Finally an Envi Energy Montor update!

Note to self (blogger style) “Do not post a blog about what you are going to do…rather, wait until you’ve done it!”

I brought the unit home and it sat on my kitchen counter for nearly a month before I got around to setting it up.

You’ve not doubt heard “The Cobbler has no shoes?” It looks like that same principle applies to exchangenergy.

We ,as heating and cooling contractors, are out there making sure everyone else in the lower mainland and Vancouver Island has top of the line  Geo-exchange/geothermal heating systems complete with Envi Energy monitors and for some reason our own homes end up a the back of the line!

I finally made the  call to have one of the guys come over to set the unit up. In not more than an hour we had the little guy up and running and it’s collecting data as we speak. To start with I’m monitoring our air source  heat pump and I plan on running the monitor on all things electrical including  the television, the washer and dryer, the fridge and the bathroom fan. It’s a good looking, compact unit and the data seems really easy to read so far. I’ve yet to print up or view a report but then again, it’s only been collecting data for a couple of days. While the ENVI can relay real time, play by play information I”m not that gal…I’d rather collect a weeks worth of information to evaluate.

The information that I gather will help me to decide whether or not a fixture needs updating or servicing to improve efficiency and it will keep me in control the amount of energy I spend in a given day. That’s where the real “sacrifice” comes into play-do I hand wash all of the dishes and keep the dishwasher on hand for Thanksgiving, Christmas, anniversaries and birthdays? Or do I trade unplug all electrical devices at night and when not in use “freeing up” enough energy that I can justify the dishwasher while still coming out ahead!

Stay tuned for another update-I won’t say when!

For those who want to see the big picture!

The International Energy Agency produced an interesting publication on Renewables for Heating and Cooling in 2008. This publication is as pertinent today as it was when it was published and we’re happy to recommend the read. Geo-Exchange/Geothermal are referred to as “Deep Geothermal” and “Shallow Geothermal”-Shallow being the technology most commonly used for residential units. The report covers bio-fuels, Solar and Geothermal in particular as viable alternatives and presents both the big picture as well as gives great insight into each technology available.

A good read for the Geo-Exchange/Geothermal curious.

For Geo-Exchange/Geothermal specifics you can start on page 38.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again…

Installing a Geo-Exchange/Geothermal  heating system in an average 2500-3000 sq. ft. home will displace 10 Tonnes of CO2 emissions in our atmosphere. This is a good thing; especially considering the latest news on North America’s carbon footprint recently posted on Inhabitat’s website.

According to a report from the International Energy Agency we’re not moving forward in our pursuit to reduce our impact…in fact we’re rolling back. Do follow the links and get the 411. The business case for Geo-Exchange/Geothermal has never been better; with news like this we can’t afford not to jump off the natural gas freight train.

We’re all about green energy and we love a green deal as much as the rest of you!

Yes, our pursuit for a happy planet means that we spend most of our days [and admittedly nights as well] working on and developing strategies for Geo/GeoExchange to reach the masses. That said, we recognize that ones working environment is key to fueling that passion so we did a little fluffing of the nest and scored some amazing deals.

First score of the day-our boardroom table; a mid-century Danish modern table complete with two leaf inserts for $300. Not only easy on the pocket book but easy on the environment as well.

Second; Canadian made, vintage and stylish beyond compare boardroom chairs. $20 a pop.

Often times when setting up shop individuals take short cuts and go for quick and easy pre-fab office solutions. When we first moved into our new location we were overwhelmed with the amount of room we need to fill with furnishings. We were also concerned with what it would feel like for our Geo clients to visit our empty space when they came in to discuss their green projects. We resisted the urge to fill up fast and trusted that we would establish a fine collection of “stuff” when necessity demanded such.

As a result we’ve been able to take our time to pick pieces we like, support our local small business owners and make purchases that walk our talk. We are about good design, quality workmanship and reducing societies environmental footprint. While we have a long way to go we we’re proud of how far we’ve come. We look forward to the many design sessions, information exchanges and innovative discoveries that our boardroom will be witness too. Geothermal/GeoExchange is in good company!

The Envi comes home today…

While unpacking our latest delivery of ENVI power monitors I had an epiphany. (I, being the blogger, administrative assistant for exchangenergy).

