Happy New Year 2015!

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Pellet stove savings will warm your heart

Chris Morris paid $2,800 for her pellet stove, seen here in the great room.


WINDHAM, NH. — I have three babies. Two of them are children. One of them is a pellet stove. I love them all.



And while I probably would not throw myself in front of a train to save my pellet stove, I do feed it, clean it, and tend to it as if it were my offspring. And in return, it fills me with a warm feeling, just like my actual offspring do.



Having a pellet stove is a labor of love, much like parenting. And the effort is oh-so worth it.



She puts a 40-pound bag of pellets into the hopper at night and another in the morning.

CHRIS MORRIS/GLOBE STAFF



Morris puts a 40-pound bag of pellets into the hopper at night and another in the morning.



Here’s why: Until three years ago, we were spending scary amounts of money to heat our 1860s farmhouse. The oil-burning furnace would be running, but we were still having to bundle up. Fleece became a second skin. That’s because if we set the thermostat above 62 degrees, the 250-gallon oil tank would run dry in less than a month. Most years, it was costing us $850-$900 a month to be cold — not to mention broke. Our windows aren’t old and drafty, the house is. And after adding more insulation wherever we could, and doing all manner of boiler maintenance, we came to the realization that nothing was going to make this great old 2,800-square-foot house we love so much feel tight, at least not without a major renovation and an overhaul of our heating system. And those things just weren’t in the cards.

Morris puts a 40-pound bag of pellets into the hopper at night and another in the morning.



We knew we needed to do something. We couldn’t afford not to. So after doing some pretty extensive research, we decided to invest in a pellet stove. It was one of the wisest decisions we’ve made as homeowners. The benefits are great and many, and apparently, we aren’t the only ones who have figured that out.



Jessica Boothe, director of research at the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association , which tracks shipments of stoves, tells me that in part because of last year’s very long and cold winter, her agency is seeing a 9 percent increase in all hearth shipments in the United States over this time last year, including more than 45,000 pellet stoves. That’s a whopping 80 percent increase in pellet stove shipments over 2013. And many of them are headed to the Northeast.



It’s not hard to understand why. A 40-pound bag of pellets in our corner of southern New Hampshire sells for between $4.75 and $8, depending on whether we’re picking it up at a home improvement warehouse or at the cool grain-and-feed shop in the next town over. On the coldest days of winter, we go through one and a half to two bags of pellets, so we’re heating the house for about $10 per day. Compare that with the days we were paying $900 per month for oil. That’s $30 a day. We still use oil for our hot water and to heat a bedroom, bathroom, and hallway that are out of the stove’s reach, but we are now able to make a tank last two months in the coldest part of the winter. Running the stove has added about $20 to our electric bill, in part because it uses electricity and because we keep an overhead fan going to circulate the warm air.



The initial investment was significant. We paid about $2,800 for our stove, which we picked for many reasons. For one, its heating capacity is 2,500 square feet. That’s the largest we found. The reviews were favorable, and we were wooed by the look of its “sleek European design.” It has a big hopper — capable of holding 70 pounds of pellets — and the stove was available as an insert, meaning we could use it in our existing fireplace and not as a freestanding unit we’d have to vent outside. We also paid $750 to have it assembled and installed, but this is our third winter with our stove, and it is well on its way to paying for itself.



Another for the pro column: It’s green. Pellets are made of wood, a renewable source, and have high combustion and heating efficiencies, which means they produce very little air pollution. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency says they are the cleanest of any residential heating appliances that burn solid fuel. The pellets are generally made of sawdust from lumberyards and sawmills, or the unused tops of trees that are cut down for logging, so they’re a recycled and reclaimed product. Not only are we feeling toasty now, we can also toast our environmental do-goodism.



Speaking of toasty, pellet stoves give off “a nice heat” — a phrase I never understood or used, for that matter, until we installed our stove. It does feel nice. It’s comfortable, not dry like wood stove and fireplace heat can sometimes feel.



Here’s another plus: There’s little hassle. We have a woodstove in the living room — which we don’t use as much as the great room, where the pellet stove is — and, while we like to run it when we’re home on the weekends, it’s a lot of work. There’s the lugging in of wood, emptying out the ash pan, getting the fire going and keeping it going, restocking the wood, stacking the wood, and so on. With the pellet stove, there’s less maintenance. When it’s very cold out and we are running the stove at a level 4 out of 5, we empty one 40-pound bag of pellets into the hopper at night and another in the morning. Once or twice a week, we shut down the stove for a couple of hours to let it cool, vacuum out the ash, and start the stove up again. That’s it. We don’t even need a fancy ash vacuum. A wet/dry vac works just fine. And while the amount of creosote buildup in a pellet stove is minimal, it is still widely recommended that a professional inspect and, if necessary, clean your stove and flue (if you use one to vent your stove) annually.



Downsides? From where I stand, all warm and happy by the pellet stove, I can’t see that there are many disadvantages. But there are some obstacles.



Personally, I found it hard to get used to leaving the house with a fire going. As someone who gets panicky about whether the iron was left on, I had a hard time believing the installer who told me that if anything malfunctioned, the stove’s circuit board would automatically shut it off, and the fire would die out almost immediately. Set it at 2 or 3 when you are going out, he said, and everything will be fine when you get back. Turns out he was right.



Another con? Those 40 pound bags. They’re about the size of mulch bags, but they feel heavier. I’m used to lifting heavy objects (Remember my pellet stove’s siblings?), so hoisting and stacking the bags doesn’t bother me, but I might feel differently when I’m 80. Until one gets a system down, pouring the pellets into the hopper can be tricky and awkward.



There’s also the matter of finding a place to store pellets. They need to be kept in a dry place. We’re lucky enough to have room in our garage, but storage might be a problem for others.



Perhaps the most worrisome issue for pellet stove owners is supply. As last winter dragged on, and as more people installed pellet stoves in their homes, finding bags of pellets anywhere became difficult, if not impossible. The shortage was all over the news, and my husband was among hundreds of customers that stalked the big trucks hauling pellets from Canada.



David Nydam, CEO of woodpellets.com , based in Bedford, N.H., said the shortage was caused by a number of factors. “Typically, many suppliers stop carrying pellets come late winter, early spring,” but last year, the winter dragged on, and people who thought they had what they needed for pellets realized they needed more.



And on top of that, US suppliers are shipping more and more pellets overseas. Wood pellet exports from the United States nearly doubled last year, according to the US Energy Information Administration . More than 98 percent of the exports were sent to Europe, where pellet fuel is a popular choice.



Bob LaFlamme, who owns Crowley Fuel in North Brookfield, Mass., and who writes a blog called “Fuel for Thought ,” said supply remains an issue this year because “there’s concern there will be another long, cold winter.” People are stocking up.



LaFlamme’s business is heating oil and wood pellets, but he’s been selling pellets for only a few years. In that time, he’s seen pellet use rise steadily. “It used to be 5 percent pellets. Now 20 percent of our business is pellets. And it easily could have been 30 to 40 percent pellets last year” if he had the supply to sell.



The good news is oil costs are down so far this winter, so people might be feeling less pressure to scarf up all available pellets. And, according to Jennifer Hedrick, executive director of the Pellet Fuels Institute in Arlington, Va., efforts are underway to avoid a repeat of what LaFlamme dubbed “The Great Wood Pellet Shortage of 2014.”



“We have companies in the West that are helping in the effort to meet market demand in the Northeast,” Hedrick said.



Thank you, friends in the West. Your help means we will be able to continue to feed our big steel baby this winter, keep our other babies warm, and have some money left for Christmas presents — which will be opened in a warm house. Now that’s worth a toast.



Source: http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/real-estate/2014/12/14/pellet-stoves-hunks-burnin-love/Kwi9JVJoPIBbonScoRSXpO/story.html



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Check Out The New Midtown Spa With A Rooftop Hot Tub, Swim-Up Bar, And 'Sauna Valley'

MIDTOWN EAST — Colorful pools, an igloo sauna and rooftop hot tubs are just a few of the amenities New Yorkers can expect when Spa Castle opens its new Manhattan location later this month.



Premier 57, Spa Castle's 39,000-square-foot outpost at 115 E. 57th St., opened its doors to press on Thursday, offering a full tour of the three-story spa, featuring a floor dedicated to sauna rooms, a salad and juice bar, and rooftop pools.



The spa was originally slated to launch in November, but the openinghas been pushed back to the end of December, according to Spa Castle spokeswoman Christie High.



"It took a little more time to get everything set up," High said.



Admission costs $65 per person and includes access to the pools, sauna rooms, lounges and communal areas like the poolside aqua bar.




