27 Feb, 2009
Podcast: Adaptive Reuse
27 Feb, 2009
Videos - Canadian + Electrical
I knew Chicago politicians were corrupt, all the way up to the Governor of the state of Illinois. But I had no idea this crap had spread further north!
27 Feb, 2009
Recorded Webcasts: FacilitiesNet
27 Feb, 2009
Videos: Builders' Show
27 Feb, 2009
Video: Turbine Installation
27 Feb, 2009
Video: Electrocution Investigation
22 Feb, 2009
Video: Green Workers
22 Feb, 2009
Video: Electric Drag Racing
22 Feb, 2009
Video: Solar Install
22 Feb, 2009
Video: NECA NewsCast Update
the future of electrical contracting, and the important role LED lighting plays
interviews with Christopher Ruud, Ruud Lighting, and Jim Dunlop, NJATC, to hear their insights and thoughts about a greener electrical contractor.
NECA’s Student Chapter luncheon -- interview with Joseph Shultz, a former NECA Student Chapter President, on why he feels the program has been a success.
interviews with Christopher Ruud, Ruud Lighting, and Jim Dunlop, NJATC, to hear their insights and thoughts about a greener electrical contractor.
NECA’s Student Chapter luncheon -- interview with Joseph Shultz, a former NECA Student Chapter President, on why he feels the program has been a success.
22 Feb, 2009
Video: Green Tips
22 Feb, 2009
Lighting Design Videos
Lighting Your Kitchen (3 minutes, 44 seconds)
The Romance of Lighting (3:40)
Choosing the Right Lighting (3:12)
The Romance of Lighting (3:40)
Choosing the Right Lighting (3:12)
19 Feb, 2009
More on the Stimulus
19 Feb, 2009
Copper Column
Copper confuses analysts and experts. They knew nothing
about a surge to $4.
Copper’s price peaked, originally, at roughly 1.75x the highest price forecast by anyone, anywhere.
Copper’s price peaked, originally, at roughly 1.75x the highest price forecast by anyone, anywhere.
18 Feb, 2009
More Bad News
2010 Construction recovery threatened
by postponing a fix for credit markets
by postponing a fix for credit markets
18 Feb, 2009
Resi Wind -- Rush To Regulate
Officials in Colleyville and Southlake have heard from residents
interested in installing turbines on their property to reduce their
electric bills and carbon footprints. Both cities are now looking at
ways to regulate the structures before they begin transforming
neighborhood landscapes.
According to the article, one town went one way (wind turbines OK), the other banned them.
"You need at least half an acre of land," said Ed Smith, who sells
renewable energy products through his company, SSB Designs, in
Arlington. "The turbines need to be at least 30 feet above the nearest
obstruction within a football field, so you do need a pretty wide-open
area."
18 Feb, 2009
Guest Editorial
I thought we all could benefit from pondering this section of today's entry on the Dr. Housing Bubble blog:
- - - - -
Where are all the delusional folks calling for a second half
recovery?
This mantra was going around for the last few months of 2008 with no basis in reality. Here we are, only a few weeks into 2009 and we are now back testing the market lows of November:
This is an incredibly fast drop. In fact, the NASDAQ is down 6.7%
for the year, the S & P 500 is down 12.6%, and the Dow is down
13.9%. And we’re only in February! Keep in mind all this is happening
with trillions and trillions of dollars being but at risk for the corrupt banking and finance industry
and a $789 billion stimulus plan being signed.
Even with all this, the
market is now back to the lows seen in November! What do we need to do
to get a brief recovery? Announce a $100 trillion bailout plan? I
mean we are now in silly season here.
The problem is our economy was dependent on a frat like force of financial wizards who didn’t care about the financial long-term stability of the nation. They built models to make a small select few richer and richer at the cost of the American taxpayer. After all, this money we are funneling to them is basically the insurance policy they bet on while feeding both Republican and Democratic legislatures. Their bets have paid off. Why else would such a inane plan like the TARP even get off the ground? Well if you leave it to a former Goldman Sachs crony to write the legislation, guess what is going to happen?
