-- Scotts Contracting - StLouis Renewable Energy: Home Energy Savings

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Showing posts with label Home Energy Savings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Home Energy Savings. Show all posts

11.03.2012

Tuckpointing Interior- Rehab of 4 Family Part 3



 How we  brought the Old Western - Old South St Louis Architecture- Decor and Feel into a Modern Day Apartment- Benton Gut Rehab


We performed extensive tuck-pointing on the Building for
  • Aesthetic Purposes -for the Interior-see Soulard* Red Colored Mortar in this picture below ) and 

    Structural Purposes  (see upcoming Green Blog Post) both of which have Energy Saving Benefits!

    Soulard Red Decorative Tuck-pointing



Materials/Tools Used for the Project:
  • Type N- Masonry and Tuckpoint Mortar Mix
  • Red Coloring (Soulard Red)- Dry Mix
  • 4 in Diamond Plated Grinder Wheels
  • Various Tuck-pointing tools- Concave Pointers
  • Hudson Sprayer
  • Step Ladders and Walk Boards
  • Safety Glasses / Dust Masks
  • Wheel Barrow and Garden Hoe
Before During and After Pictures of this stage of the project



Scotts Contracting Decorative Interior Tuckpointing Soulard Red Mortar Mix Type N 

  
After we Ground out the Mortar Joints we then Tuck-pointed the Soulard Red Decorative Mortar Mix into the Mortar Joints.  Type N Masonry Mix "Pro Mix"
Scotts Contracting Decorative Interior Tuckpointing Soulard Red Mortar Mix Type N
  • Before We Removed the Damaged Exterior Wall.
  • We First Tuck-pointed the Brick Walls of the Building.
  • We could then Safely Remove the Damaged Lumber and Walls- after shoring up the existing Ceiling Joists (upcoming post in the Series)
  •  Rebuild the 2x6 Walls (upcoming post in the Series)
     

scotts Contracting Gut Rehab St Louis Missouri
Building the 2x6 Walls and Door Frame

  1. Removed all the old plaster from 2 walls int the Apartment then
  2. ground out all the mortar joints to a depth of one-half to three-quarters of an inch
  3. We then blew all the loose mortar from the area -To clean out the joints and prepare the Mortar Bed for the New Mix
  4. Dampened the area with a Hudson sprayer filled with water- before applying the Masonry Mix -On older buildings this is a critical step as it will help the Masonry Mix adhere to the Bricks while the New Mortar cures.
  5. We then filled the cracks with Type N Masonry and Tuckpoint Mix
  6. Brush the area for a consistent look
  7. Clean Up the area and enjoy the Decorative Look of the new Red Accent Walls




 

   
Scotts Contracting Decorative Interior Accent Wall Tuckpointing with Soulard Red Type N Masonry Mix

Soulard Red Interior Tuckpointing by Scotts Contracting 

Scotts Contracting Decorative Interior Accent Wall Tuckpointing with Soulard Red Type N Masonry Mix
 The 'Soulard Red' Decorative Tuck-pointed Accent Walls- when combined with: 
  • Modern Drywall that has a 
  • Smooth Textured Finish and a 
  • 'Refinished Douglas Fir Wood Floor' which Mother Nature has provided a natural reddish tint will give this kitchen and bedroom area the:

Old Western - Old South St Louis Architecture Decor and Feel into a Modern Day Apartment- Benton Gut Rehab






Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP. Company Web Address: http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com


1.21.2012

How To Add Curb Appeal and Save on Home Energy Needs

Power Point Presentation of how Incorporating Green Building Practices can 

Add Curb Appeal and Save on Home Energy Use

Both of which will Add Value to your Home in Comfort and Appraisal Value

This Wrap Around Porch was 

Designed and Built by Scotty, Scotts Contracting

The Final Photos will be added soon!









Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs for your Home or Business in the Greater St Louis Area and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP.

5.05.2011

Nega Watts- Energy Efficiency News

  •  birth of the negawatt – a tradable resource now gaining prominence in the industry
  • energy efficiency resource portfolio standards with targets to reduce electricity demand over time
  • standards will take a 6% bite out of retail electricity sales nationwide by 2020
Estimating the imact of US energy efficiency programmes

May 5, 2011 Risk . net

 Increased interest in energy efficiency and demand response programmes in the US power markets has led to the birth of the negawatt – a tradable resource now gaining prominence in the industry. But estimating the impact of these programmes is not easy, as Elisa Wood discovers


Many US states are now mandating deep cuts in power use through energy efficiency programmes. However, for suppliers and utilities, working out the impact these programmes will have on their business models is proving extremely difficult.



Twenty-six US states, which account for 65% of the country’s electricity demand, now have energy efficiency resource portfolio standards with targets to reduce electricity demand over time. If achieved, the standards will take a 6% bite out of retail electricity sales nationwide by 2020, according to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE).