While the existing Spa Castle in College Point, Queens, is open to children, the Midtown location is limited to those over 16 years old, High said.



The ninth floor is made up of the "sauna valley," which includes a meditation room, a warm sauna lined with gold, a color-therapy room, where guests can sit in individual stalls designated by a single color that may have relaxing or invigorating effects, and an igloo room where the temperature drops to 43 degrees.




The eighth floor features the pools, along with a pool-side aqua bar, where guests can order drinks without leaving the water. The food court on the same floor will offer a simple menu of salad, bento boxes, yogurt and freshly squeezed juice.



The entire seventh floor will be dedicated to spa treatments and includes 14 private rooms, including personal and couples' Jacuzzis.




The cabana-style rooftop includes three tubs and a foot bath. It's also directly adjacent to the Ritz Tower, a condo building that overlooks the outdoor space.



The condo board of the Ritz sued Spa Castle in November for building too high and exposing residents to noise and nudity, and asked a judge to order the spa to cease construction.



A State Supreme Court judge denied the request to stop construction of the Spa Castle, allowing the spa to open.



During the tour on Thursday, High noted that nudity would only be permitted in the locker rooms.



"Some thought that people could be nude in the communal spaces, but that's not true," High said.






Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/check-out-the-new-midtown-spa-with-a-rooftop-hot-tub-swim-up-bar-and-sauna-valley-2014-12



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Make preparations now for winter emergencies: The Weekly Fix

Here in northeastern Ohio, it's not unusual to have extended periods without power, water, or other support systems. It's a good idea to have emergency preparations in place, to stave off hunger and cold during these emergencies.



Most boilers and furnaces will not function without electricity. An alternative power source, such as a portable 5000-to-8000 watt generator, can keep the heat going (so long as you have fuel for the generator,) plus power the refrigerator and some lights. A licensed electrician can install a switching panel in the main service box, which will allow the house wiring to distribute output from the generator. The cost of this system can be prohibitive, however; a small generator and panel will run well over $2000.



One low-tech and fairly low-cost heating source is the living room fireplace. The heat will be localized, but you'll have at least one warm room. If you'll be using this source of heat, have the chimney checked and cleaned before winter. Make sure the damper is in good condition, too. Stock up on firewood early enough to allow it to season properly.



If you don't have a fireplace, you'll need to find other ways to keep warm. Don't use a gas stove for heat – the stove can add a lot of carbon monoxide to the air, and the heat can melt the control handles of the appliance. Similarly, kerosene heaters and ventless (natural gas or propane) space heaters can pose dangers. Most city fire and building departments prefer to see vented units that minimize the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and units fastened to the wall or floor that can't be knocked over. If you are forced to use a portable unit in an emergency situation, be sure to keep all combustibles well away from the heater, provide ventilation (such as a slightly-opened window), secure the heater to the floor (with nails or screws, for example), and follow all manufacturer's instructions.



Emergency lighting is important, but avoid items that burn to provide light (candles, hurricane oil lamps, or propane lanterns). Consider battery-powered lanterns and flashlights to prevent accidental fires. New LED flashlights use less power and run longer on a set of batteries.



Purchase and store provisions in advance. Alkaline batteries can be stored for a longer period of time than regular or "heavy-duty" batteries models – check the expiration date on the package when you purchase them, or buy alkaline batteries that can be recharged. A battery-powered portable radio, besides providing entertainment, can warn you of emergencies (like school closings) and incoming weather.



Jugs of distilled drinking water can be purchased and stored for long periods of time. Plan for the amount your entire household will need for one or two weeks – pets, too. (Assume 8 glasses of water daily per person.) A small water purification unit, carried by camping supply and some sporting goods stores, can make "potable" water for cooking, washing, and drinking from melted snow or collected rainwater.



As for eating, a propane grill can roast, grill, or even boil foods for you. A small portable propane camp stove can be useful, as well. Both must be used outdoors to prevent problems, but either one can heat water for washing, as well as for cooking. Stock up on pre-cooked canned goods (i.e., vegetables, meats, soups, ravioli, and spaghetti) that don't need to be refrigerated during a prolonged power outage. (Remember that you'll need a hand-powered can opener!) A 48- or 60-quart picnic cooler can keep milk and fresh produce chilled, so long as you have ice.



Another thing to keep on hand is a supply of essential medications. If you take prescription drugs, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how long they can be stored, and under what conditions.



If the heat is off for an extended period of time in winter, it will be important to prevent frozen pipes. Shut off the water at the meter, and then open all the faucets to drain out as much water as possible. The last item of concern is the toilet. Short of digging a primitive latrine in your back yard (you'll find directions in an old scouting manual), "gray water" already used for washing or cooking can be re-used to flush a toilet. 1-1/2 gallons will flush through solid wastes when poured quickly into the bowl; keep a bucket on hand to store the water.



Preparations like these can make our lives easier during a winter power outage. The most important thing is to plan ahead.



Source: http://www.cleveland.com/cleveland-heights/index.ssf/2014/12/make_preparations_now_for_wint.html



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iPad and the hot tub, perfect together?

Recently my family and I went on a long cruise, and this time not in a car! Cruises are great, once you arrive at the dock you are already on vacation. They are especially great if you have a cruise terminal close by, in our case NYC. Cruises are not really about getting anywhere, well maybe the Catalina bar for the martini contest, but other than that there is a considerable amount of just sitting around relaxing.



For me this involves reading, watching video and some writing (writers never take off) and for all that I have my trusty iPad. However, getting on a ship or any kind of water craft puts all of our electronics at risk from what insurance vendors call “liquid damage.” Have any kind of liquid damage to your phone, tablet or any other guaranteed or insured electronics and all bets are off.



I wanted to be sure my iPad would come back in the same condition that it started in, so I began to look around for a case that would really guarantee that no rain, wind, wave or Jack Daniels-on-the-rocks would damage it. My starting requirement was a case that would let my iPad be underwater, not just a quick dip but an extended amount of time. What good is a waterproof case that only works for a minute? What if the iPad falls into a pool and I don’t notice for 10 minutes? What if a wave sweeps away my towel while I’m enjoying a swim? I shouldn’t have to carry a stopwatch incase of a water emergency, I want a reasonable length of time to react to the situation.



The NuuD Lifeproof case

I had a lot of trouble believing that the concept of the Lifeproof Nuud case was viable. The front of the iPad is left open, only the back and sides are encased. However after I saw the founder of the company serve his kids a sundae on the screen of his iPad, I began to believe. After I listened to Billy Joel for 10 minutes under 8 inches of water in my own kitchen sink, I was a confirmed convert. That was without headphones by the way, the music came right out of the built-in speakers and worked it’s way through the water. Lifeproof found a way to waterproof the speakers without affecting their sound (they're better when they're not underwater, though).



The Lifeproof Nuud concept is pretty simple, the screen is glass and is already waterproof so why cover it up? It’s the rest of the device that we need to worry about. The benefit of this approach is that the iPad remains completely usable, the screen is not covered by anything so the touch interface remains the same and the video quality is the same.



About the case

The lifeproof case is basically a frame and back for the iPad, although you can get a pop-on front cover if you like. The “secret” of the case is two rubber seal gaskets that mate perfectly with the front glass of the iPad and the plastic of the case itself. The case snaps together firmly, so once it’s on it takes some considerable pressure to get it off again. But it’s not a “slip-in” case, it’s a sturdy defensive measure for an expensive piece of equipment.



The case comes with a special test cover, users are asked to put some paper towel in and then seal the case the first time using only the test cover, not their iPad. Then the case is submerged with some weight to hold it down for an hour (I read notes from one reviewer who left it underwater for 8 hours without any water getting in). Check the paper towel for any moisture and if it’s completely dry go ahead and seal up your iPad. This test made me feel a lot better about risking my stuff. If the case does fail the test, Lifeproof will send you a new one. Every Lifeproof case is tested before it's sold as well.



Unlike most tablet cases the Lifeproof case doesn’t add a lot of bulk, that’s really nice because what’s the point of having a sleek device and then stuffing it in a big case? The only way to get any water into the case would be to get it wet while the charging port is open. The charging port has it’s own waterproof seal as does the headphone port. Lifeproof supplies a waterproof headphone adapter that won’t let any liquid in while your using it.



Using the iPad in the Lifeproof case

Cases are meant to accentuate a device, not make it harder to use. Some cases add stands, or places to keep papers or just provide some extra level level of protection. Most “waterproof” cases are really only “water resistant.” Which is fine as long as a certain amount of the danger is reduced. I don’t expect a waterproof case to work 6 miles down in the Marianas trench, but it should be more than equal to the end of the kiddie pool. I also will only trade so much convenience for protection, if the “waterproof” case weighs 20 pounds and requires special magic gloves to use my iPad, I would rather leave it at home.



