SEE (SUPER ENERGY EFFICIENT) HOUSING for Existing & New Homes

Information

Learn and share what SEE housing is all about, and how it goes far beyond most “energy efficient housing” being built in the U.S. today. Importantly, the concepts behind SEE housing can be easily applied to existing/older as well as new homes.

Location: Windham, Maine
Members: 83
Latest Activity: Dec 17

SEE (SUPER ENERGY EFFICIENT) HOUSING

The purpose of this group is to introduce and explain the concept of SEE (Super Energy Efficient) housing. Such homes go way beyond the National Building Code recommended insulation standards (that vary for different zones in the U.S.) They are also at the extreme end of energy efficiency, as supported by the Energy Star Housing Program. SEE standards can easily be adapted for new construction as well as for renovating older existing homes. Virtually every home in the U.S. can become an SEE home. Just imagine, that if a new SEE home uses 75+% less energy for space heating than a new commonly built energy efficient home today, how much improvement can be achieved for an older less energy efficient home. Our homes and offices use 40% of the total energy consumed in the U.S. Adopting this single concept alone, can conservatively cut total U.S. energy use by more than 20% - - TWENTY PERCENT. This is ten times more than the limited potential of any new Alaskan oil fields and can begin producing energy savings within a matter of months - - energy savings that will never run out over time.

SEE housing has many compelling reasons why it will not be a choice, but a requirement for all housing - - both new & existing. They are also a good investment for one’s personal economic future. Find out about SEE housing and you will be sold on its concept & value. Then, find ways to help us promote the idea to friends and beyond!

The advantages of SEE housing are broad and will benefit everyone in some fashion. Individual buyers/owners of SEE homes & buildings will find they have a lower cost of ownership (principal/interest/taxes - - plus energy costs) than if they had the same home as a non-SEE structure - - ever more so as energy prices rise. Also, the value of their housing will surely rise faster than non-SEE housing.

The rest of us will all benefit from 1) less pollution, 2) lower energy costs, as less energy use will mean lower prices, and 3) a much sounder U.S. economy - - in the short-term as well as long-term. In fact, converting older housing to SEE standards will begin a whole new industry in the U.S. - - SEE remodeling. As such, it will get our housing industry back on line and build up our manufacturing base - - an area of the U.S. economy that has constantly been exported. Converting to SEE housing will add well-paying “non-exportable“ jobs to the construction, distribution, and manufacturing sectors. These jobs will be spread evenly throughout the U.S., wherever there are homes and businesses. This will bolster the U.S. economy, as the effect of every dollar added to the U.S. economy is multiplied by a factor of 10. Also, people not spending money on energy will mean they can buy in other areas of our economy - - saving/adding jobs. The result of all this will add to Federal Income Tax revenues - - again benefiting us all.

The next question of any doubters is who will pay for the conversion to SEE housing? Well, the “smart” home or building owner of course! They will initially pay a higher mortgage payment on their SEE home, but they will be more than reimbursed for those costs by their energy savings plus mortgage tax advantages. Bottom line, money not spent on energy will pay for SEE housing, while also improving our environment andkeeping energy costs down, and have a dramatic effect on improving our short-term & long-term economic outlook.

I am proposing SEE as a MAJOR, YET SIMPLE SOLUTION to many of the problems now facing our country. What now needs to happen is to get this information out to those within our society that can really help to get this concept going. We need to get politicians on board (from the Federal to the State level), add the concept of SEE to organizational efforts like the Picken’s Plan, and get each and everyone of us to understand and convince others of the value of SEE housing. All I ask of each and every one of you, that understand what I have proposed, is please help in any way that you can to promote SEE for all of our sakes?

I will periodically add to this site much more detailed support for all that I have briefly touched upon here. WELCOME ABOARD THIS INFORMATION TRAIN !

Discussion Forum

WHOLE-HOUSE ENERGY CHECKLIST - 50 Steps to Energy Efficiency in the Home 3 Replies

Started by Mark J Warren. Last reply by Anachronism Dec 1.

SEE (SUPER ENERGY EFFICIENT) HOUSING - Chapter One 9 Replies

Started by Thomas Peterson. Last reply by Anachronism Dec 1.