18 Feb, 2009
Shortage Of Energy Professionals
18 Feb, 2009
Stimulus Analyses
NECA: While it’s far from perfect, this legislation will aid in the recovery of our industry.
LightNow: Although there is some money for new construction in the stimulus package, existing public buildings–Federal buildings and schools–appear to be the big winners in the bill, particularly projects involving energy efficiency improvements.
TEDGreenRoom: Politics aside, a capital infusion of this magnitude will certainly make a huge impact on countless members of every organization that represents the electrical industry.
LightNow: Although there is some money for new construction in the stimulus package, existing public buildings–Federal buildings and schools–appear to be the big winners in the bill, particularly projects involving energy efficiency improvements.
TEDGreenRoom: Politics aside, a capital infusion of this magnitude will certainly make a huge impact on countless members of every organization that represents the electrical industry.
16 Feb, 2009
Prefab Homes - Think Piece
In the United States, prefabrication comprises a very small
percentage of new housing construction. If the construction and
financial industries learn only one thing from the current crisis, it
should be that American consumers desperately want and need affordable
housing, and would flock toward better built, lower-cost alternatives
to what the market currently offers.
The technology to build prefabricated housing exists. At every level of the industry, from low to high end, cost savings would be enormous.
Fewer resources would go to waste, which would be better for the environment. If one were to ask an economist specializing in residential housing to devise from scratch a system for designing, manufacturing, and distributing quality new housing, it is unlikely that anyone would ever concoct, much less advocate the adoption of, the current system.
The technology to build prefabricated housing exists. At every level of the industry, from low to high end, cost savings would be enormous.
Fewer resources would go to waste, which would be better for the environment. If one were to ask an economist specializing in residential housing to devise from scratch a system for designing, manufacturing, and distributing quality new housing, it is unlikely that anyone would ever concoct, much less advocate the adoption of, the current system.
16 Feb, 2009
Power Use Effectiveness (PUE)
16 Feb, 2009
Predictions for Smart Buildings
1.
Manufacturers of BAS devices will convert many of the devices to DC power,
allowing Power-Over-Ethernet (POE) to be used, thus spurring greater penetration
of IP protocols in the BAS world.
Known as the most under-valued building technology, POE will drive the convergence because of its cost advantage and management functions. Innovators in this arena will be second tier and Asian BAS companies.
Known as the most under-valued building technology, POE will drive the convergence because of its cost advantage and management functions. Innovators in this arena will be second tier and Asian BAS companies.
16 Feb, 2009
Web Evaluation: Efficient Houses
16 Feb, 2009
10 New CFLs
Here's a slide show (from TheDailyGreen.com) titled 10 New CFLs to Fit Your Life and Lamps.
(More)
16 Feb, 2009
Green Prefab Housing
16 Feb, 2009
Cables For Robots
“Cables are often just an afterthought in work cells. After the
end-of-arm tooling is selected, the programming is done, and safety
mechanisms are installed, the last thought is usually the cabling,”
professes Wayne Murphy, Product Manager at igus East Providence, Rhode
Island.
“Cables are the component that will give the work cell the most trouble, so engineering them later will be more difficult. If cable routing is engineered during the design of the work cell, integrators can plan for them correctly.”
“Cables are the component that will give the work cell the most trouble, so engineering them later will be more difficult. If cable routing is engineered during the design of the work cell, integrators can plan for them correctly.”
13 Feb, 2009
Resi Surge Protection: MYTH?
a service entrance powerline surge protector -- often called a whole-house surge protector -- does not live up to the billing.
Reason: 80% of the surges with which a house must deal originate within the house!
13 Feb, 2009
Smart Grid Stuff
Part 1 -- Intro to the topic.
Part 2 -- I did a really good job on this piece. There are links to places to find a lot more info, 2 graphics, and a really neat sentence (which I DID NOT create). The quote is that the national grid (the transmission-and-distribution system):
Part 2 -- I did a really good job on this piece. There are links to places to find a lot more info, 2 graphics, and a really neat sentence (which I DID NOT create). The quote is that the national grid (the transmission-and-distribution system):
is the largest machine on earth and a cornerstone of America’s prosperity, national security, public health and safety.
