Re: Energy demand is the problem
From: Sharon Villines (sharonsharonvillines.com)
Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:47:22 -0700 (PDT)
On 15 Jul 2011, at 1:22 PM, ehrbar [at] greenhouse.economics.utah.edu wrote:

> The heat which a CO2 molecule prevents from escaping from
> the earth through the greenhouse effect is tens of thousands
> times more than the combustion heat generating this molecule.
> One can say carbon combustion is a gift that keeps giving.

Well, it isn't directly off topic since we all make energy consumption 
decisions and redesign plans for our communities. 

I have a related question related to CO2. We have two fresh air ducts on our 
HVAC system for the large dining room and kitchen of our commonhouse. The 
dampers were always open but we only needed that much fresh air when the room 
was fully occupied. We asked the HVAC engineer to wire the dampers and put a 
switch upstairs so we could open the dampers when we were expecting a large 
crowd but otherwise not be heating and cooling outdoor air.

He said that was against code and instead put a CO2 sensor on the vent that is 
supposed to open the damper when the CO2 is above 1000 (we think). The other 
night, with no one in the CH and no cooking going on, it was 954.

Some of the numbers I've found say that outdoor air is 300-400 and that people 
start complaining at 600-800. CO2 itself isn't highly toxic but is used as 
indicator of other toxins that might be present. On TED there is one lecture 
from a man in Delhi who lowered the levels in his building and saw a dramatic 
reduction in sick days and productivity. He used plants to improve the air 
quality.

What levels do you consider optimal? Not compared with "this won't kill you" 
but with healthy air.

Anyone out there can answer, I just noticed that Hans raised CO2 and thought he 
might know.

Sharon
----
Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org





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