This data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) includes energy production, consumption, imports, and exports.
The Annual Energy Review 2010 (AER), released on October 19, 2011, provides EIA’s most comprehensive record of historical integrated energy statistics. Preliminary summary statistics from the report indicate the following:
• U.S. primary energy consumption rose to 98 quadrillion Btu in 2010, 4% above the previous year’s level. U.S. natural gas, coal, and renewable energy consumption each increased 6%, with natural gas reaching a record high of 25 quadrillion Btu.
• In 2010, U.S. primary energy production reached a record high of 75 quadrillion Btu, a 3% increase from the previous year.
• In 2010, total U.S. energy consumption increased in each of the four end-use sectors: residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation. Industrial consumption increased 6% above the previous year’s level, residential consumption increased 5%, and commercial and transportation consumption each increased 2%.
• From 2009 to 2010, U.S. primary energy net imports fell 5% to 22 quadrillion Btu. Petroleum net imports totaled 20 quadrillion Btu in 2010.
• U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from energy consumption rose 4% from 2009 to 2010.
The Annual Energy Review 2010 covers all major energy sources and all energy-consuming sectors of the U.S. economy from 1949 through 2010. See What’s New in the AER for a summary of changes to this year’s publication. See the full report, in pdf, html, and Excel formats, at Annual Energy Review.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
10-Question Insulation Quiz
Reproduced from GreenSpec, (answers follow).
1. Which of the following has the highest R-value per inch of any common insulation material?
A. high-density rigid mineral wool
B. foil-faced polyisocyanurate
C. cellular glass
D. higher-density expanded polystyrene
2. Which of the following is a good residential cavity choice when air quality is a primary concern?
A. dense-packed cellulose
B. dense-packed wool
C. dense-packed fiberglass
D. all of the above
3. Perlite is a good choice for attic floor insulation when…
A. moisture accumulation is a concern
B. a low-density version is available regionally
C. wind washing is an issue
D. none of the above
4. The material with the strongest performance characteristics for sub-slab applications is…
A. polyisocyanurate boardstock
B. rigid fiberglass
C. cellular glass
D. rigid mineral wool
5. Which insulation material requires the largest energy inputs?
A. sheep’s wool
B. cotton
C. polyester
D. they all require about the same energy input
6. Which of the following insulation materials is airtight enough to be the dedicated air barrier?
A. Cellulose
B. fiberglass batt
C. mineral wool
D. none of the above
7. Which of the following insulation materials is the least vapor permeable?
A. closed-cell polyurethane
B. extruded polystyrene
C. expanded polystyrene
D. cellulose
8. In order for a radiant barrier to be effective, it must:
A. face inward
B. face outward
C. face an open space
D. have continuous contact with the surface of the insulation material
9. Which vehicle for water movement generally represents the highest priority?
A. bulk water
B. capillary water
C. air-transported moisture
D. vapor diffusion
10. In order for the air and thermal barriers to be most effective, the air barrier must be:
A. interior to the thermal barrier
B. exterior to the thermal barrier
C. in continuous contact with the thermal barrier
D. the location of the air barrier does not have to relate to the location of the thermal barrier
Answers: 1. (B), 2. (B), 3. (B), 4. (C), 5. (A), 6. (D), 7. (A), 8. (C), 9. (A), 10. (C)
1. Which of the following has the highest R-value per inch of any common insulation material?
A. high-density rigid mineral wool
B. foil-faced polyisocyanurate
C. cellular glass
D. higher-density expanded polystyrene
2. Which of the following is a good residential cavity choice when air quality is a primary concern?
A. dense-packed cellulose
B. dense-packed wool
C. dense-packed fiberglass
D. all of the above
3. Perlite is a good choice for attic floor insulation when…
A. moisture accumulation is a concern
B. a low-density version is available regionally
C. wind washing is an issue
D. none of the above
4. The material with the strongest performance characteristics for sub-slab applications is…
A. polyisocyanurate boardstock
B. rigid fiberglass
C. cellular glass
D. rigid mineral wool
5. Which insulation material requires the largest energy inputs?
A. sheep’s wool
B. cotton
C. polyester
D. they all require about the same energy input
6. Which of the following insulation materials is airtight enough to be the dedicated air barrier?
A. Cellulose
B. fiberglass batt
C. mineral wool
D. none of the above
7. Which of the following insulation materials is the least vapor permeable?
A. closed-cell polyurethane
B. extruded polystyrene
C. expanded polystyrene
D. cellulose
8. In order for a radiant barrier to be effective, it must:
A. face inward
B. face outward
C. face an open space
D. have continuous contact with the surface of the insulation material
9. Which vehicle for water movement generally represents the highest priority?
A. bulk water
B. capillary water
C. air-transported moisture
D. vapor diffusion
10. In order for the air and thermal barriers to be most effective, the air barrier must be:
A. interior to the thermal barrier
B. exterior to the thermal barrier
C. in continuous contact with the thermal barrier
D. the location of the air barrier does not have to relate to the location of the thermal barrier
Answers: 1. (B), 2. (B), 3. (B), 4. (C), 5. (A), 6. (D), 7. (A), 8. (C), 9. (A), 10. (C)
Monday, October 3, 2011
REGREEN 301: Implementing Residential Remodeling Workshop
Date: Friday, November 4th
Time: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Location: Carl T. Curtis Midwest Regional Headquarters of the National Park Service (601 Riverfront Drive Omaha, NE 86102)
View the Event Flier at: http://usgbcne.org/downloads/2011-11-04%20Omaha%20REGREEN.pdf
REGREEN 301 will be offered in Omaha on Friday, November 4! If you have been considering becoming REGREEN Certified or if you simply would like to expand your knowledge about green design strategies, REGREEN is for you. This is a terrific opportunity to distinguish yourself as a green residential remodeling professional, and its coming to you, right here in Omaha!