Part 3 -- A bit more opinionated. I've followed The Smart Grid for two years. It seems that everything that ails our national electrical system can be solved (according to various proponents) by the Smart Grid. I don't think so!
Everything you need to know about The Smart Grid IS NOT HERE. There are 4,500 words all told, or thereabouts, in the three pieces. But if you trouble to wade through all three (and follow some of the links in Part 2) . . . you'll come out with an introduction to the subject, a basic understanding of what folks are talking about, and a spin (from me) on what's actually going on.
13 Feb, 2009
Dave Brown on Tech
He's apparently writing a multi-part series of articles for Construction Business Owner on "technology for the construction contractor." Here's Part One. A very relevant slice:
We do not believe in technology for the sake of technology and sometimes the best technology truly is a pad and pencil. When
reviewing any technology for your company, it is important to seriously
analyze whether you will gain a solid return for that purchase.
I couldn't get along with the magazine's website (which means I ran out of patience) looking for Part Two. But I did find a place where Dave is blogging on the site. One of the topics tackled (at least twice) is how a "technician" can move into project management.Good stuff!
13 Feb, 2009
Ten '09 Green Building Trends
1. Growth of 60%+ in '09 for the green building industry.
2. A benefit from the Obama presidency.
3. Focus begins to switch (ABOUT TIME!!!) to greening existing buildings.
4. Water.
5. LEED Platinum projects to "become more commonplace."
6. Solar power use in buildings will accelerate.
7. Local governments will mandate green buildings.
8. Zero net energy.
9. Green homes come to dominate new housing developments in more places.
10. European technologies "will become better known and more widely adopted."
(More)
2. A benefit from the Obama presidency.
3. Focus begins to switch (ABOUT TIME!!!) to greening existing buildings.
4. Water.
5. LEED Platinum projects to "become more commonplace."
6. Solar power use in buildings will accelerate.
7. Local governments will mandate green buildings.
8. Zero net energy.
9. Green homes come to dominate new housing developments in more places.
10. European technologies "will become better known and more widely adopted."
13 Feb, 2009
CES Wrap-Up: Home Tech
No kidding?
Here's a sentence The EleBlog really likes, because it's short and right to the point (and perhaps some aren't thinking about this):
Communications and entertainment have become just data.
13 Feb, 2009
Green & Mold
13 Feb, 2009
Wind Energy Maintenance Market
For much of the rest of the word, MRO = maintenance, repair and operations. According to Lucintel:
The wind MRO
market includes maintenance, repair and overhaul of wind blades,
generators, gear boxes and other turbine components.
(More)
08 Feb, 2009
Reader's Digest & DIY
A link came up (in my "clipping" of the web) to How to install a dimmer switch, on the Reader's Digest site.
Turns out there's more. Off to the right, there are links to "how to hand a ceiling light fixture" and "stripping wire."
08 Feb, 2009
Contractor Success Profiles
There are five different Contractor Success Profiles, FMI says:
1. Humanist – build strong relationships with customers, employees and the community.
2. Generalist – balance all six success factors (improving people and their lives, profit and wealth, sense of presence and reputation, survival and sustainability, progress on mission and preparation for the future, project execution)
3. Tactician – project and process success
4. Bottom-liner – measured by financial results
5. Freewheeler – appropriate responses to changing opportunities, times or market situations
2. Generalist – balance all six success factors (improving people and their lives, profit and wealth, sense of presence and reputation, survival and sustainability, progress on mission and preparation for the future, project execution)
3. Tactician – project and process success
4. Bottom-liner – measured by financial results
5. Freewheeler – appropriate responses to changing opportunities, times or market situations
08 Feb, 2009
Knob + Tube and Insulation
a. There's no grounding conductor on the knob-and-tube wiring. Get rid of it!
b. Hire a licensed electrician to do the work.
Way to go, ZC!b. Hire a licensed electrician to do the work.
