Energy News – Page 17 – The Energy Chronicle

Central Florida “Most Improved” in Petroleum Reduction Nationwide

Sherri Shields Awards, Energy News, Press Release February 5, 2015February 27, 2015alternative fuel, Clean Cities, efficiency 0 Comment

By Sherri Shields
Feb. 5, 2015

Central Florida Clean Cities Coalition encompasses a 10-county area.

The Central Florida Clean Cities Coalition was awarded first place for Most Improved Petroleum Reduction, among nearly 100 coalitions nationwide. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Coalitions advance the nation’s economic, environmental, and energy security by supporting local actions to reduce petroleum consumption in transportation.

The Central Florida Clean Cities Coalition territory encompasses a 10-county area consisting of Brevard, Flagler, Indian River, Lake, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, St. Lucie and Volusia Counties. The coalition had a 247 percent increase in petroleum reduction in 2013 compared to the previous year. The Most Improved award was announced at the annual Clean Cities Coordinator Workshop in December 2014.

Zero-Emission Electric Bus Tour Stops In Orlando

Sherri Shields Energy News October 31, 2014AFV, electric 0 Comment

COCOA, October 31, 2014

Mayor Buddy Dyer was the guest of honor this week aboard a zero-emission electric passenger bus during its Orlando tour stop. The Catalyst, a 40-passenger battery-electric bus manufactured by Proterra, picked up the mayor and several of his staff at City Hall for a quick trip around downtown Orlando. The Central Florida stop was one of only a few remaining demonstrations taking place on its way back home to Greenville, SC after a cross-country tour.

Photo of Mayor Dyer waving to passengers inside of electric bus. — Photo: Mayor Dyer boards the Proterra “Catalyst” battery-electric bus and is greeted by MetroPlan Orlando Executive Director Harry Barley (center) and City of Orlando Fleet Manager Daryl Greelee (upper right). Photo courtesy of MetroPlan Orlando.

New LEED® Modeling Software Saves Time, Money for Sustainable Commercial Construction

Sherri Shields Energy News, Press Release October 24, 2014buildings, energy modeling, EnergyGauge, software 2 Comments

October 24, 2014

Newly updated software offers construction-industry professionals substantial time-savings while completing required energy modeling calculations for LEED^® and energy code projects. A limited-time discount is available.

A fully-functional trial version of EnergyGauge is available at EnergyGauge.com. A $100 discount per user license is available until 12/20/2014.

Commercial construction companies have a new tool to help their clients build LEED^® certified buildings faster and more efficiently thanks to the University of Central Florida’s Florida Solar Energy Center^® (FSEC^®).

FSEC^® released the EnergyGauge^® Summit Premier 5.00 software at this year’s Greenbuild conference in New Orleans. The conference is the premier event for sustainable building in the United States and draws thousands to learn about the latest technology and techniques. FSEC’s state-of-the-art software provides construction-industry professionals with the opportunity to substantially reduce the time required to complete energy modeling for the commercial construction LEED^® rating system and code compliance using ASHRAE 90.1 or IECC.

Notice to Consumers, Contractors, and Building Officials

Sherri Shields Energy News October 13, 2014 3 Comments

October 13, 2014

The following notice does not apply to solar electric (photovoltaic – PV) systems that provide electrical power to air-conditioning systems.

Warning sign with cloud background — Consumer Warning!

Products currently being marketed in Florida as “Solar Air Conditioners” or “Solar Assisted Air Conditioners” using solar heating collectors have not been certified by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC). These products feature a solar heating collector within a conventional air conditioning system. FSEC has not tested or validated the claim that the solar heating collectors enhance air-conditioning performance.

Consumers are advised to consult an income tax professional regarding any federal income tax credit claims. Qualified residential solar systems are defined in §25D(d) of Title 26 of the U.S. Code.

Tax Code Reference:

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title26/pdf/USCODE-2011-title26-subtitleA-chap1-subchapA-partIV-subpartA-sec25D.pdf

FSEC Affordable Housing Partners Recognized for DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes

Sherri Shields Awards, Energy News, Press Release October 8, 2014DOE, Habitat for Humanity, HERS Index, homebuilders, Zero Energy Homes 0 Comment

By Danielle Daniel
October 8, 2014

The DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Leading Builders awards are presented to builders who are changing the way homes are designed and constructed.

Southeast Volusia Habitat for Humanity and Habitat for Humanity of South Sarasota County—affordable housing partners of the University of Central Florida’s FSEC—were the honored recipients of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Zero Energy Ready Home Leading Affordable Builders awards in September. A total of 28 industry leaders (including six affordable builders) were recognized at the 2014 Housing Innovation Award ceremony at EEBA’s Excellence in Building Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. DOE Housing Innovation Awards acknowledge the outstanding efforts of contractors and builders to design and construct high performance, zero energy ready homes.

Energy efficiency, comfort, and durability are key components of DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes. To qualify for this certification, homes must meet stringent requirements in seven categories. To reduce energy consumption and resulting energy costs, these high performance homes must achieve a very low score on the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index. The closer the score is to zero, the less energy is needed to run the home.