The beauty of the lifeproof case is that it doesn’t change the way you use the iPad. It’s a rugged case that will absorb a serious drop and from my personal testing allows you to read, watch a video or even do your email half immersed in a boiling hot tub. You can take pictures underwater with the camera or just out in the snow. The case makes using a delicate iPad anywhere much, much safer. Stuff it in your backpack, slam it into the back seat and pour soda all over it or use it as a tray for sandwiches and then rinse it off in the sink. The only change in using the iPad is that it’s slightly thicker, everything else is the same. The same great touch interface, the same amazingly clear screen and the same amazing versatility.



Bottom line

The Lifeproof case for the iPad isn’t cheap, $130 and there are a lot of fakes out there. If you’re not spending that kind of money, it’s not a Lifeproof. As always you get what you pay for. Nothing is indestructible, but the Lifeproof cases are about as close as we’re going to get. I’ve swum with mine, showered with it, hot tubbed and I really enjoy rinsing it off in the sink. Especially to the horrified looks of the uninitiated. I trust it completely. They are a worth while investment if there are kids around, you plan to travel or you just want really serious protection for an expensive investment. Lifeproof makes cases for iPhones and iPods as well. These are worth the money, highly recommended.



Source: http://www.dailyrecord.com/story/tech/personal-tech/domesti-tech/2013/04/25/ipad-and-the-hot-tub-perfect-together/19917633/



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from energyhouse http://energyhouse.livejournal.com/34626.html

New law will make renewable energy heating cheaper

A new law that goes into effect in January will make it cheaper to use renewable energy to heat a home – and could provide a boost to the wood industry in rural parts of Western Massachusetts.



"This is going to help (renewable) technologies compete with and replace oil-fired furnaces and other fossil fuels for use for heating ... and cooling," said David O'Connor, a former Massachusetts Commissioner of Energy Resources who is now senior vice president for energy and clean technology at ML Strategies and who lobbied for the law on behalf of the Massachusetts Forest Alliance.



The new law builds on an existing law that requires electricity suppliers to buy a certain amount of electricity from renewable energy sources. The electricity suppliers can fulfill this requirement by buying "renewable energy credits" from companies that produce electricity through renewable means. The new law creates renewable energy credits for the production of thermal energy – energy used for heating and cooling. This could include the use of solar panels, wood pellet stoves and boilers, geothermal heat pumps, and a range of technology that uses hot water, solar, biomass or other renewable energy forms to generate heat.



Under the new law, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources will calculate the amount of energy generated over a 10-year period and award those credits up front. Those credits can then be sold to electricity suppliers, a sale that would most likely be brokered by suppliers of renewable energy technology. The home or business owner who buys the wood stove or heat pump would then receive the money from the sale of the credits up front, to help defray the cost of installing the technology.



O'Connor said this is important because while renewable energy can be competitive with oil or coal in the long term, there can be significant start-up costs for installing the technology. "That up-front cost is a real barrier," O'Connor said. "So what these regulations will do is allow the Commonwealth to come up with ways that the customer can see some of the benefits of these technologies, give them help handling those first costs, and make that payback quicker."



The Massachusetts Forest Alliance, which represents forest landowners and sawmill owners, was a major backer of the bill because of its impact on the forest industry – an important industry in Western Massachusetts.



According to Jeffrey Hutchins, executive director of the alliance, the markets for low-grade wood in Massachusetts have typically been depressed, which means there is no way for foresters to make money off of low-grade wood. Although foresters in central Massachusetts have access to markets in New Hampshire and Maine, this is a particular problem for Western Massachusetts landowners. If the new law creates a financial incentive to use wood pellet and wood chip heating systems, that could create a stronger market for the low-grade wood used in those systems.



"It helps keep people employed in the woods, and the forest-based economy is very important for rural towns in the state," Hutchins said.



Dicken Crane, president of the board of directors of the Massachusetts Forest Alliance and the owner of Holiday Brook Farm in Dalton, owns 1,000 acres of forest, in addition to agricultural land. He said that with no market for low-grade wood, foresters tend to cut only the best trees and leave the rest. But young trees then have trouble growing in the shade of larger, uncut trees.



"I struggle to find a way to cut some of the low-grade trees, because I have no market for them," Crane said. "What this could potentially do is create a market for being able to sell low-grade wood at, if not a profit, at least at break even."



Some local organizations use wood heat already – Cooley-Dickenson Hospital, for example, uses a wood-burning co-generation system for its heating. But Crane said Williamsburg recently opened a new school and, although the town in surrounded by saw mills, it did not use a wood heat system because it would take too long to recoup the up-front costs.



Crane hopes the new law changes that calculation. "Across the state, if more and more facilities that are having to upgrade or put in new heating systems would be inclined to use wood heat rather than oil or gas because of these credits, that increased demand for wood fuel is what would create the market," Crane said.



Supporters of the law point out that it could also keep more money in local communities. While money spent on oil typically goes to out-of-state oil companies, Massachusetts has sawmills, forests and companies developing all kinds of renewable energy technology.



"It's more than just a benefit of a market for forest land owners, it's a potential benefit for rural communities' budgets and to their economic viability in that that money stays in the community and creates jobs and economic activity," Crane said.



The law could also impact consumers in the Hilltowns or other rural areas who do not have access to natural gas so rely on oil heat, which can be more expensive.



The law is not expected to significantly change electricity prices. Dwayne Breger, director of the renewable and alternative energy development division at the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, said currently, there are not enough alternative energy credits in the market for electricity suppliers to fulfill their legal obligation. Instead, suppliers pay money to the state, called "alternative compliance payments." Suppliers can typically buy credits at a slightly lower cost than they must pay to the state, so in the long term, Breger said creating more credits could save ratepayers money.



A spokeswoman for WMECo and NSTAR said energy suppliers, rather than the delivery companies, would have a better sense of how the law will affect prices. A spokeswoman for ISO New England, which administers wholesale electricity markets, referred questions about retail pricing to the utility companies.



Dan Dolan, president of the New England Power Generators Association, said he does not anticipate that the law will have a major impact on rates because the technologies currently do not produce the kind of capacity to significantly affect supply or demand. "It's unlikely to really move the needle dramatically one way or another," Dolan said.



State Sen. Barry Finegold, an Andover Democrat who sponsored the bill, said 15 other states have similar laws. He said Massachusetts is working to meet its goals for the use of renewable energy, while remaining competitive. "In the end, it's a long term investment in trying to diversify our energy sources," Finegold said.



The bill was passed by the state legislature on July 31, the last day of formal legislative sessions. It was signed into law by Gov. Deval Patrick Aug. 6.



It goes into effect Jan. 1. But Breger said while the state hopes to draft regulations by the end of the year, the formal rulemaking process is not likely to be completed before the summer of 2015. The rules, however, could retroactively award certificates for thermal energy systems installed this winter.



"We see this as being a real opportunity to move the market forward in a substantial way," Breger said.



Source: http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/12/new_law_will_make_renewable_en.html



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from energyhouse http://energyhouse.livejournal.com/34430.html

Soak up winter: Hot tubs around the USA

It's easy to be mesmerized by the Pacific Ocean from a seat in the hot tub at WildSpring Guest Habitat in Port Orford, Ore.




Further south and perched 1,200 feet above that same Pacific Ocean is the Post Ranch Inn's infinity hot tub.




The Jade Pool provides some amazing views as well.




The Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa features a hot tub with a waterfall shower head, surrounded by heated stone loungers.




The custom-designed hot tubs in the New York Palace's Jewel and Champagne suites are perched 53 stories above Manhattan and feature sweeping views of the skyline.




After a long day of playing on the slopes, shopping holiday sales, or working behind a desk, not much beats a soak in a hot tub. Here's a look at hot tubs across the USA with spectacular views and in places that are certainly bubbles-worthy.



In the City



The custom-designed hot tubs in The New York Palace's Jewel and Champagne suites are perched 53 stories above Manhattan and feature sweeping views of the skyline. Even just a bit higher in the suites' private outdoor terrace, the stone hot tubs feature waterfalls and unobstructed views of the city.



Across the country, in Las Vegas, revelers can take some time to relax in The Spa & Salon at ARIA Resort & Casino's outdoor, infinity-edged therapy pool, designed to resemble a Japanese open-air hot bath, known as a "rotenburo." The pool's temperature is adjusted year-round, and in the cooler months is heated for maximum comfort.



