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Save Money. Cut Carbon. Breathe Easier

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October 2, 2019

H & H Design and Construction

4th annual national event urging everyone to

“Save Money. Cut Carbon. Breathe Easier.”

Weston— In recognition of the 4th annual national Energy Efficiency Day (EE Day) on Wednesday, October 2, 2019, H & H Design and Construction is joining regional and national organizations, businesses, utilities, universities, and individuals in promoting energy efficiency – the cheapest, quickest way to meet our energy needs, cut utility bills, and reduce pollution.

Energy efficiency is also an economic engine, with a U.S. workforce of more than 2.3 million. Ranging from professional services to manufacturing and construction, these good jobs are local and cannot be outsourced.


“We believe our mission is to build a sustainable future for generations to come by promoting and implementing energy efficiency, water conservation, Carbon emissions reduction and Climate change mitigation strategies to protect the people, the planet and its natural resources“. Said, Maria M. Hernandez, President of H & H Design and Construction.

Smarter energy use means we don’t have to generate as much power to meet our needs. Many people don’t realize that H & H Design and Construction has already made significant, reduction in energy savings, by implementing buildings retrofit in South Florida benefiting people’s health, local economy and the environment.  

Reducing the energy used by manufacturers, homes, and businesses benefits everyone – especially energy bill-payers. The average household saves almost $500 yearly thanks to efficiency standards that apply to new appliances such as dishwashers and refrigerators.

“We believe we can transform the built environment: improving health, safety and quality of life, one person, one building, one family at a time“. Maria M. Hernandez

To learn more about H & H Design and Construction ’s energy efficiency efforts, visit HHDCgreen.com, or join the Twitter conversation using #EEDay2019

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GOING BEYOND BUILDING STANDARDS FOR PEOPLE AND PLANET!

About #EEDay2019: On Wednesday, October 2, 2019, a growing network of advocates, companies, government agencies, utilities, and others will showcase the benefits of energy efficiency during the 4th annual nationwide Energy Efficiency Day. Learn more at www.energyefficiencyday.org

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Home Energy Audit

Most of the 130 million households in this country were built before modern energy codes were established  and implemented. This results in these homes suffering from problems of energy efficiency ranging from energy-intensive to a low level in the indoor thermal comfort and indoor air quality.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy launched a national program: “Home Performance with ENERGY STAR” to provide a comprehensive solution to all residents to retrofit their homes improving energy efficiency and comfort, while helping to protect the environment and enabling huge savings..

 IMPORTANCE OF HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The buildings in the U.S. represent 40% of the budget of the nation’s energy and provide energy conservation will represent a huge  saving. The benefits of implementing these new energy codes, is reflected in the significant reduction in consumption, cost and CO2 emissions reduction. Studies by Building Energy Codes Program (BECP) show that the current efforts of the program will result in 1.7 trillion Btu saved annually by 2030.

 ENERGY AUDIT

Conducting an energy audit on your property is of great importance since it evaluates the performance of its structure and equipment as a whole-house. This assessment analyzes the flow of energy, determining leaks location, the efficiency of electrical appliances as well as indoor air quality and the possible presence of CO2 levels. This analysis  will determine areas that require insulation and ductwork sealing, as well as techniques that can be implemented to improve heating and cooling systems, identifies appliances and lighting that can be replace by high-efficiency appliances such as ENERGY STAR or LED lamps.

Professional energy auditors use blower door tests to help determine a home’s air tightness. During a professional energy audit, an energy auditor analyzes your energy bills, completes visual, health and safety inspections, and may use special equipment — such as a blower door and an infrared camera — to detect sources of energy loss.

Based on the data collected, an energy audit will provide you with a comprehensive home energy report that shows which energy efficiency upgrades are best for your home and your potential energy savings. With this report  you will learn how you use energy, determine where it’s being wasted and prioritize your efficiency upgrades. Making energy efficiency upgrades identified in a home energy audit can save 5-30 percent on your monthly energy bill while also ensuring the health and safety of your house.

IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING TIGHTNESS:

Airtightness is the control of airflow in a building. When a building is properly tighten leaks DO NOT occur at ceiling or wall junctions or cracks. These leaks create discomfort & energy loss. A building that solves for airtightness also protects the structure over its’ lifetime and will offer a better indoor quality.

These are some reasons for establishing the proper building tightness:

  • Reducing energy consumption due to air leakage
  • Avoiding moisture condensation problems reducing chance of mold formation.
  • Avoiding uncomfortable drafts caused by cold air leaking in from the outdoors increasing thermal comfort.
  • Determining how much mechanical ventilation might be needed to provide acceptable indoor air quality. Better performing ventilation system inside the house.

INCENTIVES AND PROGRAMS

There are numerous  incentive and programs from local, state and federal agencies aiming to  help residents to  reduce the costs associated with energy audits, implementation of techniques. Also, financial programs that help to implement the upgrades on the property with 0 down payment and 100% financing.

By: Maria M Hernandez

Building Analyst, LEED AP, CGC

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LOVE IS IN THE AIR, SHARE THE LOVE!

During the month of LOVE we are also celebrating American Heart Month, a very special time to create awareness and get the word out about the importance of a healthy home and a healthy heart.  Let me give you some facts about the connection between the air pollution that is inside buildings and the occupants health.

HEART AND HEALTH FACTS:

  • Air pollution can affect heart health and can trigger heart attacks and strokes that cause disability and death.
  • One in three Americans has heart or blood vessel disease and is at higher risk from air pollution.
  • Smoking during pregnancy results in more than 1,000 infant deaths annually.
  • Secondhand smoke causes numerous health problems in infants and children, including more frequent and severe asthma attacks, respiratory infections, ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome.
  • Secondhand smoke causes nearly 34,000 premature deaths from heart disease each year in the United States among nonsmokers.
  • Secondhand smoke exposure causes more than 8,000 deaths from stroke annually.
  • Pollution is also believed to have inflammatory effects on the heart, causing chronic cardiovascular problems.
  • Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma and other respiratory complaints.
  • Radon is probably the most serious hazard for indoor air in the United States, responsible for tens of thousands of deaths from lung cancer each year
  • The World Health Organization states that 40% of all buildings pose a serious health hazard due to poor indoor air quality.

Indoor Air Quality:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) studies show that levels of air pollution inside the home are often two to five times higher than outdoor levels and poor indoor air quality is associated with a host of health problems.

Indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air are a primary cause of indoor air quality problems in homes. Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough fresh outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and by not carrying indoor air pollutants out of the home. High temperature and humidity levels can also increase concentrations of some pollutants.

IMPROVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN YOUR HOME

Therefore, during this month of LOVE the best gift you can offer to your love ones is a healthier home and a healthier heart. Whether you live in an apartment or single family home, an old home or a new home there are many ways to protect and improve your indoor air quality. I will share with you some recommendations:

  • Stop smoking and discourage smoking inside your home.
  • Take steps to minimize biological pollutants: bacteria, molds, mildew, viruses, animal dander and cat saliva, house dust mites, cockroaches, and pollen.
  • Reduce or eliminate Exposure to Radon in your Home
  • Ventilate the attic and crawl spaces to prevent moisture build-up.
  • If mold is a problem in your home, clean up the mold and get rid of the excess water or moisture.
  • Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
  • Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to decrease mold growth
  • Install vents in bathrooms
  • Using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing and cleaning
  • Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors
  • Reduce Exposure to Household Chemicals
  • Avoid exposure to LEAD
  • Implement AirPLUS program in your home

Love is in the air, share your love to your family by improving the indoor air quality inside your home. You can implement the best construction practices and the new technologies to decrease the risk of poor indoor air quality in order to improve your health and those around you.

Remember, you can’t buy a Healthy Heart!

If you need more information on how to create a better IAQ on your home, school or business or if you want to have a home assessment to identify potential hazards, please, send an email to info@HHDCgreen.com

By: Maria M. Hernandez

LEED AP / Building Analyst/ General Contractor

H & H Design and Construction

 

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