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Blogging Along
Subscribe to our RSS feed!Progressive Insulation & Windows Relocates Progressive Learning Center
Progressive, seeing the value of education in the construction/retrofit industry, invests in a new learning center for the training of employees, partners and customers. The inaugural event featured Energy Upgrade CA training for contractors. The ongoing need for training is being driven by energy conservation changes in the California Energy Commission, the Public Utility Commission and the California state building code.
Chatsworth, CA (PRWEB) February 29, 2012
Progressive Insulation & Windows (Progressive) recently relocated the Progressive Learning Center to 9740 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Chatsworth. The newly refurbished location for the learning center provides greater accessibility to guests and a more effective learning environment for instructors.
Knauf Insulation's Response to National Toxicology Program's Rulings on Cancer from Glass Fibers
You may have heard about the National Toxicology Program's (NTP's) rulings that were published this week. This letter is to enhance your understanding of those rulings.
The NTP's June 10, 2011 press release states that "not all glass wool fibers cause cancer." The report exonerates glass fibers that are not bio-persistent.
US Dept Health & Human Services puts Fiberglass back on list of carcinogens along with formaldehyde
The US federal government released the 11th edition of the Report on Carcinogens (December, 2004). This Report, published every two years by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, identifies substances and circumstances that are "known" or are "reasonably anticipated" to cause cancer .
Seventeen substances have been added to the growing list of cancer-causing agents, bringing the total to 246. For the first time ever, viruses are listed in the report: hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and some human papillomaviruses that cause common sexually transmitted diseases.
Other new listings include lead and lead compounds, X-rays, compounds found in grilled meats, and a host of substances used in textile dyes, paints and inks.
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Informative Bulletin on 25c Tax Credit
As a result of the passing of the federal bill to extend tax cuts, there are new 2011 tax incentives to encourage homeowners to make energy efficient improvements to their homes.
Replacing windows and doors with energy efficient Infinity products qualifies for this tax credit!
Eligible windows and exterior doors need to be Energy Star qualified products as per the attached 2010 program as shown in the Infinity Bulletin.
Infinity from Marvin products with either high performance LoĒ2‐272® or LoĒ3‐366® glass qualify; in the Southern zone LoĒ3‐366® glass must be used.
How have the incentives changed?
Upgrade Your Refrigerator, Save Money Twice.
One of the biggest energy guzzlers in your home (besides, most likely, your thermal envelope, which lets expensive conditioned air escape through air leaks and poorly insulated walls) is the refrigerator. Upgrading it, believe it or not, can save you a bundle of money in the long run, as long as you don't simply put your old fridge down in the basement and plug it back in. Now, before you balk at the high upfront cost of replacing your fridge, let us explain why we (admittedly, energy-efficiency/penny-pinching geeks) think it's a good idea:
Energy Efficient Landscaping for Cooling Down.
On cold winter days, a ray of sun streaming into your house can be most welcome - a free source of heat. But what about in the summer, when those rays of sun and other, less-evident solar heat, seep into our already too-hot houses and become a costly nuisance? Well, what happens is that you lose money. But using landscaping (namely by planting trees) to shade your home can be a great way to lower energy costs.
Everything You Need to Know About the Home Star Retrofit Act of 2010.
Pending in the Senate is a bill called the Home Star Retrofit Act of 2010, or simply Home Star for short. Sometimes referred to as Cash for Caulkers in street slang, the bill would provide a series of financial incentives for homeowners to increase the energy efficiency of their homes through substantive, effective improvements to their homes that save homeowners money, reduce our country’s carbon emissions, help to mitigate climate change, and put tens of thousands of Americans back to work.
Is Your Insulation Working? Find Out with an Energy Audit.
Winter's coming. It's already heating season. So how do you save money on heating costs? You've got to own your heat. Simple as that. You've paid for all that warm air already, so it doesn't make much sense to waste it now.
A simple enough premise - it's the application that gets complicated. We (and most building science experts) strongly recommend air sealing and insulation as high priority measures to make your home use less energy, make you more comfortable, and make the planet happy.