TOOLS, MATERIALS, RESOURCES, LINKS, DEFINITIONS, ETC. 19 Replies

Started by Monte Smith. Last reply by Anachronism Sep 12.

Mocking Up the ideal home 27 Replies

Started by Monte Smith. Last reply by Anachronism Sep 12.

Proven Passive Solar Heating And Cooling--25 years of use in Washington, Heat your home free! 1 Reply

Started by Anachronism. Last reply by Anachronism Sep 4.

National Clean Energy Project: Building the New Economy 3 Replies

Started by James Everitt. Last reply by James Everitt Feb 28.

How would you handle this? 1 Reply

Started by Thomas Peterson. Last reply by Allen R. Gale Feb 24.

A catalog of alternatives 5 Replies

Started by Jerome S. Dodge. Last reply by Jerome S. Dodge Feb 21.

SEE (SUPER ENERGY EFFICIENT) HOUSING - Author Biography 1 Reply

Started by Thomas Peterson. Last reply by Chris Lewis Feb 13.

Mandating SEE Building Standards For All New Construction 12 Replies

Started by Fred Mars. Last reply by Earl the Energy Explorer Feb 7.

Comment Wall

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Comment by James Everitt on March 20, 2009 at 10:33am: In God We Trust - More Than A Motto?

In God We Trust: The Motto
One of the first found references of the motto “In God We Trust” is heard in the U.S. National Anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner. The song was written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 and later adopted as the national anthem. In the last stanza Key writes a variation of the phrase: “...And this be our motto: In God is our trust. And the Star Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave, O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.” The words were shortened to In God We Trust and first applied to U.S. coins in 1864.

In God We Trust: The History
The U. S. Department of Treasury states “the motto, IN GOD WE TRUST, was placed on United States coins largely because of the increased religious sentiment existing during the Civil War. Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase received many appeals from devout persons throughout the country, urging that the United States recognize the Deity on United States coins.

From Treasury Department records, it appears that the first such appeal came in a letter dated November 13, 1861. It was written to Secretary Chase by Rev. M. R. Watkinson, Minister of the Gospel from Ridleyville, Pennsylvania. As a result, Secretary Chase instructed James Pollock, Director of the Mint at Philadelphia, to prepare a motto, in a letter dated November 20, 1861:

Dear Sir: No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins. You will cause a device to be prepared without unnecessary delay with a motto expressing in the fewest and tersest words possible this national recognition. It was found that the Act of Congress dated January 18, 1837, prescribed the mottoes and devices that should be placed upon the coins of the United States.”

Pollock suggested "Our Trust Is In God," "Our God And Our Country," "God And Our Country," and "God Our Trust." Chase picked "In God We Trust" to be used on some of the government's coins. The first time "In God We Trust" appeared on our coins was in 1864 on the new two cent coin, and by 1909 it was included on most the other coins. During the height of the cold war, on July 11, 1955, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed Public Law 140 making it mandatory that all coinage and paper currency display the motto.

In God We Trust: The Foundation
American history demonstrates repeatedly that the nation was founded on Christian principles and its founding fathers wished to acknowledge that fact all over Washington D.C. buildings, in official documents, and historical speeches. Less than a hundred years after its Declaration of Independence, In God We Trust was proclaimed on its coins. America is a free nation, and freedom of religion is still guaranteed in the Constitution’s First Amendment.

President Thomas Jefferson wrote, "The God who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time" and asked ‘Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are of God?’"

The Bible says:

"It is better to trust the LORD than to put confidence in man" (Psalm 118:8).
"He has put a new song in my mouth, praise unto our God; many shall see it, and fear and will trust in the LORD" (Psalm 40:3, NKJV).

"It is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works" (Psalm 73:28 NKJV).

"The fear of man brings a snare: but whoever puts his trust in the LORD shall be safe" (Proverbs 29:25 NKJV).

Learn More!

