Missouri Energy Companies have a Monopoly and don't play fair

• Four of the Highlights from the Article that are most important to me:

1. FERAF believes that as long as Missouri has monopoly utilities, they need to go through the established PSC rate case process. 
2. 6 years, electricity prices have increased between 43-77%,
3. Most of this money is going to shareholders and executives of energy companies instead of trickling down to workers and those in the building trades, as promised.
4. The utility monopolies in Missouri will surely push for more rate increases, so be sure to keep up to date on the latest issues in the state. Stay in touch with FERAF 

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As you may know, FERAF is the most diverse utility consumer group in the country. We support low-cost, reliable energy as recent rate hikes have take their toll on businesses and families. FERAF believes that as long as Missouri has monopoly utilities, they need to go through the established PSC rate case process. The entire agenda of the utilities can be done right now at the PSC. However, the PSC regularly rejects these proposals because they place an undue burden on ratepayers. As a result, the utilities are always running to the legislature to ask for new anti-consumer legislation. Electricity prices are skyrocketing in Missouri. Over the last 6 years, electricity prices have increased between 43-77%, while household income in Missouri has only gone up 2.7%. Most of this money is going to shareholders and executives of energy companies instead of trickling down to workers and those in the building trades, as promised. The utility monopolies in Missouri will surely push for more rate increases, so be sure to keep up to date on the latest issues in the state. Stay in touch with FERAF onFacebook and Twitter. Sincerely, The FERAF Team Fair Energy Rate Action Fund • PO Box 1153 • Jefferson City, MO 65102 Paid for by the Fair Energy Rate Action Fund. www.fairenergyrates.org

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Pt2 Ensuring Success StLouis Small Biz Energy Efficiency Design Build Project

In part 2 of this blog series I will be addressing the open floor plan concept requested by the client.

This to me was the easiest part of the design build remodeling project and where there is a will there is a way! 

I accomplished this open concept by first determining the allowable span for the ceiling joists[1][2] And determined that 2x6 will span the needed 16' opening and is beefy enough to support the R49 Green Fiber Blow In Insulation [3].

• [1] "Maximum Span Calculator for Joists and Rafters." 2005. 6 Nov. 2013 http://www.awc.org/calculators/span/calc/
• [2] "Span Tables for Joists and Rafters - American Wood Council." 2004. 6 Nov. 2013 http://www.awc.org/technical/spantables/
• [3] "Step One - Calculate Your Need | GreenFiber.com." 2009. 6 Nov. 2013 http://www.greenfiber.com/step_one_-_calculate_your_need_how_to_install.html

I will be installing these ceiling joists on 16 inch centers supported by 2x6 ceiling joist hangers attached to a Site Built Double Joist supported by the 2x4 Interior Walls.

Ceiling Joists on 16 inch centers supported by 2x6 ceiling joist hangers attached to a Site Built Double Joist supported by the 2x4 Interior Walls

This will be a site built support beam that rests on each side of the 2x4 Interior Walls that frame the Dormer Opening in the Second Floor.   See Photo below of exterior view of Dormer on the Roof

Exterior View of Dormer Area on the 2nd Floor 

The crew and I will use Glue and 2 Rows of 3 inch screws spaced 16 inches apart.  To construct this beam.

We will also be using Metal Ceiling Joist Hangers that will provide the needed structural support to carry the load over the span below- Providing and 

Meeting the Clients desire for an

OPEN FLOOR PLAN

CAD Open Floor Plan per Clients Request

Stay Tuned for Part 3-Small Business Energy Efficient Design Build Project where I address the:

• Kid Sized Plumbing Fixtures located in the Bathroom (part 3)
• 1 Sink located outside the Bathroom with Extra Counter-space (part 3)

In part 1 of this Small Business Energy Efficient Design Build Project I highlighted the three main points that are planned to make this project a truly energy efficient design that will provide this small business owner the space to grow while being energy efficient and not sacrificing the comfort levels.

"Proper Design Build Energy Conservation Techniques used 

in this project will ensure that this business owner will keep the 

energy costs low and comfort levels high-Scotty,Scotts Contracting"

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

Rock an Roll Aint Noise Pollution Rock an Roll Makes Energy

Finally clean energy from rock and roll.  I knew John Lennon and those long past rockers in heaven were up to something.  How else would the great minds of ever dream up that Zinc Oxide + Poly Solar Cell + Rock Music + Light = Electricity.  This is surely inspired from the energy that rock and roll has supplied to this planet.  Mankind has instinctively known this deep in our subconscious that: .

The beat and rhythm of Rock Music creates Electricity!  

