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Metal Sunscreen Fabrication Options To Enhance Your Commercial Building

Looking for ways to set your building apart? What if those enhancements could even save you money? Metal sunscreens not only add an element of design to any building facade, they also add many benefits to your building that may result in tremendous financial savings. They help reduce heat, glare and overall energy costs. They provide energy savings by minimizing direct solar gain through windows (requires less costly glazing) and reducing peak electricity demand. Studies also show that buildings utilizing these products increase worker productivity, lowers absenteeism and increases employee comfort. West Coast Metal Systems designs, fabricates, and ships quality horizontal and vertical metal sunscreens to anywhere in the western United States. We can also provide a variety of outrigger, blade, and attachment options for your unique aesthetic design. With in-house design and fabrication, we can produce custom products, at a fair price and deliver them in a fraction of the time of other fabricators.

Blades

Metal sunscreens are available with a variety of different blade options including flat, tube, ovals, round, square, crescent, tear-drop, perforated, rectangles, zee shape and “C” shape. Depending on the look and functionality you desire, West Coast Metal Systems can suggest a blade shape, size, and design appropriate for your project. With in-house design and fabrication, West Coast can create custom products at a fraction of the time and cost of other industry players.

Attachment Options

Metal sunscreens can attach to a variety of materials including wood structures, steel and masonry. Typical attachment options include expansion anchors through bolts, tapped and thread cutting fasteners as well as welded connections. West Coast Metal Systems will help you select the right attachment option for your sunscreen.

Fabrication Options

The metal sunscreen fabrication options at West Coast Metal Systems are virtually endless. West Coast can produce 12 inch to 10 foot cantilevers with rectangular and curved options in a wide variety of depths and sizes. From color and size to style and design, West Coast will provide you variety of fabrication options unmatched by anyone in the industry.

Design Customization

West Coasts metal sunscreens come with a variety of color and design customization options. West Coast can supply powder coating, kynar and anodize options to match whatever adjacent materials are required. West Coast Metal Systems provides limitless design customization options to meet all your sunscreen needs.

According to a 2007 D.O.E. Sun Control Study, Sunscreens can save up to 22% in total energy costs. Metal sunscreens make a functional and attractive addition to any building or residence and can save you money down the road. West Coast Metal Systems offers a wide range of horizontal and vertical sunscreens custom fitted for your design needs that can positively impact the energy efficiency and LEED classification of any building. West Coasts metal sunscreens are available in any size, color/finish blade, or mounting option. All sunscreens are fully customizable and engineered for each project. Since all sunscreens are designed and fabricated in house, West Coast Metal Systems offers the best lead times in the industry. No job is too large or too small. West Coast can cover all your metal sunscreen needs.

Architectural metal offers many benefits to your building and with so many quality products on the market, why not enhance its appearance for many years to come? West Coast Metal Systems is a one-stop shop for all your architectural metal needs. From rainscreen, flush caulk joint, dry seal, and composite metal panel infill systems to any type of sunscreen possible, West Coast Metal Systems can design, fabricate, and ship any product to your building, oftentimes at a fraction of the cost and time of other companies.

Q&a With Jasmine Hyman .

Director of Programs and Partnerships, The Gold Standard Foundation
Looking back at the first half of 2009, what has Gold Standard seen as the years most significant developments to date?
The most significant change at the Gold Standard is that weve tripled our staff and grown from a European to an international organization. I remember at the Carbon Expo in 2008 a participant said to us during our side event, You either need to grow or youll choke. At the time we had about 200 pending applicant projects. Now weve got 300 projects in our pipeline, technical expertise (we call them our Local Experts) in seven developing countries, and weve re-ignited our US programme with the hiring of Director of US Markets, Lisa Hodes. Ms. Hodes brings a strong legal and policy background to the team, and has already taken the U.S. by storm. In short, its been a big year.

What is the view from Europe on U.S. efforts to launch a cap and trade system? What do the prospects of the passage of a U.S. cap and trade regime mean to Gold Standard and to Gold Standard certified projects?

