Miami-Dade County - Green Buildings Expedite Process

Incentive Type: Green Building Incentive
Eligible Efficiency Technologies: Comprehensive Measures/Whole Building
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Passive Solar Space Heat, Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Photovoltaics, Wind, Biomass, Geothermal Heat Pumps, Daylighting, Small Hydroelectric
Applicable Sectors: Commercial, Industrial, Residential
Website: http://www.miamidade.gov/building/home.asp
Authority 1: Miami-Dade County Ordinance
Date Enacted: 06/2005

In an effort to promote environmentally sensitive design and construction, the Miami-Dade County Commissioners passed an ordinance in June 2005 to expedite the permitting process for “green” buildings certified by a recognized environmental rating agency.* Commercial, industrial, and residential projects are all eligible as long as they are located in unincorporated Miami-Dade County and the City of West Miami. See the Miami-Dade County Building Department website for additional information: http://www.miamidade.gov/building/home.asp

*Recognized environmental rating agencies include Florida Green Building Coalition, the National Home Builder Association and the U.S. Green Building Council.

Contact:

MDPICMiami-Dade Permitting and Inspection Center
11805 SW 26 Street (Coral Way)
Miami, FL 33175-2474
Phone: (786) 315-2000 E-Mail: bldgdept@miamidade.gov
Web site: http://www.miamidade.gov/building/contact.asp

Achieving Energy Independence®

Here is how Energy Independence will occur (in no particular order):

1) Fuel Cell/Hydrogen (Think Honda)
2) Hybrid Technology (Not just the Prius)
3) Cellulosic Ethanol (NOT feed stock)
4) Biodiesel
5) Energy Efficiency (Demand Side Mgmt)
6) Energy Conservation (Supply Side Mgmt)
7-10) Renewable Energy (Supply Side Mgmt): Wind, Solar, Geothermal, Hydro Energy, etc.

This is already happening. Energy Independence is already being achieved!!!

Stand By For Heavy Rolls...!!!

Natural Gas appliances as an alternative to electric appliances?

I have heard folks talk about changing out major appliances from electricity to natural gas as a means to save money. Now, while it may be a sensible idea, you need to think beyond step two.

Step One:
Problem Identified -> Need to lower electric consumption to reduce expenditures. Idea: Change from more expensive source to cheaper source.

Step Two:
Solution Provided -> Change out appliances from electric to natural gas.

Step Three:
New Problem Identified -> Natural gas prices rise...

Step Four:
Any guesses...???

"Hmmm... It seems to me that this would be a good idea."

Question: Why isn't it working?

Answer: Think beyond Step 2. How many other clever people are out there thinking the same exact thing as you?

If you read here you will see that Natural Gas prices has risen by about 32%, oil prices have risen by about 54%, and electric utility rates are going to rise by about 16% from about a year ago.

Food for thought: When prices rise again and again and again and yet again. When will you say enough is enough? When will you look beyond the immediacy of now and make a change that targets over the horizon? WHEN?!

What's Hot in Energy: SOLAR

Energy Efficiency: Don’t “Duct” Your Responsibility

You'd think twice about putting a new engine into an old car, right? Unfortunately, many households don't take this same approach when it comes to their heating and cooling systems. They purchase new, high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment and then attach it to a clunker of a duct system. The equipment may heat and cool the home, but the system never performs at its full potential.

The fact is, many forced air duct systems are clunkers. They leak, are poorly-designed and inadequately insulated. This is a big problem since central air conditioners, heat pumps and forced air furnaces rely on these systems to circulate air throughout your home. Poorly-performing ducts can reduce your system's efficiency by up to 20%.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program recommends that you have your duct system checked—either during an equipment replacement or a service call. Your contractor should be able to diagnose any problems and make needed repairs that can dramatically improve the energy efficiency of the complete system, increase your home's comfort and help improve the environment. If your contractor cannot diagnose the problem or check for duct leakiness, consider hiring a Home Energy Rater (See Home Energy Audits for more information). They have the diagnostic equipment and expertise to find leaks in your duct system. By fixing your ducts you could save up to $140 per year in energy costs (this does not include the savings from upgrading your HVAC equipment).

