Construction Consulting and Inspections http://garynsmith.net Construction Consulting and Inspections Since 1974 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:00:59 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Construction Consulting and Inspections Since 1974 Gary Smith http://www.indiana.edu/%7Eicy/images/itunes_podcast_icon.jpgConstruction Consulting and Inspectionshttp://garynsmith.net gary smith no Gary Smith smith6673@gmail.com Public Underestimates Savings of Energy Efficiency: Scientific American Podcast (Listen Here) http://garynsmith.net/2010/08/public-underestimates-savings-of-energy-efficiency-scientific-american-podcast-listen-here/ http://garynsmith.net/2010/08/public-underestimates-savings-of-energy-efficiency-scientific-american-podcast-listen-here/#comments Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:57:34 +0000 Gary Smith http://garynsmith.net/?p=681 A survey finds that most people think cutting back on activities is better for energy savings than efficiency improvements. They’re wrong. Karen Hopkin reports

Most of us know we should rein in our energy use. But to be successful, it’d help if we knew the best way to do it. So scientists asked more than 500 people, “What’s the most effective thing you can do to conserve energy?” The results were illuminating.

More than half the participants focused on conservation by curtailment: switching off the lights, changing thermostat settings and driving less. Only 12 percent went for efficiency: using compact fluorescent bulbs, insulating the house or driving a hybrid car. But scientists say that it’s actually these moves that yield the bigger energy savings. The results appear in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. [Shahzeen Attari et al., http://bit.ly/bEtA6W]

The study authors think that a big factor is that curtailment is easier to imagine doing—while efforts to improve efficiency would involve, for example, doing research about new appliances or cars, and spending money up front to buy them.

But if people knew more about the actual energy requirements of their activities versus the savings available through efficiency, they might be spurred to act. To quote physicist and energy expert Arthur Rosenfeld: “Energy efficiency is like a Saudi Arabia under our cities.”

—Karen Hopkin

Source:

]]> http://garynsmith.net/2010/08/public-underestimates-savings-of-energy-efficiency-scientific-american-podcast-listen-here/feed/ 0 A survey finds that most people think cutting back on activities is better for energy savings than efficiency improvements. They’re wrong. Karen Hopkin reports Most of us know we should rein in our energy use. But to be successful, it’d help if we knew the best way to do it. So scientists asked more than 500 people, “What’s the most effective thing you can do to conserve energy?” The results were illuminating. More than half the participants focused on conservation by curtailment: switching off the lights, changing thermostat settings and driving less. Only 12 percent went for efficiency: using compact fluorescent bulbs, insulating the house or driving a hybrid car. But scientists say that it’s actually these moves that yield the bigger energy savings. The results appear in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. [Shahzeen Attari et al., http://bit.ly/bEtA6W] The study authors think that a big factor is that curtailment is easier to imagine doing—while efforts to improve efficiency would involve, for example, doing research about new appliances or cars, and spending money up front to buy them. But if people knew more about the actual energy requirements of their activities versus the savings available through efficiency, they might be spurred to act. To quote physicist and energy expert Arthur Rosenfeld: “Energy efficiency is like a Saudi Arabia under our cities.” —Karen Hopkin Source: Most of us know we should rein in our energy use. But to be successful, it’d help if we knew the best way to do it. So scientists asked more than 500 people, “What’s the most effective thing you can do to conserve energy?” The results were [...] no Deep Energy Retrofit http://garynsmith.net/2010/03/deep-energy-retrofit/ http://garynsmith.net/2010/03/deep-energy-retrofit/#comments Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:30:45 +0000 Gary Smith http://garynsmith.net/?p=318 Lisa Cohn of Energy Efficiency Markets interviews Jeff Smith, a host for HDTV and the DIY Network, about deep energy retrofits. How are they different from energy audits and what are their benefits? Check out his website [...]]]> Lisa Cohn of Energy Efficiency Markets interviews Jeff Smith, a host for HDTV and the DIY Network, about deep energy retrofits. How are they different from energy audits and what are their benefits? Check out his website at www.thegreenedhouseeffect.com.

]]> http://garynsmith.net/2010/03/deep-energy-retrofit/feed/ 0 Lisa Cohn of Energy Efficiency Markets interviews Jeff Smith, a host for HDTV and the DIY Network, about deep energy retrofits. How are they different from energy audits and what are their benefits? Check out his website at www.thegreenedhouseeffect.com. <p>Lisa Cohn of Energy Efficiency Markets interviews Jeff Smith, a host for HDTV and the DIY Network, about deep energy retrofits. How are they different from energy audits and what are their benefits? Check out his website [...] Lisa Cohn no Deal or No Deal? 7 New Home Sales Tips – Podcast http://garynsmith.net/2010/02/deal-or-no-deal-7-new-home-sales-tips-podcast/ http://garynsmith.net/2010/02/deal-or-no-deal-7-new-home-sales-tips-podcast/#comments Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:25:58 +0000 Gary Smith http://garynsmith.net/?p=251

Most of us are familiar with the popular TV show, Deal or no Deal. The show has a good formula for how to negotiate: There is pressure, tension, drama and expectation; it follows a lot of the patterns of negotiating.

Negotiating the deal is sort of a lost art. Not everybody knows how to negotiate because in the past we didn’t have to. This week Roland Nairnsey, new home sales expert, shares his top seven negotiation tip to bring everybody up to speed.

