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Part 10:Interior Wall Framing, Plumbing, Laundry Room Exhaust Vent and Plumbing-Benton Park Gut Rehab Green Blog Series
The below CAD drawing was the Basic Plan going into the RehabProject.
Benton CAD Floor Plan by Scotty,Scotts Contracting
Neither the Building Owner or Myself like to have Return Air Ducts Located on the Floor (where they suck or pull in more Dirt and Debris).The HVAC Return Air Vents were instead installed 6 ft off the floor.
Installing New HVAC Ducts in the Wall
This is a very Important Wall. It not only will support the Kitchen Cabinets. It contains the Plumbing Stack for the 2nd Floor Kitchen as well as the First Floor Kitchen Area. This wall was constructed using a double 2x4 wall with the studs running parallel with the wall plates. This allowed for Plenty of Clearance for the Plumbing on both the First and Second Floor.
The plumbing for this project was done by: Master Plumber St Louis and I highly recamend their Services for your plumbing needs.
Double 2x4 Plumbing Stack Wall
The photo below is the only photo I have of the future Laundry Room. This was added the day the Master Plumber St Louis showed up at the Job Site. All though this was a change order (email the Pros at Master Plumber StL) they handled the addition of the Laundry Room for this floor and the 2nd Floor. Giving the Investment Property Apartments Updated Amenities- Which increases the both the Rental Value and the Investment Property Portfolio.
In the Photo below we have 2nd Floor Laundry Room, 2nd Floor Hot and Cold Pex Water Lines for the Laundry Room,and the 1st and 2nd Floor Dryer Vent Exhaust. Quarters were a little cramped but everything was able to fit snugly into the allocated space.
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
We would like to bring your attention to today's latest Environment Green blog contribution published on EnvironmentGreen.com. We hope you find it an interesting read, hopethat you are having a smashing great day today and thank you for your Green efforts!
Best regards, tmackinnon
Practical Green Cleaning Tips
In today's world we often hear a lot about green cleaning opportunities and how we should be doing this to help protect the environment and that is all well and good. Then we go to the store, we grab the first cleaning product we are used to and simply carry on like nothing happened, potentially polluting the environment with petroleum products which then take forever to break down, carrying down canalization all the way into the ocean. Well this can be easily avoided if we know what we're doing – we have made some tips ready for you so you would have a decent understanding on what you can do to protect those around you from the effects of hazardous chemicals:
The use of green cleaning products
These are especially designed to avoid dangerous chemicals in their composition since companies are becoming more and more aware of the long-term implications of using these in their work. A lot of the cleaning products used todayare biodegradable and nontoxic and on top of that you can even use some household products to clean almost just as well as you can with commercial ones. Try out vinegar, baking soda and for non-toxic chemicals you should also try hydrogen peroxide and borax as alternatives to most cleaners.
Open your windows
This is something a lot of people nowadays have to remember since the central air conditioning systems we are so used to actually use internal air and simply circulate and filter it again and again. You will need to open those windows to let some fresh air in once in a while no matter what you do.
Avoid overuse of antibacterial cleaners
Although they are useful as a short-term solution you should also keep in mind that its also possible to create super-germs by making them adaptive to whatever is killing them. Much like any part of evolution with germs its either adapt or die. Prolonged exposure to the same type of hazard will have them adapt wonderfully so they can return stronger and more dangerous. So be careful with the antibacterial cleaners.
Baking soda
You can use it to scrub away molds and other spots as well with the added bonus of it being nontoxic. You can also use it to absorb unpleasant smells from your fridge, carpet and other surfaces as well as using it in combination with a mild acid to create a bubbly mixture capable of unclogging drains.
Use natural scents
If you want your home to smell nice then avoid the chemicals present in air fresheners and simply go with flowers, or try boiling cloves, cinnamon or other herbs to have the desired effect. Vanilla can also be a useful substitute for those that smells great.
Toxic cleaners should be disposed of
But only by doing it the right way, so make sure they are wrapped in plastic so you'll have no leaks. The reason why you should get rid of those is because they will be absolutely poisonous to a water supply, not to mention how they will settle in nicely at the local landfill. A lot of countries have places where they'll take toxic chemicals away, so ask around.
Climate change predictions made 20 years ago have so far proved accurate, suggesting that the world is indeed on track to a radical climate shift, according to a new paper published today.