The Gold Standard tries to remain neutral to political developments; meaning, so long as the US gets on board somehow with a regulated cap and trade market, the Gold Standard (and the rest of the world) will be relieved. That said, it would be favorable if the US would sign onto a climate bill that could be complimentary to the existing global carbon market. Kyoto was ratified on February 16th 2005, and the market is still going through growing pains associated with building human capacity, securing ample validators and verifiers for projects, and implementing the projects themselves. It would be a shame to reinvent the wheel.

Are you hopeful that a post-Kyoto (2012) global accord will be reached? What do you see as the biggest hurdles and opportunities ahead for reaching such an accord?

Im hopeful because being pessimistic is just too scary. The climate science is clear: we need stricter caps, policy that follows the science, and emissions stabilization at 450 ppm (or less).

The hurdles are always political. It is easy to take a short term view and claim that carbon reductions cost too much, when any careful look at the figures (such as the Stern report) make the economic case for early action very clear. Specifically, I think the larger rapidly developing countries need to show willingness to accept some of the climate burden, but that will only happen once the industrialized countries sign onto serious carbon reduction agreements.

In terms of opportunities, I do think the carbon market is a unique political device whereby environmental groups, oil companies, and governments all stand to gain. While I dont think carbon markets can do enough to mitigate climate change on their own, they have thus far surpassed the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in terms of new finance for renewables and they represent an opportunity to rally resources for a more efficient economy without necessarily winning over the hearts of business and governments. The opportunity behind the carbon market is precisely that you dont have to be an environmentally concerned person to be interested in the economic opportunity.

Please explain Gold Standards approach to project certification. What is Gold Standard 2.1, and why is it important for the standard to continue evolving?

The Gold Standard builds on the Kyoto Protocols project cycle: we use the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Changes (UNFCCCs) project methodologies, its validators and verifiers, and the same

equivalents when evaluating greenhouse gases against carbon dioxide. In the voluntary market, the Gold Standard accepts methodologies independent of the UN, and were also open to new additionality tools that seek a certification scheme to recognize them.

What makes Gold Standard different, however, is our strong emphasis on sustainable development (both local and global) and the local stakeholder consultation process. We really expect Gold Standard projects to contribute to the local community in tangible, monitored ways. Like any good standard, we employ conservative calculations and try to keep our documents updated to reflect a fast evolving market: thats why we just recently launched GSv2.1. Dont worry, its similar to the old Gold Standard: weve simply clarified some technical details and taken into account user feedback in order to further streamline our processes. Next up: were looking to improve our rules for micro-scale projects.

What would you like carbon market/project investors to understand about Gold Standard certified projects? Is there a long-term role for standards bodies in an evolving global carbon market?

A ton of carbon is not a ton of carbon. Many people, particularly in the United States, are wary of the carbon market. After all, youre buying an invisible commodity, and how can you know that the greenhouse gas emissions were actually avoided? The Gold Standard was created by environmental groups worldwide, who set up guidelines for what a really remarkable offset project looks like. So when youre purchasing or investing in Gold Standard, you know you have the brand that many governments, Fortune 500 companies and environmental groups like WWF and Greenpeace endorse as being top in the market.

Id like people to understand that quality carbon can also happen in large volumes. I think theres a funny myth out in the market that there are currently very few Gold Standard projects, when in fact weve seen a steady stream of new projects throughout the economic crisis. GS projects can be large-scale, and weve also got the small charismatic projects for which our brand is famous.

There is a long term role for standards bodies provided they are willing to evolve with the market and support its innovation. As a standards body, the core of our task is to reward excellence in carbon markets, assure buyers that theyve purchased something of quality, while also encouraging project developers to take risks and bring new ideas to the climate challenge.

About The Gold Standard Foundation

The Gold Standard Foundation offers the leading brand label for CDM/JI and voluntary offset projects, fetching premium prices. Projects in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector are eligible. The Gold Standard sustainable development requirements ensure that all projects benefit the local and global community in terms of economic, environmental and social criteria. The Gold Standard is endorsed by over 60 non-governmental organizations worldwide. Gold Standard projects are preferred by a range of government and private actors. Initiated by WWF, SSN and Helio International the Gold Standard for CDM projects was launched in 2003 after a wide-ranging stakeholder consultation among key actors of the carbon market as well as governments. A methodology for voluntary offset projects was launched in May 2006.