Do you have a clunker of a duct system? Ask yourself these questions:

• Do your filters get dirty quickly? Are there dirt streaks showing at the corners and seams of duct connections?
• Do you have rooms that just don't get much air flow and never seem to feel comfortable?
• Do you have ducts in your attic or crawl space?

Any or all of these conditions may be attributable to poorly performing ducts. Your contractor should do the following to fix your ductwork:

• "Walk your ducts." Inspect the whole distribution system, including attic and crawl spaces. They should: measure air flow with diagnostic equipment, remove some registers and grills to make sure that everything is connected, and develop a plan to make upgrades.
• Seal all leaks and connections with mastic, metal tape, or an aerosol-based sealant. Don't use duct tape!
• Seal all registers and grills tightly to the ducts.
• Fully insulate ducts in unconditioned areas (R6 at a minimum).
• Determine if additional air returns dampers, or new zones are needed.
• Fix damaged ducts; straighten out flex ducts that are tangled.
• Conduct a combustion safety test after ducts are sealed to ensure that systems are venting properly.

For complete information on keeping your home comfortable year-round, get the ENERGY STAR Guide to Energy-Efficient Cooling and Heating at www.energystar.gov/homeimprovement or 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937). You can also contact Veterans Energy Solutions, LLC to help diagnose all your energy wastes, improve your efficiency, save the environment and save you up to 70% on your energy bills.

Home Energy Audits

A home energy audit is often the first step in making your home more efficient. An audit can help you assess how much energy your home uses -- or wastes. It also evaluates what measures you can take to improve efficiency (usually about 20% - 70%). But remember, audits alone don't save energy. You need to implement the recommended improvements. ENERGY STAR provides extensive information about home improvement projects to enhance energy efficiency, lower utility bills, and increase comfort.

You can perform a simple energy audit yourself, or have a professional energy auditor perform a more thorough audit. However, be cautious of who you hire. Make sure the person performing the energy audit is a licensed Home Energy Rater. This Wall Street Journal article, Energy-Tuning Your Home, has more information on this.

Do-It-Yourself Audits

If you have five minutes and your last 12 months of utility bills, use the ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick to compare your home's energy efficiency to similar homes across the country and get recommendations for energy-saving home improvements from ENERGY STAR. You will also need to enter some basic information about your home (such as zip code, age, square footage, and number of occupants). If you don't have your bills, contact your utility for a 12-month summary.

Hire a Professional Home Energy Auditor

If you are interested in getting specific recommendations for improving the efficiency of your home, consider contacting a professional Home Energy Auditor. A professional auditor can use a variety of techniques and equipment to determine the energy efficiency of your home. Thorough audits often use equipment such as blower doors, which measure the extent of leaks in the building envelope, and infrared cameras, which reveal hard-to-detect areas of air infiltration and missing insulation.

You can hire a home energy professional, such as a certified Home Energy Rater, to evaluate your home's energy efficiency.

To find a Home Energy Rater, visit the ENERGY STAR for Homes Partner Locator, RESNET Certified Rater Directory or FSEC's Energy Gauge Certified Building Energy Raters Directory.

Veterans Energy Solutions, LLC is a State of Florida Certified Home Energy Rater. Help us change the world, one home at a time.

Repair or Replace? YOU DECIDE.

It's a common dilemma in any home when televisions, computers, and other household appliances begin to show their age. Should you repair or replace them? The same goes for your heating and cooling system. When it breaks down, it's tempting to go the quick route and pay for repairs to get it up and running again. That quick-fix may seem the least expensive route now, but it may not offer the most value in the long haul.

Determining when it's time to call for repairs or replace equipment can be difficult. There's a lot to consider: the system's age, overall condition, efficiency, and energy and repair costs. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR program offers a few tips to help you determine if you should junk your equipment or try to squeeze more life out of it with repairs. If two or more items apply to you in the Replace column, then it's probably time to consider making the investment of an ENERGY STAR qualified replacement system.

Sometimes, it's not so clear that your system is in trouble. Noisy cooling equipment unevenly heated or cooled rooms, excessive dust, or frequent cycling on and off—all of these may indicate an inefficient heating and cooling system. In this case, you'd want to call a professional contractor to review the value and comfort features of new ENERGY STAR qualified equipment.

