive energy savings over the next two decades. Proving that cheap savings keep growing back, about 40% of the savings come from technologies that were largely unknown as recently as five years ago.
• Department of Energy: DOE adopted several efficiency standards in 2016, including air conditioners and heat pumps, dehumidifiers, pool pumps, manufactured housing, beverage coolers, ceiling fans and air compressors. The air conditioner standards alone are projected to cut electricity use by 340 billion kilowatt-hours over 30 years of shipments, equivalent to the power used to cool U.S. homes for more than a year and a half and save consumers $24 billion in operating costs.

Global Benefits-Savings around the globe in 2015 reached a new high, equaling 13% of total consumption despite lower energy cost and higher global economic growth. China leads the way and is placing their future bets on a clean energy and energy efficiency standards.

2017 and Beyond-At the state and utility level the momentum is clear. Energy Efficiency proven benefits will continue to trend at these particular levels and even more with better by unleashing federal policies in order to stop any drag that they may cause. Two thirds of the energy efficiency economic potential remains untapped in areas where supportive policy is absent or inadequate. Will the USA miss out? The future is uncertain but you can help by calling Eco Kong Inc. Now at 480-788-7718 or email info@ecokong.org or visit our website at https://ecokong.org

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Solar PV Beyond Net Metering

The ending of net energy metering (NEM) in many states including potentially next month in Arizona, leaves utility customers with two options grid-supply or self-supply. Neither is favorable as NEM and these changes could reduce the roof top solar market and negatively effecting low and middle-income customers. Grid connected solar compensation currently ranges between and average of $0.09 -$0.28 per kilowatt-hour (KWh) in different markets, making solar a smart investment. However, with these new changes becoming inevitable for most markets in the near future with their increasing tariffs and fees, will open up new technologies and business models leveraging demand flexibility and battery storage. When customers add all three components-solar, storage and flexibility together, its combination can maintain and potentially increase the value of Solar PV. Through increasing onsite consumption of rooftop solar, allowing home to changing grid conditions and adding resiliency.

Queued power access (software) manages peak demand automatically and can save up to 33% on electricity cost of which is 80% of savings from the old NEM arrangement. These flexible load devices further increase consumption of Solar PV:

Smart thermostats and controls that leverage thermal mass to pre-cool homes and pre-heat water when the sun is shining and rooftop PV energy is abundant.

Smart electric vehicle chargers—if an electric vehicle is parked at home during the day, it can be charged with rooftop PV energy instead of at night.

Electric dryers equipped with timers that only run when PV energy is available.

Batteries that charge when the sun is out and discharge when it sets, further increasing on-site consumption of rooftop PV energy.

These changes leave the future of homes and buildings to become dis-patchable electric grid assets by responding to additional price signals from utilities and deliver key services to the grid maintaining interconnectivity but managing electric bills effectively favorable to utility clients. Demand flexibility and Battery Storage can preserve the value proposition and they are products customer want, because customers would like to monitor and control the energy they use in their homes and buildings. The flexibility enhances comfort and convenience automatically while the storage adds resiliency to the home. The value of back up power does vary but do like that its there. For more information about how you can get started Call Eco Kong, Inc– 480-788-7718 or email: info@ecokong.org or visit us at our website at https://ecokong.org

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How to Meet Challenges and Expand Retrofits
Some examples of the challenges facing residential energy efficiency retrofit programs as well as strategies for growing participation and delivering anticipated savings and successful results include: (1) calculating accurate project-level savings estimates, (2) ensuring that upgrades are installed and perform as expected and (3) encouraging public buy-in and participation in programs. All of these variables affect a program’s ability to realize savings.

New technologies, practices, and program features represent opportunities to improve outcomes. Already, gaining traction in retrofit programs are data standardization, calibrated energy models to actual energy use and real-time program evaluation-all these strategies would help improve project-level realization rates. There are also emerging opportunities include leveraging the capabilities of smart technologies (e.g., smart thermostats and home energy management systems), expanded focus on HVAC system measurement and verification, and potentially, the inclusion of pay-for-performance incentives.

Energy Efficient Programs can play an important role in growing consumer demand for home performance work. They can also improve systems and practices that enable contractors to perform quality work and, at the same time, increase energy savings. More accurate, reliable information of savings at the project level opens up more opportunities to use different strategic financing options that are tied to energy savings, such as PACE on-bill financing. This can also enable better integration of energy efficiency improvements with other home maintenance and renovation projects, such as roofing or siding replacement. By capturing these opportunities, energy efficiency retrofit program providers can help residents gain all benefits of more energy-efficient homes. For more information on how to waste less and save more in your next project contact: EcoKong at 480-788-7718 or by email at info@ecokong.org

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R-Value is the measure of the ability of insulation material to resist heat transfer. The R-Value is determined by placing carefully prepared test specimens between two plates in a laboratory apparatus and measuring heat flow through the insulation.