On the Slopes



Soak away the day in the Horizon Edge Hot Tub at the Lodge at Woodloch in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains. And relax even further with a massage before heading back out into the winter days and nights for fun and adventure!



Perched three floors up, the hot tub at the LEED-silver certified Hotel Terra in Jackson Hole overlooks Teton Village and Rendezvous Mountain. Unwind after a day on the slopes and melt all your cares away.



An hour southwest of Grand Junction, Colo. sits the Gateway Canyons Resort, surrounded by the majestic Red Rock Canyons. Sit back, relax and take in the beauty of the desert from the warm comfort of the resort's hot tub.



The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa takes hot tubbing to a new level with its "Haute Tub" service. Reserve a slope-side hot tub in a private cabana and enjoy bottle service with up to five of your friends. Veuve Clicquot, anyone? And if you're looking for a way to warm up that's a bit more low key, five hot tubs are sprinkled throughout the Vail Valley mountain landscape.



An outdoor fireplace just steps away adds to the ambiance of the hot tub at The Osprey, a RockResort in Beaver Creek, Colo.



Also in Colorado, the rooftop hot tub at Eleven Experience's Scarp Ridge Lodge in Crested Butte provides not only the ideal spot to warm up and relax, but terrific views of the surrounding mountain peaks and town below.



Stay Inside



The Aviary Cottage at Twin Farms in Vermont, about 15 minutes north of Woodstock, features a fireside hot tub – double the warmth with incredibly stunning views of the unspoiled valley beyond.



Move south to Florida and the Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa's Water Room. A sublime space, the hot tub here feature a waterfall shower head and is surrounded by heated stone loungers. Stay and relax awhile!



When it's just too cold to be outside, soak inside instead at Montage Deer Valley in Park City. Warm up in the hot waters, and gaze out on the winter beauty just outside. Then, get back out there!



In California, the choice to stay inside or out is yours at the Riviera Palm Springs. Inside, the hot tub within the Buddha Lounge in SpaTerre is unforgettable. Or, go back outside and soak in the 1960s-style tiled outdoor tub, surrounded by the Palm Springs desert.



Surrounded by Beauty



How about a hot tub happy hour? That's just what you'll find at The Nantucket Hotel & Resort in Massachusetts. With the island's only outdoor hot tub available year-round, The Nantucket serves "hot cocktail hour" in its hot tub in colder months. Cheers!



With spectacular views of the snow-capped Teton Range, and in very close proximity to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, it's hard to beat the atmosphere of the hot tub at Amangani. Well, perhaps Amangiri is a close competitor – its hot tub in Canyon Point, in Southern Utah, is tucked next to the 165 million year old Entrada sandstone rock. Talk about stunning!



The breathtaking beauty of Sedona is all around you when you soak in the hot tub at Enchantment Resort. Sip a cocktail and chat with friend while taking in the 360-degree views of the red rock canyons and the stars overhead.



It's easy to be mesmerized by the Pacific Ocean – and perhaps whales passing by! – from a seat in the hot tub at WildSpring Guest Habitat in Port Orford, Ore. Of course, it's just as easy to be mesmerized by the surrounding glade of 80–100 foot trees or the nearby sculpture garden, all adding to the serenity.



Further south and perched 1,200 feet above that same Pacific Ocean is the Post Ranch Inn's infinity hot tub. Not only is it a perfect place to warm up, but provides panoramic views of Big Sur. Glorious!



In Napa Valley, the Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer features Vineyard View Spa Rooms, each with its own private hot tub overlooking acres of vineyards and the Mayacamas Mountains. What better way to enjoy a glass of local wine than by soaking in a hot tub?



Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/experience/america/best-of-lists/2014/11/19/beautiful-hot-tubs-around-the-usa/19288859/



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from energyhouse http://energyhouse.livejournal.com/34126.html

Heat from the hearth: The pleasures of wood burning stoves

As the gray light of a bleak winter day fails and night falls, icy wind wails through the air, whipping freshly fallen snow into deep drifts and piles across the middle American countryside. The mercury drops into the single digits and livestock hunkers down deep in the corners of the barn, toughing out the latest bitter Arctic cold snap. But inside the farmhouse, the belly of the woodstove burns bright, emanating a radiant, heat much to the comfort and delight of the inhabitants gathered around it.



There are few household accoutrements more pleasurable in the dead of winter than a classic cast iron wood burning stove. Certainly, part of their appeal is nostalgic, serving as a reminder of self-sufficient pre-modern American living. The sight and feel of an old fashioned wood burner harkens us back to the days captured by Laura Ingalls Wilder in her “Little House” books where she fondly reflects on frontier winters when “the fire in the cookstove never went out…often the wind howled outside with a cold and lonesome sound. But inside…everything was snug and cozy.”



Beyond nostalgia, a modern wood burning stove is a very practical, economical heat source. In his book “The Woodburner’s Companion,” Vermont chimneysweep Dirk Thomas says “Wood heating equipment has improved drastically since the 1970s. Wood may not be the fuel of the future, but it is certainly a fuel of the future for millions of people weary of high-priced fossil fuels, power outages and power shortages.”



One especially useful modern innovation is the use of a catalytic converter in wood stoves, which greatly reduces chimney emissions and improves heating efficiency. The catalyst is a honeycomb metal lattice that is built into the stovepipe. As smoke from the fire rises to exit the flue, the catalyst reignites the smoke, making it into an additional source of fuel. When turned on, the converter sends heat out directly into the room, as opposed to wastefully sending the heat up the chimney and out of the building.



In order for wood stove fireplaces to truly help reduce winter heating costs, it is important to procure one’s own firewood, as purchasing loads of firewood from third parties can prove expensive. So, while a wood stove is energy efficient and cost-saving, the cutting, chopping, and stacking of fire wood is labor intensive.



Gary McCandlish, of Pleasantville, uses a wood burner to alleviate the costs of heating his drafty, 100-year-old farmhouse. McCandlish collects timber from the woods at the back of the farm.



“We get a lot given to us too. A lot of people have trees fall down or cut down and want them removed. I’m not too proud or ashamed to go out and cut up storm damage wood. If I was buying the wood the cost would be uneconomical,” he said.



The best time to harvest wood for winter burning is early spring, McCandlish said.



“I want to get it in April to cure for the winter. We don’t always get that, but that’s the ideal. It takes six to nine months to season most green wood and you have to split it to give it time to air in order to cure and dry it,” he said. “If you cut her in April, you can burn her all winter.”



Beyond the time and labor spent culling firewood from the field, McCandlish estimates he spends two to three hours a week splitting, sawing, stacking, and hauling wood and he is greatly appreciative of his “common bought” 22-ton hydraulic log splitter.



“It cuts my labor down and it is time saver, not to mention it saves my back,” he said.



For burning, McCandlish said he prefers walnut, oak, cherry and ash. Ash isn’t the best, but it does burn. The very best wood is hedgewood, but it takes too long to season and it is hard to cut. “It tears your chainsaw up. When you’re cutting green hedge, the chainsaw will literally throw sparks because it’s such mean, tough, hard wood,” McCandlish said. “All the original corner posts on this farm here are all made from hedge and you cannot to this day drive a nail into one of them.”



Beyond use as a heat source, many folks enjoy cooking on their wood burners. While not all modern wood burners are designed for cooking, there are still cookstove models reminiscent of 1800s-era kitchens being produced to serve both heating and cooking needs, and there are numerous recipe books in publication to guide a woodstove cook. And even if the wood burner doesn’t possess the necessary stovetop space needed to heat large skillets, there are nonetheless plenty of options for down-home cooking on and in your woodstove.



The following simplistic recipes merely scratch the surface of what can be prepared using a wood burning stove, but they might come in handy for beginners or for those stuck in the midst of a power outage. For example, slice up some eggplant, add some tomato slices and basil, wrap them in foil, and place them on the coals inside of the stove, cooking until tender. For that matter, many vegetables, such as potatoes, small beets, and sliced zucchini, can be double-wrapped in heavy duty foil with some butter and seasoning and cooked on the fire’s coals. For a meat dish, tightly seal marinated strips of chicken breast in double-wrapped aluminum foil packets and cook them on the hot coals.



If cooking over a wood stove doesn’t light your fire, McCandlish suggests that everyone with a wood burner should at least invest in a miniature, six-inch cast iron skillet. As the fire really gets rolling, fill the skillet with pistachios or another favorite variety of nut and warm them on the stovetop. The fire-warmed nuts are sure to prove an addictive treat on a cold winter afternoon, providing an incentive to circle back around for another nibble every time the fire needs fed.



