Flap Your Lips Friday
Posted by Michelle Moquin on August 16th, 2013
Good morning!
How is everyone doing? Here’s a write that I found interesting. From Climate Progress, a section of Think Progress:
It’s a heavy, hot, July evening in Washington, D.C.
Ominous storm clouds, bloated with rain, hang oppressively low and there’s an eerie green glow around the corners of everything. Lakiya Culley has just gotten home from work and her three boys Kamari, Christopher and Carl — aged two to seven — are trying to play basketball in the living room without getting into trouble and now and then circling nonchalantly around the kitchen counter, eying the yet uncut chocolate cake.
The cake is a house-warming present. You wouldn’t guess it from how at home everyone seems, but Lakiya and her boys have only lived here for about a month. Like any new homeowner Lakiya is eager to show off her new digs. She loves her big second story porch, especially when the boys get rowdy.
“I can go up there and close the door for a minute and I feel like I’m in the treetops, away from it all,” laughs Lakiya, holding Kamari on her hip giving him a knowing, wry smile.
Lakiya, who has worked as an administrative aid at the Department of State for nine years, also prefers the upstairs porch because sometimes when she sits on the front porch after work she has to field a lot of questions.
“Someone the other day asked me if this was a log cabin in the city,” said Lakiya. “Someone else asked me if I was hiring, people are always taking pictures. I guess that’s because it just looks different from the other houses on the block. I don’t mind though, I like to be a little different.”
That’s because Lakiya’s new home is the first super energy-efficientpassive house in D.C. It also just happens to be a Habitat for Humanityhome.
The house doesn’t look like a futuristic spaceship, but it is different from the other small pre-fab houses along the street. It is a two home duplex with a big wooden porch in front and, of course, solar panels on the roof.
Lakiya’s house started out two years ago as an entry in the Department of Energy’s biannual Solar Decathlon. Dubbed “Empowerhouse” for the competition, it was an ambitious concept brought to life by engineering and architecture students from Stevens Institute of Technology, Parsons The New School for Design and Milano School for International Affairs, management and Urban Policy, many of whom had never even wielded a hammer before attempting this elaborate construction project.
The team’s dream was to build a solar-powered house that could not only compete with the most cutting-edge technologies out there, but was actually affordable and something ordinary people would want to live in.
According to Josh Layrea, one of the Stevens engineers, the winning entry from a German team two years before cost over two million dollars.
“It was an impressive piece of engineering,” Laryea concedes. “But made for exhibit, not habitation. The entire outside of the house was covered in solar panels.”
Laryea and his teammates had a different goal. In a way, they were in a competition of their own, in which they were competing against themselves to see if they could create something that Habitat for Humanity could use not only as a home for a low-income family in the Deanwood area of D.C. but also as an affordable housing prototype for Habitat going forward. The Stevens-Parson-Milano house won the top prize for cost-effectiveness at the Solar Decathlon.
Lakiya’s house was built based on passive house design principles. The basic concept of passive house is to lower energy consumption by being super-insulated and practically airtight. Empowerhouse has 12-inch thick walls and triple-glazed windows and, as a result, uses up to 90 percent less energy for heating and cooling than an ordinary house. Such low energy consumption enabled Empowerhouse to have one of the smallest solar panel arrays in the competition, which helps keep construction and maintenance costs down.
Needless to say, Lakiya’s house wasn’t two million dollars. After Habitat built a second story on the 1,000 square foot competition house, the final price tag for Lakiya’s half of the duplex was just over $200,000, on par with the typical price of Habitat construction in the area. Although passive houses are often about 15 percent more expensive to build because of the special doors and windows they require and all the extra insulation, Habitat’s financing programs and D.C. area grants mean Lakiya has a very manageable 133,000 dollar, thirty-year mortgage. And if the house proves itself to be net zero as advertised, she will save nearly $72,000 on energy costs over the course of that mortgage.
In order to become certified as a passive house, the building has to be tested for leaks and cracks that would make it less efficient. Orlando Velez, Manager of Housing Services for Habitat for Humanity of Washington D.C. explained that the test is serious business.
