NZEC case study Dan Chiles has been on the forefront of the radiant


pumps at lower ambient temperatures. According to the California Energy Commission (CEC), about 50% of a household’s energy use goes to space conditioning and domestic hot water. The higher the COP, the smaller and less expensive the solar electric system will have to be. Another big trend is the connection between home and transportation, as more homeowners are installing enough solar electric to provide sufficient electricity for at least one electric car. Finally, real time monitoring for both energy consump-


tion and solar production will allow homeowners to com- pare not only how much energy they are using but also how much they are producing. This is just now available and NZEC is slated to install our first system at the end of this year. All of these factors make building net zero energy


homes even more feasible, practical and affordable. n Beth Shady is the president and director of marketing


for Sustainable Design and Product Management. Beth is a LEED Green Associate and holds an MS in Internet marketing. She is a freelance writer and Internet market- ing consultant to the renewable energy construction industry.


heating business since 1975 and is a board member of The Radiant Panel Association. Dan is the mayor pro- tem of Springfield, Missouri. He is currently in the planning stages of building his net zero energy home.


BS: What were your reasons for deciding to


build a net zero energy home? DC: I liked the idea of being energy independent.


Here in Missouri, which is coal country, electric rates may be low now, but they are only going up. As a council member, I just voted on a 16% rate hike for residential homeowners and another 7% for commer- cial dwellings. I like having the assurance that NZEC locks in your rate and that you essentially become your own utility. My home will also be a working farm, and I plan to


put a solar electric array on the barn and reserve space on the roof to produce enough electricity to power an electric car. As an environmentalist, I want to reduce my car-


bon footprint. The Supreme Court just ruled that coal is a pollutant, and 85% or our energy in Missouri comes from coal. We are part of the problem. The rest of the country is in the middle of the PV revolution and the Midwest is in the dark ages. I want to change the mindset that solar electric is some kind of exotic California technology that isn’t practical anywhere else.


Precision Plumbing Products “Specify with Confi dence - Install with Pride”®


THE “FIRST FAMILY” OF HAMMER ARRESTORS... ...for fast, easy installation (1/2” through 8” sizes)


THE “FIRST F


Precision Plumbing Products is the only manufacturer offering a piston type arrestor with 40 years of in-service performance history on all types of applications.


P.P.P. offers a size range from ½” to 8” actual size connection. The fluid hammer


designed and engineered to give you the maximum number of fixture units on a given pipe system you tackle. All sizes ½” through 2” have been tested for compliance with A.S.S.E. Standard #1010 and each have the A.S.S.E. and SBCCI seal.


arrestors are


Our arrestors meet or exceed performance requirements as set forth by ASSE/ANSI.


Custom designed for special fluids! If you can’t find a member of our “First Family” of arrestors to meet your needs - we’ll create a new member just for you.


BEWARE OF THE COPYCAT! Cheap imitations can’t compare. Ask for the original! Precision Plumbing Products. . . Guaranteed for the life of your plumbing system.


Precision Plumbing Products Division of JL Industries, Inc.


6807 NE 79th Court, Suite E Portland, Oregon 97218 T(503) 256-4010 - F(503) 253-8165 - www.pppinc.net


Plumbing Engineer 1010


Made in the U.S.A We do not export jobs.


Circle 33 on Reader Reply Form on page 85 January 2011/Page 73


Complies with Low Lead Law


Rev 12/10 LOW LEAD


LOW LEAD


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