There is much to be admired about the classic cast iron woodstove. It is a reliable, centuries-old source of heat for creature comfort and cooking. It nurtures pleasure and fellowship, gathering friends and family around it for warmth and sustenance. Perhaps Japanese farmer and philosopher Masanobu Fukuoka said it best when he wisely observed, “the simple hearth of the small farm is the true center of our universe.”



Source: https://ocj.com/2014/11/heat-from-the-hearth-the-pleasures-of-wood-burning-stoves/



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from energyhouse http://energyhouse.livejournal.com/33880.html

Ask Ila: Are hot tubs safe?

Q. Ski season is approaching. Après ski I love to climb into a hot tub to soak my weary muscles. Is that a safe thing to do?

I am a big fan of sweating to rid the body of toxins and to help relax. Sweating can help rid your body of the effects of over eating, excess salt, or over indulging in alcohol. You can sit in a sauna for about 20 minutes to reap these benefits. Don’t stay in much longer and be sure to drink water so you don’t dehydrate.



A hot tub is a different story though. While they can be very relaxing they can also be a breeding ground for bacteria if not well maintained and properly disinfected. These bacteria can lead to skin infections and/or skin irritations.



Hot tub folliculitis, a hot tub rash, is a skin condition in which hair follicles become inflamed. It may look like small red bumps or white-headed pimples around hair follicles. The infection can spread and turn into non-healing, crusty sores. It’s caused by soaking in a poorly sanitized tub, which can occur even if the water looks clean. Don’t ever get in if the water looks murky or green, or smells funny.



If you are pregnant you should not use the hot tub whether it is clean or not, especially during the first trimester. Hot tubs are generally too hot and can dangerously raise the body’s core temperature, which is also dangerous for the fetus.



If you do go in a clean hot tub do not stay in too long. There is a risk of fainting from overheating that can be dangerous. Dizziness and overheating can lead to accidental slips and falls in the tub, which can then lead to other injuries.



Researchers at the American Journal of PreventiveMedicine recommended in their December 2009 edition that for safety’s sake, it is best to use the hot tub for only 10 to 15 minutes, at a temperature no higher than 104 degrees. The use of hot tubs at water temperatures above the normal body temperatures can cause drowsiness which may lead to unconsciousness and subsequently result in drowning.



A few other things to keep in mind when using a hot tub include not getting the water in your mouth and not swallowing it if you do. Be considerate of others; shower with soap before entering and don’t use it if you have diarrhea.



Pay attention to the maximum number of people posted that the tub can safely accommodate, and don’t over load beyond that number. Avoid drinking alcohol before or during hot tub use. The risk of drowning is significantly increased if individuals consume alcoholic beverages while, or prior to, soaking in hot water. Excessive drinking while in a hot tub can lead to drowsiness, which can then lead to unconsciousness and possible drowning.



Check out the color and smell of the tub before entering. It should not have a foul odor, but it should also not have a strong chemical odor. The tiles should not feel sticky or slimy. You should be able to hear the pumps and filter working.



The temperature should not exceed 104 degrees. Keeping the temperature at 100 degrees is considered safe for healthy adults. Soaking in a hot tub with water heated to 106 degrees Fahrenheit, for example, can raise human body temperature to the point of heat stroke, a condition in which the body’s core temperature is raised to greater than 105 degrees. This can lead to complications in the central nervous system and include nausea, seizures, confusion, disorientation, and sometimes loss of consciousness or coma. These conditions can be fatal even to fully healthy adults.



If you can, talk to someone working there to ensure that chlorine and pH levels are checked at least twice a day, and more often when the tub is in heavy use.



If you have a history of heart disease, circulation problems, diabetes, or blood pressure issues (high or low) you should check with your medical provider before using a hot tub. Do not use the hot tub if you are taking tranquilizers, anti-histamines, or anti-coagulants.



Getting in and out of the tub can be slippery with wet feet so keep your towel nearby.



Before getting in look around you. Note where the manual disconnect device is located. You never know when you might need to use it, so know where it is!



And if possible, tub with a friend. Not only is it more enjoyable, but it’s safer to not be alone. Follow this advice and have fun après ski.



Ila Shebar is a women's health nurse practitioner specializing in women's pelvic health and continence at Pioneer Valley Urology in Springfield. Her "Ask Ila" column appears every other Wednesday in the Health & Science section of The Republican and on MassLive.com. She can be reached at ilashebarnp.pvu@ gmail.com



Source: http://www.masslive.com/living/index.ssf/2014/10/ask_ila-_hot_tubs_safe.html



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from energyhouse http://energyhouse.livejournal.com/33727.html

This cook stove can cleanly burn plastic and charge a phone

A woman uses the KleanCook stove to charge a cell phone during the pilot study in the Philippines, where entrepreneurs got the idea for the K2.


It's no secret that the smoke spewing from open fires and from indoor coal-fired cook stoves is a silent killer in the developing world and a contributor to climate change. More than 4 million people die each year from health problems related to inhaling carbon monoxide or particulate matter released from stoves that burn wood, biomass or coal, according to the World Health Organization.



And despite a long-running government campaign to eradicate dirty fuels from households, the problem persists in China. But thanks to two young entrepreneurs, a new kind of cook stove — one that can cleanly combust small amounts of plastic trash and convert its excess cooking heat to electricity — could be on its way into kitchens across China in the future.



Smoke-related illnesses are a bigger issue than malaria or HIV



" Smoke-related illnesses are a bigger issue than malaria or HIV," said Jacqueline Nguyen, one of the entrepreneurs and a University of California, Berkeley, senior toxicology student. "It kills more than HIV and malaria worldwide per year."



While Nguyen handles business and marketing for Energant, the company behind the device, her best friend, Mark Webb — a 2011 Berkeley graduate who studied biochemistry — designed the K2 cook stove.



The K2 reduces smoky emissions by 95%, according to tests Webb conducted. Using the excess heat created during operations, it can generate enough electricity to trickle charge a mobile phone. It has the ability to burn biomass briquettes cleanly as well.



And it can also burn plastic and wood without toxic emissions as long as the material — which emits volatile organic compounds when burned — doesn't exceed 8% of the mass being used as fuel, according to Webb.



The ability to burn plastic and wood cleanly is what distinguishes the K2 model from the KleanCook stove, the first product Webb designed last year.




A prototype of the K2 stove, which is not yet available on the market.




Webb got the idea for the K2 cook stove during pilot testing of the KleanCook model in the Philippines this past summer when he and Nguyen noticed people cooking food over open fires all across the country — and burning plastic bags as a way to get those fires started.



"We decided to make the K2, which was centered specifically around being able to burn off all of the toxic material from this trash," Webb said.



But because the two wanted the cook stoves to generate income for local people who would sell the devices for profit, they decided to target the Chinese market, as business costs in the Philippines were too high.



How does it work, and what differentiates it from other clean cook stoves?



The unique geometric design of the stove's built-in fan, which resembles a turbo fan from a jet engine. When the fan blows air into the fire, it creates forced convection, which makes the stove more fuel-efficient. Carbon monoxide is then converted to carbon dioxide.



50% fewer fuel has to be burned to create the same amount of heat, resulting in lower emissions.



50% fewer fuel has to be burned to create the same amount of heat, resulting in lower emissions, according to Webb. A patent is pending on the K2's design.



The stove also contains a thermoelectric generator. When one side of the device is exposed to heat and the other is kept cool, an electric current is generated as the heat travels from one side of the generator to the other. That electric charge is then fed into a voltage regulator to produce a steady current.



Since it's made from cheap metal, the stove costs only $16 to manufacture. Energant plans to sell the stoves to regional distributors for between $20 and $25. In turn, the salespeople will sell the units at retail for $50 — a price that Webb and Nguyen says the Chinese government has deemed an acceptable amount to charge based on disposable income.



The debut of the K2 cook stove could be timely, as recent reports from China indicate there's been an increase in burning trash and plastic, which releases carcinogenic dioxins.



Webb and Nguyen's clean cook stove venture attracted support from UC Berkeley's Development Impact Lab after the pair won the Lab's Big Ideas student innovation contest for the KleanCook stove.



The development lab is one of seven university efforts funded by U.S. Agency for International Development via the U.S. Global Development Lab. That initiative gives money to seven different centers at universities around the country that support students creating solutions to global problems such as climate change, food security, health and poverty.



"Our whole market approach to the KleanCook was to have the cheapest possible thing that was the most scalable and can deliver electricity for devices," Webb recalled.



KleanCook also won prize money from the Clinton Global Initiative University contest this past year, which allowed the entrepreneurs to fund KleanCook's pilot testing in the Philippines.