“They take a huge blower fan and put it in one of the doors and then close everything else up,” said Velez. “The fan sucks all the air out until the house is pressurized at fifty pascals, then they watch to see how much air is leaking [into] the house. We rush around the outside of the house with a smoker test and try to find every place we’re leaking.”
For a typical house, this test would reveal seven air changes per hour. Air changes per hour is a measurement of how many times the air in a space is replaced. To be certified as a passive house, that number needs to drop to 0.6 air changes per hour.
“That means that all the little leaks put together are smaller than a postage stamp,” said Velez. “And if you wanted to you could heat your home with a hair dryer quite easily.”
Velez remembers the excitement he felt when Lakiya’s home passed the passive house test.
“I just remember thinking, we did it, a non-profit, affordable house developer can do this, even using volunteers with no construction experience,” said Velez. “And then I started thinking, what’s everyone else waiting for?”
Parsons offered Lakiya the furniture they had used to decorate the house during the competition, but she politely declined. It was a bit space-age for her tastes, so she brought the boys’ bunk beds from her old apartment and turned the conceptual entryway into a little T.V. room for the kids after school.
Lakiya hasn’t gotten a power bill since the solar panels on her roof have been up and operational, but she’s excited to see what it looks like. She knows that the recent heat wave has kept the AC running and that her sons are a factor that wasn’t part of any neat energy consumption calculations.
“They’re kids,” she says. “They run in and out and in and out and they’re too busy chasing each other to always remember to close the porch door after them. So yes, we’re still learning how to use this house. I’ve never had an electricity bill for a house before, because I’ve never had a house before, so there’s a lot to get used to.” That bill, Lakiya hopes, will read $0 owed.
As anyone who worked on Empowerhouse hoped, Lakiya’s home is not the end of the dream. Habitat is gearing up to build six more passive houses in Ivy City, a short drive from Deanwood. They’ll look a bit different from Empowerhouse, more townhouses than duplex, but they’ll cost about the same and hopefully pass on the same savings.
“As much as we can afford, we would like to have the highest standard of energy efficiency available for our homeowners,” said Susanne Slater, President and CEO of D.C. Habitat for Humanity. “Our whole mission is to provide affordable housing to low income families, and if homeowners pay less in energy costs, that helps us reach that goal.”
“I really believe that with the mounting cost of electricity, passive houses with solar panels are going to take off,” said Slater. “And our homeowners are going to be out in front of the movement.”
*******
Readers: Pretty cool huh?
Lewis: I hear ya. I HOPE that embarrassment encourages you to do something if you aren’t already.
Zen Lill: How nice. I HOPE you had fun. Send them on over when you’re ready.
Yw: It’s a bit quiet out there. Looks like it’s just you and me. I HOPE Ym comes home to you soon.
Happy Friday everyone! Let’s make it a beautiful beginiing of the weekend. Thanks for being here with me! Blog me your thoughts, ideas, plans for the weekend perhaps?
Peace Baby.
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
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August 16th, 2013 at 8:34 am
When next I hold you in my arms, take a deep breath because I’m going to squeeze you so tight, I’m never going to let you go.
August 16th, 2013 at 2:14 pm
If this is to me, Bliss, we have only arrived back because the Emperor’s Net has kept us out do to the present conflicts and discussions on handling Japan.
We will have communications up after 1500 hours.
August 16th, 2013 at 2:18 pm
Micelle, your blog has me and my three brothers committed to engaging anyone, especially males who act to denigrate women on any level.
As such we no longer smile or look the other way when our fellow male friends make disparaging jokes about women.
Our mother sent us the link to your blog about a year ago and it has been a vision to a new awareness. We are still in need of work, but not in the misogynist area any more.
August 16th, 2013 at 2:22 pm
Howie today I watched the movie “In Search of Miracles.” It was about why Israel has survived against all odds.
I would like to say that I think it is because of Heros like you. I am glad you came back to the blog. I missed you.
August 16th, 2013 at 3:22 pm
I am tired of hearing Arab men, who are conscious less about the cruelty and inequality they visit upon their females, whine about what other Arab men are doing to them. If they spent a tenth of their self-preoccupation in giving equality to their females in law and government they would not have to worry about the next government being so cruel.
