Conservation & EfficiencyConservation & Efficiency“The Vegetables”“The Vegetables”

For: The Sonoran InstituteFor: The Sonoran Institute

Community Energy Futures InstituteCommunity Energy Futures Institute

By: Fritz Diether, OwnerBy: Fritz Diether, Owner

Frostbusters & CoolthFrostbusters & Coolth

Jim Spehar asked me to describe Jim Spehar asked me to describe what I’m doing “on the ground” what I’m doing “on the ground” with Frostbusters & Coolthwith Frostbusters & Coolth

In keeping with the vegetable theme…In keeping with the vegetable theme… Frostbusters is working with, or planning to Frostbusters is working with, or planning to

work with the work with the essential ingredientsessential ingredients of the of the residential building industry in Mesa residential building industry in Mesa County and surrounding communities that County and surrounding communities that have a role to play in energy efficiency. have a role to play in energy efficiency.

I’m trying to I’m trying to make a killer salad!make a killer salad!

Planting the SeedsPlanting the Seeds Started Frostbusters- 1985 Crested Butte, COStarted Frostbusters- 1985 Crested Butte, CO Moved to Grand Junction- 2004Moved to Grand Junction- 2004 Re-open Frostbusters- 2006Re-open Frostbusters- 2006 Rater Training & Certification- 2006Rater Training & Certification- 2006 Acquire Energy Analysis Tools- Never Ending!Acquire Energy Analysis Tools- Never Ending! Energy Audits & Improvements to Existing Energy Audits & Improvements to Existing

Homes- Since InceptionHomes- Since Inception Begin Rating New Homes- 2006Begin Rating New Homes- 2006 Establish Relationships with Building ContractorsEstablish Relationships with Building Contractors

More Seeds…More Seeds…

Establish Relationships with:Establish Relationships with: Insulation Contractors,Insulation Contractors, HVAC Contractors,HVAC Contractors, Equipment/Material Vendors,Equipment/Material Vendors, Individual Homeowners,Individual Homeowners, Banks/Lenders,Banks/Lenders, Realtors/Property Managers,Realtors/Property Managers, Building, Planning & Public Works DepartmentsBuilding, Planning & Public Works Departments

Still more seeds!Still more seeds! Architects, Engineers & Designers,Architects, Engineers & Designers, Local, State & Federal Gov’t Leaders,Local, State & Federal Gov’t Leaders, Affordable Housing & Human ServicesAffordable Housing & Human Services Solar & Renewable Energy Providers,Solar & Renewable Energy Providers, Energy Efficiency Agencies & Orgs.Energy Efficiency Agencies & Orgs. UtilitiesUtilities Insurance CompaniesInsurance Companies Whoever else digs a great salad!Whoever else digs a great salad!

The Bountiful Harvest…The Bountiful Harvest… Architects, Builders, Subs & EngineersArchitects, Builders, Subs & Engineers Help incorporate energy efficiency in design & Help incorporate energy efficiency in design &

specs using Energy Star, Built Green and other specs using Energy Star, Built Green and other pre-existing programs. No need to re-invent the pre-existing programs. No need to re-invent the “Vegetable”.“Vegetable”.

Ask them to become Energy Star & Built Green Ask them to become Energy Star & Built Green Partners.Partners.

Produce Training & Education Workshops Produce Training & Education Workshops Train Contractors & Subs in field techniquesTrain Contractors & Subs in field techniques Rate & Test homes. Certify Energy Star, Built Rate & Test homes. Certify Energy Star, Built

Green, Tax Credits & Ratings.Green, Tax Credits & Ratings. Conduct field work when requestedConduct field work when requested

Insulation ContractorsInsulation Contractors

Help them improve their product & process to Help them improve their product & process to ensure success in Energy Star & Built Green, ensure success in Energy Star & Built Green, and improve retrofitting of existing homes,and improve retrofitting of existing homes,

Ask them to become Energy Star PartnersAsk them to become Energy Star Partners Provide them with quality control with blower Provide them with quality control with blower

door testing & thermal scans using infrared door testing & thermal scans using infrared camera.camera.

We want vegetables that are nutritious!We want vegetables that are nutritious!

Heating, Ventilating & A/C ContractorsHeating, Ventilating & A/C Contractors

Encourage/Require use of Manual J, S & D Encourage/Require use of Manual J, S & D calculations for proper sizing of HVAC systems,calculations for proper sizing of HVAC systems,

Encourage use of high efficiency components & Encourage use of high efficiency components & advanced control strategies,advanced control strategies,

Encourage use of Heat Recovery Ventilators Encourage use of Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRV’s) for better Indoor Air Quality (IAQ),(HRV’s) for better Indoor Air Quality (IAQ),

Encourage use of Direct Vent appliances for safety Encourage use of Direct Vent appliances for safety and IAQ. Your vegetables shouldn’t hurt you!and IAQ. Your vegetables shouldn’t hurt you!