R-Value is a very accurate and reliable expression of how insulation materials perform with regard to conduction of energy in a laboratory apparatus. But people don’t live in laboratories or only deal with the conduction of energy. They live in homes with real walls and ceilings, and in the real world of buildings R-Value is only one factor which determines the actual performance of insulated building assemblies.

                                                                      R-Value only tells part of the story..

R-Value is a laboratory measurement that measures conduction, but it does not effectively measure the other two methods of heat transfer: convection and radiation. So R-Value is only telling 1/3 of the story of how well your home will be insulated in real world conditions.

R-Value is important, but building scientists know that focusing on R-Value to the exclusion of all other factors can result in disappointment. It’s known, for instance, that thermal bridging can reduce the actual energy efficiency of a wall by up to 50 percent. U.S. scientists have proven that convective flows in very light density attic insulation can reduce its performance by more than 40 percent under winter conditions.

Cellulose insulation when applied at high density effectively resists air-infiltration. The Department of Energy (DOE) has written, “DON’T RELY ON THE INSULATION: The most common insulation, fiberglass, does not stop air leakage. In older homes, dirty fiberglass is a telltale sign of air movement (it simply collects dirt like a filter). Certain types of insulation such as dense-packed cellulose and certain foams, can be effective at reducing air flow as well as heat flow.” DOE Air Sealing Guide

The truth is…not all insulations effectively combat all three kinds of heat transfer.

Unlike other insulations, cellulose Insulation can effectively combats all three kinds of heat transfer. Insulation with an R-Value of up to 3.8 per inch, can be installed as a dense monolithic block in walls and as a blanket in the attic which significantly reduces air infiltration and acts as an effective barrier to heat transfer.

Whether your home was built a century ago or completed yesterday, it’s not too late for you to enjoy the benefits of Insulation. Covering old low-density loose-fill fiberglass in an attic with more of the same stuff “fails to restore the lost R-Value” that naturally occurs with fiberglass. But researchers at Oak Ridge found that when one “cap” loose-fill fiberglass with cellulose, it not only adds R-Value, it actually restores the effective R-Value that fiberglass loses during cold weather.

A study “Testing And Analysis Of The Comparative Performance of Cellulose Vs. Fiberglass Insulation” conducted by, “The state of Colorado Technical Energy Consultants for Homebuilders” reports; “…by conducting a controlled side-by-side test of fiberglass and cellulose insulation systems, this study indicates that the use of a properly installed cellulose Insulation system can significantly contribute to the reduction of air leakage in wall cavities and attics, thereby reducing the building heat loss and utility bills. It appears that the short fibers of the cellulose material, and the blown-in application, allow it to fill voids more effectively, while the higher density minimizes air movement. the average performance of all homes tested showed cellulose with a 25% to 35% reduction in infiltration when compared to fiberglass. The average impact to utility bills was a projected 12% to 14% reduction in space heating costs.”  Many older homes were built with little or no insulation in the sidewalls. Your local installer can add Insulation to your existing home’s sidewalls, making your home more energy efficient — saving you money!

What R-Value should I have in my house?How much Insulation you should have in your home will vary based on what type of climate you live in, the construction of your home, what heating equipment you are using and what type of fuel your heating system uses. The U.S. Department of Energy has put together some recommendations for minimum R-Values based on where you live in the United States. For more information contact EcoKong at 480-788-7718 by email at info@ecokong.org or visit us at our website www.ecokong.org

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The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) sets the standard for residential energy efficiency measures making homes more efficient when building new homes and retrofitting existing homes. The IECC was developed by the International Code Council to meet the industries energy efficiency needs. Most states have adopted energy codes, though as of 2016, 13 states were operating under the 2012 IECC, 19 were operating under the 2009 IECC and 8 states have already adopted the 2015 IECC. The big change in the IECC 2015 was the enhancement of building envelope air tightness and duct leakage tightness requirement, along with the introduction of the Energy Rating Index (ERI). These two requirements both can help homebuyers make better-informed purchase and renovation decisions in regard to a home’s energy performance compared to other similar homes.

The ASTM E779 and ASTM E1827 are the new standard test measures adopted by the IECC 2015 with reduced air leakage requirements. Both of these requirements have had some push back in the industry from contractors who believe that the measures are too stringent, but have been embraced by others who have adopted the mindset to save more and waste less when it comes to a building’s energy performance, leading to better comfort, safety and efficiency wasting less energy and saving more dollars (contact a contractor familiar with these new standards before you start your next project). The ERI (Energy Rating Index) is the other big change that allows flexibility to bring in third party raters to give the home or building a numerical score. The lower the score the more efficient the home or building with zero being a net zero home (wasting no energy). These goals are based on climate zones and can give homebuyers another simple way to compare homes. For example a home with a score of 100 is about as efficient of home you can get based on the 2006 IECC. Its important for homeowners to check with their state energy codes to see which IECC they have adopted.