The Middle East is full of testosterone gone wild. The men have used their religion to practice pedophilia with impunity and to dominate and enslave their female population. So they are left with now using that religion to force other males to accept their opinion of how the males should be governed.
It appears that while the males are willing to use religion to dominate and enslave their female population they don’t wish to allow other males to use it to affect their lives. The hypocrisy is being played out in deaths by the thousands.
The West because of greed for their oil, ignores the obvious and tells all who would be beguiled by their lies, it is the “Arab Spring,” some miraculous democratic awakening.
No, it is the rest of us being lied to so our governments can act to protect the 1%’s oil interests in those countries. I say; if their god ordains it, let the males kill each other, then move in to give the females equality.
Then and only then will we have a Middle East ready to join the civilized world.
August 16th, 2013 at 5:09 pm
Ensuring a Healthier Tomorrow
August 16, 2013
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A Bright and Healthy Future for the Golden State
Last week, I was proud to join with stakeholders and community leaders for the Covered California Forum at UCSF Mission Bay to get to discuss our state’s efforts to implement the Affordable Care Act and learn how we can strengthen outreach efforts in San Francisco.
As America’s first health marketplace, Covered California is leading the way in establishing a bright and healthy future for the Golden State by making sure all Californians find plans that suit their needs and their pocketbooks. Our healthcare plan marketplace opens on October 1st with 12 comprehensive health plans to choose from and lower premium rates than originally expected. Here in California, 8.1 million people are now receiving preventative services. California’s seniors have already saved over half a billion dollars on prescription drug medications and soon, being a woman in California will no longer be a pre-existing condition.
The Affordable Care Act is about improving access to quality healthcare services and reducing health disparities in communities across the country. California looks forward to leading the way in ensuring that all Americans receive the comprehensive, affordable, quality healthcare they deserve. To find out more about Covered California, please visit their website and utilize the potential insurance cost calculating tool to figure out which plan may be best for you.
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi delivers remarks at the Covered California Forum at UCSF Mission Bay.
Eat Fresh, Boost the Local Economy
San Franciscans understand the importance of supporting local markets and purchasing fresh produce. Now, with new tools from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), eating healthy just got easier!
In an effort to expand opportunities for our local farmers markets and small businesses, the USDA recently launched the National Farmers Market Directory, which helps consumers locate farmers markets nearby. You may also be interested in the USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food to see how the USDA is working to strengthen local and regional food systems. With USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), farmers markets now have the ability to accept CalFresh, commonly referred to as food stamps. The USDA is also offering $4 million dollars in available funding to help more markets purchase and operate wireless point-of-sale equipment.
At the same time, House Republicans reportedly want to slash $40 billion of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from the Farm Bill. With millions of low-income Californians currently receiving CalFresh and using them at our farmers markets, these cuts threaten both the livelihood of families and our local economy. House Democrats will continue our work in Congress to enact a Farm Bill that restores essential nutrition initiatives for nearly 50 million Americans and continues our efforts to support local farmers and encourage healthier eating habits.
Please feel free to forward this information to your family and friends. To learn more about these efforts, to express your views, or to sign up for email updates, please visit my website. I am also on Twitter at http://twitter.com/NancyPelosi.
best regards,
August 16th, 2013 at 5:30 pm
Wow, now that’s the way to same a few dollars.
August 16th, 2013 at 11:46 pm
Hafa Adai, Howie. I live on Guam. Yesterday I saw this creature appear in the Agana Shopping Center, it looked like a lizard man. Then it morphed into a full man and he walked away.
When I approached him he gave off an awful oder. It was so strong I fell to the ground and couldn’t move. People all around began to leave the Mall.
I was frozen until emergency came to pick me up. I didn’t say anything for fear they would lock me up in a loony ben.
So what’s up? Are lizard aliens invading Guam?
August 17th, 2013 at 12:50 am
How to Choose the Best Garden Hose
One garden hose might look as good as the next on the store shelf, but unseen differences can have a substantial impact on how long the hose lasts and how frustrating it is to use. To buy the right hose…
Measure the maximum hose length you’ll need. Hoses are sold in 25-, 50-, 75- and 100-foot lengths. Don’t buy a longer one than necessary. Not only will it cost more, it will be heavier to haul around and more difficult to drain before storing, and it will provide lower water pressure.
Helpful:
A hose width of five-eighths inch (based on the inside diameter) usually is best. A half-inch hose is acceptable only when the hose is no longer than 50 feet and the rate of water flow is not a major concern, such as when you water delicate plants at close range.
Rely on rubber.
A hose made of either rubber or a combination of rubber and vinyl generally will be more durable and less prone to kinks and splits than a vinyl-only hose.
Although additional layers (or “plies”) tend to suggest a stronger hose, don’t put too much stock in this figure—the number of layers doesn’t matter as much as what those layers are made from. A strengthening “mesh” layer is a good sign, other things being equal.
If you will be using a nozzle or a pulsating sprinkler, consider a hose that lists a “burst pressure” above 350 psi to keep it from rupturing.
Bend the hose into a U. If it kinks, pick another. Kinking can lead to splitting.
Warning:
Avoid expandable hoses—the scrunchielike hoses that expand when filled with water. They soon stop contracting properly after use and usually have crack-prone plastic couplings.
Check for cast-brass couplings. Hose couplings are the end pieces that attach to spigots, sprinklers and nozzles. Those made from cast brass are the most durable and leak-resistant.
You can identify cast brass because it’s thicker than sheet metal and usually has an octagonal shape so that the coupling can be turned with a wrench. Thin stamped-metal couplings and plastic couplings are more prone to leaks and breaks.
Look for a collar.
Quality hoses often have a plastic or rubber “collar” extending perhaps four to six inches up the hose from one coupling. This reduces the odds of a kink or split near the spigot, where they are particularly common.
Consider the following high-quality hoses, available online and in stores…
Craftsman Premium Rubber Garden Hose from Sears. Prices range from $22 for the 25-footer to $60 for the 100-footer.
Dramm ColorStorm Premium Rubber Garden Hose. Available in 50-foot length, typically for $50 to $60. ColorStorm hoses come in bright colors, reducing the odds of tripping over—or mowing—the hose.
Gilmour 6-Ply Commercial Rubber/Vinyl 29-Series Hose. Prices range from $16 to $25 for the 25-footer to $50 to $60 for the 100-footer.
Teknor Apex 8650 Industrial Duty All-Rubber Hose. Available in 50-foot length for $30 to $40.
Source: Monica Hemingway, PhD, owner of Hemingway Horticulture, a garden design service in Stamford, Connecticut.
She is a Licensed Arborist, Accredited Organic Land Care Professional and graduate of the School of Professional Horticulture at the New York Botanical Garden. She edits the Web site GardeningProductsReview.com.
August 17th, 2013 at 7:34 am
I miss you also. I did not think about how long I was going to be gone. I just wanted to make you happy.
August 17th, 2013 at 7:38 am
I was stationed on Guam for a year. I couldn’t wait to get home. I hardly saw any white people once I left the base. I hear there are a lot of Russians visiting the island now.
Good you people need a lot more white faces.
August 17th, 2013 at 7:49 am
Chris:
Too bad more of you didn’t think that way before you brought snakes to Guam and destroyed all our bird population. It could be causing warmer forests on the Island.
http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=36905:video-does-loss-of-guams-native-birds-mean-warmer-forests&catid=45:guam-news&Itemid=156
Hafa Adai
August 17th, 2013 at 10:21 am
Ym,
I understand that you did not think about it. Nor did I realize my request would turn out this way. I should’ve known. However, “making me happy” in the manner that you were thinking was not the impetus for the requested connection. Yes, it is nice but my reason was far more important for my state of mind. And I am now somewhat at ease for the learning. I am very grateful. So I thank you.
And, I am not complaining over the situation. I just miss you and the uneasy feelings are because I don’t like it when you are away from me. However, I intend to make the best of it for all concerned. I am hoping that you are enjoying yourself and learning too.
Be safe my love and know that I am always going to be here with my arms open, ready to embrace you, and love you when you come home. I understand the time could be a few weeks so I will accept what I do not have control over. And as I said, I intend to make the best of it and enjoy myself. I love you.