Sustainability Committee was formed to rationally compare the value proposition of choices. Before that residents expressed concerns about off-gassing of stock piled cleaners beyond what was helpful, desired to reduce our expenses by bargain hunting, preferred reusable cleaning supplies, and wanted to only buy what we use. Treasury Committee audited costs, and eventually a Supply Clerk was granted $10/mo to hopefully automate price sharing to discover best prices and deliver what houses routinely need. We stopped wasting money on paper towels, and found significantly cheaper sources of TP that we need in bulk.
After sitting through many heated BOD discussions of what disposable supplies are appropriate for all houses, Officers of MSC agreed to defer most decisions of what is worth buying to Houses that can purchase using House Funds that are allotted from MSC revenue on a per rent paying-resident basis. Each house can rest assured that discretionary supply costs to MSC will be fair among the houses, and perhaps we will simply observe if some house choices deliver more for their money. Houses can reimburse residents for direct purchases to meet special needs while the Supply Clerk orders bulk purchases for least cost.
A discrete standards table is certainly due, but
Some Sustainability Logic for perspective on purchasing efforts:
By far our largest energy need is heating homes, so we upgrade as finances fail. We now have DC ECM blower motors and >90 if not 98% AFUE variable capacity or modulating air furnaces hot water heaters in all houses except Castle and a tank water heater in L-Hús for cost reasons. Hydronic radiant heat is the most efficient heat redistribution now that we got integrated DC pump motor assemblies but our reliable boilers are only 60% AFUE. Heat pumps exceed 100% AFUE by moving 3 to 7x the heat required to do the work but much work is required to make this feasible. This is where we might save enough energy to offset introducing HRV combined with dehumidificationa so that perhaps radiators could operate in reverse without condensation issues for much desired comfort. A 2nd loop could provide hot water so one boiler and water heater might remain used as backup. between 3 houses. A dry laundry room can boost the efficiency of an electric dryer, and an electric oven could end need for houses gas connection. Imagining better HVAC seems very distant until one's heat source fails and contractors tell you all they have locally is an inefficient device that they will charge a lot to install. Far better to install the better system in line with the old for backup.
After heat and hot water houses nationally use 19% of their energy for cooling the home. The dominant electrical demand. This is important because for now the cost of electricity rises faster than natural gas because while solar is cheaper than fuel electricity production the cost to convert to renewable energy with storage & transmission improvements to use sun or wind from when & where it is free to when & where it is free consumes the savings. While refrigerators are 7% of typical USA home energy use MSC has a fridge for every 2 Members of 6 fridges in our larger homes so a house heat pump could harvest that waste heat. If that were 5x7%=35% of electricity inefficient refrigerators matter for us. 10% of USA residential energy went to lighting in 2023 so converting to LED is not enough, light efficiency matters. The cloths dryer is 5.7% overall with negligible efficiency improvements until efficacy is lost so we use gas dryers and one electric with a newer electric being recovered and think more about de-humidification and duct efficiency. TVs and related were 7% so we we do not want any CRT or Plasma TV or monitor in regular use. The sum of miscellany was 13% so everything kind of matters such that smart panels could let us simply charge rooms using > 600W on average 24/7. Other specified items were <1.8% and conflate frequency with power demand where used so we prioritize purchase performance standards that matter.
SAFETY
Electrical Wires to bedrooms are rated for 15A. The circuit breaker exists to shut down to protect us from electrical fires. A peak of 1800W might hurt devices before it trips the breaker so surge protectors are recommended. Power cords are not approved inside the house except for power tools one hold in the hands for construction type work with nothing but a light sharing the breaker. 1400 W is closer to what we can assume is a safe power load for a circuit over time. If you need more than a 300W device in your room, then discuss with others sharing your circuit.
#1 Space heaters stress our old wiring and cause circuits to blow that other residents might rely on for their computer. Yet as of 2024, some specific rooms need them in Winter, so we don't bill for that. Efforts to get HVAC people to improve situations repeatedly fall on deaf ears. Space heaters can be a fire hazard, so ceramic element heaters need a switch to shut off if knocked to the side by something. Air flow should not be restricted. Radiant heaters are generally safer to not exceed 120°F with a shut off thermostat. It is frustrating that this requires more thought after replacing all forced air furnaces.