Provide accurate Heat Loss/Gain calculations for Provide accurate Heat Loss/Gain calculations for accurate sizing,accurate sizing,

Help train staff in proper duct sealing techniques Help train staff in proper duct sealing techniques

Equipment/Material VendorsEquipment/Material Vendors

Make Energy Efficient Equipment & Products Make Energy Efficient Equipment & Products available to Builders, Subs & Homeowners. You available to Builders, Subs & Homeowners. You can’t eat your vegetables if you can’t find em.can’t eat your vegetables if you can’t find em.

Introduce new products such as foil-faced OSB to Introduce new products such as foil-faced OSB to help keep attics cooler. Don’t want to overcook help keep attics cooler. Don’t want to overcook those vegetables!those vegetables!

Help market innovative/superior/green products Help market innovative/superior/green products on vendor’s behalf. Work with suppliers to set-up on vendor’s behalf. Work with suppliers to set-up “energy efficiency corners” in their stores.“energy efficiency corners” in their stores.

HomeownersHomeowners

The Homeowner is typically “The Decider” when The Homeowner is typically “The Decider” when it comes to investing in energy improvements. To it comes to investing in energy improvements. To plant or not to plant… that is the question. plant or not to plant… that is the question. Where’s the “Water” going to come from?Where’s the “Water” going to come from?

Homeowners learn a lot during an Energy Audit.Homeowners learn a lot during an Energy Audit. Provide Comprehensive Energy Analysis,Provide Comprehensive Energy Analysis, Advance “Whole House Approach” over time,Advance “Whole House Approach” over time, Act as “General Contractor” providing wide array Act as “General Contractor” providing wide array

of energy efficient products & services through of energy efficient products & services through use of sub-contractor/partners,use of sub-contractor/partners,

Homeowners- ContinuedHomeowners- Continued Recruit local govt, non-profit or utility to sponsor Recruit local govt, non-profit or utility to sponsor

Home Performance with Energy Star, EPA’s Home Performance with Energy Star, EPA’s program for existing homes. Those vegetables will program for existing homes. Those vegetables will grow a lot better with the right “fertilizer”. grow a lot better with the right “fertilizer”.

Banks/LendersBanks/Lenders

Those vegetables need water… Lots of water!Those vegetables need water… Lots of water! Connect Builders/Developers/Homebuyers with Connect Builders/Developers/Homebuyers with

Lenders that offer favorable terms & incentives Lenders that offer favorable terms & incentives for Energy Star & Built Green Homes.for Energy Star & Built Green Homes.

Offer unsecured & secured 2Offer unsecured & secured 2ndnd loans to loans to homeowners for energy improvements to existing homeowners for energy improvements to existing homes through the Electric & Gas Industries homes through the Electric & Gas Industries Association (EGIA) “Energy Freedom Financing Association (EGIA) “Energy Freedom Financing Program” (American General & GE Capital).Program” (American General & GE Capital).

Use “Green Loan” programs created by local bankUse “Green Loan” programs created by local bank

Realtors/Property ManagersRealtors/Property Managers

Add Rating Score, Energy Star label & Built Green Add Rating Score, Energy Star label & Built Green label to MLS listings,label to MLS listings,

Educate Realtors regarding Homebuyer benefits of Educate Realtors regarding Homebuyer benefits of owning an Energy Star &/or Built Green home,owning an Energy Star &/or Built Green home,

Educate Realtors regarding ability to transform Educate Realtors regarding ability to transform existing homes that lack energy efficiency, existing homes that lack energy efficiency,

Educate Property Managers & Landlords regarding Educate Property Managers & Landlords regarding opportunities to profit from energy efficiency,opportunities to profit from energy efficiency,

If you don’t sell those vegetables, they’ll just sit on If you don’t sell those vegetables, they’ll just sit on the shelf and rot!the shelf and rot!

Building, Planning & Public WorksBuilding, Planning & Public Works Encourage adoption of the most current code,Encourage adoption of the most current code, Encourage “Performance Testing” as part of the Encourage “Performance Testing” as part of the

inspection process (blower door testing, duct inspection process (blower door testing, duct tightness testing & thermal camera scans),tightness testing & thermal camera scans),

Help provide educational opportunities for builders Help provide educational opportunities for builders & trades in energy efficiency & building science.& trades in energy efficiency & building science.

Work with Planning Dept. to include energy & Work with Planning Dept. to include energy & resource use considerations in reviewing new resource use considerations in reviewing new subdivisions.subdivisions.

Work with Public Works to optimize public building Work with Public Works to optimize public building performance. performance.