Comment by Earle U. Scharff III on March 9, 2009 at 11:32am: Just another reminder.
Please Let me know if you are able to attend !!!
Spouses significant others etc can attend No Pets Please

We should be going to McCormick and Schmicks afterwards

We are having a Forum to discuss RI's Role in renewable and alternative energy production as well as consevation. We would love to have you attend and add to the discussion. The forum will be held at:

Providence City Hall Room 302
Wednesday March 11, 2009
7:00pm-9:00pm

Speakers include :

Kim Anderson-Pickens plan leader of RI districts 1 and RI district 2

John Rupp- Chairman of the Board of RIPTA

Andrew Dzykewicz- Commisioner of RI Office of of Energy Resorces

John T Jacobson - Developer of Energy efficient buildings

Julian Dash- Director of RI Economic Development Renewable Energies Fund

Dave Eldredge Driller for Geo- Thermal

Comment by Earle U. Scharff III on March 8, 2009 at 9:37am: The RI Pickens Plan Forum on Alternative and Renewable Energy
Wednesday March 11,2009
Providence City Hall Room 302
7:00pm-9:pm

Speakers:
Kim Anderson -PP Congressional
District Leader for RI-01 and RI-02.
Andrew Dzykewicz- Commisioner of RI
Energry Resources
Dave Eldredge- Owner of RI Drilling and
Blasting
John Rupp- Chairman of the Board
RIPTA/ Assit Gen Counsel Textron
Julian Dash - Director of RIEDC
Renewable Energies Fund
John Tabor Jacobson- Developer of
energy effcient buildings/ President
of RI chapter of Northeast
Susatinble Energy Association

Topics:
1.Overview of Pickens Plan
2. Wind energy in RI
3.Geo Thermal energy
4.RIPTA and Natural Gas Buses
5.RI Renewable Energies Fund /
funding electricity producing projects
6. Policies/ incentives to make Public
and Private Buildings more energy
efficient

Comment by South Dakota Wind Energy on March 2, 2009 at 9:05pm: Speaking of Taxes

The 4th Obama nominee has tax trouble. The Trade Secretary.

Do any of Obama's circle of frends pay their taxes?

Comment by South Dakota Wind Energy on March 2, 2009 at 9:00pm: Mike,

We have seen your posting somewhere and theanswer is ABSOLUTELY.

That matches a plan my Partner (now deceased) and I had started about the turn of this century. We actually had a small group and small success.

A much LARGER group and the sucess would be great. I am willing to participate, anyone know of a machine to design?

This is called barter if I ever saw a co-op, or commune but the potential for TAX problems could arise. Is this finders fee over or under the table? (I prefer under)

Monty and Debbie

Comment by Mike Anthony Fernald Sr. on March 2, 2009 at 3:37am: Dear Friends

I have a Plan

Im going to get a little personal about me with you.
I Just finished a Drywall & Paint Job and realized the awesome earning potential I have within my grasp If I had 10 or more people just like me we could increase profits 10 fold maybe more. Im not saying this to soloist anyone or sell anything this is just a possible solution to raise capital to advance our projects like Energy Bonds Green Jobs and promote the best of our best Ideas. For 30 years I have been meeting all my family needs within my means with just the help of my wife.
My thought is this lets all network with one another our jobs what we do best refering one another for work and taking 10% or what ever of the job refered and put 5% into a We the People Account & the other 5% to the one who refered the job.
Mr. Pickens has spent over 50 Million of his own Money, Tell me why we all can't pull together and do this. I think most of us here part of the 77 Million Baby Boomers, I have 10-15 years left in me to sucure our Grandkids Furture.

So what do you think ?
Am I Dreaming :o} Or can we or are we willing. The only Power the Government has over us is what We the people Give them.
I'm really afraid of what I'm seeing where they are going.

Comment by James Everitt on February 20, 2009 at 2:16pm: National_Clean_Energy_Project.pdf

From the desk of T. Boone Pickens

Army!

The battle for the stimulus package is over and – thanks to you – we were very successful on the wind side of the Pickens Plan.

Here is the list of items which are included in the stimulus package:

A 3-year Production Tax Credit (PTC) extension through the end of 2012

An option to elect a 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC) in place of the PTC

An option to convert the Investment Tax Credit into a grant for projects placed in service in 2009, or 2010, or placed in service before 2013 provided construction begins in 2009 or 2010

A new $6 billion Department of Energy renewable energy and transmission loan guarantee program, which should fund around $60 billion in principal amount of guaranteed loans

Authority for the Western Area Power Administration to borrow up to $3.25 billion from the Treasury to build renewable transmission lines in the western United States, including western Texas

Did the New Energy Army have an impact?