In 1990, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) — a group of the world’s top climate scientists — released its First Assessment Report, predicting global warming of about 1.1 degrees celsius between 1990 and 2030.
In today’s edition of Nature Climate Change, climate scientists David Frame and Dáithà A. Stone argue that, halfway through that projection period, the predictions made in 1990 are proving mostly accurate.
The 1990 report’s “best estimate” was that the world would warm by about 1.1 degrees celsius between 1990 and 2030, meaning that the halfway prediction would be about 0.55 degrees celsius by 2010.
In fact, the world has now warmed by about 0.39 degrees celsius, coming very close to the prediction despite several unforeseen historical events, such as the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Mt Pinatubo volcanic eruption and the rise of China.
“As is always the case in science, we cannot know for certain that the 1990 prediction was accurate for the right reasons but, given the apparent absence of any credible alternative theories and the robustness of the prediction, this evaluation strongly supports the contention that the climate is responding to enhanced levels of GHGs (greenhouse gases) in accordance with historical expectations,” the authors wrote.
The paper also said that climate policies enacted between now and 2030 would “will only very gradually manifest themselves in the climate signal.”
Penny Whetton, Senior Principal Research Scientist at the CSIRO and a lead author for the Third Assessment Report of the (IPCC), said the paper confirmed that “projections that climate scientists have been making have been accurate.”
“There are implications for the wider community for how they accept the IPCC conclusions. This is good evidence to show that what the IPCC has been saying for a while is coming true,” she said, adding that the discrepancy between the 0.55 degree projected rise and the 0.39 actual rise was explained by variability in estimates due to natural fluctuations.
“Once you allow for that, this paper demonstrates that the warming we are seeing is consistent with the projections made by the IPCC,” said Dr Whetton.
“What we do in our emissions now could be the difference between a two degree rise and a four degree or five degree rise later in the century.”
Steve Sherwood, Co-Director, Climate Change Research Centre at the University of New South Wales said the paper showed “that if you take natural year-to-year variability into account in any reasonable way, the predictions are as close as one could reasonably expect.”
“Those who have been claiming ad nauseum that the climate models have been proved wrong, should read this paper, even though for most of us it is not very surprising,” said Dr Sherwood, who was not involved in the Nature Climate Change paper.
“Though there is no contrarian analogue to the IPCC, individual contrarians have made predictions over a similar time frame that the warming would stop or reverse. The data since then have probably falsified many of those predictions (which the deniers continue to make today).”
Stuart Corney, a Climate Systems Modeller at the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems CRC at the University of Tasmania, pointed out that social and economic factors make it hard to predict future emissions but that, even so, the 1990 projections had turned out to be very close.
“Twenty years after the 1990 prediction, we see it’s not perfectly accurate — it’s about a 0.4 degree rise instead of a 0.55 degree rise — but it’s still statistically significantly above zero,” he said.
“Climate models can’t predict year to year variations but the long term trends are clear. The take home message is that the climate models we are using now should be accurate in years to come.”
Dr Corney said the trend showed showed the benefit of acting quickly.
“We are locked in now for a certain amount of climate change between now and 2030. No matter what we do now it will have little effect between now and 2030,” he said.
“But what we do now will have a stark effect on what happens in 50 years time or 100 years time.”
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
In discussions with other Peers involved in the Construction Industry about the building and remodeling of homes and business in the St Louis Area. I keep a mental log of the conversations and what I noticed was a re-occurring theme in something we all did agree on ( and it didn't matter if I was speaking to a Democrat, Republican, Independent- Young or Old). They all agree that:
Material prices have skyrocketed in the past few years.
A Building shouldn't be drafty and have air leaks.
Heat and Cool Buildings Efficiently and Afford-ably.
Material Prices (using a simple 2x4x10 Wall Framing Stud as an Example)-
Supply and Demand is Driving the Material Costs Higher. World Wide Population growth coupled with what seems like some form of Natural Disaster Somewhere in the World every Month or Two. It doesn't matter if the home or business was destroyed by the Flood, Hurricane, Tornado, Tsunami, or whatever it was. The End Results are the Same: Cities and Towns left Completely in Ruins. And we simply can't get trees to grow as fast as whats needed to rebuild the damage.
