October 19th, 2008
John Wesley Miller and Bill Viner are being honored by the US Dept of Energy for building energy-efficient homes. The Dept. challenges all Builders to put up 220,000 energy-efficient homes by 2012. Miller of John Wesley Miller Co and Viner of Pepper Viner Homes are the first builders from Tucson to meet the dept’s efficiency guidelines- reducing energy costs by 30 percent for typical new homes built to code.
Older Tucson homes will be able to cut energy costs by following recommendations from TEP and more. Energy efficiency homes>>
Filed under: Home Improvement, Real Estate, Utilities | No Comments »
September 26th, 2008
Ionization vs. Photoelectric
The two most commonly recognized smoke detection technologies are ionization smoke detection and photoelectric smoke detection. It has long been know that ionization smoke detection is generally more responsive to the smaller (invisible) particles produced by most flaming fires and photoelectric smoke detection is generally more responsive to larger (visible) particles produced by most smoldering fires. his understanding is supported by the results of the smoke characterization project.
It is recommended that smoke alarms be placed on every level of the home, including the basement and that smoke alarms be placed outside every sleeping area and inside all sleeping rooms. For best protection interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home so that if one activates they will all activate. Test smoke alarms at least monthly and change batteries at least annually or when the low battery signal indicates. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years. Read More>>
Filed under: Family Matters, Real Estate, Safety, Utilities | No Comments »
August 22nd, 2008
From small backyard rain harvesting to large scale conservation projects along the river basin. This website has tons of information to get you started with your own water management system.
Water is an integral part of everyone’s life. Managing water resources is an issue of global importance, and communities are increasingly seeking means to protect and conserve their watershed. Go to Website>>
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August 15th, 2008
By Aaron Mackey
Arizona Daily Star
FLAGSTAFF — Researchers at the UA and ASU are hoping seed money from state tax dollars will help transform Arizona into an industry leader in solar energy research and policy.
Under a joint project between the two universities that was approved by the Arizona Board of Regents on Thursday, researchers will use $6.7 million to develop better solar energy technologies that can then be spun off into private enterprises.
Using state tax money that was approved by voters in 2000, researchers at the University of Arizona and Arizona State University plan to look at ways to improve solar technology and develop new ways to harness energy from the sun.
The funding also will cover policy initiatives geared to engaging political, business and industry leaders into developing the state into a worldwide leader in solar energy development.
One solar project at the UA already occurring is looking at ways to store energy collected by solar arrays using salts, said Leslie Tolbert, the UA’s vice president for research.
In one scenario, the energy would be stored in vast salt caves that lie beneath Arizona’s surface. Using the caves as holding cells, the amount of energy that could be stored is equal to two months of energy used in the United States, Tolbert said.
Other research programs are analyzing ways to make solar technology more efficient and smaller, which could decrease the commercial cost of using solar technology.
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Filed under: Tucson Economy, Utilities | No Comments »