Homeowners can benefit a lot by the new ERI scoring system, because it makes it as simple to understand as comparing fuel efficiency in a car. The higher the MPG (miles per gallon), the more efficient the vehicle will be, while opposite is true when it comes to the Energy Rating Index (ERI), the lower the score the more efficient. When renovating an existing home or purchasing a new home make sure you contact a company who is familiar with these new codes and rating systems, to make sure you get the most efficient standards applied to your new or existing home. You can still require the contractor to follow these new 2015 standards even though your state has not adopted them yet. Make sure you work with a rater consultant and/or contractor who is knowledgeable about these codes. For more information contact EcoKong at 480-788-7718 by email at info@ecokong.org or visit us at our website www.ecokong.org

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Accelerate Economic Growth through Energy Efficiency

The United States needs to accelerate economic growth its been hovering around 1.0% over the past couple quarter and forecasted to even dive deeper as we move into 2017. Both Political parties are under pressure to find solutions to bring growth back up in a meaningful way. Do we eve know how to do it? By looking at the problem from 4000 feet most likely isn’t the best way. Though having your feet on the ground, however, you can see several big opportunities. One way is to reduce energy bills for homes and businesses by making homes and building more efficient. This will in turn require a skilled workforce and creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and others putting money into the economy that otherwise would have been wasted.

Energy Efficiency leads to utility bill savings, getting more and wasting less energy. Reducing bills lead to more comfortable, safe, efficient homes and buildings. This means sealing ducts, eliminating drafts, providing cleaner air ventilation, upgrading insulation, highly efficient HVAC equipment and in many situations   replacing windows and adding a properly sized solar system. These renovations typically cost the home owner between $15,000 and $30,000 and the saving could be well over $35,000 not including intrinsic cost like better health do to better air quality, comfort and safety with less maintenance cost do to better performing homes.

Many utilities have tested these measures with varies programs and know they work. The challenge is getting it to scale at a national level and without the motivation and regulatory approval to do so we are losing out on one of our biggest opportunity for growth. These retrofit programs have a very high level of financial incentive that most are not taking advantage of and could be reduced over time diminishing the motivation to create a momentum we need to push growth to an acceptable level of 3-4% over the next 5-10 years. Accelerating this growth by investing is better buildings the worst performing segment of our economy-housing and restore these jobs to pre-recession levels before the housing bubble crash of 2007-08. This initiative could reduce pollution; create healthier homes that reduce time off school and work for children and adults. Working with state agencies to retrain workers to enter the new workforce as home energy performance workers and produce hundreds of thousands of new jobs.

You can join these initiative’s by calling: Eco Kong today at 480-788-7718 and take the first step in making your home or building comfortable, safe and efficient.

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You may have heard of whole house fans or attic fans in the past, but today’s technology is different. Today’s high tech units not only exhaust, or push, the hot air from attic spaces, but also actually pull cool air from outdoors in and through the entire home. While many of us would open a few windows for a little fresh air, that allows a passive breeze strong enough to cool only the air inside our homes. Working on the principal of thermal mass cooling new whole house fans create an active breeze, cooling the mass of the building structure and the furnishings within. These quiet and efficient units ventilate your entire home, not just the few feet in front of the open window. Today’s technology makes this possible with stronger, more advanced fan systems, so quiet you won’t even know they are running, and at a much lower cost than running air conditioning units full time.

Studies done by the Environmental Protection Agency have shown that air pollution inside our homes is on average 2-5 times greater than the outdoor air. In some cases, particular in homes of smokers or those using wood burning fireplaces, the indoor air pollution can be as much as 100 times higher than outside air. The average adult breathes over 3,000 gallons of air every day, and we spend up to 90% of our time indoors. Using a whole house fan part of the time to exchange the stale air inside your home for fresher outdoor air before turning on the AC can help provide the best indoor environment for yourself and your family along with energy savings and peace of mind.

Home inspection and professional energy auditing by Eco Kong can help you decide if a whole house fan system is right for you and guide you to a respected and reputable company for assistance in choosing the right equipment for your home. Call Eco Kong today at 480-788-7718. Your First Step Toward Comfort, Safety and Efficiency

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The Experts tell contractors the HVAC and Duct Systems should be designed to manual J & D specifications, but most don’t do it. You may not know that over sized equipment cost too much, waste energy, and can provide a lower level of comfort. The first step to avoid these problems according to the US Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is to insist your contractor perform Manual J calculation, which will determine heat loss and heat gain for each room of your home under worst case conditions.

