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Archive for the 'Green' Category
Solar comes to the Air Force Academy
Solar comes to the Colorado Springs Air Force Academy
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The Colorado Springs Air Force Academy has a new solar facility. Since I drive up and down Interstate 25 on a daily basis, I’ve watched it gradually take form over the last 6 months and I’ve been curious about exactly what it is and what it provides. Here’s some of the details:
- It was designed and built by SunPower Corp., and is expected to generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 1,200 average American homes each year — or about 12,000 megawatt-hours.
- The photovoltaic array covers 30 acres and cost $18.3 million.
- According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates, the system at the USAFA will avoid more than 9,400 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year, the equivalent of removing 40,900 cars from Colorado’s highways over 25 years.
- The system uses high-efficiency SunPower solar panels with the SunPowerTM T0 Tracker system. The Tracker follows the sun’s movement during the day, increasing sunlight capture by up to 25 percent over conventional fixed-tilt systems
- The Air Force Academy has a Net Zero Initiative by 2020, and this installation moves it one step closer.
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Kathy (719-287-1049) KTorline@msn.com
6 ways your house can make you sick
Can my house make me sick? Yes!
Here’s my list of 6 things in your Colorado Springs house that can make you sick
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1. Radon: It’s a colorless, odorless gas that can seep into the home from the ground. Radon has been called the second most common cause of lung cancer. In the open air, radon usually dissipates into the atmosphere and is not likely to cause harm. When radon enters buildings and is trapped in high concentrations, it causes health problems. This typically happens in basements with poor ventilation. (See related article: Radon testing is important in Colorado Springs)
2. Asbestos: It’s a fibrous material that was once popular in building materials because it provided heat insulation and fire resistance. Asbestos was banned in 1985 but it still may be found in older home’s insulation materials, floor tiles, roof coverings, ceilings and siding. It is only harmful when it is disturbed or exposed causing it to become airborne; which can typically happens during home renovations. It can be costly to remove because the process requires state licensed technicians and specially sealed environments. (EPA Pamphlet)
3. Lead: It’s a toxic metal used in home products for many years which can contribute to several health problems, especially among children and the elderly. Exposure can occur from deteriorating lead-based paint, pipes, or lead-contaminated dust or soil. It’s estimated that 75% of all private houses built before 1978 have lead present. Presently, there is no federal law that requires homeowners to check for the presence of lead-based paint but lead-based paint hazards must be disclosed however. More information available on the EPA Pamphlet. Read the rest of this entry »
6 Small improvements can pay off
Colorado Springs Home Improvements CAN Pay off
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Are you looking for improvements you can do to your Colorado Springs home? Here’s my list of 6 SMALL improvements that can pay off with Energy Savings.
- Programmable Thermostats: They can save you a couple of hundred dollars a year on your heating and cooling costs. You can
program it to lower the temp in the house while you sleep, and warm up the house just before you wake. Then lower the temp while you are at work and warm it up before you come home. - Insulation: It’s estimated that heat loss through walls, floors and the roof account for about 45% of heat loss (or cooling loss, in summer.)
- Tankless Hot Water Heaters: They provide hot water only when it’s needed, hence they remove the need for a big tank of hot water waiting in the basement.
- Energy Efficient Windows: They stop unwanted heat and cooling loss in winter and summer and they can also block harmful UV rays that fade carpets and furniture. (See: Colorado Springs home Improvement — it’s all about the windows)
- Compact Fluorescent Bulbs: It’s estimated that that these bulbs can save $56 over the life of each bulb. Multiply that by 40 bulbs which is the number of bulbs in an average home it amounts to big savings.
- Water Circulation System: How much water goes down the drain while you are waiting for it to warm up? It’s estimated that about 25 to 30 gallons of water daily can be wasted this way, 10,000 to 14,000 gallons annually. A water circulation system automatically recirculates colder water back to your water heater until it’s hot enough for use.
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Kathy (719-287-1049) KTorline@msn.com
