Ground Source Heat Pumps, University of Missouri

U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy


Geothermal Technologies ProgramLarge Scale GSHP as Alternative Energy for American Farmers

This is a summary of a project funded on a cost-shared basis by the U.S. Department of Energy through its Geothermal Technologies Program (GTP). This work is one of several projects funded by GTP under its mission to conduct research, development, and demonstration to advance geothermal energy technologies. This summary was prepared as part of the application process by the subsequent recipient of a funding opportunity grant and is offered only as a general overview of the project's scope and direction at the time of the award.

view complete article here:http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/geothermal/projects/projects.cfm/ProjectID=109?print

Congressman Jay Inslee on energy policy, 'global weirding'

Posted on February 18, 2010 Podcast: Congressman Jay Inslee on energy policy, 'global weirding'


Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., is "somewhat optimistic" that Congress will pass energy legislation this year, but added that he is realistic about the challenges to attaining that goal.

He would like to see an energy bill passed very soon. U.S. policies and incentives are not happening at nearly the speed needed to compete in the renewable space with China, Inslee said. In order for any legislation to be effective, he said U.S. policy must include pricing on carbon pollution, saying that as long as it is free, carbon emissions will continue.

Inslee spoke with SNL Energy on Feb. 11 to discuss the release of the paperback version of the book he co-wrote with Bracken Hendricks, "Apollo's Fire: Igniting America's Clean Energy Economy." Hendricks is a senior fellow at think tank Center for American Progress. The title comes from their comparison of U.S. renewable development to the space race between the United States and Russia in the 1960s.

When asked about the recent snowstorms that have slammed the East Coast, Inslee said they are an example of the increase in number and intensity of storms as a result of climate change and agrees with New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman that it should be referred to as "global weirding."

To hear the full interview, visit SNL Energy's podcast library.

provided by: Scotty, St Louis "Renewable Energy" Missouri article found on:
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2010/02/podcast-congressman-jay-inslee-on-energy-policy-global-weirding

Renewable Energy Funding Sources

Funding Enterprise offers a comprehensive array of funding options for interested developers. Explore the funding options below.

Grants

Enterprise offers Planning and Construction, Charrette and Sustainability (http://www.greencommunitiesonline.org/tools/funding/grants) grants to help cover the costs of planning and implementing green components of affordable housing developments, as well as tracking their costs and benefits.

Loans

We offer Predevelopment, and Acquisition Loans (http://www.greencommunitiesonline.org/tools/funding/loans) to support the development of affordable rental and homeownership housing that adheres to Green Communities Criteria.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Equity

Competitively priced Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity (http://www.greencommunitiesonline.org/tools/funding/housing.asp)to nonprofit and for-profit developers for new construction and/or rehabilitation of affordable rental housing that generally adheres to the Green Communities Criteria.

info provided by: Scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com, Scott's Contracting, St Louis, MO info found at:http://www.greencommunitiesonline.org/tools/funding/

Green Build- "Wood Framing versus Advanced Framing"

Traditional Wood Framing versus Advanced Framing- Info provided by: Scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com, http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com,


Article by: Eric Corey Freed

Using Advanced Framing Techniques in Your Home

Traditional Wood Framing Advanced Framing Techniques

2-x-4 wall studs are spaced on center at 16 inches. 2-x-6 wall studs are spaced on center at 24 inches.The larger studs are stronger, so they can be spaced farther apart. The additional thickness of the wall also allows room for additional insulation.

2-x-8 floor joists are spaced on center at 16 inches. Use engineered wood I-joists at 24 inches on center for the framing of your floors and roof.The studs and joists now have the same spacing and align to one another.

When two walls meet at a corner, extra studs are placed at each end. These studs are only used as a place to attach the drywall, and these hollow corners create uninsulated voids. Corners are built using two-stud corner framing (where no extra studs are added). Instead of using an entire stud, place a backing strip,called a drywall clip, to use as the spot to connect the drywall.

Additional studs are used to hold the drywall together. Inexpensive drywall clips or scrap lumber hold the joints of two drywall boards together without using an entire wood stud.

Extra wood, called a header, is placed over openings, such as doors and windows. On non-load-bearing walls, a single stud is often enough support over a door or opening.

The wall framing does not align to the floor and roof, even when both are spaced at 16 inches on center. In-line framing (where the floor, wall, and roof framing members are all in line with one another) is used. Because the floor and roof framing now line up with the studs in the walls, the weight is transferred directly from the floor to the wall. By aligning the structure vertically throughout the entire house, it makes the building stronger and more efficient.

The top stud of a wood-framed wall, called the top plate, is doubled up to distribute the structural loads from the roof and floor above.Two studs are used. A single stud is used for the top plate of each wall. (Check with your local building codes to see if this is allowed; it usually doesn’t present any problems.) Connect the joints of the top plates with a galvanized steel plate. These steel plates should be used on the top plate at all the joints, corners, and intersections

The home is designed to some arbitrary dimension, often requiring additional cutting and materials. The home is designed on a 2-foot module to reduce waste and take advantage of the standard size of plywood and sheathing materials

If you’ve never heard of these advanced framing techniques,you probably have some concerns.Here are some common myths surrounding the use of advanced framing techniques.

Myths about Advanced Framing Techniques

Myth Fact

The more wood that goes into the frame, the stronger the frame is.

The extra wood only adds to the weight of the frame and tries to make up for the roof and floors not aligning to the walls. Advanced framing techniques will strengthen your home, not weaken it.

The building codes don’t allow for the use of advanced framing techniques.

The building codes support advanced framing techniques because they make buildings stronger and remove redundant wood.

If you use advanced framing techniques, the drywall will bow or buckle, because the boards are only supported every 24 inches instead of every 16 inches.

A good contractor uses quality materials and craftsmanship to prevent the walls from bowing.

Attaching the sheathing and drywall every 16 inches makes the building stronger.

Attaching the sheathing and drywall at only 24 inches actually reduces the stress placed on the panels.

How to Take Advantage of Advanced Framing

Advanced framing techniques already take advantage of traditional wood framing. These improvements to the usual practice of wood framing should be done on every home built out of wood. In fact, there is no downside or reason not to employ these measures.

Tip: Using advanced framing techniques, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) discovered a cost savings of over 12% when compared to traditional wood framing. These methods can potentially reduce the amount of wood by 55%.

In addition to reducing the amount of wood used, follow these other suggestions when designing your green home with advanced framing techniques:

Substitute oriented strand board (OSB) for your exterior sheathing. Select boards made from formaldehyde-free glues. If the sheathing is not required for the structure, use nonstructural insulated boards for extra insulation.

Select finger-jointed studs made from small pieces of wood stitched together to make a full-length stud.


Take advantage of the thicker 2-x-6-inch walls and fill them with insulation above the minimum required amount. (Refer to Chapter 11 for more insulation information.)


Purchase sustainably harvested wood stamped by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).



Info provided by: Scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com, http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com, http://www.ecomii.com/building/advanced-framing

Article supplied by: Eric Corey Freed

Using Advanced Framing Techniques in Your Home