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September 1, 2008

http://greenerbuildings.com/column/2008/08/28/retrofitting-structures-energy-efficiency?mode=one
The Challenge of Existing Buildings: Retrofitting Structures for Increased Energy Efficiency By Cory Vanderpool Published August 28, 2008 Facility Management; Your Email: * Your Name: * Send To: * Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas. You are going to email the following: The Challenge of Existing Buildings: Retrofitting Structures for Increased Energy Efficiency Message Subject: (Your Name) has forwarded a page to you from GreenBiz.com® Message Body: (Your Name) thought you would like to see this page from GreenBiz.com®. Your Personal Message: * Digg Del.icio.us Reddit Stumble Upon Smart building technologies provide for the conservation of energy and offer one of the quickest, most cost effective and environmentally friendly ways to reduce America's need for dirty and costly new power generation. Smart buildings contain building automation systems (BAS) that monitor and regulate tasks such as heating, air conditioning, lighting, environmental variables, security and appliances. When integrated inside a building, these typically disparate systems can contribute to lower operational costs and a smaller carbon footprint. According to the Energy Information Administration, buildings today consume 42 percent of the energy generated in the United States, with 68 percent utilized for electricity. Paying for this energy is a major part of a business's budget, making energy efficiency improvements increasingly attractive. The building sector is also a key source of demand for energy and materials that produce by-product greenhouse gases. The primary gas emitted by human activities in the United States is carbon dioxide, which according to the EPA represents 85 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions. Nearly half of these CO2 emissions result from the energy used in the production and operation of buildings. Retrofitting buildings with automation systems that leverage the capability to transmit data over the power line, referred to as Power Line Communications (PLC), is where the potential exists for realizing energy savings. This technique is cost effective because it doesn't require added cabling. Building automation systems have the ability to tie modern appliances, lighting and HVAC systems to a "smart" network backbone whereby a computer network integrates the controls of a building's electrical and mechanical systems. This technology represents the convergence of building systems, information technology and the Internet. BAS can produce energy savings for restaurants, hotels, hospitals, schools, multi-dwelling units, office buildings, shopping centers and residences. Traditional automation systems require extensive and costly cabling and are utilized primarily in new construction projects. Building automation systems based on PLC links, however, leverage the existing electrical grid and represent a cost-effective means of automating existing facilities and managing energy consumption. PLC works by transmitting data at a rapid speed over a power line and into a house or building, allowing electronic devices to communicate with each other over the existing alternating current (AC). This technology is very suitable for retrofit requirements since it requires no additional cabling. The development of communications standards has led to higher bandwidth PLC devices, which have superseded earlier technologies that were slow and unreliable. Given the variety of protocols and standards, many organizations are working to promote open source platforms to ensure systems are interoperable. In residences, HomePlug, X10, Insteon and HD-PLC represent reliable, home-networking devices. The LonWorks platform for control networks can be utilized in everything from single-family homes to sizable commercial buildings. BACnet is a nonproprietary control for larger-scale commercial building automation and is designed to meet the communication needs of building automation and control systems for applications such as heating, ventilating, lighting, access and air conditioning control. Though communicating over power lines is not without challenges, technical innovations by PLC pioneering companies have led to more advanced signaling efforts and advanced power line solutions that adopt spread spectrum, as well as narrowband technologies for communications. Further market adoption through expanded tax incentives will hopefully drive innovation and make building automation systems more affordable. Smart home technology is becoming increasingly cost effective, and basic systems for an average size home (about 2,500 square feet) can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000. Homeowners can expect energy savings of around 20 percent on their home energy bill with a payback period typically within two years. PLC-based commercial building automation systems vary in cost and depend on the system needs and requirements, size of the facility and level of automation. Building owners can expect to spend at least $1 to $2 per square foot on a system that averages energy savings of 20 to 40 percent. Most payback periods in commercial buildings are between three to five years, depending on the size of the building. This kind of inherently green network-over-powerline technology has a variety of applications. McDonald's Corporation intends to use PLC-based technology to create the kitchen of the future, allowing various pieces of equipment to exchange data between themselves, the store's systems and the head office, all by way of the existing power lines. This will be completed without the restaurant chain having to tear out walls to install it. Because of the technology's scalability, this same system can be integrated with HVAC and lighting systems in order to extend energy management capabilities throughout the restaurant. In order to affect large-scale change, it is important that legislators are educated about the benefits of PLC based building automation systems for both new construction and for retrofitting existing structures. Economic incentives are necessary to spur further market adoption and consumers need to be educated about the technology available to them. Recent legislation has primarily been focused on new, high performance commercial buildings. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 provides an Energy Efficiency Tax Incentive for buildings put into operation between 2006 and 2008. Specifically, commercial buildings that demonstrate a whole building energy reduction of at least 50 percent can claim a tax deduction of $1.80 per square foot. The Energy Policy Act doesn't cover energy efficiency upgrades made to existing facilities that came into operation prior to 2006. In order to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings nationwide, help consumers save energy and reduce operating costs, owners of existing commercial facilities need to be incentivized as well. Reducing energy consumption in commercial buildings is vital, especially today, with a slowing economy attributed to rising fuel prices and soaring energy costs. Building automation systems that function on a power line carrier backbone can help us conserve the energy being generated. This technology has emerged as a key enabler for today's energy intelligent structures and reduces carbon emissions, lowers energy costs for building owners and saves energy in facilities. By reducing our energy use in buildings just 1 percent, we could save the equivalent of 55 million barrels of oil per year, worth about $1 billion. It is time that we work towards meeting the challenge of reducing energy consumption in the existing built environment. Cory Vanderpool is the Executive Director of GreenLink Conservation Alliance, a nonprofit membership-based association headquartered in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. GreenLink is focused on promoting innovative and intelligent control technologies that conserve energy in residential and commercial buildings. Post a Comment »

