Kyoto

Russia has cut off Oil to western European countries, including a NATO member.

Link to BBCnews Headline: Russia oil row hits Europe supply

Quote:

Russia has cut oil supplies to Poland, Germany and Ukraine amid a trade row with its neighbour Belarus.

End quote.

As US policy has been at a stand still for how many decades? Since the 1970's ?

Why has the US not been building safe efficient modern Nuclear reactors as a bridge to keep the Grid powered and reduce dependence on oil?

France has a long history of operating plants safely. China is ordering new plants as fast as possible. Obviously while these folks have solved their own versions of waste handling, ours still sit in barrels on the shores of Lake Michigan (last I knew).

The US is and has been playing ostrich. Is it because the NIMBY crowd and Environmental Lobby influence are stronger voices than an economic and national defense voice of reason?

Were our decisions based on artificially low oil prices which falsely skewed the cost benefit equations to the point where on the one hand our grid is on the verge of collapse, our existing plant base (both fossil fuel and nuclear) are significantly aged, and the lag time to bring new plant resources on line is burdensome?

The last time Russia used oil as an economic weapon was in the dead of winter, during a Cold Snap. At least this time the temps are milder.

Since it's the dead of Winter in Michigan (and its been pretty much raining most of it so far), and with Spring coming.... (maybe sooner than normal)......

Since its de-humidity season when it should have been the humidify season, I figured we might as well explore IAQ de-humidity style.

(There may also be good timing to this anyway, as we look forward to another record summer air conditioning style)

This is of course still an issue in the Southern states all winter long, and also in commercial and industrial settings.

When considering indoor air quality, on top of the list is humidity control.

Two main things to remember, sensible is the temperature (energy or heat) that can be measured with a thermometer, latent is the (energy or heat) tied up in humidity. It means hidden heat, and when it comes to condensing moisture from air, it takes lots of energy no matter which method is used.

Learn more about "Psychrometrics" here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychrometrics

Humidity out-of-control can result in structural damage, mold and mildew issues, and product loss or quality issues in manufacturing.

In the summer months especially, because of warmer outdoor temperatures, we concentrate our efforts on removing excess moisture.

The reason being warmer air holds more moisture than cool air, more moisture in the air can result in condensing on cool surfaces. You will see this in the interior of your refrigerator in humid climates, you will see outdoor hot humid air condense on the outside of windows in a COOL air conditioned house, you will see this inside your walls in the winter if interior moisture (from bathrooms and kitchens for example) gets into the wall and interacts with the cold drafts of winter.

The term has been a buzz word in my circle for quite a long while now.

And to some extent, I think it may have meant many things to many different people, depending on your role or function in the bigger game of conducting our affairs in and around buildings.

For example, someone not long ago suggested they had done something under the "sustainable" program in switching foam coffee cups out for a more environmentally friendly option. She was right. Maybe not so much at the local steakhouse, but once in awhile.

(A friend, KellyJo blogged about sustainable beef not long ago)

The term gets tossed around fairly like loose change amongst us building types, be it architects, engineers, building owners, folks in the energy biz, or skilled trades have all heard it in numerous trade journals, seminars, at the supply houses, and on the street.

In the building design, construction, and operations gig we are typically talking about energy related matters - often renewable such as solar or wind being part of the discussion. Other technologies to save energy are related to the conversation such as capturing waste heat, operational dynamics such as thermostat set back and lighting controls, and even precooling the thermal mass at night when energy is cheap (AKA load shifting), managing water resources, even such things as appliances, computers, printers, copiers and other plugged in type of loads.