Archive of posts filed under the Energy Efficiency category.
EMI And LEDs – Not All LEDs Are The Same!
Electromagnetic Interference (EMI, aka: “Dirty Electricity,” or “High Voltage Transients”) is a term coined for quick transient pulses, harmonics, spikes and dips in the electrical power in a home’s wiring that deviates from a purely 60Hz sine wave. These often occur due to computers, other electronics, mini transformers/power convertors, dimmer switches, CFL and LED lighting. […]
Where Does the Heat Go
Tom (our project partner and energy specialist) took some infrared (IR) images of the house to demonstrate where heat leaks most. Here we show each IR image side by side with a normal camera image. The different colors in the IR images show the different temperatures over the structure. Usually the reddish/yellowish colors indicate warmer […]
Leaky Like A Lobster Trap
We were hoping to demonstrate how leaky the house is by showing some blower door test results. The specific measurements turns out to be harder to get than we thought. We are also changing some of our initial thinking after examining the house in greater detail. Here are some excerpts from Tom’s report on where […]
Financing Options
Having acquire the house, we still need to fund the remodeling. Our goal of putting more energy efficient homes in the market is to sell this property outright after the fix-up. A fall back is to lease it, preferably with an option to sell. We are considering a few options. Bank credit line. We have […]
Designing for Modern Living
Collaboration among the partners who live in different parts of the country could be challenging. Tom operates in Maine, Dave is in Virginia and his GreenEarthEquity team in Fresno, CA, and I am in the San Francisco Bay Area. Thanks to the modern day technology, it actually works quite well. We are using communication tools […]
Energy Improvement Opportunities
This is a 100+ year old house. Obviously there are many energy efficiency shortcomings (hence many improvement opportunities). The house has been vacant for over 2 years so we don’t have the latest operational information. Exterior Walls. Before taking the walls apart, we already expect little to no insulations for houses of this age. The […]
From Foreclosure To Green Home: Property Inspection
Property Inspection The offer for the home included ten days for detail inspection of the home before the deal becomes final. Unexpected costs need to correct problems uncovered during the inspection can be basis to renegotiate the price of the offer or to retract the offer. Items of particular concern were the sewage system and […]
Acquiring A Foreclosed Home For Green Remodel
In April 2013, Tom Smith (owner of Summit Energy Solutions) found several homes for sale in Bridgton, Maine. One of them, a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1716 sq ft home built circa 1900, got his and Dave Robinson’s (founder of GreenEarthEquities) attention. The house was foreclosed by Fannie Mae and put on the market at […]