EcoSmarte System...can anyone provide a reference?
swimin07
16 years ago
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poolguynj
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Hot Water Recirculating System Anyone?
Comments (24)David_cary ~~ as dlm2000 points out, there is NO pump used on the convection-style recirculating system. You can probably get a better explanation by googling, but basically what happens is that all the hot water is piped consecutively (and yes, pipes must be insulated, but they shoud be anyhow), but instead of the pipe dead-ending at the last faucet, the pipe returns to the hot water heater. Convection causes a slow journey through the pipes, hot water goes up and cooler cometh down, which results in hot water always being at the tap. As with any other issue involving moving heat, insulation of the transmitting unit (whether water pipe or air duct) is required for the best energy efficiency. I have no doubt that there is a slight increase in the overall cost of heating hot water, but it should be a *very* slight increase since the water within well-insulted pipes does not drop a great deal of temperature ~~ and if one is truly concerned about energy efficiency, there would be a far better cost return by solar pre-heating the originating water before it goes into the water heater....See MoreMinnesota's new fire sprinkler law
Comments (32)The MN requirement for sprinklers in residences comes from the 2012 International Residential Code (IRC). Since this code is the basis for most state building codes in the US, each of those states will eventually be forced to accept the sprinkler requirement or pass legislation to amend the code if it hasn't already done so (the requirement was also in the 2009 IRC) Currently I believe only California, Maryland and DC have allowed the sprinkler requirement to become law unmodified. MN adopts the IRC after review and amendment and it has recently amended the 2012 IRC to exempt houses smaller than 4,500 s.f. Since the average size of a single family home in the US is 2,700 s.f. the rule appears to allow most single family homes in MN to be built without sprinklers. However, the building area includes all "conditioned space" so it can include conditioned lower levels and bonus rooms even if those spaces are unfinished. Even so, it seems easy enough to avoid the requirement if you really don't want sprinklers. The ICC has strongly advocated home sprinklers since 2006 when the requirement was included as an option to be adopted locally. The fight over including the requirement in the IRC has always been between home building associations (and the NHAB) and fire fighter associations (and the NFPA). A very small percentage of homeowners die in fires each year so the home buying public understandably cares more about price than sprinklers but about 45% of firefighter deaths occur in those home fires so the sprinkler code fight is basically between homebuilders and firefighters....See MoreHas Anything Changed In Recessed LCD Lighting Since 2012?!?
Comments (29)Davidtay and Andrew, Still trying to get my head around these lighting controls. I think the Lutron RadioRA2 is what we prefer. Please help me understand what we would need to buy for each main room (let us assume there is at least a 3 way switch in each room and some have 4 way). In other words, our open concept house will have at least 2 spots in each room where lights can be turned on and off. Presently, the plan was to have multiple switches in each location (which I hate do to confusion of which switch operates which circuit). So, with the above preamble, what do I need to buy for say one room with a 3 way switch (two locations at different entries where lights can be controlled)? In that room let us assume there are 3 circuits needing to be controlled (say dining room chandy, mood lights and say pot lights all on a different circuit and all we desire the control to dim as needed). If you could help me understand what I need to buy for one room with the Lutron RadioRA2 scene control, I could then figure out what I would need to buy to have similar scene controls in all the main rooms (kitchen, great room, dining room and media room). Any general guidance on pricing of necessary products for the above scenarios? If these scene controls are controlled wirelessly, what if any in wall wiring do we need to ensure is in place before closing the walls? Do we need to hire a contractor to commission these scene controls or can they be DIY installed (DH is handy/knowledgeable enough to do some of our wiring). Do the scene controls in a room eliminate the need to have the multiple groups of light switches (or are they in addition to the multiple switches)? In other words, if we have 3 circuits needing to be controlled in a room, do we have one Lutron scene control beside a 3 gang regular light switch (room for 4 light boxes)? Sorry for all the questions -- even if you can answer some of them I would be very grateful. Also, if you can point me in the direction of where we can learn the nitty gritty of what needs to be bought and how to install these scene controls that would be very helpful. We do not have the budget to hire out the whole install and design so have to find a way to learn what needs to be done and how to do it. Carol Here is a link that might be useful: Lutron scene control we prefer...See MoreHas anyone put in a geothermal system?
Comments (31)Let me clarify above opinions because I am suddenly the guy who likes forced air gas instead of GSHP...which is really not true. There are many reasons to use a different heat source than forced air gas. All of those reasons are great and true and good and yah! To pretend that gas doesn't have any advantages is simply being disingenuous, as would pretending that GSHP's don't have any advantages. They both have some advantages and some disadvantages, but there are also some myths about both of them. Real geothermal has some amazing environmental benefits, but many of the GSHP environmental benefits are oversold. As these systems age and start dropping antifreeze into the groundwater table I can't see the marginal fossil fuel benefit being enough to make them environmentally friendly. This isn't to say they are bad, or that you are bad for doing them, had the finances worked out I would have done one. However, payback period refers to the period of time required to recoup the funds expended in an investment, or to reach the break-even point. Payback is purely financial, whether you install one system, two separate systems or two hundred separate systems really has nothing to do with payback at all. The savings that are quoted for GSHPs simply rarely come to fruition, and rely on customers having a lack of understanding. We were quoted a minimum of $18,000 more for GSHP after the tax rebates (assuming the drilling had no unexpected problems). When the guy started talking payback period he conveniently left off the additional interest charges for the mortgaged amount. Payback period also ignores the time value of money. At some point, you have to get away from payback period altogether..I use 9 years. Anything not paid back in 9 years essentially never pays back. The fact that it will never get close to paying for itself is the real reason I am saying no. Others may have the exact same numbers and decide the benefits are worth paying for. I would pick it over gas if it were competitively priced....See Morerenovxpt
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3 years ago
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