Absolutely.

Last summer, when we started this effort, no one would have believed that 1.4 million Americans would join together to affect energy legislation in the Congress of the United States.

But last week alone, over a 3 day period, we generated over 60,000 emails to Members of the United States House and Senate urging their support.

You can like or dislike the stimulus package, and I’m not qualified enough to speak to the entire package or its economic prospects.

But I do know energy, and I know the aspects of the stimulus plan that address this subject are critical and beneficial.

But they are also a first step.

We’ve still got more work to do to end our dependence on foreign oil, especially on the natural gas side of the Pickens Plan.

I said on CNBC that the battle now shifts to the House and Senate Energy Committees to begin moving the country from imported gasoline and diesel to domestic natural gas.

I’ll be coming back to you in the next few days with a plan to have a serious impact on foreign oil.

Pat yourselves on the back. Take ten. Then get ready to saddle up and start again.

Thank you.

-Boone

P.S. If you haven’t joined your District Group yet, now is the time. Click here.

“National Clean Energy Project: Building the New Economy”
Joins Together Historic Group of Leaders to Tackle National Energy Policy

Check back here on Monday, Feb. 23 at 10:15 a.m. EST for live streaming coverage.

Press release: NCEP to Set Goal of Developing Key Principles for U.S. Energy Policy.

Join Your District Group

Watch the Latest Commercial

Comment by James Everitt on February 20, 2009 at 6:06am: The Austin Institute of Real Estate is providing the course and testing required to become a City of Austin approved energy auditor. Click Here for more info.

The purpose of Green Energy Audits is to provide the latest in green education, training, and testing to qualified individuals who want to become an certified auditor to complete City of Austin Energy audits.

Classes will be held at:
The Austin Institute of Real Estate
8828 Research Blvd.
Austin, TX 78758

COURSE SCHEDULE
Call (512) 452-4461 to register.

March 2009
Monday-Friday
March 16, 2009- March 20, 2009
Hours: 8:30am- 5pm
Lunch : 12:30-1:30

APRIL 2009
Monday-Friday
April 6, 2009- April 10, 2009
Hours: 8:30am- 5pm
Lunch: 12:30-1:30

Monday-Friday
April 20, 2009- April 24, 2009
Hours: 8:30am-5pm
Lunch 12:30-1:30

Did you know? Starting on June 1, 2009, Austin homeowners will be required to have an energy audit completed before selling their home...Read the ordinance.

Comment by James Everitt on February 14, 2009 at 11:24am: Educational_Video_Resources_for_Teachers_and_Students.rtf

USA.gov - Benefits and Grants

About grants.gov

Grants.gov is your source to FIND and APPLY for federal government grants. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is proud to be the managing partner for Grants.gov, an initiative that is having an unparalleled impact on the grant community. Learn more about Grants.gov and determine if you are eligible for grant opportunities offered on this site.

Grants.gov was established as a governmental resource named the E-Grants Initiative, part of the President's 2002 Fiscal Year Management Agenda to improve government services to the public.

The concept has its origins in the Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1999, also known as Public Law 106-107. Public Law 106-107 has since sunset and is now known as the Grants Policy Committee (GPC). For more information on the Grants Policy Committee, click here.

Today, Grants.gov is a central storehouse for information on over 1,000 grant programs and provides access to approximately $500 billion in annual awards.

What is a Grant?

Who is Eligible for a Grant?

Program Highlights
Program highlights and accomplishments.

Grants.gov in the News
Articles, press releases, milestones and events.

Program Status
Detailed information about our relationship with partner federal agencies, financial contributions, grant opportunities, fiscal reports, planning strategies and statistics.

Comment by Earle U. Scharff III on February 12, 2009 at 4:30am: The venue of the RI Pickens Plan Renewable Energy Forum has Changed.
Now it is going to be at City Hall Alderman's Room 3rd floor Same date Mar 11th 7-9pm
Please Let Kim Anderson or me know if you are planning to attend. It should be an informative evening,
Thanks
Earle