May 9, 2008

http://www.professionalroofing.net/default.aspx?i=74
FYI

May 9, 2008

NRCA News Brief
2008 Sign up Forward Archive Advertise News for the roofing industry Search recent stories: Industry Watch Commercial construction spending makes March rebound Commercial construction spending made a slight rebound in March after a months-long decline. Census Bureau figures show spending on private nonresidential construction in March was up 1.9%, compared with February, while private residential construction continued its decline, falling 4.6% from February. The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) (5/7) Nevada businesses harden position against new taxes A survey of Nevada businesses released this week indicates 97% of those polled are taking a tougher stand against new forms of taxation that have been discussed recently -- a corporate income tax or a gross-receipts tax. Nevada's government is looking for ways to avoid cutting $914 million out of its two-year operating budget. Las Vegas Review-Journal (5/7) Take stock of what company is worth before selling Microsoft's failed bid to purchase Yahoo provides a good lesson on when the timing is right for selling a business. Experts say the business should be in good financial shape and expect the price to reflect such things as a loyal customer base and a good location as well as favorable supply contracts and distribution capabilities. The Street.com (5/7) Construction News & Trends New research facilities add California construction jobs California's Institute for Regenerative Medicine has approved the distribution of $271 million to 12 institutions for construction of stem-cell research facilities around the state. The institutions, which will contribute an additional $900 million for construction, are charged with building the labs within the next 24 months, creating thousands of construction jobs in an otherwise slow market. GlobeSt.com (5/8) Planners consider metal roof for Vancouver Olympic Stadium A board overseeing the Olympic Stadium in Vancouver says it is considering a new fixed roof made of metal for the stadium. The Olympic Installations Board has looked at plans from SNC-Lavalin for construction of the roof, and construction could start as early as November, but more planning stages need to be completed before contracts can be issued. The Montreal Gazette (5/7) Historic society roof repair project moves ahead in Pennsylvania The Tamaqua borough in Pennsylvania has awarded a $101,300 contract to Hutchinson Construction, of Hazleton, Pa., to repair a roof at the Historical Society Museum. The borough will obtain a community development grant to pay for the repairs, needed to stop leaks and falling plaster. The Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.) (5/8) Online giant eBay opens new building with solar roof Online auction service eBay was expected to dedicate a new energy-efficient building in San Jose, Calif., that features the largest commercial solar roof in the city. The structure is the first new building the 13-year-old company has ever built, and its solar roof will have enough panels to generate 15% to 18% of the campus' electricity needs. The Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.) (5/8) Market Growth Bankruptcies surge in April; small businesses are hurt A 49% increase in bankruptcies in April indicates small businesses finally have fallen victim to the mortgage lending crisis. The increase in filings raised the total higher than for any month since 2005 when new bankruptcy laws took effect. Big banks and hedge funds had trouble last year