Energy Savings Tips to Prepare Your Home for Solar Power

When you invest in solar panels for your home, you are making a commitment to reduce your carbon footprint while saving money on your monthly energy usage. In order to get the most out of your solar panels, you will want to take a few steps to reduce your overall energy usage every month. Following these simple steps will help you to create a more energy efficient home, allowing you to get the maximum benefit from your solar panels.

Replace Your Old Light Bulbs

Compact fluorescent light bulbs use less energy, making them a great alternative to traditional light bulbs. On average, CFL units last up to eight times as long as your existing light bulbs, so you can save money on replacements and electricity usage at the same time. Use these energy-savers wherever you can in your home to reduce the amount of electricity used when you flip your light switches.

Weatherproof Your Home

Heat can escape from older windows and doors, which can increase the amount of energy needed to heat your home. Replacing your single-pane windows with more efficient units can help to reduce your overall energy usage. Weather stripping and door seals should also be checked and replaced to prevent drafts from coming into your home.

Replace Older Appliances

Appliances made twenty years ago are not as efficient as those made today, and they can use a considerable amount of energy. By replacing these old units with more efficient models, you can instantly reduce your energy consumption while modernizing your home.

Use Strip Surge Protectors

Power strips, or strip surge protectors, can help you to reduce the energy your home electronics consume. With the flip of one switch, you can turn off the power going to each of these energy-draining devices. This allows you to keep all of the programmed functions on your devices to stay in place while still saving energy. Be sure to turn the power off before bed each night and when these items are not in use during the day.

Use Your Appliances More Efficiently

Even with new models, washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerators can use a lot of electricity. There are some simple things you can do to improve the energy usage for these major appliances. Washing clothes in cold water uses less electricity than using warm or hot water. Running your dishwasher during the day when your solar panels are working at maximum capacity gives you better usage rates than running it at night when you may have to use power from the grid.
Keeping your refrigerator or freezer set to the highest safe food storage temperature helps save money and energy while still keeping your food preserved.

Check Your Heating Ductwork

For homes that have central heating and cooling systems, checking your ductwork is a key to saving energy. Clogged or leaking ducts can make your system work overtime, which consumes more energy and leads to less efficient heating and cooling. If you are unsure how to do this yourself, you can hire a licensed contractor to take this task on for you.

Solar panels allow you to begin saving money on your monthly utility costs while having a better impact on the environment. You will need to change your energy consumption habits, but each of these simple steps are designed to allow you to change your habits with minimal impact on how you lead your daily life. When you are ready to install solar panels for your home, be sure to take these tips into account to maximize your energy and monetary savings.

Air Conditioning Systems

Air conditioning refers to a system for controlling and regulating the humidity, ventilation and the temperature of a building or room for making it comfortable for the occupants. Air conditioning finds application in domestic, commercial and industrial fields.

Air conditioning also form an integral part of the medical and transportation sectors also, in both hospitals and transporting temperature fragile goods.

Conventional methods of air conditioning require a large energy source for maintaining the temperature. This translates into a high-energy requirement, high cost and high carbon dioxides emissions which has negative impacts both economically and with regard to the environment A break through in the air conditioning field came with the use of a new technology which makes use of the latent heat from the outside environment for controlling and regulating the indoor temperature. Using this technology Daikin has startled the Air conditioning industry with the production of its all-new Altherma! Daikins Altherma has high-energy use optimization.

This has been made possible with the advent of the new technology which absorbs the latent heat from the environment for its process. Altherma from Daikin has literally revolutionized the air conditioning industry.

Conventional air-conditioning systems depend upon water at heightened temperature during winter seasons to regulate the temperature. Modern day buildings are well-insulated structures built specifically with the comfort and well being of the occupants in mind. These well insulated buildings have made it easier for the working of the air conditioning systems making a reduction in the temperature of the water circulated thus saving a lot of energy. Altherma comes with a hydro-box that is compact and can be installed in limited spaces out side the building.

Air conditioning refers to the cooling and de-humidification of indoor air for thermal comfort. In a wider sense, the term can be referred to as any form of cooling, heating, ventilation or disinfection that modifies the condition of air.