Air Leaks and Drafty Homes
Whether its your home or office: Everyone wants to be comfortable. With the Advent of the different types of Air and Vapor Barriers, Insulation, Advanced Framing Techniques, Windows, and Doors. (As Required by current building codes) Buildings are now constructed and or remodeled using progressive building techniques that eliminate over 90% of these Air Leaks.
Heat and Cool Buildings Efficiently and Affordably
We've came along ways in providing heat for the home over the years. Long past is the time we spent sitting around the campfire for warmth. Our warmth in the winter and cold air in the summer; now comes from the switch on the wall. (I enjoy the modern convenience of a climate controlled room.) And any business owner will state that their employees productivity is greater when the staff isn't too hot or cold. In times long since past the costs for turning up or town the temp didn't make too big of a bill at the end of the month. Nowadays it seems that every notch on the dial leads to higher bills at months end.
Its obvious to me that: Green and Sustainable Buildings is the Answer for today's Construction Needs. I would venture to say that 90% of today's builders and re-modelers (worth their Salt) adhere to Energy Efficient Building Guidelines.
Which always leads me to ask:
"What is wrong with making your own Electricity?"
A new re-occurring theme appeared and they asked these three main questions: Is it affordable-Aren't they expensive to install? Is Solar Reliable?
Zero $00.00 Down Solar Lease
I then start telling them about the: Zero Down Solar Lease, which makes solar affordable on most every budget. (for every home I have figured- Solar either eliminates or cuts the Electricity Bill in half.) What could be better than a Non-Polluting Solar Electric System that generates its own electricity for less than your current Ameren UE Utility Bill?
Installation Is Covered
With the $00.00 Down Solar Lease- Any Permits, Inspections, Installation, and Maintenance is included in the Solar Lease.
That means that you will not have to come out of pocket for a Dime to install a Solar System at your Home or Business. Installation and Maintenance is covered in the Solar Lease
20+ Year Guaranty
The various Solar Systems I sell, lease, and install all have guaranties for 20+ years. These warranties come from Field Tested Systems; where the electrical output is so predictable that the "Yearly" electrical outputs are guaranteed as well. As long as the sun is shining they will produce electricity for your home for many many years into the Future. And Unlike the rising costs of electricity- an Owner of a Solar system costs decrease as the Solar System pays for itself.
I can't spell it out any clearer. Solar is Affordable Now.
It will decrease your High Energy Bills leaving more $Money$ for you and your household. And it will last 20+ years and still produce electricity in its old age. What is there not to like about a Free Solar Lease System? - as always Scotts Contracting provides a Free Estimate for any job. What have you got to lose? Use the contact info below to contact Scotty for a "Free Solar Lease Quote".
Build a Green St Louis
Scotts Contracting, St Louis Renewable Energy
Holiday Light Recycling Drive bigger and better than ever!
The Holiday Light Recycling Drive has officially kicked off, and is off to a great start -- several locations are filling up their collection bins and the program has already collected 10,000 pounds! If you are still intererested in collecting lights this year, it's not too late! Visit our website for more information about participating. If you already have a bin and need a pick-up please email us at Lights@StLouisGreen.com
Our goal for 2012 is to collect 128,000 pounds of lights! Help us reach that goal by spreading the word and don't forget to drop-off your old lights for recycling!
Sign this petition to tell Congress to expedite renewable energy. We can transition to a cleaner, renewable energy future, but Congress needs to pass the legislation to get us there.
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
The North American PPA Market Is Recovering and Getting Ready for Massive Changes
By Al Velosa & Jim Hines, Gartner
Introduction
The
power purchase agreement (PPA) has become a popular acquisition model
for photovoltaic (PV) solar energy in North America. Utility, enterprise
and residential customers are increasingly turning to PPAs as a way to
obtain the benefits of PV-generated electricity without the capital
investment and operational requirements associated with ownership of the
generating asset. PV vendors targeting the North American market must
understand how the PPA landscape is evolving if they are to develop
effective go-to-market and partnering strategies.
In
a solar PPA, utilities, commercial and non-profit enterprises and
residential end users buy solar PV-generated electricity from a third
party, normally not a utility, in contracts that last up to 25 years.
The key services that the solar PPA firms provide are financing,
designing and building and operating a PV system for the user. Renewable
energy credits normally belong to the owner of the PV system, but may
be bought by the end user.
