ToolBase E-News volume 137
In This Issue:
COMPLETE SURVEY ON TOOLBASE.ORG - GET A FREE SQUARE FOOTAGE STANDARD DOWNLOAD:
If you are a builder, remodeler, or trade contractor, the NAHB Research Center is seeking your opinion for a brief user survey that will help "redesign and define" the ToolBase.org website. The valuable input of building professionals will serve to keep ToolBase Services as the home building industry's leading resource for practical, technical information on innovative products and practices.
Through ToolBase Services, the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) strives to provide resources and technical information on current and cutting-edge home building processes. To take the survey, click on the "Help Improve ToolBase.org" banner at the top of the homepage. When done, you will receive a free download of the publication, "Square Footage - Method for Calculating: ANSI Z765-2003," the voluntary guide to measurement and calculation in detached and attached single-family houses, a $20 value.
CALIFORNIA SETS NEW ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS:
As of October 1, 2005, both residential and non-residential buildings in California have new efficiency standards with which to comply. For residential buildings, the new standards require homeowners who install or replace a central furnace or air conditioner to have their ductwork and its connecting tubes checked for leaks. If any duct system leaks 15 percent or more, it must be sealed. The new standards also prescribe a number of energy-efficient tools including high efficacy daylighting and fluorescent lighting, and more proficient heating and cooling systems.
The California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC) at the University of California at Davis has published a "Residential Design Lighting Guide" to help builders and homeowners with the transition. For more information, read DOE's EERE Network News (October 12, 2005).
VELUX HELPS BUILDERS SEE THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL:
A new line of sun tunnel skylights from Velux America are reportedly quick and easy to install, and because they are flexible, can reflect light from all angles. The new product line features a flexible pitch adapter, which makes it possible for the tube to be installed straight or curved to accommodate the homeowner's desires. Unlike traditional tubular skylights, Velux says its product can be installed quickly around attic obstructions in just two hours with only basic carpentry skills required, reducing the overall time needed in the attic. The company says an integrated flashing system helps to keep the skylight weathertight, and impact models are available for hurricane-prone areas. For more information, visit Veluxusa.com.
OUTDOOR FURNACE BURNS ALTERNATIVE FUELS:
With the prospect of a cold winter and higher heating bills in the forecast for most parts of the country, builders may be interested in offering alternative heating options for their clients. According an eUpdate on Building Online (Steve Joyce, October 20, 2005), the WoodMaster PLUS can efficiently burn corn, dried cherry pits, soy beans, wood and paper pellets, and other alternative fuels. The product's manufacturer says a homeowner will be able to heat a 2,000-square-foot-home with corn for $595 per year as opposed to $1,522 annually using natural gas, and $2,344 annually using electricity. The model, by Northwest Manufacturing, can heat up to 8,000 square feet and the unit can payback in additional energy savings within five years. For more information, read the update.
MEMBRANE-COATED CABLE CAN SAVE TIME, HASSLE FOR CONTRACTORS:
According to a product review in Professional Remodeler (September 1, 2005), a non-metallic cable, called the Romex SIMpull, is available that can make it easier for builders to pull cable through walls and around floor joists and corners. Southwire, the product manufacturer, says the Type NM-B cable has a jacket membrane that reduces friction, eliminates greasy residue, and cuts the amount of force required to pull the cable through wooden joists and rafters and around the corners. The wire is also said to be more durable because its membrane and can prevent tears when being pulled across rough-edged studs or rafters. Earlier this year, Romex SIMpull won Product of the Year recognition from Electrical Construction and Maintenance magazine. For more information, visit Southwire's website.
TOOLBASE SERVICES CALLS ON HOUSING INDUSTRY:
The changing needs of home building professionals recently sparked a revamp of the PATH Technology Inventory. The online resource, which provides practical information about innovative construction products and practices, now includes more detail and a wider range of information. New features also include improved search function, user testimonials, and video demonstrations. Since other builders, remodelers, and contractors are often the best source of information on how a product really works, the new "Testimonials" section offers first-hand experiences and information on specific products. The Technology Inventory is aimed at accelerating the acceptance of new technologies and keeping the home building industry on the leading edge of innovation. To learn more about the innovative products listed or to submit a testimonial, visit the Technology Inventory.
