Pure Energy Blog - By and About Pure Energy
A. Tamasin Sterner:
Are You in PA, NJ, or DE? Do You Plan to Become a BPI Test Center?
Home Energy Pros
January 15, 2012
I'm wanting to assess which tri-state BPI Affiliates are becoming BPI Test Centers. And, in order to not over flood the area with too many Test Centers, I'm looking to pool resources. If you are becoming a Test Center, or if you know an entity that is, please share that information...
A. Tamasin Sterner:
Diagnosing an IAQ Problem
Home Energy Magazine
Letters: January/February 2012
Thanks for contacting me. I feel for you.
Without seeing your house, I can only guess what is going on. These are my suggestions ...
A. Tamasin Sterner:
Health Issues Caused By Insulation Products
Home Energy Pros
October 11, 2011
Does anyone know anyone who has had decreased health due to the installation of insulation materials? I've been emailing back and forth with a man who had Atticat loose fill installed in two exterior walls. He claims the odor is persisting and has developed teeth gnashing ...
Q & A with A. Tamasin Sterner on her Women's Energy Auditing course in Montana
Home Energy Pros
September 16, 2011
This is a great field for women. And there are far too few women in the industry. I want that to change.
In our Women's Energy Auditing course women will learn how to improve their health, the health of their family, and the health of others. They will be able to do this because they will learn skills needed to properly understand, avoid, and fix problems that make buildings fall apart, like moisture and mold, which causes health problems for many people...
A. Tamasin Sterner:
Out of Control Attic Fans
Home Energy
September 6, 2011
Never underestimate lessons learned while out in the field. Just last week, Pure Energy Coach LLC found in two low-income weatherization jobs that attic fans can, put simply, be out of control! The following are notes from the field, as well as recommendations for program administrators and technicians ...
A. Tamasin Sterner:
Attic Fans Can Cause Headaches for Technicians
Home Energy Pros
August 30, 2011
Attic fans can suck air down flues causing spillage. Spillage can cause CO poisoning. Attic fans can't always be easily accessed or controlled. While doing a comprehensive quality control visit last week, our Pure Energy Final Inspector noted that ...
A. Tamasin Sterner:
First Energy Management is Proactive
Home Energy Pros
August 15, 2011
First Energy has always been a leader in educating employees on field issues. An example of how First Energy's energy efficiency program managers support their contractors and administrative staff: They have hired Pure Energy Coach to teach Building Science to their program managers. The benefits include ...
A. Tamasin Sterner:
Turn the Water Heater Down
Home Energy Magazine
July/August 2011
The reason for turning down the water heater and turning off the furnace during the combustion appliance zone (CAZ) worst-case conditions testing is so the water heater and furnace don’t fire while the technician is depressurizing the CAZ and measuring the pressure in the CAZ with reference to the outdoors ...
A. Tamasin Sterner:
Codes, Ignition Barriers, Foam Products, Manufacturer's Installation Specs
Home Energy Pros
July 7, 2011
In the housing retrofit and energy upgrade world, we use lots of foam products, don't we? Did you know that some products may not be used in certain areas of houses? Codes and product manufacturers specify what can be used where, and when an ignition or thermal barrier must be used to cover the product in order to meet codes and protect occupants in the event of a fire ...
Macie Schreibman:
What You Don't Know About Foam
homeenergy.org
June 23, 2011
It seems that some materials being used by contractors during energy retrofits may not meet code or manufacturer's requirements for an ignition or thermal barrier, according to Pure Energy. In this case, the company, which is dedicated to quality assurance in the home improvement industry, is referring to the use of rigid or spray foam products. “When some building and retrofit products burn, they can release potent fumes that can make people sick or die," says Pure Energy founder Tamasin Sterner ...
Leslie McDowell:
Congratulations to A. Tamasin Sterner of Pure Energy for winning BPI's 2011 Tony Woods Award
for Excellence In Advancing the Home Performance Industry!
Home Energy Pros
April 4, 2011
BPI was proud to honor A. Tamasin Sterner of Pure Energy at ACI's 2011 National Conference by awarding her the Tony Woods Award for Excellence in Advancing the Home Performance Industry ...
Jim Gunshinan:
BPI Celebrates Home Performance Heroes at ACI
Home Energy Pros
March 31, 2011
Tamasin Sterner, Founder, President, and Chief Coach of Pure Energy was given the Tony Woods Award for Excellence in Advancing the Home Performance Industry at the opening plenary of the ACI National Conference in San Francisco on March 30, 2011. ...
A. Tamasin Sterner:
Houses Don't Use Energy - People Do
Home Energy Pros
March 7, 2011
As my good friend Rana Belshe says. Let's not forget that the people who live in houses are the ones who are in charge of how the house loses and gains energy and how the appliances and HVAC use energy. People are the key and heart of gettin' it done!
A. Tamasin Sterner:
Dear Occupant
Home Energy Pros
What conditions were present when a customer had an Aha moment? What made the communication successful? Please share your successes here so we can all learn. 'Cause we know that houses don't use energy. People Do!