Generally 600W is safe to warm an area of a room, but consider what else shares your 15A circuit that should only handle ~1500W total.
Better options deserve attention: In some cases a heat pad is ideal for one's feet in a basement room. Wearing a sweater is normal Minnesota behavior. A 60W incandescent lamp can warm precisely ones hands as one types. In the right lamp with safety considered a 300W heat lamp ideally situated at times offers more comfort than a 900W heater. Heat blankets have safety concerns, but infrared LEDs...
900W is acceptable, but 1200W to 1500W is only for careful emergency use. If you need this it is likely your window is open, or your radiator is shut off or...
#2 Window AC Units are a big deal. They stress our old wiring and cause circuits to blow that other residents might rely on for their computer. NOT COOL. Yet as of 2024, house coordinators here more calls for bathroom remodels than volunteers to facilitate mapping chases for adding better HVAC ducts, electricians to pull better wires and plumbers to address strategic pipe issues. What we do is charge the few who put in a Window AC unit $10/month by emailing when it goes in and when it goes out. If AC is only worth $10 for 3 residents for 3 to 4 months then clearly we are not eager to pay the extra cost for AC YET, but if temperature extremes rise without shade to compensate we need to a plan to implement. This was about a third the cost of the least electricity consumed during a summer month or heat lost by having a steel radiator in one's open window in Winter. Efficiencies improve, yet MSC still charges less than the AC costs us. Factor in repair to windows, arguing, storage needs...
Like bed mattresses that pass custody from one resident to the next, those who use AC tend to rely on AC left by those before, and those who can or must afford to buy new are relied upon to perhaps leave something better than they discarded. Mattresses standards are a rabbit hole that MSC tries not to get stuck in. However, MSC must recognize to recycle the least efficient AC units left with us. That requires interpreting various EER standards to compare, and manufacture dates that preceed. We continue to permit AC units within limits that house can sustain stress from until we implement central or systemic sytems that obsolete window units. Basic MSC philosophy is those who can & choose to afford a better living standard here are permitted to do so while we focus on keeping the besic shelter costs affordable for the majority and improve the standards everyone shares affordably. Pace of progress depends on frugal budgets, careful deliberation, and taking risks inherent to trusting professionals who say they can deliver a better situation.
4000 BTU with CEER =13 to 15 would be great if it were affordable but by hen we should start to have central AC of some sort.
5000 BTU with CEER >8 suffices to cool a 150sqft room. (e.g 3DMC5K has CEER ≥11) 440W It may be Energy Star rated at $44/year, but electricity in MN is higher than the 11 to 13›/kWh assumed with per kWh taxes, and this assumes it only ran 8hours /day for 3 of 12 months. The cost is $11/month * local per kWh cost/rating assumed cost. Generally >$13/month
The portable version uses >800W for the same cooling, so should generally not be approved. It is ok to sell because people buy, but be transparent that we sell because it is inefficient.
6000 BTU with EER ≥12 for 100 to 200sqft is excessive, 500 to <600W so should not trip the breaker unless 2 cycle in unison
8000 BTU with EER ≥14 tends to consume under 900W but the power spike when it cycles on is significantly more. Would cool a room > 300sqft. This should not be approved.
The ability of curtains and drapes to reduce heat gain depends on the fabric type (closed or open weave) and color. Studies show that medium-colored draperies with white plastic backings can reduce heat gain by 33 %, the DOE says. Hang the curtains as close to windows as possible. For maximum effect, install a cornice at the top of the draperies, seal the draperies at the sides, and overlap them in the middle using Velcro or tape.
Window awnings can reduce solar heat gain by up to 65 % on south-facing windows and 77 % on west-facing windows, according to the DOE. For the best results, choose awnings in light colors that reflect more sunlight. In the winter, roll up retractable awnings to let sun warm your house. Many windows would require a professional exterior install due to wind, but K32 simply hung a shade on their window off the fire escape, E22 & E21 can simply tie up a shade structure on the deck outside their windows. K13 chose to insulate in place of their closet window, but could definitely set a shade outside their window.
