1611 Westlake

Background

R-22, or HCFC-22, is a refrigerant used in many air conditioning units. The manufacturing of R-22 results in a byproduct called HFC-23 which is a significant contributor to global warming. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are the greenhouse gases connected to ozone depletion and the current ozone hole over Antarctica, the rise in skin cancer and the rise in cataracts.

The ozone layer is responsible for protecting the earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. With ozone depletion, more radiation hits the earth, and together with the greenhouse effect causes much of the earth’s global warming. Fortunately, the ozone layer can recover, and scientists believe that recovery can happen by 2075 with a global phase out of ozone-depleting gases.

In accordance with the Montreal Protocol and Clean Air Act, the U.S. will eliminate production of R-22 by the year 2020. To accomplish this, several years ago the government wrote and implemented a phase out schedule. Beginning January 1, 2010, the U.S. banned production and importation of R-22 for all new systems. No new systems using R-22 can be manufactured or imported.

What this Means for Homeowners

All new air conditioning equipment will use R-410A or another non-ozone depleting refrigerant. R-410A has many trade names (including Puron, Suva, Forane 410-A and Gentron AZ-20) but is the most common of these new refrigerants.

Current R-22 systems as of January 2010 will still be able to be used, serviced, and have repair parts made. R-22 will still be made and available for use in those systems. As of January 1, 2015, all sale or trade of R-22 for new systems will be banned. By January 1, 2020, all remaining production and importation of R-22 will be banned. Only recycled or reclaimed (recovered) R-22 will be allowed for current systems. Currently there is a record high demand for R-22 along with a record high cost of the materials needed to produce R-22 (Chlorine, Flourspar and Natural Gas). Prices are expected to continue to rise as R-22 supplies decrease.

Resources

The EPA has information available online with information and advice on servicing a current system or purchasing a new one. See their information sheet here, or see their Homeowner FAQ page here.

Pictured: Green features in 1611 Westlake.

1611 Westlake makes use of shade and multi zone air conditioning

Austin architect Peter Pfeiffer and Dallas architect Betsy del Monte have devised a Energy Use Pyramid, to determine which strategies save or create the most energy for their cost. Like the food pyramid we learned about in elementary school, the Energy Use Pyramid has a base of the most efficient green tactics working up to ideas that, like icing on the cake, are nice to have but less important.

The base of the Pyramid may surprise many – it has nothing to do with solar panels or windmills. To keep your home the most energy efficient for your money, according to Pfeiffer, has to do with design of the home and landscape, and proper insulation. An ideal house is oriented to avoid direct western exposure (which creates even more heat in the summer) and to use southern exposure to capture heat in the colder winter months. Shade trees and strategic overhangs create much of the same effect. Houses created with this mindset are smaller, and insulated with no air leaks. These ideas to maximize heating and cooling are the best investments you can make to keep your house greener.

The middle of the Pyramid deals with appliances and other electricity using items in the house. For example, one Energy Star front-loader washing machine uses 75% less energy, 60% less water and reduces more dryer time than a standard top-loader. Another strategy is CFLs – florescent lights that use a quarter of the energy of traditional incandescent bulbs, reducing your electrical bill by around 10% if used throughout the home. They also create less heat for your air conditioner to cool – dropping that bill by as much as 15%.

The top spot of the Pyramid goes to the energy you can harness yourself with solar and wind power. While this is a great way to stay green, it is not the most cost efficient. Simple home improvements like correctly sized windows, efficient two-zone air conditioning, and big shady trees affect the aesthetic value of your home, resale value, and energy use. 1611 Westlake ]]> http://www.austintxestates.com/2009/12/go-green-while-saving-green/feed/ 1