ENERGY EFFICIENCY COALITION: travnja 2017

srijeda, 19. travnja 2017.

PROJECT: INSULATE AND AIR SEAL FLOORS OVER UNCONDITIONED GARAGES

‘A typical family spends nearly $2,000 per year on their home energy bills. Much of that money, however, is wasted through leaky windows or ducts, old appliances, or inefficient heating and cooling systems. The CCRES Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Savings Projects offer easy, step-by-step instructions to home energy efficiency improvements that will save you energy and money’. – Zeljko Serdar

Installing continuous air and thermal barriers between an unconditioned garage and the conditioned spaces above can save energy and money, improve comfort, and safeguard indoor air quality. Your garage may be a source of multiple pollutants, including dangerous carbon monoxide from car exhaust. In addition to careful air sealing and insulating, never leave your car engine running with the garage door closed and store paints, solvents, and other chemicals in tightly sealed containers.

BEFORE YOU START

Before insulating the floor between an unconditioned garage and the conditioned space above, take the time to:

Carefully air seal all gaps between the garage and the conditioned space above and the garage and the outdoors (the rim/band joist, for example)
Calculate the amount and determine the R-value of the insulation you will need
Gather all required tools and materials.

SHOPPING LIST

Choose materials that don’t require specialized equipment or tools to install.

Blanket insulation
Wire fasteners
Tape measure
Sharp utility knife
Caulk and foam sealant
Caulk gun
Stepladder
Straightedge
Respirator or dust mask
Eye protection
Protective clothing, including long-sleeved shirt, long pants, closed shoes, and gloves.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

1.) Double-check your insulation

Before opening the packages, verify that the insulation material is the correct width and R-value.
2.) Seal air gaps

Before insulating, carefully air seal gaps in the floor between the garage and the conditioned space as well as the garage and the outdoors (rim/band joists, for example). Use caulk for gaps smaller then ¼ inch and foam for gaps ¼ inch to 3 inches. In addition to improving energy efficiency, air sealing also helps keep exhaust fumes and other pollutants out of the conditioned space.
3.) Fit insulation between joists

Ensure insulation extends to the outside edge of each joist bay and is in contact with blocking or rim/band joist and the subfloor above. When using kraft-faced batts, install kraft facing against the conditioned side of the cavity. The kraft facing creates a vapor retarder that prevents trapped moisture from reducing the insulation’s effectiveness.
4.) Adjust insulation for a snug fit

Ensure ends of insulation are butted snugly together and in full contact with the subfloor of the conditioned space above.
5.) Fasten the insulation in place

Use wire fasteners to support the insulation so that it is in full contact with the subfloor but not compressed.

CCRES DIY TEAM part of Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources ( CCRES )

Project CCRES AQUAPONICS

Project CCRES AQUAPONICS Course Overview Whether you are a beginner, a backyard hobbyist, a homesteader or a skilled professional wanting to start a career in Aquaponics this course has something to offer. This course is intended to provide people with the best all inclusive training, hands-on experience and cutting edge methods of Permaculture based Aquaponics available anywhere! Wether you want to grow food for you and your family, a small business or a fully commercial operation this course will be sure to give you the tools, information and experience you will need to be successful in what ever Aquaponic endeavor you are interested in. At a time of global climate change, depletion of resources, pollution of water and huge losses of top soil worldwide, there has never been a more important time to learn about CCRES Aquaponics! 'Imagine a technology that produces healthy organic food, clean water, and renewable energy all at the same time. We call it CCRES AQUAPONICS'.

PROJECT CCRES SPIRULINA

PROJECT CCRES SPIRULINA 'The ongoing support from the private investment community speaks to how strongly they believe in the development of Green Crude as an alternative fuel resource, especially ability to commercialize it', says Branka Kalle, President of Council CCRES. Few consider seaweeds as a viable source of energy and protein for terrestrial animals (at least until their cost becomes more attractive). Macro-algae have been shown, however, to possess several functional properties, including those of a functional fiber, with immune-stimulating and prebiotic effects. Today, marine algal extracts are used as an additive in pig and poultry diets with promising results. Furthermore, micro-algae have been shown to contain high levels of beneficial lipids that can be used in layer and sow diets as a source of omega-3 fatty acids. Finally, both types of algae are used as an active component in clay-based anti-mycotoxin agents. For example, the treatment of clay with a macro-algal extract has been shown to increase the reactive surface of clay up to eight times. Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES) offers several solutions that support the nutritional part of the production system. CCRES solutions combine algae feed additive products with their services, e.g. gut quality scoring, product application systems and customised dosing advice.

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