#3 Refrigerators.
MSC got rid of many inefficient refrigerators 2009 to 2014, but MSC is overdue to test refrigerators again with the kWh meter. Many paid for themselves in savings within 3 to 5 years because we found CEE Tier 3 units that freeze or refrigerate ≥16.5 CF for < 350kWh as rated. We later larger units that gave residents ≥8.25CF each for < 500kWh/yr to be the more affordable price point. However, test procedures evolve and compiling the right metrics to compare is a task. That was the easy energy savings stage discarding the worst refrigerators. Now we need to think about how much fridge vs frozen space we tend to want. Has efficiency of deep freezers improved., or perhaps stand alone refrigerators at different set temperatures. This leads into kitchen remodel and heat pump optimization design relevant preferences. Some fruit stores longer if not chilled <55°F so a filtered ventilation fly proof "pie safe" cabinet might be ideal for bananas, tomatoes...
We are likely due to replace 3 refrigerators within a couple years so tests to identify struggling appliances and clearing space to stash a new spare fridge are prudent to avoid the crises of a failed fridge.
Our Refrigerator purchase standards is:
CEE Tier 3 and 8.25cu.ft combined fridge + frozen volume for <175kWh as rated in 2010 or a Kill-A-Watt Meter for a week long test of cycling with weather conditions reported.
Our continuing refrigerator use standard is that replacement will not pay for itself in <5 years. If it uses > 400kWh/person after coils are clean that may be a replacement candidate.
Our Refrigerator swap standard is
Price is also considered in total cost of service. Our goal is to keep demanding more performance to stay in Tier 3 or 4 unless we find a non Tier 3 option that is more efficient as we found prudent when the most efficient LED lights were innovating too fast to get current government tests listed on each model.
It is vital to note that Tier 3 only compares refrigeration units in a given category, while we seek best performance irrespective of category. Until we afford and achieve a higher building performance standard, we assume ice-makers are a negative value or merely something to remove and sell as a part to those needing a replacement. This increases freezer volume. Insulating ice dispenser holes in doors can help further.
We seek to fully fill our refrigerators and freezers because empty air volume is inefficient. Further having refrigeration in cooler basements is more efficient than in warmed bedrooms. That said proper cleaning of dust off refrigerator coils with a coil brush can reduce annual energy use by 30% real world difference in practice can exceed differences between CEE efficiency tiers..
Maintenance Standards:
Carpets were observed to trap a lot of filth and cleaning costs were not well spent relative to the ease of cleaning hard wood floors. Carpets covering old asbestos were deemed unable to protect residents from potential dust if the tiles start to deteriorate. Thus MSC banned new wall to wall carpet installations, and approved floating floors to protect any asbestos tiles from wear. Nylon backed rugs wear into flooring, and rubber mats melt into protective coatings over wood or asbestos tiles, so less abrasive rug backing is specified. Our goal is washable rugs only, healthy wood finishes let residents see where there is no lead paint, all asbestos tiles are sealed to isolate residents from that potential hazard in shared areas.
Paints: Where possible 30 year exterior paints are specified, yet exterior cladding is preferred if it lasts longer between maintenance events.
Epoxy, polyeurethane may be warranted for extreme durability, but more research is needed for cement coatings to seal concrete.
HVAC
Economies of scale matter, so investing in the most efficient condensing furnace... makes less sense in our tiny castle house then folding that investment into greater HVAC efficiency for larger houses. Thus we must separate moral questions of fairness in resource utilization per person from strategic investment allocations to get the greatest impact for our efficiency gains in the larger houses with more residents.
Main house has the highest efficiency furnace system in MSC, and most complete modern duct system in MSC, and yet 4 bedrooms often receive insufficient heat. K12, K13, K14, K23, and recently K24. K13 & K14 are recent remodels that rely on base electric heat to compensate, but K12 has a freakish situation that somehow sucks cold air into the room through the duct at times. K23 & K24 had no reported issue until more recently they request space heaters. It is as if a damper broke during a cleaning, or something.