Architects, Engineers & DesignersArchitects, Engineers & Designers Help the design community improve building Help the design community improve building

energy performance by adding details & energy performance by adding details & specifications to their building plans, specifications to their building plans,

Incorporate Energy Star & Built Green requirements Incorporate Energy Star & Built Green requirements into building plans,into building plans,

Help designers assess potential for energy Help designers assess potential for energy improvements in remodel & renovation plans,improvements in remodel & renovation plans,

Ask them to become Energy Star partners,Ask them to become Energy Star partners, Connect motivated builders & homebuyers with Connect motivated builders & homebuyers with

designers that incorporate efficiency in design. designers that incorporate efficiency in design.

Local, State & Federal Gov’t LeadersLocal, State & Federal Gov’t Leaders

Work with leaders to develop incentives & Work with leaders to develop incentives & regulations to improve energy efficiency, the so regulations to improve energy efficiency, the so called “Carrot & Celery Stick” approach,called “Carrot & Celery Stick” approach,

Monitor & react to changes in law & policy that Monitor & react to changes in law & policy that affect energy efficiency, inform clients & partners.affect energy efficiency, inform clients & partners.

Create & support opportunities for innovative Create & support opportunities for innovative financing mechanisms for energy improvements.financing mechanisms for energy improvements.

Watch what’s going on in States with advanced Watch what’s going on in States with advanced initiatives, where utilities are more expensive. Are initiatives, where utilities are more expensive. Are they eating their vegetables while we poke at our they eating their vegetables while we poke at our food?food?

Affordable Housing & Human ServicesAffordable Housing & Human Services Nobody wants rotten vegetables!Nobody wants rotten vegetables! Much affordable housing isn’t. If the bills are high, Much affordable housing isn’t. If the bills are high,

if it falls apart, if it’s unhealthy… It’s not affordable.if it falls apart, if it’s unhealthy… It’s not affordable. Work with affordable housing providers to improve Work with affordable housing providers to improve

energy efficiency. energy efficiency. Housing Resources of Western Colorado is Housing Resources of Western Colorado is

producing housing that will qualify for Energy Star, producing housing that will qualify for Energy Star, In fact, their “self-help build” homes could qualify In fact, their “self-help build” homes could qualify for a tax credit… Too bad they’re tax exempt!for a tax credit… Too bad they’re tax exempt!

Work with all housing types & sectors, from trailers Work with all housing types & sectors, from trailers to trophy homes. They all have tremendous potential to trophy homes. They all have tremendous potential for energy savings. for energy savings.

Solar & Renewable Energy ProvidersSolar & Renewable Energy Providers Work with Solar & Renewable Energy Providers to Work with Solar & Renewable Energy Providers to

coordinate energy improvements & installation of coordinate energy improvements & installation of solar & renewable energy equipment, this is where solar & renewable energy equipment, this is where the “Rutabaga Meets the Road” the “Rutabaga Meets the Road”

Renewable energy equipment can have lengthy Renewable energy equipment can have lengthy payback periods due to high capital cost,payback periods due to high capital cost,

Make energy improvements first, then properly size Make energy improvements first, then properly size the equipment to serve the reduced load.the equipment to serve the reduced load.

Caulk, foam, weatherstripping, insulation… pretty Caulk, foam, weatherstripping, insulation… pretty boring compared to solar panels and wind turbines,boring compared to solar panels and wind turbines,

I guess that’s why they call us vegetables I guess that’s why they call us vegetables

Energy Efficiency Agencies & Orgs.Energy Efficiency Agencies & Orgs.

Those vegetables need lots of Sun to grow!Those vegetables need lots of Sun to grow! Join EPA/DOE Energy Star for New Homes,Join EPA/DOE Energy Star for New Homes, Recruit Home Performance with Energy Star Recruit Home Performance with Energy Star

sponsor for Existing Homes. A utility, local sponsor for Existing Homes. A utility, local government or non-profit are likely candidates,government or non-profit are likely candidates,

Become certified rater for Built Green Colorado,Become certified rater for Built Green Colorado, Join the local Home Builders Association,Join the local Home Builders Association, Join RESNET (Residential Energy Services Join RESNET (Residential Energy Services

Network),Network), Affiliate with other organizations such EEBA, Affiliate with other organizations such EEBA,

SWEEP, ASHRAE.SWEEP, ASHRAE.

UtilitiesUtilities

Vegetables need good soil for support! Vegetables need good soil for support! Ask Utility to become Energy Star partner,Ask Utility to become Energy Star partner, Ask Utility to sponsor Home Performance with Ask Utility to sponsor Home Performance with

Energy Star,Energy Star, Offer Energy Analysis & Improvements for Utility Offer Energy Analysis & Improvements for Utility

sponsored DSM program,sponsored DSM program, Work with Utility to quantify greenhouse gas Work with Utility to quantify greenhouse gas

emission reductions from energy improvements to emission reductions from energy improvements to qualify for carbon credits,qualify for carbon credits,

Help Utility optimize DSM efforts. Help Utility optimize DSM efforts.