08 Feb, 2009
Cheap Cables
A quote from the article: "Price differences are not untrue in any product category, although it might be more egregious in the world of cables."
[What the heck did that guy mean by "egregious," anyhow? Here's the word from Dictionary.com:
extraordinary in some bad way; glaring; flagrant: an egregious mistake; an egregious liar.
08 Feb, 2009
Construction Spending -- Pieces
Total construction down (unadjusted for anything, including inflation) 5.1% in 2008 vs. 2007.
Private construction down 9.4%.
Private residential construction down 27.2%
Private NONresidential consturction UP 15.3%
Public construction up 7.4%
Private residential construction down 27.2%
Private NONresidential consturction UP 15.3%
Public construction up 7.4%
Note that public construction was 22.31% of the total in 2004 and last year was up to 28.56%. Just another indicator of the growing role of "government" in every corner of American public and private economic life, perhaps?
08 Feb, 2009
Construction Spending -- 5 Years
2008 spending: $1,079,858,000
2007: $1,137,152,000
2006: $1,192,238,000
2005: $1,143,655,000
2004: $1,027,738,000
[I took those figures from the December construction spending reports for each year previous).
2007: $1,137,152,000
2006: $1,192,238,000
2005: $1,143,655,000
2004: $1,027,738,000
[I took those figures from the December construction spending reports for each year previous).
EleBlog take: If you look at the 5-year period, construction has been "flat" -- or so you might say (or hear). But you've got to subtract construction inflation from the 2008 figure to equalize it with the 2004 figure.
If you figure construction inflation at about 5% per year (which might be about right, more or less), the 2008 number would have to be $1.233 trillion to equal the 2004 figure. There's a 12.5% gap.
So one way of looking at it (call it The EleBlog Way, if you like) is that construction in 2008 was down roughly 12.5%, in real terms, from 2004. More or less.
08 Feb, 2009
Incandescents Chosen Over CFLs
NEMA’s Lamp Indices for incandescent and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) showed a modest rebound during the fourth quarter of 2008, rising 2.6 and 1.8 percent, respectively, compared to the previous quarter. Despite the quarter to quarter gain, the incandescent lamp index declined 14.9 percent on a year-over-year basis. Moreover, the incandescent index for 2008 registered its fifth consecutive annual decline, falling 20.7 percent compared to 2007. The performance of the CFL index was mixed, increasing 11.5 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2007 while retreating 2.2 percent for the calendar year as a whole relative to 2007.
The incandescent share of household lamp sales reversed a quarterly trend of losing market share to CFLs during the fourth quarter, increasing to 77.5 percent, as consumers eschewed costlier (on a first-cost basis) CFLs. Nonetheless, the CFL share of household lamps increased during 2008 to nearly 24 percent from 20 percent in 2007.
06 Feb, 2009
Construction 2008 - One Look
The relevant data -- the "year 2008" totals -- are posted below. These are unadjusted for seasonal this or inflationary that.
EleBlog take: It's the nonresidential building number that is important here. We all know housing is crippled. A 1% "up" year for nonresidential in what was (for much of 2008) an inflationary environment for construction costs means nonresidential was down-but-near-flat.
It's the number to watch in the coming months.
YEAR-TO-DATE CONSTRUCTION STARTS
Unadjusted Totals, In Millions of Dollars
| 12 Mos. 2008 | 12 Mos. 2007 | % Change | |
| Nonresidential Building | $237,655 | $235,459 | +1 |
Residential Building |
162,054 | 264,724 | -39 |
| Nonbuilding Construction |
143,125 | 138,001 | +4 |
| Total Construction |
$542,834 | $638,184 | -15 |
(More)
06 Feb, 2009
Lighting News
Sample: A 2/4 post was headlined Efficiency Laws Are Retiring Lighting's Workhorses. Here's a slice:
Of these efficiency regulations, almost all of them target technology
that, in some cases, is so obsolete it’s surprising the market hasn’t
finished them off on its own. For example, probe-start luminaires
continue to be installed in new buildings that are immediately ripe for
retrofit to fluorescent luminaires for up to 50% energy savings.
