Weatherization Workforce

          One of my clients is an energy services provider that operates within Knox County. They provide the administration needed to qualify homeowners for free weatherization. I do energy audits for them, blowerdoor and duct tests and documentation about the condition of their clients' homes. I am currently on hiatus because, while there is plenty of need, money and expertise, there are not enough laborers. Because of bidding constraints, contractors providing fulfillment are not allowed to bid beyond a certain amount, as a result, wages are not enough to attract workers. This is not easy work. Hot, dusty attics, wet, moldy crawlspaces and homes that are cluttered and in poor condition. Weatherization will not be successful until the people who do the work are paid well enough to attract skilled, reliable labor. 

 Contractors need to get the value of a Blower Door test, not just for code compliance but also for home health. Blower Door testing is the only way to confirm that a home is tight enough to control indoor Air Quality.

 I have been testing homes for the KUB Round it Up program that CAC is running. Its nice to be back in the game. I am still in awe of the conditions in which so many of our low income families are living. USPS says the deliver mail to 160,000,000 addresses. Most of them are paying a utility bill as well as dealing with IAQ issues in their homes. Weatherization is the best solution for this problem and will save the nation more than the cost of the retrofit. 

NHCP

 I got lucky and found a volunteer spot for Nashville Conference, so I hope to see friends there.

Energy Audits

     I am about to re-embark on Energy Audits for CAC as a subcontractor. I forget how much redundant detail is required by these reports. These home are participants in the Round-it-UP program and there seems to a level of distrust around how the money is spent. Same thing now with Habitat. What is causing all this? Am I so naïve? Is the Weatherization Business really that corrupt?

I know I'm going crazy, but..

 We cannot "Drill, Baby, Drill!" our way out of conflict with Puntin. "All of the above" energy policy is short term and fallacious. We are living beyond our means in terms of global resilience. Got to find the off ramp for aggression, the costs are too great. Its all about population, so let's all move to the moon and Mars, "To infinity and Beyond!"

Clean Air In Buildings

   More government legislation coming on home efficiency and ventilation. YEA! The Clean Air in Buildings Challenge is promoting monitoring Indoor Air Quality in our built environment. Long overdue.

   Pandemic control requires IAQ control for good health indoors. Schools are way behind the mark as are other municipal and office buildings, not to mention homes... As climate chases us, more and more indoors, our shelter needs us to take greater responsibility for indoor air quality. Smart thermostats are the central control system, HVAC companies have to get up to speed on this. Continuous conditioning is becoming the norm as lifestyle and structure changes in tighter buildings requires tuning. A system that is programed to adjust to loads requires expert skills at commissioning with ongoing tweaks to respond to occupant behavior. When I model a new home or audit an existing one, my agreement with the occupant is for 4 seasons after CO is issued or the retrofit is done. I suggest that my HVAC buddies look at the "Set it and forget it." mentality and add it to their service contracts, some surely already have. Heathy homes, safe shelter and sustainable efficiency is the future. Get On Board!