Saving Energy Enters the Workforce

With concern about energy and energy saving strategies, there is an increased awareness and opportunity for everyone to get involved. Energystar.gov has launched a newer informational campaign to prepare for Earth Day. This campaign outlines ways to save energy at work. They also have an interactive picture where you can gain information quickly. They provide tips like pulling blinds (or opening them in winter) and utilizing a programmable thermostat. (These suggestions will also keep your home cooler). Energy star has a wealth of information on how to save money and energy with appliances - and especially for your central air conditioner.

Worried about Air?

We are so spoiled…from the air conditioned office into the air conditioned car into the air conditioned home. Everywhere you read there is some article condemning our wastefulness as a society and often times blaming it on air conditioning. Well, I don’t know about you, but I hate it when it’s hot – sticky, sweaty…not fun. So, while I support the environment, I’m not willing to kill all the air conditioners yet. There is hope for greener alternatives. One alternative in particular deals with that air conditioned car. In my searches for appropriate blog topics, I have come across many articles proclaiming car air conditioning as the most deadly sin. Myself, I rarely use it, but it’s nice to have. For my friend with a new baby and no air conditioning in her house, it’s essential. Good news. Auto air conditioning is getting greener – and perhaps this trend will also spread to the larger, home models. According to marketwatch.com, Ronn Motor Company Scorpion(TM) and Scorpion HX(TM) Hydrogen Hybrid Supercars Go Greener Scorpion(TM) Eco-Exotic to Have "Green" Proprietary Air Conditioning Component Which Also Complements Hydrogen on Demand System Last update: 11:26 a.m. EDT Sept. 8, 2008 The market watch article explains that these new air conditioning models will be utilizing R-134 for their refrigerant. R-134 is a non-chlorinated blending which is sometimes known as Puron (which more commonly operates under the 50/50 blend of 410A). This is currently being used in many central air conditioning systems and is better for the environment, but difficult to use because of the high pressure needed to compress the refrigerant. However, this is a great thing for people who run the air-conditioning in their car. I know I was beginning to feel a little guilty when I saw people driving with their windows up. As new technology gets more advanced, and attitudes change towards ‘greener’ pastures, there will be more changes in the HVAC industry.

THE LA FAIR STARTS TODAY!

Okay, so the La County Fair Starts tonight! Source:http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/la-county-fair-begin-2646/

Deal: If you’re looking for a deal on tickets, Friday is your day. This Friday, for opening day, tickets will cost just $1 per person if you enter before 5 p.m. And for all Fridays during the run of the fair, children 6 to 12 are admitted free.

And besides...while you are there you can check out Sinclair Air's Train at the Garden Railroad -- which is a pretty cool sight for grown-ups or children alike.

Announcing Our Train!

Sources: http://www.lacountyfair.com/2008/AttractionsCompetitions/gardenrailroad.asp Site explaining the historical additions to the railroad. http://www.lacountyfair.com/2008/GeneralInfo/index.asp http://www.lacountyfair.com/2008/ This is the blog entry for the railroad http://www.fairplex.com/blog/fairblog/?p=53 Summary/History

What Is the Garden Railroad?

The Garden Railroad is a volunteer operated miniature railroad that operates at the LA County Fair. This year’s fair is September 5th – 28th. The fair is open to the public Wednesdays 11am-10pm. Thursdays 11am to 11pm. Fridays 11am to midnight, Saturdays 10am to midnight, and Sundays 10am to 10pm. The Garden railroad operates on Wed, Thurs and Friday 10 to noon for school groups. Then 1pm-8pm Wednesdays through Sundays open for public self-guided tours. The railroad was originally built in 1924, to commemorate the building of the reservoir and became such a crowd favorite that it’s been back every year (except for WWII). According to Blackford, Martha Ed. Orderboard: A Periodic Publication for the volunteer crew. Vol.11- num. 5

“Over 1.4 million people attend this annual event [the fair] and many of those enjoy visiting and taking the self-guided tour of the Garden Railroad.”

Interesting Things “Worth Noting”

(also from the Orderboard)

“Did you know – The Fairplex Garden Railroad was named so for the 1997 La County Fair. The miniature railroad was originally intended to be a one-time exhibit promoting the development of a local reservoir and recreational area. The first exhibit was for the 1924 Fair and included a static trolley line depicting the Pacific Electric Railroad Company. In 1935 the miniature railroad was moved from the tent to its present location. The miniature railroad has operated for each LA County Fair except during WWII, when the fairgrounds were used by the government. All the original rolling stock was hand-made by the teachers and students at Pomona High School. Converted to G-gauge in 1997. The Railroad is the size of a football field – 100 x 300 feet – and has over 9,000 feet of operating track.”

More information…

According to the LA Fair’s Blog,

“…There are 72 volunteers of all ages who put in thousands of hours each year.”

Continuing

…“A 1998 study by Brigham Young University found the FGRR to be the oldest and possibly largest miniature railroad of its kind. Begun in 1924, the railroad moved to its current location in 1935. It was switched from a 1/2 scale model to a G-gauge in 1997. According to coordinator Bob Toohey, visitors come from as far as Australia and Germany to see the railroad. During the Fair, 32 different operations run at once, from trains to highways to mining sites.”

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More information can be found at: www.fgrr.org There are also pictures of Sinclair’s train on our webpage!

Perhaps We Don’t Know Everything There is to Know About Refrigerant

source: http://sustainabledesignupdate.com/?p=22 I have said it in this blog and on the webpage like 20+ times, there are two main types of refrigerant used in air conditioners and cooling systems. The older one is R-22 and is going to be phased out soon. The other 410A or Puron is more environmentally sound. In Europe and some other parts of the world, they are using R718 or simple water vapor. The idea is to use water, and pressurize it, using it to cool instead of refrigerant. There are many advantages – the lack of pollution, relative low cost, but there are also some disadvantages – one being technology isn’t quite prepared to produces these units in a cost-effective way. However, all in all, great idea and worth looking into. Maybe in the future, you’ll be able to “top-off” your own refrigerant. Until then, it’s a very good idea to get your unit checked each year or so (depending). For more information: http://st-div.web.cern.ch/st-div/wor...ogy/JacekK.pdf http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/636/70/