How can I as an individual feel really good about selling these units if they are not at work in my own home? I’ve seen all the demonstrations. I’ve read all of the literature. I’m sold. I think these are great data collectors that allow individuals to reduce their foot prints by reducing the energy draws in their homes. So, today the ENVI comes home.

For the next few blog entries I will communicate to you what data I collect. Which of my energy star rated appliances are not pulling their weight and which of the appliances I rarely consider as energy taps is actually a culprit?  This blog is primarily a tool to educate people about the impact that Geothermal/GeoExchange heating and cooling and or Air Source Heat Pumps has on our environment. One exchangenergy Geo system can eliminate as much carbon as removing a mid size vehicle from the road or planting an acre of trees each year. But for now…it’s all about the ENVI.

Stay tuned.

A diet we can live with-Low Carbon!

We all know that the earth needs a break and it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the doom and gloom of global warming so we thought it a good idea to do something fun for the kids! That said…we might just learn a thing or two.

Here’s a handy little booklet that the Queensland (yes, Australia) government put out to get kids thinking about their carbon footprint and giving them a tangible way of measuring their impact. We know that our kids are on to the “recycling kick” and for the most part are aware of the “turn off the lights when you leave a room” philosophy but this booklet allows them to track and calculate their impact. A great tool for the analytical type.

Then…for the less analytical and more “just entertain me” individual we found Green Kids Inc. a live theater group dedicated to environmental education and change. Check them out-Green Kids Inc. ( A proudly Canadian troupe)

There is plenty of room for growth and development in our education system where renewable energy and energy efficiency is concerned. Our British Columbia school curriculum is still scrambling to integrate Geothermal/ground source, air source, solar and wind energy technologies into the environmental studies module. It is up to us to encourage decision makers to embrace alternative energies and make them part of the mainstream bringing the discussion into our classrooms is a good place to start.

New LiveSmart Grant information for 2011 is in!

Yes, it is April 1st but we’re not joking! The grants are in and here is a sneak peak.

Grant Highlights for the South Coast Include Up To:

• $1500 for ENERGY STAR^® qualified central system air source heat pumps
• $1000 for ductless mini split air source heat pumps
• $60 for ENERGY STAR^® qualified one zone better windows
• $1500 for increased wall insulation
• $1250 for increased basement insulation
• $600 for increased attic insulation
• $400 bonus for completing 5 recommended upgrades

To read more about who is eligible, how much you are eligible for and how you can make the grants work for you take a look at the LiveSmart Grant chart we’re downloaded for your convenience.

You can also visit the LiveSmart BC-Efficiency Incentive Program’s home page for more details.

Langara’s Master Plan

After perusing one of our favorite blogs -inhabitant-we were reminded to celebrate Vancouver’s Langara Campus. Langara  is rolling out it’s Sustainability plan that includes combining an innovative wind tower with Geothermal/ground source heat pumps to heat and cool their buildings. Not only is the campus making use of innovative HVAC applications it is also visually engaging, a stunning example of form meets function.

Check out Teeple Architects Portfolio for more information

http://www.teeplearch.com/

A fresh look for our Vancouver Island team!

After much deliberation we’ve decided to brand the vehicles! As is often the case the folks on the Island are ahead of the game (those quiet Island types getting things done!) and have successfully applied the graphics to their new vans. Note: we’ve decided that we’d rather not fight the whole is it Geothermal or GeoExchange issue.  True, Geothermal is technically using core heat from the center of the earth while we’re just tapping into stored solar gain in the earths surface so we are “technically” using GeoExchange.  At the end of the day word on the streets is Geothermal is the way to go so that’s what we’ve used on our vans. Keepin’ it simple!

These awesome graphics were created for us by Design HQ who have helped us developed a comprehensive brand identity that allows us to communicate what it is we want to say to the people we want to say it to!

If you want to say more check out our brochure and case study as well.

Heat pumps in action

This is a great example of taking advantage of the resources available at ones fingertips. Using heat pumps to exchange heat from one source to another to heat or cool the space is just one of the many green strategies that White Arkitekter has applied to this amazing example! Check out the inhabitat article on Stockholm’s Waterfront Center.

« Previous Page — Next Page »