Because these, and other efficiency and demand reduction programmes, effectively increase supply, they have given birth to a new virtual resource – the negawatt – energy saved via energy efficiency measures. The negawatt is fast becoming a recognised tradable resource that can be used to bid in some of the US regional wholesale power markets head to head against power resources. The first to accept such bids was ISO New England in its forward capacity market. These negawatts have contributed to significant flattening of demand for capacity in New England.


Negawatts have not, however, created power markets that are any less complicated when it comes to navigating risk and reward, according to Daniel Allegretti, vice-president for energy policy with Maryland-based Constellation Energy, which operates in both wholesale and retail electric markets. In fact, they have added yet another wrinkle.



“As we’re seeing more demand response coming in flattening things out, we are also seeing more intermittent supply [such as wind and solar] come in. So I don’t think the markets are becoming less volatile from a trading perspective,” he says. “To understand it, to predict and see where to take a position, is becoming increasingly challenging,” he adds. “I wouldn’t say there is a magical algorithm.”


Indeed, it is ultimately the “grey matter” that must determine a supplier’s market position by taking in the many data points that influence demand, such as weather, rule changes, energy imports, regional transmission organisation information and new utility programmes, he says.



All these variables make trying to calculate the impact of energy efficiency and demand response extremely tricky. “The prevailing conventional wisdom is that energy efficiency will put downward pressure on demand and prices. I don’t think anyone argues with that. The $64,000 question is, of what magnitude,” says Martin Kushler, senior fellow at the ACEEE.



Overall demand appears set to rise despite energy efficiency programmes, due to a growing use of air conditioners and electronic devices. However, the rise is forecast at just 1% per year, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).


Retail electricity rates also appear to be levelling and may even fall, according to the EIA’s Short-Term Energy Outlook, published in March 2011. Household electricity prices showed no growth from 2009 and 2010, hovering around an average 11.58 cents/kWh, not an unexpected event during a period of slow economic activity and low natural gas prices. The same forecast shows electricity prices rising by 1% in 2011 and 0.5% in 2012.


But over the long term, prices may actually fall. An early release of EIA’s Annual Energy Outlook 2011 projects that real average delivered electricity prices will drop to as low as 8.9 cents/kWh in 2016.
_______________
Scotty writes: I'll believe a decrease in Electricity Rates when It happens.  From all I read about Ameren UE's agenda- they will not be lowering the Electricity Rates for St Louis anytime soon.

9.16.2010

Fall Home Check Up Guide with Photos

Fall Fix-Ups Checklist for your Home Provided by BHG with additional Notes by: Scotty, Scotts Contracting Green Builder - Renewable Energy Distributor / Installer




The secret to a secure and comfortable home is regular maintenance. From cleaning gutters to fireplace safety, we discuss it all in a list of must-dos for fall.


In many existences: Preventive Maintenance will save you $money$ before costly repairs are needed. Scotts Contracting is available to assist you in your Home Projects-Large or Small.
Gutter


Clear the Gutters

Falling leaves and evergreen needles can block downspouts and cause rainwater to overflow gutters. Depending on where you live, the coming of winter can mean clogged gutters. This can cause ice dams, which push water under shingles and into your house. Clean gutters after most of the leaves have fallen, and do so by removing the debris with a plastic scoop or with a special curved wand attached to your garden hose. To keep gutters clear for next fall, install mesh or perforated leaf shields. In addition to cleaning gutters, you might need to install insulation in the attic or apply heat tape along the roof edge above the gutters to prevent ice dams.

Additional Note by Scotty: If the Water is not flowing towards the downspouts for any number of reasons this will create a backup of water and debris. The added weight could also dislodge the Gutter and Downspouts from the house. Sometimes the Gutter is completely falls off or the weight creates a sag in the gutter. This in turn creates more of a Blockage Dam with more weight added with each form of Precipitation and added Debris. Both causing damage that could effect more than the Gutters and Downspouts. Since the Gutter attaches to the Fascia of the Home it can be effected also. The Fascia Area / Board of Homes if the First Stop in Attic Infiltration from the Elements.

Gutter



Inspect Your Gutters

If you live in an area where the winters are full of ice and snow, ensure that gutters are securely attached to the house before winter hits. Check for any loose gutter spikes (8-inch-long nails that secure gutters to the eaves) and replace them with gutter screws, which hold better. Simply remove any loose spikes and drill gutter screws into the same hole.
Rarely is a Gutter Fix this simple mainly because
  • the Gutter Spike which has a diameter of 3/8inch (the Diameter of a Pencil) has generally created a bigger hole than the average screw can be screwed into with any holding power.
  • Many times the gutter screw was not properly installed: Through the Fascia Board and Into the Rafter Tails of the Roofing System. Without the additional strength of the Screws or Nails penetrating the Rafter Tails adequate Strength Loads will not meet the Load Requirements for severe Snow and Ice Loads.
  1. Fix:
  • Remove Nail and Hanger
  • Fill Hole with Silicone-In both the Gutter and Fascia Board. This will stop any water and air filtration into the Soffitt Area of Your Home.
  • Move Gutter Hanger to Correct Location and Install with 2 ½ in or 3 in Screws. ( Ensuring that the Screw Penetrates into the Rafter Tails of the Roofing System.
Apply caulk


Caulk the Cracks

Caulk can help keep out dirt, moisture, sound, and radon gas, and it can improve the general appearance of your home. Caulk before painting for a more finished look. Caulk where masonry meets siding, where pipes or wires enter the house, around window and door frames, and at corner joints formed by siding.