But though the K2 cook stove — KleanCook's more sophisticated sister — appears promising, it isn't ready for market quite yet. Webb says that Energant has a pre-manufacturing prototype that he's tested for efficiency using a consumer carbon monoxide sensor that recorded the carbon dioxide output of the stove.



To win the confidence of Chinese consumers, he says K2 needs to be tested using validated equipment — something that Energant would have to pay for specialists to do at Beijing's Tsinghua University.



The company hopes to raise $30,000 from an Indiegogo campaign to pay for the testing.



Source: http://mashable.com/2014/11/14/k2-clean-cook-stove/



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from energyhouse http://energyhouse.livejournal.com/33468.html

Caroline Wozniacki Looks Fantastic As Ever In Holiday Hot Tub Pic

Check out stunning Scandinavian tennis sensation Caroline Wozniacki in this smoking hot hot tub snap… Gorgeous tennis star Caroline Wozniacki enjoys her last night in the Bahamas by relaxing in the hot tub. The delectable Dane looked fantastic as always in nothing but a bikini.








And with her trip over we will hopefully get to see her on the tennis court again very soon.



Source: http://www.caughtoffside.com/2014/11/11/image-caroline-wozniacki-looks-fantastic-as-ever-in-holiday-hot-tub-pic/



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from energyhouse http://energyhouse.livejournal.com/33062.html

Never was so much owed by so many to so few

Happy veterans day 2014 !

"Never was so much owed by so many to so few." -Winston Churchill




from energyhouse http://energyhouse.livejournal.com/32868.html

Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute...

“Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. That's relativity.” ― Albert Einstein



from energyhouse http://energyhouse.livejournal.com/32654.html

Sweetening Wood Heat

Using wood to heat homes and businesses offers plenty of perks, but spreading state incentives are further enticing installations.

During the first week of September, homeowners in New Hampshire paid about $25.20, $33.91 and $44.88 per million Btu for fuel oil, propane and electricity, respectively. Those using bulk-delivered wood pellets and cordwood paid about half that amount or less—$14.91 and $15.50.





Though the low price of wood and pellets holds plenty of appeal to consumers, making the transition is oftentimes a different story, particularly when it comes to anteing up to purchase the appliance and pay for installation. Most wood and pellet stoves cost between $3,000 and $5,000 for the appliance, potential change out and installation, but a wood pellet boiler system can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $20,000 with installation.





To help mitigate the initial financial burden of fuel switching, New Hampshire is one of five U.S. states that offers wood pellet boiler incentives—up to a 50 percent rebate, a max of $6,000—and is one of a handful of states that does so, which includes Maine, Massachusetts, New York and Vermont. Eight states offer tax credits, rebates or deductions for wood or pellet stoves, mostly in the western U.S., and a few states offer some kind of incentive for both.





Though states with wood heat incentives have seen momentous growth over the past several years—by over 100 percent in some—the trend isn’t isolated to that region; Great Lakes states such as Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio have also experienced exponential increases. But states with incentive programs have a leg up on states that don’t, especially when it comes to meeting certain objectives, such as guiding consumers to purchase cleaner and more efficient appliances to improve air quality, or providing help to low-income families dealing with ever-increasing fossil fuel prices. It all depends on what the state’s goal is, says John Ackerly, president of the Alliance for Green Heat.





Different Goals, Different Programs

“Rebates are much better for lower-income people; they don’t have to wait until the next year to get it [money back], most rebates come in the mail one or two months later. Rebates are better for the consumer,” Ackerly says.





In states that don’t have air pollution problems, there aren’t typically requirements for qualifiers to remove old stoves, such as in Maryland, Ackerly’s home state, a newer member of the state wood heat incentive club. “We don’t have any substantial wood smoke problems, plus the program is being run out of the Maryland Department of Energy, and they don’t even have a mandate to improve air quality,” he says.





It’s a different story in the Northwest U.S., where programs are totally driven by air quality. “Even to the point of where the state will give you more money if you agree to switch to a natural gas appliance,” Ackerly says. “So there, the government is trying to get people to go from a renewable to a fossil fuel, and paying them more money to do so, which is kind of a pity. But in a deep valley in an urban area where pollution is really bad, you can’t really argue with that. Although, I think they could have done a better job starting earlier and providing people with incentives to get onto pellet stoves—the air quality might not be as bad as it is.”





Though the general wood heating incentive wave is trending toward boilers and automated bulk delivery—in Maine, distributors report an installation rate of about one system per day—Maryland’s new wood and pellet stove program has exceeded expectations in terms of popularity, and serves as a good example and place to start for other states looking to implement something similar.





Implementation and Challenges





Providing $500 grants for wood stove installations and $700 for pellet stoves—both required to meet certain emissions rates—the goal of the program is to reach Marylanders who don’t have natural gas access, says Emilee van Norden, Maryland Energy Administration clean energy program manager. “Last year was a pretty difficult year for people—many had difficulty affording fuel oil because of the really harsh winter, harder than we’re used to. These stoves only cost a few thousand dollars, and we give a pretty sizeable grant to them. It also allows us to get to parts of Maryland where they can’t get solar on their roof because they’re in the woods or mountain areas, or regions where income is a bit lower and [they] can’t afford geothermal or solar.“





After a strong response to its pilot phase, the program was expanded indefinitely as part of the state’s Clean Energy Grant Program, which also funds other types of renewable installations. Money for the program is drawn from Maryland’s Strategic Energy Investment Fund, which results from the state being part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a market-based, carbon cap-and-trade program.





Figuring out where funding for such a program will come from can be a challenge to states hoping to implement what Maryland has done. To help generate ideas, EPA Burnwise has recently released a guide for states to help them through the program development process. Program funds may potentially come from weatherization and other housing assistance programs, grants and loans through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, USDA, U.S. DOE or U.S. EPA.





Once the program is in place—after a need is demonstrated, preliminary plan has been developed, partners identified and funding scored—there are implementation problems that may arise, such as “free riders,” or people who would make the purchase anyway and don’t really need the financial help, an issue that stove incentives are more likely to encounter than pellet boilers. “[For boilers] the upfront cost is high, so I don’t think there will be too many free riders,” Ackerly says. “A few may have done it otherwise, but a $5,000 incentive is certainly enough to push people over the edge. One thing we don’t have in the stove or boiler world is the volume that will bring the per-unit cost down. Some of these companies are only selling a couple hundred boilers a year, and though 5,000 single stoves is a good year, it’s not enough volume to help bring the cost down.”





In Europe, where the residential heating market is thriving, the upfront costs of stoves and boilers are nearly the same, but the return on investment is much quicker. “The fuel you’re avoiding is double or triple the cost,” Ackerly says, adding that people stay in their houses longer in Europe, so most don’t mind making a longer-term investment. “Here, if you’re not sure you’re going to live there in five years, do you want to pay $20,000?”





Ackerly noted that a new payback mechanism, on-bill financing, is helping to sway those who may be planning to move in the future to make the investment anyway. “The next owner of the house will continue to pay the monthly amount, so you don’t need to worry if you sell the house in a few years,” he says. “They’ve been using it in the solar world, but it’s a lot easier to use it for electric appliances because the electric utility usually just adds a certain amount each month onto your electric bill. When you’re adding a nonelectric appliance onto your electric bill, it definitely takes coordination to make that happen.”





Other potential implementation challenges that are likely to be discovered during postprogram analysis include too many people using the incentive, causing the budget to run out quickly, excessive administration burdens, and people finding loopholes.





At that point, determining and fixing challenges is essential in ensuring a more successful next round. In Maryland, one challenge was identification of which stoves qualify and which don’t, van Norden says. “Now, I’m at the point of when I see a certain dealer’s name, I know it’s going to be a good application. It’s mostly a matter of making sure the dealers and stove owners are getting the right marks. Emissions rates are part of our requirement that people didn’t understand at first.”





To keep things running smoothly, a bimonthly meeting is held with Maryland stove dealers to find out what issues they might be having, or to answer any questions.





Ace Hardware & Hearth owner Pete Peterson, who opened the Glen Burnie, Maryland, hardware store in 1978, said the rebate program does result in more stove sales, but how it really benefits his business is other things that customers also buy—venting, pellets and wood, grates and materials to start their fires.





And, perhaps most importantly, the uptick in business has allowed Peterson to keep more employees on year-round. “We’re busy the whole year in spring and fall, so we get to keep eight people on during the winter because of this program.”





Peterson says upon implementation of the program, impacts occurred nearly immediately—people were quick to act upon the opportunity. “It was a very obvious there was an incentive to switch off of electric, oil, gas and propane,” he says. “In Maryland, we went through a situation where electricity costs went up 72 percent in just a couple of years, and there wasn’t much of an incentive [to fuel switch] other than some meager things the dealer can give. It’s been just like the story of the frog boiling in the pot—the heat has been turned up slowly and it’s dying but doesn’t know it—people have been slowly bleeding from their electric bill, when they could be buying other things.”





