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Category : Prop 39

HomeArchive by Category "Prop 39"
See If Your Building Needs Maintenance With A Free Energy Audit

See If Your Building Needs Maintenance With A Free Energy Audit

by saleson 19 April 2016in Central Valley Energy, Clean Energy, Energy Conservation, Fresno Energy, News, Prop 39

There are a number of things that get checked when your building is audited for energy usage. While an audit may sound bad, it is actually very helpful in finding ways to make your building energy efficient and in the end saving you money. Here are the things that Highlands Energy will check for you:

  1. Outdated Windows
  2. Eighty percent of all inspections done by Highlands Energy find outdated windows. Outdated windows can cost you a lot of money because they let in too much heat or too much cold causing the heat and AC to run too often. Changing outdated windows will make your building more energy efficient. There are two types of energy efficient windows: dual-panes and low-E coatings. Dual pane windows consist of two panes of glass with an air or gas chamber in between them. The chamber acts as a buffer against temperature changes and to reduce noise. Low-E coated windows block out infrared light out in order to keep the heat out in the summer and to hold the heat in during the winter. They also block harmful UV rays, which can cause furniture and carpets to fade.

  3. Inefficient HVAC
  4. There are a number of ways that your HVAC system could be running inefficiently. A leaking vent or duct can cause heated or cooled air to make its way outside, instead of indoors as intended. Properly sealing your vents and air ducts with butyl tape or mastic will drastically improve energy efficiency.

    Manual thermostats can cause problems if you are constantly trying to get the HVAC system to work harder for the temperature you want. It is better to have a programmable thermostat so that the heating and cooling is consistent and only being used when you need it.

    It is important to have routine cleanings and replacements of air filters in order to maintain efficiency. By keeping your equipment maintained you can increase efficiency up to 15 percent. Old systems tend to be not as efficient as the newer ones and may need to be replaced. Seventy-two percent of all inspections on HVAC systems show inefficiencies.

  5. Gas Appliance Ventilation
  6. There are risks and hazards associated with improper ventilation of gas appliances like carbon monoxide and fire hazards. Carbon monoxide can occur when fuel is incompletely burned and an improperly ventilated gas appliance leaks the toxic gas. Since carbon monoxide is colorless it often goes unnoticed until a test is done or an illness or death occurs. Gas leaks also pose as a fire hazard when exposed to an open flame, like a pilot light. Thirty-four percent of all inspections find problems with gas appliance ventilation, 50 percent find gas leaks, and 30 percent find fixable carbon monoxide issues.

  7. Lead Paint
  8. Buildings constructed prior to 1978 may contain paint with lead additives. It was added to quicken the drying process, repel moisture, and increase durability. But since then, lead has been found to be a hazardous material and can cause many health issues, such as nervous system damage, kidney growth, and reproductive issues. If a building has lead based paint it is vital that it is removed properly. Improper removal can cause more issues such as lead dust filling the air which can damage the respiratory system. It is best to leave lead paint removal to trained professionals. Sixty-seven percent of all inspections find lead paint issues.

  9. Moisture and Mold
  10. While mold is more common in areas that have high humidity, it can still be found as a result of roof leaks and plumbing issues. Over time mold can cause structural damage to walls, insulation, and other parts of your building. Mold can also cause health issues such as respiratory illnesses, allergic reactions, migraines, fatigue, and asthma. Mildew, while not as dangerous as mold, is still be a serious problem that should be taken care of. Inhaling mildew spores can cause headaches, coughs, and sore throat. Thirty-six percent of all inspections find untreated mold and mildew issues.

  11. Asbestos
  12. Asbestos was once a highly sought after material because of its fire resistant and insulating properties. It is now found to be a health risk when the fibers become airborne, entering the respiratory system. A few of the illnesses associated with asbestos exposure are asbestosis, a chronic lung disease that causes scarring of the lung tissue, and mesothelioma lung cancer. Sixty percent of all inspections in buildings built prior to 1975 find untreated asbestos related issues.

Energy audits can help you save money and ensure you and your employees’ safety. Highlands Energy will do a free comprehensive efficiency and safety audit for your building.


About Highlands Energy

Our mission is to provide effective energy solutions that make an immediate impact on the comfort, safety and bottom-line for families, schools, and commercial clients.

 

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Visalia Unified Seeing Financial Benefits from Solar Panels

by saleson 24 September 2015in Central Valley Energy, Clean Energy, Energy Conservation, News, Prop 39, Solar Energy, Solar Panels

Last March, Visalia Unified School District unveiled their solar project- the installation of solar panels at 12 campuses to produce electricity and save money. The solar panels were fixed to parking and playground shade areas as part of a $10-million project using Measure E school bond money and an internal loan, estimated to save the district an estimated $11 million over the next 25 years.

Solar Panels Lead to More Savings Than Expected

The 2.35-megawatt project was expected to save the district roughly $627,000 in electricity costs in its first year. The actual savings over the 2014-2015 year? $952,307. The district broke down where the savings came from: $506,188 was saved in energy costs, $6,188 more than forecast, plus the solar arrays generated a rebate of $446,119. Visalia Unified estimates that the financial savings and rebates are forecast will cover the investment on the panels within seven years, however the payback time may be even shorter if yearly energy savings continue to exceed estimates in coming years.

“We are very pleased to be able to report that the systems exceeded expectations,” Robert Groeber, assistant superintendent of administrative services, said. “The solar savings mean less money is taken from the general fund — which is how the district pays for direct student services.”

Solar Panel Installations at 12 Schools and Counting

VUSD’s solar panel installations are currently located at the following elementary schools: Crowley, Fairview, Highland, Houston, Ivanhoe, Linwood, Pinkham, Veva Blunt and Golden Oak; at Green Acres and La Joya middle schools; and at Redwood High. In addition to their current panels a second wave of solar installations is nearly complete at the following schools: Mountain View, Royal Oaks, Washington, Charter Alternatives Academy, at Visalia Learning Center, and the operations center. These solar panel installations are being funded through Proposition 39, the California Clean Energy Jobs Act.

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  • 6 Easy Ways to Save Water This Summer May 10, 2016
  • See If Your Building Needs Maintenance With A Free Energy Audit April 19, 2016
  • Solar Panels in Schools April 5, 2016
  • Clean Energy in the Central Valley March 15, 2016

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