For almost all of the targeted technologies, highly efficient and better-performing substitutes are available. The exception is the general-service incandescent lamp: The compact fluorescent still has some performance issues, such as the fact that dimmable models exhibit problems while dimming on line-voltage dimmers, and it simply isn’t suitable for all incandescent applications. Let’s hope tomorrow’s LEDs can do better.
For almost all of the targeted technologies, highly efficient and better-performing substitutes are available. The exception is the general-service incandescent lamp: The compact fluorescent still has some performance issues, such as the fact that dimmable models exhibit problems while dimming on line-voltage dimmers, and it simply isn’t suitable for all incandescent applications. Let’s hope tomorrow’s LEDs can do better.
06 Feb, 2009
Retrofit Skills
There's a lot to the article, so I took the liberty of pasting here Harding's section on Working in walls & ceilings:
Here are few tips for retrofit work going into the wall:
Here are few tips for retrofit work going into the wall:
- In walls, the framing timbers most often travel up and down.
- On a ceiling, use a stud finder to discover which way the joists run
- When you're using a stud finder, rest it on a clean piece of paper to keep the wall or ceiling looking perfect
When you are working in finished rooms that have can-style ceiling lights:
- You can easily remove the cans to get a nice-sized observation hole
- Make sure that the painter hasn't sealed the lip in place. It's really ugly pealing a piece of paint from a faux finished ceiling because you didn't check first.
Take advantage of closets and cabinets for work chase ways.
I installed speakers in my kitchen by cutting in a double gang retrofit ring inside the lower kitchen cabinet and using a dummy plate to cover the hole. I haven't heard a word from the dishes about it. So, it must be fine.
I installed speakers in my kitchen by cutting in a double gang retrofit ring inside the lower kitchen cabinet and using a dummy plate to cover the hole. I haven't heard a word from the dishes about it. So, it must be fine.
06 Feb, 2009
Multi-Family Problem
"The credit market has turned upside down on us." Before banks will consider financing a project, "we have to bring two or three times as much equity to the project."
06 Feb, 2009
Laughter
"Laughing boosts energy expenditure by 10% to 20%, according to Vanderbilt University researchers."
"In a small one-year study of heart-attack patients, those who watched comedies for 30 minutes a day were less likely to suffer s 2nd heart attack than those who did not watch funny videos."
"While 4-year-olds laugh about every 4 minutes, adults do it about once an hour."
So laughing adds up. If you laugh 15 minutes more a day, you could burn 40 more calories a day. So just laughing heartily, the Vandy researchers say, 15 minutes each day could help you to lose 4 more pounds a year!!!
"In a small one-year study of heart-attack patients, those who watched comedies for 30 minutes a day were less likely to suffer s 2nd heart attack than those who did not watch funny videos."
"While 4-year-olds laugh about every 4 minutes, adults do it about once an hour."
06 Feb, 2009
'Frugal' Energy-Saving Tips
Take shorter showers. Showers account for most of a household's
hot-water use, Luxton says. Baths are even worse. Cutting showers to 10
minutes from 30 minutes could slash water-heating costs by 50%.
06 Feb, 2009
Thought-Based Technologies?
Of interest:
65% of consumers believe some companies overstate their "green" credentials. "Green" is the #1 mega-trend.
#2 is "the evolving human-machine interface." What are we talking about here?
#2 is "the evolving human-machine interface." What are we talking about here?
"Look for multi-touch PC and phone displays, motion-sensing game controllers, voice controls in cars, and yes even thought-based control technologies."
#3 "Connectivity is cultivating a new crop of services and business models consumers can access anytime and anywhere." I read #3 over several times, I can't really discern a trend here, or a major diff from #2.
#4 "(No) strings attached is a dichotomous trend. More devices are cutting the cord and going wireless, while simultaneously more services are being attached to them." Again, I'm really not sure how this is different from #2.
EleBlog take: Two mega trends. We all already knew about Green. Those of us who read science-fiction probably previously read something about "thought-based control" (but of people, not machines!).