The biggest challenge has been spreading the word about the program, in Peterson’s opinion. “Letting people know they have an option, that they can take control,” he says.





On any confusion of qualifying vs. nonqualifying stoves, Peterson says the list the state has provided is pretty cut and dried, and there isn’t much motivation for hardware stores to carry stoves that don’t qualify. “It’s not very common, most of ones not certified are carried in big box-type stores that aren’t concerned about the things we are—they’ll sell anything at the right price points,” he says.





Van Norden says there’s potential to add pellet boilers to the state rebate program, but as the program is still new, much has to be figured out. “We’ll probably be looking at other states to see what they’re doing,” she says.





And to those states on the fence about implementing wood heating incentive programs, van Norden has the following advice to offer: “Engage the stove community—it’s a really good asset. And don’t hesitate. It’s a smart way to help people, it’s very practical, and it helps them lower their energy bills.”



Source: http://biomassmagazine.com/articles/11108/sweetening-wood-heat



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from energyhouse http://energyhouse.livejournal.com/32299.html

How to: Ready your hot tub for winter

Hot tubs are the same as any outdoor fixture that involves water. Either way, you have some prep work — whether it's going to be used throughout the colder months, or put to bed for the winter.

Year-round hot-tubbing: "There's a high percentage of hot tub owners that leave them running year round," says Brad Bomgardner of Crystal Pools in Lancaster.

How low should you go?: Most hot tubs go down as low as 80 degrees. But try lowering it to 95 degrees. That way, a 4- or 5-degree boost will put it in the comfortable 99- to 100-degree range.

Efficiency: Normal hot tubs take an hour to increase 2 to 5 degrees, Bomgardner says, so minimize major fluctuations for energy efficiency.

Closed for winter: If the hot tub is going to be unused, drain the water. Suck out water from pipes and jets with a shop vac so they don't freeze and burst.

Cover up: Cover the hot tub with a tarp. Standing water on the hot tub cover itself, from rain or snow, could leak into the hot tub, freeze and cause problems.



Source: http://lancasteronline.com/features/how-to-ready-your-hot-tub-for-winter/article_870ed326-5f76-11e4-8d95-001a4bcf6878.html



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from energyhouse http://energyhouse.livejournal.com/32255.html

Forget barbeques, this outdoor stove cooks an entire meal in just 10 minutes using SUNLIGHT

• 
  


• GoSun Stove absorbs sun's heat to reach temperatures of 290°C (554°F)


• 
  


• Its Ohio-based creators claim it can safely cook hot dogs, eight egg omelettes, frozen foods, fish fillets, muffins, stirfrys and even raw meat


• 
  


• The device is 2ft (0.6 metres) long and 2.25 inches (5.7cm) in diameter


• 
  


• Core to the technology of the GoSun Stove is the solar evacuated tube


• 
  


• When clouds interrupt, the food keeps on cooking with the heat stored


• 
  


• A 'GoSun Sport' costs £175 ($280), while a 'GoSun Mini' costs £80 ($128)


• 
  

You have great weather, good company and a table full of food waiting to be cooked – if only your disposable barbecue would get going.

Tired of prodding coals, a group of entrepreneurs has created an outdoor stove that can cook a meal in just 10 minutes using nothing but the sun's rays.

The gadget, known as the GoSun Stove, absorbs heat from the sun to reach temperatures of over 290°C (554°F).




Hot stuff: Tired of prodding coals, a group of entrepreneurs has created an outdoor stove that can cook a meal in just 10 minutes using nothing but the sun's rays


Its Ohio-based creators claim it can safely cook hot dogs, eight egg omelettes, frozen foods, fish fillets, muffins, stirfrys and even raw meat.

The device is 2ft (0.6 metres) long and 2.25 inches (5.7cm) in diameter and can handle more than three pounds (1.4kg) of food or fluid.

In each batch, the gadget can cook enough food to feed up to four people.

Matt Gillespie, an industrial and social designer working at GoSun Stove, explained how the idea was born.

The 24-year-old said: 'It was all started by Patrick Sherwin, the GoSun Stove's inventor and company founder.

'He was removing a roof mounted solar hot water heating system, using the same tube technology as the GoSun, to replace it with an updated system.

'While up on the roof, he noticed that that the tubes were remarkably hot on the inside, despite the cloudy weather.

'His curiosity got the best of him and he dropped a hotdog into the tube.

'With that lunch sizzling 10 minutes later, the dream was born.'

The core to the technology of the GoSun Stove is the solar evacuated tube that acts as the stove's cooking chamber.

It absorbs more than 80 per cent of the sunlight that's reflected onto the tube.

Mr Gillespie, from Cincinnati, Ohio, added: 'It's profoundly efficient and a game-changer for fuel-free cooking.

'When clouds interrupt, the food keeps on cooking with the heat stored inside the vacuum tube.

'For this same reason the GoSun is extremely versatile, cooking hot meals in the harshest of environments.

'Even against freezing temperatures and blowing winds, the GoSun's cooking time is hardly effected.

'We love to see people's reactions when we're roasting garlic, or steaming veggies on a mostly overcast day.'

A 'GoSun Sport' costs £175 ($280), while a 'GoSun Mini' costs £80 ($128).

The 'GoSun Sport Pro Pack' includes a padded carrying case, an extra cooking tray and spoon and costs £225 ($360).



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2795379/forget-barbeques-outdoor-stove-cooks-entire-meal-just-10-minutes-using-sunlight.html



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from energyhouse http://energyhouse.livejournal.com/31982.html

What is the environmental cost of a hot tub?

The idea of lounging around outside in bubbling warm water may be appealling, but the eco footprint is appalling…




So you want to place a large bath outside in our variable climate and maintain it at a consistent hot temperature…


Although I’ve been dispensing eco advice for a decade, this is the first time I’ve been asked to green-light a hot tub. I should have known this day was coming, because figures suggest the country is awash with them – there are between 2.6m (according to a Lloyds Insurance survey) and a more likely industry estimate of 300,000 out there. The hot tub appears to have transitioned into a “wellness appliance”. According to the many brochures I’ve perused on your behalf, hot-tubbing (which is now a verb) helps to reduce chronic stress and conditions such as circulatory disorders. I’ve even seen a model that purports to be anti-ageing.



But in the marginally less joyful world of energy-efficient analysis, hot tubs are categorised as “portable electric spas” and carry a terrible energy profile. According to the US Consortium for Energy Efficiency, the energy used to operate a small pool or hot tub can account for more than half of a home’s total energy use. As one of the online UK retailers puts it: “Relaxing in your hot tub can prove difficult when the bills it produces are anything but.”



It’s worth spelling out what you’re attempting to do here: you want to place a large bath outside in our variable climate and maintain it at a consistent hot temperature, using a pump to make a whirlpool through a series of jets. (Hot tubs lose heat more quickly when the jets are on.) Heating and hot water already account for an estimated 84% of domestic energy consumption and 71% of CO2 emissions in the UK, a situation which must be tackled if we’re to meet 2020 targets.



So hot tubs are hard to love from a sustainability point of view, unless you’re skilled enough to go the DIY solar-powered route. To do this, you’d have to integrate a solar water heater and build the tub from reclaimed materials. If this is beyond you, there are “eco” models. These include Hydropool’s Serenity hot tub which cabinsandspas.co.uk reckons is “engineered to be the most efficient in the world”. Eco models are highly insulated and should have a hard, heavy cover (most energy escapes through the cover, so look for the highest insulation value).



Also go for one with low-energy LED lights. This isn’t just greenwash: an energy-efficient hot tub uses 7 to 11 fewer kWh per day than its rivals. This would take some of the environmental heat out of your back-garden Jacuzzi.




The heart-shaped solar farm built on Grand Terre using 7,888 solar panels


Green crush

Would we love large-scale solar farms more if they were heart shaped? It’s an idea that will be tested by a new farm being built on Grand Terre, an island 750 miles east of the Australian Gold Coast, in the French territory of New Caledonia. On Grand Terre, 7,888 panels will generate enough electricity to supply 750 homes. The design is inspired by the Coeur de Voh, the naturally heart-shaped wild mangrove vegetation documented in Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s book The Earth from Above. The Heart of New Caledonia is expected to save 2m tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over its 25-year life span. It will be ‘a landmark for clean power generation and perhaps the first beautiful power station’ in the world, according to solar-energy company Conergy.