An air conditioner or an air-con is an appliance, system, or mechanism designed to stabilize the air temperature and humidity within an area, typically using a refrigeration cycle but sometimes using evaporation. Most commonly for comfort cooling in buildings and transportation vehicles. Refrigeration air conditioning equipment usually reduces the humidity of the air processed by the system. The relatively cold evaporator coil condenses water vapor from the processed air, sending the water to a drain and removing water vapor from the cooled space and lowering the relative humidity.

For air conditioning in residential homes, some countries set minimum requirements for energy efficiency. In the United States, the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) often rates the efficiency of air conditioners. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy efficient is the air conditioner. The SEER rating is the BTU of cooling output during its normal annual usage divided by the total electric energy input in watt-hours during the same period.

Fastest Growing Data Center Trend In 2013 Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency continues to be a major concern for data centers with raised floor systems. In the past, energy cost was simply a given, on par with the costof hardware and labor. As hardware has become more efficient and automated procedures have taken over labor, the cost of energy has continued to climb and it now represents around 25% of total operating costs for most data centers. In most data centers, one of the biggest uses of energy involves the strategic cooling of equipment in conjunction with the raised floor system.

The typical data center uses nearly twice as much electricity as it needs for actual computing, with the remainder going toward cooling, lighting and systems that maintain the data center. One measure of this ratio of use is PUE, or power usage effectiveness, and a PUE of 1.0 is considered ideal. This means all of the power brought to the data center is used for computing, although this is not exactly an achievable goal.

The price of energy is such a large concern for data centers, they have gone to great lengths to optimize their PUE. The largest operators of data centers, Google and Facebook, have not only worked to make their data centers energy efficient. they have come close to this ideal PUE. Along the way, they have learned some valuable lessons to save energy. Their work has been amazing and shows the possibilities in new construction. However, it challenges the vast majority of older data centers with raised access floor. For data centers built 10 to 40 years ago, all hope is not lost. There are a number of ways to follow this trend without spending a fortune to take advantage of the lessons learned in energy efficiency.

Energy Efficiency for Legacy Data Centers
Legacy data centers may use a number of cost-effective techniques to boost the energy efficiency of their facility and improve the performance of their raised floor systems.

Energy Efficient Grommets
One option is sealing existing cutouts in raised floor systems for a fast and effective energy facelift. Energy efficient grommets are an effective way to prevent bypass air from escaping the underfloor to improve the efficiency and cooling capacity of the entire system. According to Uptime Institute, Inc., electricity consumed by a data center’s IT equipment is the largest infrastructure cost, and up to 80% of conditioned air never reaches the air intake of equipment due to unsealed cable openings.

Bypass air creates hot spots, which causes not only inefficiency but increased costs. Sealing cable and hose openings is one of the most cost-effective ways to update an existing raised floor system, and energy efficient grommets will not only increase the cooling capacity of existing units but also reduce the need to buy additional cooling units.

Perforated Raised Floor Tiles
Another option is the strategic installation of perforated raised floor tiles or high velocity grates. A major study conducted by the Uptime Institution of 19 large computer rooms determined that most facilities have problems with hot spots. Many data centers simply throw more AC at the problem, which most often fails. These perforated data center floor tiles must be installed with a plan in mind, however, and not simply because an area feels warm.

When cable openings are sealed, the airflow of perforated floor tiles is increased by 66%. Airflow modeling will allow for the strategic placement and quantity needed of perforated floor tiles or high velocity grates.

Rack System Layout
Finally, it’s possible to improve the cooling and power efficiency of legacy raised floor systems by re-examining the current rack layout. More data centers today use in-row solutions, which maximizes efficiency. Cabinets should be joined in a series of rows resting on the raised floor tiles. The fronts of the racks facing each other become cold aisles. Cold aisles are then positioned around the perimeter of the room, or at the end of hot aisles, and this pushes cold air under the raised floor system and through the cold aisle. Perforated raised floor tiles are then placed only in the cold aisles to concentrate the cool air in front of the racks to make sure adequate air reaches the server intake. As air moves through the servers, it’s heated and dissipated into hot aisles.

Implementing a strategic energy plan can make any data center more efficient, whether new or old.