The contractor can then specify properly sized equipment that meets the Manual J calculations. Manual J heat loos and heat gain calculations considers most factors that effect HVAC equipment (glazing and window specifications, doors, insulation, lighting, appliances, climate, building size, shape, and orientation).

The International residential code requires that heating and cooling equipment be sized based on Manual J calculations. Furthermore duct systems serving heating and cooling and ventilation equipment are fabricated within the provisions within the International residential code under Manual D.

As with many code provisions, these requirements are widely ignored and rarely enforced. Most homeowners who ask contractors about Manual J or D calculations are usually met with a blank stare. Most contractors assume that if you have a 2-ton system now, then that is the replacement of what you need.

Oversizing HVAC equipment suffer from short cycling, the units don’t run long enough to achieve enough dehumidification meaning the oversized equipment brings home up to temperature quickly, and then shuts down. A few minutes later, it comes on again, only to shut off again. Building owners not only get the annoying sound of short cycling but mostly wasted energy and uncomfortable rooms.

The bottom line is that when you choose the right sized equipment you pay less and are more comfortable. If you’re looking to get a Manual J done in your building call: Eco Kong at 480-788-7718 -Your First Step Toward Comfort, Safety and Efficiency

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The Clean Power Plan will cut support cutting pollution from power plants and lower posing risk to health from climate change. The average temperature has risen in most states since 1901 and 7 of the top 10 warmest years have been since 1988. In 2012 alone weather disasters cost American homeowners more than $100 billion dollars.

There has been limits on pollutants like arsenic and mercury but not carbon. Children, elderly and the poor are most effected by these health risk like related heat stress, pollution and extreme weather conditions.

The Clean Power Plan is projected to cut carbon by 30% from 2005 levels. Power plants are accounting for roughly 1/3 of all domestic green house emissions. The plan will also cut pollution  that lead to soot and smog by 25% in 2030. Americans will see benefits in the billions by 2030:

• Americans will Benefit $55-$93 Billion dollars in climate and health risk effects.
• Avoid 2700-6600 premature deaths.
• Eliminate 140,000-150,000 thousand asthma attacks in children.

States, Cities, and businesses have already taken action and chartered a path toward cleaner, more efficient power .The Clean Power Plan has put States in the drivers seat with enough flexibility to meet their goals. Cutting energy waste by improving efficiency to more comfortable, safe and efficient homes and buildings will lead also to robust efficiency opportunities that lead to lower market prices for everyone and is one of the quickest most cost effective way  to reduce dangerous carbon toxins.

Find out how you and your family can reduce waste, save money and live in a more comfortable, safe and efficient home or building.

Call Eco Kong Now at: 480-788-7718

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Guide to Home Ventilation-Ventilation is the exchange of indoor and outdoor air. A home without proper ventilation can seal in harmful pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, household cleaning chemicals and moisture that can damage a house.

Why Ventilate? Homes can seal in gases from combustion appliances like stoves, furnaces, and gas water heaters. Homes can have excessive moisture that will lead to mold growth and can cause structural damage. Furthermore, some levels of humidity can make equipment work harder, leading to more costly utility bills. Exhaust fans and Energy Recovery Ventilation (EVR) can remove gases and other pollutants from the indoor air, leaving your home with a clean fresh air exchange keeping you and your family safe from dangerous toxic chemicals.

Three Types of Home Ventilation:

Natural Ventilation is uncontrolled air movement from windows, cracks and doors in your home. This is the most common method and is still found in older homes.

Spot Ventilation using localized exhaust fans to quickly remove bad air and moisture at the source. For example: range hoods over stoves, laundry room and bathroom exhaust fans. Spot ventilation is usually used in conjunction with other ventilation strategies. If spot and natural ventilation don’t meet your homes needs you should consider a whole house strategy.

Whole-House Ventilation provides controlled, uniform ventilation throughout the entire house. For example: exhaust only that relies on building leakage to supply fresh air. supply only that relies on leakage from the building to exhaust stale air or balanced systems that have both exhaust and fresh air intake components.

Other Tips to consider kitchen and bathroom vents should lead directly outside never vented into the attic; this could pose serious health problems. If you had air sealing and new insulation it could be required base on your states standards to provided more fresh air avoiding toxic build up of stale air in your home. Special whole house air-to-air heat recovery ventilators can assist in what your home needs.

• Getting a whole house energy assessment is your first step to finding out how your home ventilation is performing.
• Call Now! 480-788-7718 or Book your appointment Online today.

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