Greenspeak: Passive clean-up {pæsiv klīn-up} noun

Does not mean watching someone else vacuum, but rather a system of floating barriers and platforms attached to the seabed, invented by 17-year-old Boyan Slat. Driven by winds and currents, plastic is trapped and extracted from the ocean (theoceancleanup.com)



Source: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/oct/19/what-is-environmental-cost-of-hot-tub-lucy-siegle



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from energyhouse http://energyhouse.livejournal.com/31743.html

How Safe Are Hot Tubs?

Many sports-medicine experts encourage athletes to soak in a hot tub after working out to soothe aching muscles. Other people simply enjoy the relaxation of the warm water and water jets. But beneath the surface can lurk some unsavory microorganisms. One expert, Jonathan Yoder, an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and team lead for the agency’s waterborne-disease-prevention branch, describes the telltale signs when not to climb into a hot tub.



Heat Seekers

Hot-tub temperatures are typically 104 degrees or less—not high enough to kill the many bacteria that thrive in warm water, says Mr. Yoder. These can include the common Pseudomonas, which can cause an itchy and painful rash known as Hot Tub Rash. More dangerous is Legionella, which gets aerosolized in the hot, humid environment and can cause Legionnaires’ disease, an extreme form of pneumonia, or Pontiac fever, which is like a bad case of the flu, he says.



“Most of these organisms will be inactivated if you maintain the proper level of disinfection,” says Mr. Yoder. And despite rumors one might hear, “to my knowledge, there has never been a reported case of herpes confirmed to be contracted through hot tub use,” he says.



Know the Numbers

Public hot tubs are supposed to be monitored regularly by maintenance professionals for proper recirculation, filter cleanliness and scrubbed surfaces. “Hopefully at your gym, they are checking the water at least twice per day, and maybe even hourly when there are a lot of people using it,” says Mr. Yoder.



Tub information is often posted in plain view at gyms. “If they use chlorine, you should look for a value of between 2 and 4 parts per million, and if they are using bromine, which is a similar disinfectant but lasts longer in hot temperatures, you’d look for a value between 4 and 6 parts per million,” he says. Higher numbers can indicate too many residual chemicals, which can irritate the skin and throat. Private hot tubs often don’t get the maintenance they require, and he advises homeowners to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines or hire a maintenance company.



Seeing Signs

When the jets are off, hot-tub water should be clear, not murky. “If you can’t see the bottom, that is not a good sign,” says Mr. Yoder. Slimy edges indicate not enough disinfectant, while a strong odor might suggest the chemical is reacting with other substances. “Don’t rely on a strong chemical smell to indicate that a hot tub is well-maintained,” he says.



Disinfectants in many public hot tubs aren’t kept at a steady level, Mr. Yoder says. When chlorine gets too low, a lot of the chemical is often dumped in. Those sharp swings cause bacteria to band together into what is called biofilm, which shields them from the chemical. “The longer that the levels are not properly maintained, the stronger the biofilm becomes,” he says. Manually scrubbing the sides, edges and tiles of the tub is the best way to remove the biofilm, which can harbor any manner of waterborne pathogen.



Otherwise, if the water is clear and the tub has been properly maintained, the risk of contracting an illness from a hot tub is low, says Mr. Yoder.



Proper Usage

Some people should be extra careful about using hot tubs. Pregnant women should first speak to their doctors, since excess heat can damage the developing fetus, says Mr. Yoder. The CDC recommends children under 5 years old not partake in hot-tub lounging. “Their bodies are so much smaller, they heat up faster and they don’t have the same cues that adults have when they are overheating,” he says. And think twice after having a few drinks. “The increasing temperature plus alcohol have a cumulative effect,” says Mr. Yoder. “It’s important not to impair your judgment to the point that you put yourself in danger.”



Source: http://online.wsj.com/articles/how-safe-are-hot-tubs-1413830076



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from energyhouse http://energyhouse.livejournal.com/31246.html

Safety tips for homes with wood-burning stoves, fireplaces

Tania Barricklo-Daily Freeman A wood stove at a home in Phoenicia. Professionals recommend wood-burning stoves be inspected annually -- preferably in the spring -- for ash and creosote buildup, cracks and animal or bird nests.




At this time of year, a few things are relatively certain: It will get colder and some homeowners will fire up wood stoves to stay warm.



If you’re planning to use wood to heat your home this winter, there are a few tips offered by an area chimney sweep, a firefighter and stove



inspector and even the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, all intended to keep you safe and warm.



“As the Boy Scout motto says, ‘Be prepared,’” said Dennis McGuire of Jimminy Peak, a wood and pellet stove sales, stove installation and chimney sweep service in West Hurley.



First, if you’re planning to burn wood, make sure your stove and chimney have been thoroughly checked out by a professional chimney sweep if it hasn’t been cleaned since the end of last winter. McGuire said wood-burning stoves should be inspected annually for ash and creosote



buildup, cracks and animal or bird nests. The optimum time for inspections is spring, he said, when stove installers and chimney sweeps tend to be less busy. Spring is a good time to “see what happened over the winter and make repairs,” he said.



But if you neglected to have the stove serviced in the spring, don’t hesitate to get it done before lighting your first fire or, at the very least, early in the heating season.



Invariably, when the first fires of fall are ignited, a few house fires are reported.



When stoves are allowed to sit uncleaned over the summer, creosote accumulated in chimney and flu pipe begins to flake, said Tom Chase, a deputy chief of thee Kingston Fire Department who also performs stove inspections locally. When homeowners fail to clean their chimneys, either in the spring or early fall, those flakes can easily combust, he said.



Chase said improved enforcement of fire and building codes are preventing improper installation of wood stoves and have cut down on chimney fires. Homeowners who install stoves on their own should adhere to their municipal codes and install their stoves and chimneys according to



the specifications in their owners’ manuals, being careful to maintain safe distances from walls and ceilings, Chase said.



And be sure to have your stove and chimney inspected before lighting your first fire.



Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, important in all homes, are especially essential in homes with wood-burning stoves, Chase said, warning that any combustion causes carbon monoxide.



After you’ve purchased firewood, make sure it’s stacked and protected from the elements, McGuire said. Wood should be covered with a tarp or kept in a wood shed that allows for circulation on all sides of the pile, but prevents rain and snow from running down through the stack. “I liken it to an armful of laundry out of the machine,” he said. “If you dump it on the floor in a heap, it won’t dry.”



If the forecast calls for a four-day torrential downpour, however, McGuire said it’s just fine to lower the sides of your tarps and cover the entire pile.



Ideally, the Environmental Protection Agency and local experts prefer wood to have a 20-percent moisture content when it’s burned.



“If somebody’s selling you a cord of seasoned wood, it should be a cord measuring four by four by eight (feet) and have a 20-percent moisture content.” McGuire said. “Rarely do either of them happen, let alone both.”



That’s why stacking your wood and allowing it to thoroughly dry is so important, he said.



The Environmental Protection Agency advises people who burn wood to consider purchasing a moisture meter to assure their timber is dry and safe to burn. Meters can be purchased online for a little as $20.



Both Chase and McGuire questioned the need for moisture meters, but said dry wood is essential to wood-burning safety. Wet wood, also known as green wood, contributes to creosote buildup, Chase said.



“Not all wood is the same,” says the EPA website. “Softwoods such as Douglas fir need six months to dry and hardwoods such as oak need at least 12 months. Garbage, plastic, treated lumber and driftwood should never be burned. They emit toxic fumes and particles.”



Tips about splitting, stacking, covering and storing wood properly are available online at www.epa.gov/burnwise.



Chase also advises homeowners to make sure furniture -- which may have been moved closer to the stove during warmer months -- as well as home decorations -- which could have wound up on wood burning stove surfaces -- are moved to safe distances from the stove.



The EPA encourages folks to consider replacing older stoves with new, more efficient models. “Approximately 10 million wood stoves are currently in use in the United States and 65 percent of them are older, inefficient, conventional stoves,” according to an agency website.



“Just 20 old, non-EPA certified wood stoves can emit more than 1 ton of fine particle pollution into your area during the cold months of the year.”



New stoves sometimes contain catalytic converters or are designed to burn smoke twice, Chase said.



“Old wood stoves are bad polluters and less efficient. Newer EPA-certified wood stoves and fireplace units reduce air pollutants by 70 percent compared to older models,” according to the EPA website. For a list of EPA-certified stoves, visit www.epa.gov.



Source: http://www.dailyfreeman.com/general-news/20141019/safety-tips-for-homes-with-wood-burning-stoves-fireplaces



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from energyhouse http://energyhouse.livejournal.com/31100.html