]]> http://garynsmith.net/2010/02/deal-or-no-deal-7-new-home-sales-tips-podcast/feed/ 0 Most of us are familiar with the popular TV show, Deal or no Deal. The show has a good formula for how to negotiate: There is pressure, tension, drama and expectation; it follows a lot of the patterns of negotiating. Negotiating the deal is sort of a lost art. Not everybody knows how to negotiate because in the past we didn’t have to. This week Roland Nairnsey, new home sales expert, shares his top seven negotiation tip to bring everybody up to speed. Most of us are familiar with the popular TV show, Deal or no Deal. The show has a good formula for how to negotiate: There is pressure, tension, drama and expectation; it follows a lot of the patterns of negotiating. [...] 40:00 no Green Verified vs Green Certified http://garynsmith.net/2010/02/green-verified-vs-green-certified/ http://garynsmith.net/2010/02/green-verified-vs-green-certified/#comments Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:32:26 +0000 Gary Smith http://garynsmith.net/?p=209 There is no doubt about it. Green is hot! It’s everywhere! But with respect to housing what’s the difference in “Green Verified” and “Green Certified”?

If you talk to 10 different people you’ll most likely get 10 different answers to “What does green mean?”

You’ll hear everything from “Yes, we’ve gone green at my office by buying recycled [...]]]> There is no doubt about it. Green is hot! It’s everywhere! But with respect to housing what’s the difference in “Green Verified” and “Green Certified”?

If you talk to 10 different people you’ll most likely get 10 different answers to “What does green mean?”

You’ll hear everything from “Yes, we’ve gone green at my office by buying recycled copy paper!” to “Green…sure I bought one of GM’s new SUVs, they’re environmentally friendly. See, the commercials place their vehicles in a forest setting?”  Actually, General Motors is a member of the Coalition of Vehicle Choice, an organization that opposes clean air legislation and laws directed at reducing auto emissions. Huh, are you sure? Yes, check it out!

What about housing?

When you purchase a home and the builder makes a green declaration how can you tell if he’s done the right thing or just blowing smoke to ride a wave of hype!?!

There are two basic types of Green Certification programs in America today. The builder or owner verified program and the unbiased 3rd party verification.

The NAHB Green Building Standard, LEED-H, Energy Star, Earth Craft and Green Built are some of the more promenant certifying bodies in the US.

Certifications

Certifications for green construction are awarded upon successfully adhereing to the particular specifications of their respective programs. Typically, points are awarded for specific energy or resource efficient principles. Other areas of note are water efficiency, indoor air quality and home owner education.

Verification

Verification for green is typically an indepth technical visual  inspection process that confirms program adherence and includes performance testing. This test is provided by highly trained “energy raters” who deterime, amoung other readings, how air tight the building is and how well the heating and air conditioning system operates.

For more info about green building contact me toll free 1-877-809-6139 or online at http://www.greenbuildinginspector.com.

Home Inspections and Energy Ratings in Central Mississippi at http://www.garynsmith.net

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]]> http://garynsmith.net/2010/02/green-verified-vs-green-certified/feed/ 2 There is no doubt about it. Green is hot! It’s everywhere! But with respect to housing what’s the difference in “Green Verified” and “Green Certified”? If you talk to 10 different people you’ll most likely get 10 different answers to “What does green mean?” You’ll hear everything from “Yes, we’ve gone green at my office by buying recycled copy paper!” to “Green…sure I bought one of GM’s new SUVs, they’re environmentally friendly. See, the commercials place their vehicles in a forest setting?”  Actually, General Motors is a member of the Coalition of Vehicle Choice, an organization that opposes clean air legislation and laws directed at reducing auto emissions. Huh, are you sure? Yes, check it out! What about housing? When you purchase a home and the builder makes a green declaration how can you tell if he’s done the right thing or just blowing smoke to ride a wave of hype!?! There are two basic types of Green Certification programs in America today. The builder or owner verified program and the unbiased 3rd party verification. The NAHB Green Building Standard, LEED-H, Energy Star, Earth Craft and Green Built are some of the more promenant certifying bodies in the US. Certifications Certifications for green construction are awarded upon successfully adhereing to the particular specifications of their respective programs. Typically, points are awarded for specific energy or resource efficient principles. Other areas of note are water efficiency, indoor air quality and home owner education. Verification Verification for green is typically an indepth technical visual  inspection process that confirms program adherence and includes performance testing. This test is provided by highly trained “energy raters” who deterime, amoung other readings, how air tight the building is and how well the heating and air conditioning system operates. For more info about green building contact me toll free 1-877-809-6139 or online at http://www.greenbuildinginspector.com. Home Inspections and Energy Ratings in Central Mississippi at http://www.garynsmith.net <p>There is no doubt about it. Green is hot! It’s everywhere! But with respect to housing what’s the difference in “Green Verified” and “Green Certified”?</p> <p>If you talk to 10 different people you’ll most likely [...] Gary Smith :46 Green Minute - Energy Rated Homes of Mississippi no Welcome http://garynsmith.net/2010/01/welcome/ http://garynsmith.net/2010/01/welcome/#comments Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:08:30 +0000 Gary Smith http://garynsmith.net/?p=3 Welcome to our new diggs. Keep an eye out…we’re updating it by the minute!

We’re able to help you with an energy rating which will also help you qualify for a tax credit. Contact [...]]]> Welcome to our new diggs. Keep an eye out…we’re updating it by the minute!

We’re able to help you with an energy rating which will also help you qualify for a tax credit. Contact us today!

]]> http://garynsmith.net/2010/01/welcome/feed/ 0 Welcome to our new diggs. Keep an eye out…we’re updating it by the minute! We’re able to help you with an energy rating which will also help you qualify for a tax credit. Contact us today! <p>Welcome to our new diggs. Keep an eye out…we’re updating it by the minute!</p> <p>We’re able to help you with an energy rating which will also help you qualify for a tax credit. Contact [...]