but inefficiently operated companies are falling now, says the National Federation of Independent Business' chief economist. BusinessWeek (5/6) Government & Regulatory Competing interests dim hope for immigration reform Without a comprehensive immigration-reform bill, lobbyists are pressing for a variety of narrow, short-term fixes for workers ranging from engineers to nurses to housekeepers. But one former lawmaker now working as a lobbyist says the competing interest groups are essentially canceling each other out. "It's hard to do anything for anyone without doing everything for everybody," says former Rep. Bruce Morrison, D-Conn. "That sounds like a formula for doing nothing." The Hill (5/6) NRCA News The Alliance adds a new member RoofConnect, Sheridan, Ark., has joined The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress, bringing total Alliance membership to 123 organizations. The Alliance is open to all roofing contractor and industry partners. Alliance members are committed to securing the roofing industry's future excellence. For more information about the Alliance, click here or here. NRCA offers safety and water damage DVD set The Safety Awareness, Job-site Safety and Water Damage DVD Set offers three programs. Safety Awareness: It's Up to You provides a summary of safety procedures. Setting Up a Job Site Safely shows new employees and seasoned veterans the importance of implementing safety procedures. Water Damage: Don't Get Soaked addresses pre-job and on-the-job procedures to prevent water damage. The member price for the DVD set is $95, and the retail price is $190. To purchase, click here. Learn more about NRCA -> Home | Join | Shop | Education | Professional Roofing magazine SmartQuote Why should we subsidize intellectual curiosity?" --Ronald Reagan fortieth U.S. president Subscriber Tools Print friendly format | Web version | Search past news | Archive | Privacy policy Advertise Sales Account Director: Jim Pataki 202-737-5500 ext. 273 Download Media Kit Read more at SmartBrief.com A powerful Web site for SmartBrief readers including: Readers' Choice Search Archive Recent NRCA SmartBrief Issues: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 Monday, May 05, 2008 Friday, May 02, 2008 Thursday, May 01, 2008 Wednesday, April 30, 2008

May 9, 2008

April 17, 2008

http://www.littleandsmith.com/
Little & Smith, Inc. is Named the Top-Rated Insurance Agency in the United States by the IIABA Best Practices Study Group Press release: October 19, 2004 Little & Smith, Inc., Marietta, GA, has been named “Best in Class”, and ranked the number one insurance agency in the United States in its revenue category. The Best Practices Consulting Group analyzed more than 900 independent insurance agencies across the country before presenting the award on October 10, 2004. Agencies were scored and ranked objectively on such criteria as growth, stability, client satisfaction, and financial management. Each year, the Independent Insurance Agencies and Brokers of America and Reagan Consulting partner to study the leading agencies in the United States. The purpose is to establish agency performance benchmarks and identify key business practices in the industry. The prestigious “Best in Class” award is presented every three years. Little & Smith, Inc. also won the 2001 award. Little & Smith, Inc. was founded in 1926, and specializes in property and casualty insurance for business and individual clients.

TowneLake & Associates, Inc. is licensed, bonded, and carries full liability and workers compensation insurance for the protection of the property owner.