AirScape hits the road with the CCSE

AirScape is proud to be a sponsor of the California Center for Sustainable Energy’s Residential Energy Roadshow. An AirScape 1.7 Whole House Fan has hitched a ride on the trailer and is on display, along with several other sustainable technologies to help homeowners save on utility bills and reduce energy consumption. Among them is a heat-recovery ventilation system, available through our sister-company HVACQuick.com (…which if you haven’t checked out, you probably should).

As they put it on their website: “The mobile program is designed to educate and inspire Southern Californians to learn about and implement energy-saving practices in home efficiency, solar technologies and alternative-fuel transportation… CCSE will take the exhibit to community events throughout San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.” (link)

We at AirScape love saving energy, and we are thrilled to see this type of education effort taking place. Even if the show won’t be in your area, be sure to do your part to learn and help spread the word about how new green technologies can help save money, relieve the power grid, and help the environment.

 

A DIY Experience

CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE

This is some candid feedback we recently received from a scrupulous customer who purchased and installed a 4.4e in his own home. He did all the necessary research, asked all the good questions, and was very careful with his purchase. That said, in the end he is quite happy with his fan. While other companies might cringe at the thought of inviting feedback from very particular customers, we encouraged it and we are happy he gave us permission to make it public here in our blog. This is just an example of one customer’s experience with us – from specification to follow-up – and stands as a reflection of the quality advice, support, and products that AirScape provides. When you call us you won’t speak to someone on commission, because our first priority is to recommend the best, most effective solution for your needs. We look forward to speaking with you!

And by the way, he called us after he had slept with it running, and his wife (the deciding factor) could not hear the fan at all. Another AirScape Win!

 

Hi guys, everything is installed and I attached some pictures. I used some 2×10’s to raise the box so I can eventually insulate more. Everything worked as discussed and the unit is very quiet compared to my old one. Haven’t tried to sleep with it though. You can’t tell it’s even running while watching tv and fan on low. HUGE, HUGE improvement. My wife kept asking me if it was running……success!

I felt everything was well built and nicely thought out. The parts fit together flawlessly and I’m impressed with the quality. Good job! As requested, here is some comments and constructive criticism…

1. Since I had a drill in the attic anyway, I drilled the rivet heads off the D rings not used and removed them…no noise possible and takes seconds per D ring (less time than taping)

2. I would throw in some extra screws and hardware. If you drop anything in blown in insulation it goes into never never land. It only cost 25 cents to add a few extra.

3. Don’t crimp the S rings on the eye bolts. Depending on the location, it was easier to shorten or lengthen the chain there and easier to unhook it off the eye bolt than the fan. Working by yourself, it’s easier to hook the eyebolt than hook the chain.

4. Drill a small hole in the electrical box of the damper box and install a grommet or bushing for the control wire. I did so and simply pushed the wire inside and tied a loose knot so it couldn’t come out. The knockout is simply too big for this.

5. I’m sure many people like me want a timer but your cover plate is for a single gang box. Perhaps just make some labels for the cover instead of printing? Your plate is really nice but useless for my installation.

6. I used the extra chain to support the duct. I used a 1/16 x 4″ x 24″ piece of ABS plastic between the chain and duct to spread the load and used the extra duct tape to keep the plastic bonded to the chain.

7. I found figure 7 a little confusing when I looked at the 45″ height since I could’t tell if you meant the top or bottom of the joist. A little math figured it out but I was hot and sweaty by then and normal patience was low. Perhaps a full side view and another looking straight at the fan?

8. I found it easier to first mount the box, then the fan per the drawing specs and then attach the ducting. Very easy that way and no risk of damaging the duct.

QUESTION…..I was thinking that removing the fan screen might cut noise and it’s there ONLY for safety but hey who’s in the attic? Is it needed for fan structural support? I would think not….

Anyway, thanks again for your great customer service. Andy was convincing and accurate on all details… Thanks!

Paul

cheapest way to reduce co2

We have (at least) two huge problems facing us.

  • Climate Change (too much CO2 is being emitted)

  • No Money (we’re all in debt)

Logically, we should spend our limited resources to the best effect. So, what is the best bang for our buck ? The parameter to measure is Tons of Carbon Dioxide (avoided) per Dollar…. the lower the better. So, here are a few of the common things we can do to reduce energy usage.  The spreadsheet shows most of the calculations (contact me if you want to know more details), but what is missing is the usual energy savings return on investment. This figure is all about environmental good. It just so happens that environmental good is good for your pocketbook.

So, please let’s spend our money wisely. Hint: Electric cars are cool (not as cool as pluggable hybrids), but they are not the best way to spend our money if we want to reduce carbon dioxide.

* There are many other energy and carbon dioxide reducing strategies not mentioned here.

Aloha… Whole House Fan & Solar Attic Fan Rebates from Hawaii Energy!

We at AirScape are happy to learn of the first whole house fan rebate available in Hawaii! (link) Offered to Hawaii Energy customers, the rebate offers customers $75 back on a whole house fan purchase and $25 back on a solar attic fan purchase. It’s great timing for this type of incentive, because summer is approaching and these efficient natural cooling solutions can help reduce your need for A/C – thus saving you money and sparing the environment.

Get them while they last, though, as the application states it is effective for purchases made from April 1st to June 1st, 2011. We hope for more rebates to roll out soon in Hawaii for all sorts of energy-saving and energy-producing technologies with the recent progress of SB 1520, which would have been left to die if it weren’t for a great showing of public support. Thanks to Hawaii Energy and the Blue Planet Foundation for their efforts to help secure a clean-energy future!

walking uphill

As I was walking up a very steep hill this morning, I devoted my remaining oxygen to calculating my energy output. Once fully oxygenated, I rechecked the numbers and came out with a work output of 168 watts.  This figure is just the energy to lift me up the 170 foot rise over 2 city blocks (10 % average slope as it turns out).

Me walking uphill

So how does this relate to energy, and its inherent value ?  If I worked at that energy output rate for 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, for 5 years, I would have produced 1,747 kWh.  As it turns out, a barrel of oil contains about 1,700 kWh of energy (if transformed at 100% efficiency).

Reference: Barrel of oil equivalent

new model

We’re testing and finalizing details on the new AirScape roof mounted whole house fan. This model will mount directly on the roof. It’s intended for houses without attics. Here are some of the features:

  • Electrically actuated, insulated, sealed door
  • Ultra efficient ECM motor
  • Sound levels at or below other AirScape models

More information to follow…