I've said it for years, new it deep in my heart,

Rock an Roll ain't never gonna die!  ACDC sure got that 1 right Scotty

Especially now that the great minds of Safa Shoaee, Joe Briscoe, James R. Durrant, and Steve Dunn figured out that by attaching a nano layer of zinc oxide onto a poly solar cell and exposed to Rock Music + Light = more electricity!  Thats Right: The beat and rhythm of Rock Music creates Electricity!   And It only takes 75 decibels to produce 40% more power.   A few quick thoughts come to mind:

• Now when the STLPD are called for peace disturbances I'll have a legitimate excuse for jamming the stereo: Officer I was just making Clean Energy!  
• The Faster the Beat the greater the energy output-Thats all the excuse needed to have more Rock Concerts!  All over the City of StLouis
• I'll never outgrow Rock and Roll now!  For those about to Rock...You've been Thunderstruck!
• The Republicans and Tea Party will try to outlaw Rock and Roll with the Language in Affordable Care Act stating it will cause ear damage and increase hospital work loads.

Back in reality I find that the possibilities for this great invention are endless!

Here's a snippet of the Article as written: When the scientists exposed the cell to noise along with light, it generated more current than with the light alone. The sounds that gave the biggest power boost came from pop and rock music. The increase in power was not just because zinc oxide and polymer have a certain taste in tunes. Zinc oxide is a piezoelectric material. That means it generates current when bent or twisted, or, in reverse, bends and twists when a current is applied. Piezoelectric materials are common; they show up in buzzers and small speakers a lot (the piezoelectric stuff is what makes the sound). When the scientists played rock or pop, there were more high-frequency sounds and beats, which have more energy than lower frequency ones. Beats, as on a drum, packed a lot of energy into a short period of time. When the sound waves hit the zinc oxide, it bent it and generated electricity. It took surprisingly little sound, about 75 decibels, to produce 40 percent more power. The sound was about the amount one would hear near a busy highway or a sort-of-noisy restaurant....

Zinc Oxide + Poly Solar Cell + Rock Music + Light

= Electricity AC DC sure got that one right -Scotty Scotts Contracting

• "Zinc oxide - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." 2004. 7 Nov. 2013 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc_oxide>
• "Zinc oxide - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." 2004. 7 Nov. 2013 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc_oxide>
• "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum | RockHall.com." 7 Nov. 2013 <http://www.rockhall.com/>
• "Light - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." 2003. 7 Nov. 2013 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light>
• AC/DC Home | The Official AC/DC Site." 7 Nov. 2013 <http://www.acdc.com/>

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

Ensuring Success StLouis Small Biz Energy Efficiency Design Build Project

In todays day and age of small business enterprises I rarely find that a local St Louis area small business is actually thriving.  And when I learned that this successful small business needs to expand to meet the needs of her growing business I was more than happy to assist her in making her business a continued success by utilizing proven advanced energy efficient construction techniques for this Attic Conversion.

"Proper Design Build Energy Conservation Techniques used in this project will ensure that this business owner will keep the energy costs low and comfort levels high-Scotty,Scotts Contracting"

Here is behind the scene work on the Design Build Energy Efficiency-Attic Conversion and the Small Business Customer Must Haves for the project and how I am going to convert the unused attic space into a functional and energy efficient design build project that meets and exceeds the clients requests: 

Here are the clients Must Haves:

• Energy Efficient Design (part1)
• Open Floor Plan (part 2)
• Kid Sized Plumbing Fixtures located in the Bathroom (part 3)
• 1 Sink located outside the Bathroom with Extra Counter-space (part 3)
• Flooring options require materials that do not transfer sound and are easy clean up (part 4)
• No Harmful VOC Building Products (part 4)
• Cost Effective (part 4)
• Financing this Small Business Success Story Design Build Project (part 5)

Designing for Energy Efficiency

Since this project will be in the top floor of a two story building special attention was given to ensure that proper levels of insulation are utilized as well as eliminating air leakage.  

Here is a CAD drawing of the planned Ceiling and modifying the existing Roof Construction that addresses building code requirements for energy efficient design and construction.

Three Main Aspects of proper ceiling construction for energy efficiency: (1)Natural Air Flow, (2) R49 Ceiling Insulation, and (3) AirTight Electrical Junction Box Covers

CAD Detail cutaway view of the above Energy Efficient design calling out not only the proper ceiling construction with insulation and air barrier added to the Attic Knee Walls and Dead Space

CAD Detail-Energy Efficient Ceiling and Wall Construction by Scotty-Scotts Contracting

In the above photos you see that Natural Air Flow is mentioned numerous times.  The importance of natural air flow-is not only suggested it is required by the new building codes that are slowly being adopted and utilized in today's energy efficient building designs.

What gets me is that why some builders leave out this crucial step.  Its not a new concept and one that I learned in my first year of Drafting classes in 1989 while designing my final year Residential Home Drafting Project.  

What this natural air flow does is keep the upstairs cooler in the summer and is needed to assist in eliminating ice dams during the winter.

Rule of Thumb for determining this natural air flow from eve to roof peak is: 1 square inch for every square foot of space.  

This 1 square inch is then divided equally in half between the top and bottom of the building.  In the case of this building we will be using: Soffit Vent as well as Roof Peak Vent and to ensure there is unobstructed air travel Air Baffles will be utilized in the areas where the insulation contacts the underside of the roof.

Never let a Building Contractor neglect this important step in any of your building projects.

Stay Tuned for Part 2 of the Design process where I address the open floor plan.

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog