Read my lips: energy efficiency here to stay Editor’s Letter


John Mesenbrink, editorial director editor@plumbingengineer.com


L


iving vicariously through my own memories as college student at the University of Wisconsin — Madison, I remember the late-80s, walking to my Geography class, blasting “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by GNR through my new Sony Discman. I was


young, eager to learn, and had just been assigned a 25-page term paper due before the win- ter holiday break. I had chosen acid rain because, well, it was topical. I was on a mission to rid the world, or reduce at least, these giant sulfur dioxide emitting, coal-burning power plants, which were allegedly killing the forests in the Northeast. It was the late-80s and the army of young minds was positioning the world to become environmentally friendly: Solar energy was still in the social consciousness, the push to reduce fossil fuel burning buildings and cars was gaining momentum, and a general feel- ing of environmentalism was pervasive. Fast-forward 20 years and you have that same efficient systems groundswell of sup-


port rejuvenated. Terms like “green” and “carbon footprint” have littered this industry’s landscape — in a good way. Commercial building has USGBC’s LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental


Design) program to guide specifiers, builders, designers and contractors in the environ- mentally friendly direction. The EPA’s ENERGY STAR and WaterSense programs are great reference points for efficient and water saving products for the home. It’s not too uncommon to read about commercial LEED projects or large, 4000-sq.-ft.+


residences whose owners are investing in energy efficient systems. But do these systems relate to us and transcend average consumers? Perhaps not. But let’s take Walmart, for example. They are changing the culture of how department stores think about energy use. In 2005, Walmart announced three broad sustainability goals: to be supplied 100 percent by renewable energy; to create zero waste; and to sell products that sustain people and the environment. Earlier this year, the company announced another major step toward its sus- tainability mission. Walmart CEO Mike Duke announced the company’s goal to eliminate 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from the life cycle of products Walmart sells around the world by 2015. This represents one and a half times the carbon growth over the next five years. To understand the scale, 20 million tons is equal to what 3.4 million cars emit in greenhouse gases over one year. Each store includes innovations such as light-activated lavatory systems, solar and wind applications, a fabric duct system and energy efficient HVAC systems, which assist in the reduction of its individual carbon footprint. If Walmart continues to show it is a steward of the environment, then perhaps its customers will follow suit. On a much smaller scale, of course. My career, and my job in particular, has taken me smack dab in the middle of the ener-


gy efficiency push, focusing heavily on mechanical room upgrades and retrofits. It has been estimated that one quarter of all U.S. carbon emissions are related to the residential sector. Relying on a coal-fired power plant to generate electricity is a big chunk of that equation. Do me a favor, go to any mechanical room and take a peek. You might be amazed that what lies behind those doors could be stunting green growth, and energy sav- ings. However, the perceived downside to green and energy efficient systems is the price tag and the thought of sacrificing comfort. Many consumers need to be reassured that their initial investment will be substantiated relatively quickly with the ROI. n Note: This Editor’s Letter was featured as a guest blog for ITT’s itth2opros.com. There


you will find topics that include energy efficiency, water conservation, and even a guest blog on steam heat from Dan Holohan. Check it out!


PLUMBING ENGINEER (USPS 567-950) ISSN 0192-1711


PLUMBING ENGINEER (USPS 567-950) ISSN 0192-1711 is published monthly by TMB Publishing Inc., 2165 Shermer Rd., Suite A, Northbrook, IL 60062. Phone (847) 564-1127, Fax (847) 564-1264. Magazine is free to those who design and specify plumbing/piping systems in commercial, industrial, institutional and governmental buildings; as well as government officials and plumbing inspectors. Subscription rates for U.S. and Canada: $50 for one year, $90 for two years. Other coun- tries: $300 per year. Periodical postage paid at Northbrook, IL, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Change of address should be sent to Plumbing Engineer, 440 Quadrangle Dr., Suite E., Bolingbrook, IL 60440. Material and opin- ions contained in contributed articles are the responsibility of the authors, not of TMB Publishing Inc., Plumbing Engineer magazine or its Editorial Advisory Board. The publisher cannot assume responsibility for any claims made by advertisers. Copyright © 2010 TMB Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Volume 38, Number 12. Plumbing Engineer is microfilmed by University Microfilms, Ann Arbor, MI, and indexed by Engineering Index Inc. Publications Mail Agreement No. 41499518. Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to PO Box 503, RPO West Beaver Creek, Richmond Hill ON L4B 4R6


Plumbing Engineer


Editorial, Advertising,


Production, Accounting and Administrative Offices


1838 Techny Ct. Northbrook, IL 60062


(847) 564-1127 • Fax: (847) 564-1264 E-mail: info@tmbpublishing.com


Owner Tom M. Brown


Editorial & Production Staff John Mesenbrink, Editorial Director


Marilyn Cunningham, Associate Editor Cate C. Brown, Production Manager Mark Bruno, Art Director/Prepress


Contributors


Timothy Allinson, P.E., Designer’s Guide Sam Dannaway, Fire Protection Ron George, CPD, Code Update Dan Holohan, Heating Help


Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr, Green Systems Bristol Stickney, Solar Solutions


Sales Staff


Brad Burnside, Publisher East 1838 Techny Court, Northbrook, IL 60062 Phone: 847/564-1127 Cell: 224/659-3984 Fax: 847/564-1264 E-mail: brad@tmbpublishing.com


David Schulte Midwest, South and E. Canada 1838 Techny Court, Northbrook, IL 60062 Phone: 847/564-1127 Cell: 847/420-4686 Fax: 847/564-1264 E-mail: dave@tmbpublishing.com


Diane Spangler West, Texas and W. Canada PO Box 9802, Fountain Valley, CA 92728 Phone: 714/839-6700 Fax: 714/839-6777 E-mail: diane@tmbpublishing.com


January 2011/Page 11


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88