Comments for Colorado Green Building Post http://usweatherizing.com/blog News about Sustainable Building, Energy Efficiency and Green Jobs Sun, 05 Sep 2010 03:58:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 Comment on Westminster Code Official Wrangles IECC to Replace IRC Energy Chapter by Shaunna Mozingo http://usweatherizing.com/blog/?p=673&cpage=1#comment-148 Shaunna Mozingo Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:05:11 +0000 http://usweatherizing.com/blog/?p=673#comment-148 I have to agree with Mr. Bloomberg. The whole fight in gettng the IECC as the governing document came about after a couple of code cycles that made the IRC and IECC so far apart in requirements that it was hard to justify telling someone that they could or could not do something under one code that they could turn around and do under another code. We were begining to look somewhat silly in that one code restricts something that another allows. And then along came ARRA saying that we had to adopt the 2009 IECC or equivalent and DOE saying that the IRC and the IECC weren't equivalent and people weren't realizing that if they just adopted the IRC they wouldn't necessarily be in compliance to get that ARRA funding. The real key is that no matter which code is actually adopted, you have to enforce it. We need education for code officials so that they can understand the energy code and then turn around and actually enforce it. We keep tightening a code that hasn't really been enforced. If we could enforce the code we have we would see more of a difference in energy efficiency! I have to agree with Mr. Bloomberg. The whole fight in gettng the IECC as the governing document came about after a couple of code cycles that made the IRC and IECC so far apart in requirements that it was hard to justify telling someone that they could or could not do something under one code that they could turn around and do under another code. We were begining to look somewhat silly in that one code restricts something that another allows. And then along came ARRA saying that we had to adopt the 2009 IECC or equivalent and DOE saying that the IRC and the IECC weren’t equivalent and people weren’t realizing that if they just adopted the IRC they wouldn’t necessarily be in compliance to get that ARRA funding.
The real key is that no matter which code is actually adopted, you have to enforce it. We need education for code officials so that they can understand the energy code and then turn around and actually enforce it. We keep tightening a code that hasn’t really been enforced. If we could enforce the code we have we would see more of a difference in energy efficiency!

]]> Comment on Westminster Code Official Wrangles IECC to Replace IRC Energy Chapter by Charles Bloomberg http://usweatherizing.com/blog/?p=673&cpage=1#comment-147 Charles Bloomberg Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:08:29 +0000 http://usweatherizing.com/blog/?p=673#comment-147 Like many code officials and code users, I look at the simple question, 'What justification can there be for having two diferent codes?' When the model code groups merged we all agreed the multiple codes in existance were a hinderance to efficient construction. I support the concept of performance codes, there may be many ways to meet the intent of the code and they should all be acceptable. I do not believe the energy chapter should be removed from the IRC. I would like it treated like the Electrical Code where all the provisions of the code that apply to residential construction are included in the one IRC book. I believe the Fuel Gas Code is done in the same way although there are some differences in the Plumbing and Mechanical sections. Hopefully as an organization, we can move toward unity within the codes. These minor inconsistancies make the inspector's job harder, and sometimes mak us appear to be petty nit pickers, 'You can do this in a house, but not in an office building.' Like many code officials and code users, I look at the simple question, ‘What justification can there be for having two diferent codes?’ When the model code groups merged we all agreed the multiple codes in existance were a hinderance to efficient construction. I support the concept of performance codes, there may be many ways to meet the intent of the code and they should all be acceptable. I do not believe the energy chapter should be removed from the IRC. I would like it treated like the Electrical Code where all the provisions of the code that apply to residential construction are included in the one IRC book. I believe the Fuel Gas Code is done in the same way although there are some differences in the Plumbing and Mechanical sections. Hopefully as an organization, we can move toward unity within the codes. These minor inconsistancies make the inspector’s job harder, and sometimes mak us appear to be petty nit pickers, ‘You can do this in a house, but not in an office building.’

]]> Comment on BPI Releases National Home Energy Audit Standard by Energy Man http://usweatherizing.com/blog/?p=644&cpage=1#comment-134 Energy Man Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:32:14 +0000 http://usweatherizing.com/blog/?p=644#comment-134 As a former energy auditor, I agree with having a standardized approach. I'm glad to see this is making some progress. My former clients always used to tell me of the most difficult obstacles toward getting a professional energy audit is actually finding someone that does them. There are many online resources, one that I recommend is the Energy Audit Directory at: http://www.energyauditdirectory.com The site has energy audit companies from every state in the US, and many in other countries throughout the world. Good Luck As a former energy auditor, I agree with having a standardized approach. I’m glad to see this is making some progress.

My former clients always used to tell me of the most difficult obstacles toward getting a professional energy audit is actually finding someone that does them. There are many online resources, one that I recommend is the Energy Audit Directory at:
http://www.energyauditdirectory.com
The site has energy audit companies from every state in the US, and many in other countries throughout the world.

Good Luck

]]> Comment on Energy Audit Jobs a Tough Sell in Colorado by Jon Rudolph http://usweatherizing.com/blog/?p=66&cpage=1#comment-12 Jon Rudolph Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:43:32 +0000 http://usweatherizing.com/blog/?p=66#comment-12 I generally agree with this very brief blog statement. Whos blog is this? There's no apparent information on the source of thsi blog. It would be helpful to know. I generally agree with this very brief blog statement.

Whos blog is this? There’s no apparent information on the source of thsi blog. It would be helpful to know.

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