Roof



Check the Roof

Inspecting the roof twice a year should become a routine. From the ground, use binoculars to look for missing, loose, or damaged shingles. Then note any leaks from inside, which might include checking your attic. Fall is a good time to replace missing shingles, cement down curled edges, and recaulk where plumbing stacks, cable brackets, or antennae penetrate the roof. If you're hesitant about scaling the heights, hire a reputable roofer.
Home Exterior

Clean Up Your Exterior

Wash your home's exterior and windows to start fresh for fall and prevent the growth of mold and mildew that feed on dirt. Make the task easy by renting a pressure washer for $50-$100 per day. Find out exactly how much pressure the washer will exert and whether the surface you plan to wash can withstand it.

Note: While washing your exterior is a Good time to visually inspect for any areas in need of additional attention. Also by Cleaning the Exterior of your home will remove any debris that will attract more debris build-up over the Winter Months.

Insulating Attic Floors


Insulate and Ventilate

Attic Insulation and Attic Energy Solutions (Prior Green Blog Post)

-Attic Insulation-


I've put a little information to help assist in explaining 'Attic Insulation for a Home'. I take a whole house approach to improve a Home's Energy Reduction Needs. The Attic Area and Attic insulation being just one area.


In the old days we just blew the insulation into the attic. Now, I suggest that any
  • Air Infiltration areas be resolved before adding insulation- Stop the Air (Hot or Cold) From Entering or Leaving a Home.

    • This includes: proper attic ventilation, ceiling protrusions(Light Boxes / Ceiling Fan), access points, mechanical and electric points, Attic Knee Walls, Obtrusions, etc
    • Adding Radiant Barriers for Existing Buildings-in a nutshell this bounces the Exterior Temperature back outside.
    • Attached to the Underneath Side of Existing Rafters
    • Option 1:Double Reflective R-Values range from R-3.7 to R-17
    • Attic Add Insulation to meet Suggested Guidelines

    • When used in conjunction with a Radiant Barrier-Cost of Insulation is reduced and thickness / weight of insulation is reduced.




    • When we come over to perform an estimate. We will inspect for the above mentioned problem areas. Discuss the various solutions. Next, I'll determine the Materials and Labor Needed to Complete and Fix the Areas Quoted in the Project. I'll then submit a Project Proposal that will discuss project in detail. Answer any Questions, Explain Procedures, etc.







    Looking forward to meeting you and discussing the ways I can help with Lowering your Energy Bills.






Apply shrink wrap, Use a blow dryer to shrink plastic

Weather-Strip Doors and Windows
Part of your fall buttoning-up should be checking your home's moving parts. Your goal is to have draft-free windows and doors, and you do that by maintaining or upgrading your weather stripping. All sorts of do-it-yourself materials are available: felt strips, metal-back strips, self-stick foam, and plastic channels. The idea is to ensure that your windows and doors are snug but still operative.
CFL


Change Outdoor Light bulbs

If you've got an entry light that's out, replace it before the cold weather sets in. Also, consider changing out your existing incandescent light bulbs with high-efficiency compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) that use less energy and can save you money. (Estimated Change of 20 Light Bulbs to LED is 10% Savings on Electric Bills)
Wrap foam around pipe


Protect Your Plumbing

Even if your pipes have never frozen before, it could happen this winter after you simply lower the thermostat a few degrees or fix a dripping faucet. Inspect the hot and cold supply lines as well as exposed pipes that run along exterior walls in an unheated basement or crawlspace. One way to safeguard them is to wrap electric heat tape around them, but keep in mind that the tape won't work during power outages. You can also wrap pipes with fiberglass insulation or ready-made pipe jackets.
Fireplace

Fireplace Safety

To many homeowners, fall and winter are seasons to curl up before a cozy fireplace or stove. You can avoid dangers such as chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning by putting safety before snuggling. Here are some tips from the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA):
-- Have your chimney checked every year to ensure both your chimney system and venting systems are working properly and safely.
-- Burn only well-seasoned hardwoods to reduce buildup of creosote, a flammable compound.
-- Install a chimney cap to keep out debris and to prevent birds and animals from nesting.
-- Install a carbon monoxide detector to warn you if harmful gases are entering your home -- a blocked or damaged chimney can cause this.
-- Have your chimney waterproofed to prevent long-term corrosion and masonry damage. Avoid rebuilding old chimneys by replacing damaged clay liners with stainless-steel chimney liner pipes.

Scotts Contracting is available for all the above mentioned home repairs and maintenance needs. Scotty provides detailed free Green Estimates for each and every job quote he provides. scottscontracting@gmail.com or use the following link
 
Click Here to email Scotty for a Free Green Estimate for your Next Project

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