WATER CONSERVATION TRENDS AND HIGH-EFFICIENCY
PLUMBING PRODUCTS IN SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS

February 18, 2010

This month’s presentation by Philip Schrieber, Sr. Sales Engineer with Kohler, will provide a perspective on sustainability and water conservation trends, bring to light the U.S. water crisis and the water/energy nexus, explain the relevant green building guidelines and the EPA's WaterSense program, highlight some water conserving plumbing products, discuss water reuse and reduced flow impacts, and provide relevant resources and project examples.

Launched in 2006, WaterSense is an EPA-sponsored partnership program that seeks to protect the future of our nation's water supply by promoting water efficiency and enhancing the market for water-efficient products, programs, and practices. WaterSense brings together local water utilities and governments, product manufacturers, retailers, consumers, and other stakeholders to: decrease indoor and outdoor non-agricultural water use through the adoption of more efficient products and practices, help consumers make water-efficient choices, including differentiating between products and services in the marketplace and adopting simple daily activities that reduce water use, encourage innovation in manufacturing, establish and standardize rigorous certification criteria that ensure product efficiency, performance, and quality.

Philip Schrieber focuses his efforts on delivering his knowledge of commercial plumbing products and water conservation to Architects, Mechanical Engineers, Mechanical Contractors, Building Owners, and Plumbers. Mr. Schrieber is an active member of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers and the US Green Building Council. Prior to working for Kohler, Mr. Schrieber served as Project Manager at Collins Engineers, Inc. in Chicago, Ill. He holds a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Bradley University in Peoria, IL and is a LEED Accredited Professional and a Licensed Professional Engineer in Illinois.

UPDATE ON THE ZERO ENERGY HOUSE (ONE YEAR LATER) AND THERMAL PERFORMANCE MEASURES FOR BUILDING ENVELOPES

March 18, 2010

Do you remember last year’s January meeting on the Oberlin Zero Energy House where we learned about the materials and systems required to achieve a LEED Platinum rating for this structure, a contextual example of a sustainable project with an emphasis on products and materials? This year the project’s architect, Joe Ferut, and the homeowner, Carl McDaniel, will update us the performance of the Zero Energy House. Has it been successful? Dr. McDaniel now has a year worth of data and will fill us in on what they’ve learned.

Following the Zero Energy House update, Lynn George, director of Regional Operations for Architectural Testing, Inc. will discuss information on four primary thermal performance measures used to evaluate building envelopes. Information is provided on U-Factors, Solar Heat Gain, Visible Transmittance, and Condensation Resistance. There is an introduction to physical testing and computer modeling standards. Lynn has over twenty five years experience in the fenestration and construction industry including; product design and development, lab and field testing, product certification, and manufacturing supervision. Lynn is a graduate of California University in California, PA and also has an Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. He is a member of ASTM Committee E6 on Building Constructions.

About the Chapter

In the 1960’s and 1970’s there was a local CSI Chapter, known as the Warren, Akron, Canton, Youngstown or “WACY” Chapter. The Chapter gradually fell apart from lack of leadership and loss of interest and was dissolved in the early 1970’s.

A few of the former members retained CSI membership recognizing the value and benefits even without a local support Chapter. Some transferred to other Chapters in the region. Some were simply unaffiliated members. One such faithful member was Larry Everhard. In the summer of 1996, Larry was called by a member of the Columbus Chapter who had noted the absence of a Chapter in the Northeastern Ohio area. Some phone calls, some commitments, some meetings with CSI members from other Chapters, and the spark for a new local Chapter was ignited. Larry Everhard and George Wagner, also a CSI member, gathered a core of interested persons, including this writer. George, during the course of his work convinced a number of persons to join our ranks. George also tracked down other unaffiliated members by obtaining a list from The Institute.

On September 26, 1996, a meeting of 28 prospective members of the new Chapter was inspired by a highly motivational presentation of “What is CSI” by Edith Washington, a member of the Toledo Chapter. Edith is currently president-elect of the Institute, and was treasurer of the Great Lakes Region at that time. Her enthusiasm for CSI in her presentation convinced a lot of attendees to join and made clear that she was destined to go far in CSI. Also present were Larry Raymond and Kathy Bultman, president and vice president, respectively, of the Great Lakes Region, and Brian Smith and Dave Proudfit, presidents of the Columbus and Cincinnati Chapters, respectively.

At the October 1996 dinner meeting conducted by Larry Everhard, officers were elected by verbal vote. Elected to the Board of Directors were: President, Larry Everhard, CSI, AIA; President-elect, Roy Crawford, CSI, CCS, CCCA; Vice-president, Jerry Iams, CSI; Secretary, Debbie Lavanty, CSI; Treasurer, George Wagner, CSI, CDT; Director, Professional, Bill Mikusa, CSI; Director, Industry, Dan Sarvis, CSI; Advisory Board, Jim Jones, CSI; Assistant to the Treasurer/Secretary, Karen Strekely (Schlechter).

By October 1996 the first Chapter newsletter was published and mailed to members, prospective members, and construction-related organizations. Monthly dinner meetings continued through the winter, as did recruiting of members.

On March 27, 1997, at the monthly dinner meeting, Larry Raymond, president of the Great Lakes Region, presented Larry Everhard with a gavel, and a Charter for the Akron-Canton Chapter, CSI. Forty-two charter members, most of whom werepresent, received their charter certificates.

Since that time, the Chapter has grown to 65 members, and continues to grow. Several rounds of new officers have been elected, and have taken the Chapter to new levels of achievement. Our Chapter has won several national and regional awards and is recognized as an important part of the local construction community.