The
feed-in tariff (FIT), which is popular in Europe, has led many solar PPA
firms there to sell energy directly to local utilities. In North
America, solar PPA providers have focused on residential and enterprise
users, and are just starting to sell to utilities. The main benefit of a
solar PPA for North American enterprises is saving money relative to
utility rates, without a large capital expenditure for a PV system. The
electricity rates from solar PPA vendors are comparable to the rates
from utilities — from all sources.
Gartner
estimates that major North American solar PPA vendors have over 400
megawatts (MW) of PV systems under management. This market is still
evolving, and the relative positions of the vendors will continue to
change. SunEdison is currently the largest PPA vendor in North America.
Gartner forecasts the North American market for PV solar systems under a
PPA contract or a FIT contract will reach 2.9 gigawatts (GW) in PV
generation capacity in 2013, for an estimated $8 billion in capital
expenditure.
The PPA market and
the key players have naturally divided into the three main market
segments of utility, enterprise and residential. Each of these segments
has different requirements for the solar PPA vendors serving them with
respect to the sales and financing process. Due to the relatively high
cost of PV systems, these markets and their solar PPA vendors are
dependent upon incentives from the federal, state or provincial, local
governments as well as from individual utilities.
No
one business model has yet to prove itself in the market, with PPA
providers experimenting with full service offerings and going all the
way to completely outsourced models. However, there is a trend toward
outsourcing more and more activities.
North American Market Place
Gartner
estimates that major solar PPA vendors have over 400 megawatts of PV
systems under management in North America, as of June 2010. Figure 1
shows the top 5 PPA contract vendors account for half of the fleet of PV
systems under management. The market is still evolving and thus
continues to show volatility in the rankings; so we expect to see this
evolve significantly over the next year.
Figure 1. Top 5 Solar PPA Vendors, North American PV Energy Contracts Under Management (Megawatts) Source: Gartner (June 2010)
Challenges and Opportunities
In
the near to midterm, Gartner expects the solar PPA market to remain
extremely competitive and volatile. After obtaining financing, execution
will be the most critical issue for most solar PPA firms. Key
differentiators include:
Finance — The most critical differentiator.
Project
Development and Sales — Since no solar PPA firm can have a sales force
that covers all opportunities, this requires a clear direct sales and
channel management strategy.
Engineering,
Procurement and Construction (EPC) — An effective EPC arm or set of
partners will become an increasingly important factor as pricing becomes
even more competitive.
Operations & Maintenance (O&M) — Will determine the profitability of projects in the long term
Technology
— Once a firm has a set of bankable PV partners, the focus here turns
to how to ensure that the long term performance of their systems meets
stated goals.
There is a
growing market for the electricity from solar sources under contract.
Gartner forecasts the North American market for PV solar systems under a
PPA contract or a feed-in-tariff contract will reach $7 billion to $8
billion in capital expenditure by 2013. Yet there are signs in the
horizon about a change in character and direction of the market.
The
core utility market remains ambivalent about the purchasing model it
will use for solar systems. The tendency currently appears to be a mix
of purchase and energy contracts. Yet as the model expands across the
USA, utilities may tend to buy PV systems to ensure they are under their
utility commission’s asset rules.
California
has been the core market to date, but the incentive structure for large
commercial PV systems from the California Solar Initiative has recently
been reduced to the point where few firms will offer PPA contracts to
commercial, municipal or non-profit entities. PPA contract vendors will
focus their resources in other states or the utility market, since they
can get better returns in those markets.
Traditional
energy industry firms, particularly independent power producers are
increasing their presence in the market. Due to their scale of
operations and access to internal funds, they may increasingly win
projects on a national and international scale.
In
this environment, vendors in the space are ramping up the competition
with strong efforts to obtain financing while refining their competitive
strategy on two core fronts. First, they are aligning themselves with
the core market segmentation – which may require that the firms bulk up
significantly to deal with large utility customers and large IPP
competitors. Secondly, they will continue to hone their sales channel
strategy. Firms focused on the utility market will need to bulk up in
size. This is to ensure that their finances and their direct sales
strategy align with the longer sales and project development cycles that
we are encountering. SEMI PV Group - The Grid, August 2010
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