This full-day workshop builds on foundational knowledge of the REGREEN Residential Remodeling Guidelines and available online courses and will assist you in identifying and evaluating which green considerations, concepts and strategies will make a meaningful and positive impact on your next project.
The workshop is designed for a dynamic group of design and construction professionals, from remodeling contractors to interior designers, who pride themselves on implementing green strategies.
Participants are invited to bring their own prospective projects to the course and will work in organized groups of multi-disciplinary professionals to apply the strategies discussed to real world projects. The hands-on and integrative nature of the course creates a true and unique workshop experience. The presence of two USGBC Faculty members, one with an Interior Design background and one with a Remodeling Contractor background, fosters a dynamic learning experience and integrative prospective.
Facilitators and participants will discuss the unique factors inherent in retrofit projects as well as the appropriateness and implementation of green strategies pertaining to site, foundation, building envelope, all major residential systems and equipment, applicable renewable energies, space utilization, finished surfaces, and furnishings and fittings. Two case studies woven into the workshop will help illustrate key concepts and strategies as they relate to two radically different climate conditions.
This full-day workshop is a required step in becoming REGREEN Trained, a comprehensive education program that allows you to differentiate yourself in the residential remodeling marketplace (see REGREEN website for details). Providing 7 hours of continuing education, the workshop may also be utilized to maintain various industry credentials.
This is a 300-level course with mandatory prerequisites. See www.regreenprogram.org/learning-programs/REGREEN-workshop for mandatory prerequisites.
*If you have a building science background, you may substitute HERS, CHEERS, or BPI certification for these classes.
Learning Objectives
· Employ building science principles and whole-house systems approach on residential remodeling projects.
· Implement residential green remodeling strategies on your next project.
· Conduct a value-based, ROI analysis for common green remodeling strategies.
· Obtain green business development resources.
$249 for ASID and USGBC members
$299 for non-members
Register at www.regreenprogram.org/registration-information
Credential Maintenance Units:
GBCI CE Hours 7
AIA/CES (LU) 7
BOMI (CPD) 7
CoreNet (CPD) 7
CSI (CEU) .7
IDCEC (CEU) .7
NARI Green (CEU) .7
If you have any questions please contact Shawn Parmley ASID, LEED AP ID+C at 402-850-0928 or parmleydesign@cox.net
Time: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Location: Carl T. Curtis Midwest Regional Headquarters of the National Park Service (601 Riverfront Drive Omaha, NE 86102)
View the Event Flier at: http://usgbcne.org/downloads/2011-11-04%20Omaha%20REGREEN.pdf
REGREEN 301 will be offered in Omaha on Friday, November 4! If you have been considering becoming REGREEN Certified or if you simply would like to expand your knowledge about green design strategies, REGREEN is for you. This is a terrific opportunity to distinguish yourself as a green residential remodeling professional, and its coming to you, right here in Omaha!
This full-day workshop builds on foundational knowledge of the REGREEN Residential Remodeling Guidelines and available online courses and will assist you in identifying and evaluating which green considerations, concepts and strategies will make a meaningful and positive impact on your next project.
The workshop is designed for a dynamic group of design and construction professionals, from remodeling contractors to interior designers, who pride themselves on implementing green strategies.
Participants are invited to bring their own prospective projects to the course and will work in organized groups of multi-disciplinary professionals to apply the strategies discussed to real world projects. The hands-on and integrative nature of the course creates a true and unique workshop experience. The presence of two USGBC Faculty members, one with an Interior Design background and one with a Remodeling Contractor background, fosters a dynamic learning experience and integrative prospective.
Facilitators and participants will discuss the unique factors inherent in retrofit projects as well as the appropriateness and implementation of green strategies pertaining to site, foundation, building envelope, all major residential systems and equipment, applicable renewable energies, space utilization, finished surfaces, and furnishings and fittings. Two case studies woven into the workshop will help illustrate key concepts and strategies as they relate to two radically different climate conditions.
This full-day workshop is a required step in becoming REGREEN Trained, a comprehensive education program that allows you to differentiate yourself in the residential remodeling marketplace (see REGREEN website for details). Providing 7 hours of continuing education, the workshop may also be utilized to maintain various industry credentials.
This is a 300-level course with mandatory prerequisites. See www.regreenprogram.org/learning-programs/REGREEN-workshop for mandatory prerequisites.
*If you have a building science background, you may substitute HERS, CHEERS, or BPI certification for these classes.
Learning Objectives
· Employ building science principles and whole-house systems approach on residential remodeling projects.
· Implement residential green remodeling strategies on your next project.
· Conduct a value-based, ROI analysis for common green remodeling strategies.
· Obtain green business development resources.
$249 for ASID and USGBC members
$299 for non-members
Register at www.regreenprogram.org/registration-information
Credential Maintenance Units:
GBCI CE Hours 7
AIA/CES (LU) 7
BOMI (CPD) 7
CoreNet (CPD) 7
CSI (CEU) .7
IDCEC (CEU) .7
NARI Green (CEU) .7
If you have any questions please contact Shawn Parmley ASID, LEED AP ID+C at 402-850-0928 or parmleydesign@cox.net
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