Insurance CompaniesInsurance Companies Protect your vegetables if it’s “Raining Like Hail”Protect your vegetables if it’s “Raining Like Hail” Some Insurance Co’s already recognize green.Some Insurance Co’s already recognize green. Develop innovative programs that reduce claims, Develop innovative programs that reduce claims,

improve efficiency, indoor health & safety.improve efficiency, indoor health & safety. Beyond the claims adjuster. Fix the problem, not Beyond the claims adjuster. Fix the problem, not

just the damage,just the damage, Whole house inspection following claim,Whole house inspection following claim, Insurance Co finances improvements & adds to Insurance Co finances improvements & adds to

insurance bill. insurance bill. Large-scale implementation could drive down Large-scale implementation could drive down

insurance, energy, health care & home maint. costs.insurance, energy, health care & home maint. costs.

Additional Thoughts, ConclusionAdditional Thoughts, Conclusion Education is probably the most essential component Education is probably the most essential component

that the public sector can provide. If individuals that the public sector can provide. If individuals knew what was possible, they would be more knew what was possible, they would be more inclined to act.inclined to act.

The carrots & celery sticks go well together. Award The carrots & celery sticks go well together. Award a prize to the builder that provides the greenest a prize to the builder that provides the greenest home. Reduce permit fees & use taxes for high home. Reduce permit fees & use taxes for high performance homes. Advance your building codes performance homes. Advance your building codes & enforce them. Require performance testing.& enforce them. Require performance testing.

Broad based participation is critical, everyone Broad based participation is critical, everyone involved in housing is required to help.involved in housing is required to help.

Additional Thoughts, Conclusion- Cont.Additional Thoughts, Conclusion- Cont. I just now thought of this… Could a County or I just now thought of this… Could a County or

Town propose a Special Improvement District, the Town propose a Special Improvement District, the purpose for which would be to make cost-effective purpose for which would be to make cost-effective energy and/or essential comfort, health & safety energy and/or essential comfort, health & safety improvements to the homes & infrastructure in a improvements to the homes & infrastructure in a designated neighborhood or area? Why not? We do designated neighborhood or area? Why not? We do it for sewer, water, sidewalks and streets. The voters it for sewer, water, sidewalks and streets. The voters in the District have the final say. The goal is to in the District have the final say. The goal is to reduce each person’s utility bill by more than their reduce each person’s utility bill by more than their portion of the debt obligation over the term of the portion of the debt obligation over the term of the Bond. Bond.

Additional Thoughts, Conclusion- Cont.Additional Thoughts, Conclusion- Cont.

Ultimately our ability to significantly reduce Ultimately our ability to significantly reduce energy use & emissions will depend on the energy use & emissions will depend on the collective effect of the individual actions that are collective effect of the individual actions that are taken by building owners, you know...The Deciders taken by building owners, you know...The Deciders

Create conditions that, for building owners will Create conditions that, for building owners will make the prospect of eating all their vegetables… I make the prospect of eating all their vegetables… I mean investing in Energy Efficiency, Irresistible !! mean investing in Energy Efficiency, Irresistible !!

LinksLinks Energy Star- Energy Star- www.energystar.govwww.energystar.gov RESNET- RESNET- www.natresnet.orgwww.natresnet.org Built Green Colorado- Built Green Colorado- www.builtgreen.orgwww.builtgreen.org SWEEP- SWEEP- www.swenergy.org/www.swenergy.org/ Home Energy Magazine- Home Energy Magazine- www.homeenergy.org/www.homeenergy.org/ Home Energy Saver- Home Energy Saver- www.hes.lbl.gov/www.hes.lbl.gov/ Idaho Energy Division-Idaho Energy Division-www.idwr.idaho.gov/energywww.idwr.idaho.gov/energy// Wyoming Energy Council, Inc.- Wyoming Energy Council, Inc.- www.wyoec.org/www.wyoec.org/ Energy Rated Homes of Utah- Energy Rated Homes of Utah-

www.utahenergy.org/index.htmlwww.utahenergy.org/index.html Kansas Building Science Institute-Kansas Building Science Institute-

www.kansasbuildingscience.com/www.kansasbuildingscience.com/

More LinksMore Links Building Science Corporation- Building Science Corporation-

www.buildingscience.com/bsc/www.buildingscience.com/bsc/ Energy & Environmental Building Alliance- Energy & Environmental Building Alliance-

www.eeba.org/www.eeba.org/ Colorado Governor’s Energy Office- Colorado Governor’s Energy Office-

www.state.co.us/oemc/www.state.co.us/oemc/