Repair or replace. It's your decision. One thing is for certain: if you decide to make a change in your heating and cooling system, make sure a professional contractor does the complete job. Only proper installation of your equipment will ensure that it operates at peak efficiency and delivers all the benefits you expect and paid for.

For complete information on keeping your home comfortable year-round, get the ENERGY STAR Guide to Energy-Efficient Cooling and Heating or contact Veterans Energy Solutions, LLC at 305-593-9191 or info@VES1.com

Should you repair or replace your air conditioner, heat pump, furnace, or boiler?

Continue to repair if:

1. Under 10 years old (under 15 years for a furnace or boiler)
2. Good service record
3. Major repairs made recently; only minor repair needed
4. On/off cycling is not excessive
5. Performing up to expectations
6. Moving soon

Time to replace if:

1. Over 10 years old (over 15 years for a furnace or boiler)
2. Has had repeat problems
3. Extensive or costly repairs needed
4. On/off cycling seems excessive
5. Not performing up to expectations
6. Staying in the home for a long period

Take the Energy Star Change a Light Pledge

Join Veterans Energy Solutions in taking the Energy Star Change a Light Pledge.

Many homes still have the regular, more common incandescent light bulbs. These bulbs only covert 10% of electrical current into light while 90% is converted into "latent heat". Latent heat is unexpected or hidden heat that is released or absorbed when a substance changes form (liquid to gas etc). Fluorescent light bulbs (Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs or CFLs), on the other hand, is more efficient as it converts 80% of electrical energy into usable light energy and produces only 20% heat. This can be tested by a simple touch test. Ever noticed that after several hours you can still touch a CFL, but after only 5 minutes an incandescent light bulb can cook a turkey?

Using fluorescent lights instead of incandescent lights can reduce the amount of electricity used for lighting by about 75%. FPL is offering to help: "Residential customers will receive one free compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) and qualified business customers will receive two bulbs when they take the online survey aimed at providing tips for energy and monetary savings."

Veterans Energy Solutions is taking a more proactive approach. We will replace ALL your light fixtures with CFLs when you schedule an energy audit/energy rating today (mention this blog post to receive free CFLs). Take a bold step today and join Veterans Energy Solutions in accomplishing the mission, one bulb at a time.

FIU Green Forum on Water Issues

On Friday, August 10th Russ and I attended a forum called FIU Green Forum on Water Issues. It was a small but well attended event. It was essentially a networking breakfast with a panel discussion featuring speakers from the government, the private sector and academia.

The panel of experts discussed projects and concerns related to the management of water resources, water quality and water quantity in South Florida. Also discussed was active and planned projects dealing with concerns about water that have a direct impact on the quality of life in South Florida.

It was a very enlightening forum with lots of information about ongoing projects. Questions were held for the end and the exchange was pleasant yet interesting. At any rate, it became evident that the issues facing our county and even the state is much bigger than most folks realize. And this issue underscores a few developing concepts:

1) Energy is not the only "major potential" problem we're faced with.

2) The "major potential" problems we face arise due to our consumptive habits that affects the environment.

3) Conservation is a bad word.

4) We need need to educate the public, remain informed & connected, and build more awareness.

5) We underpay for the resources we consume.

All of these concepts seem to apply to any environmentally related issue we face today.

Anyhow, the many projects that are currently being worked on are of great importance to solving this problem. And that was the recurring theme throughout each presentation. Nevertheless, one presenter talked about things a bit differently that I thought was the missing ingredient until his presentation.

He stated that it doesn't take a genius to understand these issues.

1) We have 1000 people moving into Florda everyday.

2) We are borrowing water now for high levels of consumption that is creating long-term deficit issues.

3) We need to educate the public, remain informed & connected, and promote interaction.

Essentially, we are digging ourselves into a hole that would be difficult if not impossible to get out of unless we start taking action now. Every issue seems to have some ominous development that threatens our survivability in the future. Yet we are not fully aware of these issues, nor are we well educated on them and even worse not doing much to address them. Education doesn't exist in a vacuum and so a lack of knowledge on the issues, the disconnectedness I alluded to here and in previous posts (see post on You can't handle the truth) will continue to haunt us.

So then, perhaps my dad's little quip suffices: "If good can't get better, then worse will have to continue".

Knowledge is power: Wield it.