A Blog by WARM Training Center
energy efficiency
Internships Available at WARM Training Center
Sep 20th
WARM Training Center has three unpaid internship positions available (click on for descriptions):
Besides working in an awesome work environment and getting great experience, these internships will be no fun at all. But seriously, if you are authentically interested in advancing sustainability, climate protection, equitably distributed water resources, and energy efficiency in Detroit and the region…these internships are for you. Apply today… the application period closes on September 30th! Thanks.
D-YES at Power Shift
Apr 25th
On April 15th, students in WARM’s Detroit Youth Energy Squad (D-YES) stood alongside 10,000 youth gathered from around the country to voice their support for clean energy initiatives at the 2011 Power Shift conference in Washington, D.C. During the conference, D-YES crew member Miah Ward attended a meeting with President Obama to discuss current energy policies with the President. Students also led a workshop titled “The First Green Steps: Engaging People in Disadvantaged Communities.” All 19 D-YES crew members played a direct role in teaching over 100 attendees about low-cost and no-cost ways to save energy.
Miah Ward (bottom left corner) at meeting with President Obama
D-YES is an innovative program that trains high school students and AmeriCorps members between the ages of 16 and 24 to help low-income households reduce their energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. D-Yes is supported by funding from the Erb Family Foundation, the Michigan Public Service Commission, the National Audubon Society, and AmeriCorps.
Getting Around in the D (and beyond)
Mar 25th
We here at WARM are largely focused on making buildings more efficient. However, a recent EPA study highlighted that WHERE you live has as much (or more) to do with your energy use and emissions as WHAT kind of dwelling you live in. Being an urban planner, I long ago got religion on this topic. Besides, it makes me feel better about buying a big drafty house since I can bike to work!
Here in the motor city, addressing the challenges of mobility is especially important. Numerous studies have highlighted the fact that people who can use alternative modes of transport (walking, biking, mule) are healthier and less prone to disease.
Lucky for us, there are two related movements going on that seek to address how to enable people to live in places where they can use different modes of travel and to make streets more hospitable to biking and walking.
Complete Streets are roadways planned, designed and constructed to accommodate safe access for all users. On these streets, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and public transit riders of all ages and abilities are able to safely move along and across streets which may include sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes. For Detroiters, the Departments of Health and Wellness Promotion will be holding a forum in Corktown on March 31st. More info here.
LEED for Neighborhood Development is a progressive approach to neighborhood design that takes into account the spatial relationships between homes and businesses, access to greenspaces, and access to alternate modes of transportation. USGBC Detroit Regional Chapter and WARM Training Center are cosponsoring a full day workshop on LEED ND, featuring such heavy hitters as Doug Farr. For more information, go to the USGBC DRC Website.
I hope to see you at one or both of these events!
Joel
EECBG Case Studies
Dec 17th
Looking for some case studies about local government implementing energy efficiency projects? Look no further:
The Southeast Michigan Regional Energy Office, WARM Training Center, and State of Michigan Energy Office have collaborated on case studies that highlight the challenges for local governments in implementing energy efficiency projects:
Check them out here:
EECBG Case Study 1: Small Governments tells the story of little Yale, MI and its quest to reduce the amount of energy used in the city hall, as well as to be able to see out the windows. Luckily, their city manager sought help from many different organizations around the state for help in making this quest a reality. Due to his persistence, the retrofits are underway!
EECBG Case Study 2: Single Stream Recycling is an account of the challenges and victories of Huntington Woods, MI and SOCRRA as they fought to implement a pilot single stream recycling program in the community.
EECBG Case Study 3: Workforce Development regales us with the tale of how the City of Warren facilitated partnerships between many organizations to integrate workforce development into its green roof projects.
EECBG Case Study 4: Lighting Retrofit tells about what was saved (energy) and what was gained (better lighting) as Lathrup Village implemented a lighting retrofit project in their city hall.
EEECBG Case Study 5: Joint Purchasing is the story of six communities who banded together with the help of the Southeast Michigan Regional Energy Office and saved over $40,000 in lighting supplies through joint purchasing for their lighting retrofits, equivalent to $0.68 cents/capita for residents in those communities.
EECBG Case Study 6: Historic Buildings recounts the story of the preservation and restoration of both historic character and energy in the 130 year old one room school house turned library in tiny Ray Township, MI.
Insulating Crawlspaces
Jun 3rd
We’re looking for information on best practices for insulating a crawlspace on a 100 year old home in Northern Michigan.
- Jane, Boyne City
Many Michigan homes have crawlspaces. These offer some great opportunities for energy savings, but also real challenges for proper insulation installation and moisture management. In general, we have to make sure to create a continuous thermal barrier for the whole house, prevent moisture flow up from the ground and close off the venting. Despite the fact that many codes require vented crawlspaces, we now know that the venting leads to additional moisture and energy problems.
For best practices, I don’t think there’s a better guide than this one from the Building America program. For some additional research, I would also look at this article from Home Energy magazine – just keep in mind that this test was done in North Carolina, which has different climate concerns than Michigan. Also for additional research and information on how it intersects with codes, I’d recommend this article.
http://www.bestofbuildingscience.com/pdf/Closed%20crawlspaces%20do%20double%20duty%20HEM_SP05_p32-36.pdf