Community: Message List

Re: Boiler Room – Increase Ventilation

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Sun, 19 May 2013 06:41:52 GMT

A perfect info source. Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic.

Indoor Heating

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Sun, 19 May 2013 06:33:40 GMT

http://www.uniongas.com/business/savemoneyenergy/equipmenttips/indoorheating/indoorBoiler.asp

Lower your fuel costs

While modern boiler installations tend to be highly sophisticated with many self-monitoring and self-regulating features, it pays to maintain and follow a rigid maintenance and inspection schedule. Studies have shown that, on average, 7% of boiler fuel costs are a direct result of poor maintenance.

Go to our Save Money & Energy section to see our Condensing Boiler incentive program.

The following boiler maintenance tips have been adapted from the Cleaver-Brooks Boiler Room Guide, an extensive document referring to various topics including General Boiler Description, Inspections, Start-up, Routine Operations, Shutting Down and Theory of Combustion and Thermodynamics.

Boiler maintenance tips

Know your equipment. Keep the boiler manufacturer’s manual and data in a special file and ensure that staff consults this information whenever in doubt
Maintain complete records - individual components should be listed on indexed cards or computer database by model, serial number and date of installation
Establish a regular boiler inspection schedule
Establish and use boiler log sheets
Establish and keep written operating procedures updated. A detailed start-up procedure is essential in standardizing boiler room routine
Emphasize good housekeeping
Keep electrical equipment clean
Maintain adequate fresh air supply - filters must be kept clean
In severe winter weather, the room may need to be heated to an acceptable ambient temperature
Keep accurate fuel records
Emphasize safety in all aspects of boiler operation

Centre at Norpoint efficiency measures

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Sun, 19 May 2013 05:37:49 GMT

http://www.djc.com/news/co/12052527.html

General contractor: Johnson Controls Energy Solutions Group

Engineer: Air Systems Engineering

Owner: Metro Parks Tacoma

ABC member: Merit Mechanical

The Centre at Norpoint in Tacoma is a 45,000-square-foot community center housing a large swimming pool, gymnasiums, racquetball courts, day-care facilities, fitness centers, locker rooms, offices and meeting rooms.

For some time, Metro Parks Tacoma had been calling in Air Systems Engineering regularly to care for the center’s aging mechanical systems. But in July 2011, Air Systems was invited to partner with Johnson Controls Energy Solutions Group to build a new and upgraded energy-efficient mechanical plant — essentially the equivalent of a heart transplant — for the center.

The design called for installation of two highly energy-efficient boilers, 15 air-handler coils, and five pumps and heat exchangers for the pools, domestic hot water and space heating.

The three-week shutdown to upgrade the mechanical plant was a coordination challenge. There was a lot of work to do and much of it needed to be done in a small boiler room in the extreme heat of the summer.

Air Systems realized early on that the pool’s existing air-to-air dehumidification unit could be modified by adding a new air-to-water heat pump that could preheat make-up water for the pool. This constant energy source would be much more valuable as a heat source for the main system water loop, creating a more favorable operating cost-benefit ratio, so it was added at no additional cost to the client.

One of the challenges in this project was the diligent coordination of people and time, as there would need to be scheduled interruptions for no-heat shutdowns and safe work practices around the public, including the need for warm pools and hot showers when local schools used them in early September. To accommodate these needs, Air Systems performed the demolition, poured the concrete pads and set the major equipment, then concurrently performed the change-out of 17 air-handler coils, plus all of the electrical wiring and motors.

The boilers were designed with a dual-fuel feature, able to operate on either propane or natural gas. Two 1,000-gallon propane and natural gas tanks were originally supposed to be installed in a fenced area behind the facility, but Metro Parks was wary that such an enclosure might be an eyesore as well as a liability to the adjacent outdoor water park. So the decision was made to bury the tanks.

Once the old boilers were gone, the team realized that if it expedited the permitting and installation of the new tanks, it would be able to stay on schedule. Once installed, the boilers were fired up on a Friday afternoon and the 60,000-gallon pool was 85 degrees by Sunday.

The design-build process for this project allowed Air Systems to adapt and consult quickly with the engineers during job site challenges.

With all of the safety measures in place and executed, plus additional oversight by the job superintendent, there were no incidents or injuries during the 1,355 hours worked on the project.

Re: After your initial 15 or so inquiries I see no reason to get more than 3 or so inquiries a yr as vacationers only look at first 10-15

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Sun, 19 May 2013 04:16:55 GMT

Hi evan. Do you mean reviews instead of inquiries?

After your initial 15 or so inquiries I see no reason to get more than 3 or so inquiries a yr as vacationers only look at first 10-15

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Sun, 19 May 2013 03:46:02 GMT

i have about 22 inquiries now and just want to maintain 3-4 new ones a yr as vacationers only look at the first page which is about 10. And that allows me to pick and choose who i want to ask instead of everyone. The more you ask the greater chance you'll get some negative ones

Analysis of the RISK of FRAUD to owner with online payments

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Sun, 19 May 2013 03:23:28 GMT

This is the excerpt from YapStone's bull%hit agreement allowing them to hold OUR money until up to two days *after* guest arrival - WHAT! Yup that's right, you heard it right. Right now, in my perfect world as an owner without this bull, I receive payments up to 5 months in advance with NO refunds unless we have a replacement. MANY of us owners need that security because our selling season is way in advance of occupancy. That means we cant find a replacement if a renter flakes last minute. Why on earth would you give up that security to YapperStone? Do we really want the life of our business to be subject to renter whims? - meaning the renter can flake at the last minute even know we cant find a replacement! Read this:

YapStone will process the Guest's Electronic Payment ... within twenty four (24) hours after the beginning date of the Guest's reserved period at the rented Property; and Client shall receive the Guest's Electronic Payment .... in Client's bank account no later than two (2) business days following such twenty four (24) hour period,..., via ACH transfer to Client's bank account; provided, however, that if a Guest elects not to commence a stay at the rented Property (and has complied with YapStone's revocation process requirements), then YapStone shall not pay over to Client's bank account any Electronic Payment that has been collected by YapStone from such Guest. Plus fees too!!!

Yapstone is a Homeaway partner whereby through signing your life away to QuackStone you get an "online paymnets accepted" badge and thus receive online payments from renters with great RISK. Just the name YapStone sounds synonomous with quacker. Amazing how many owners are falling for this BS. Owners stand up for yourselves, we are becoming slaves in this new industry. A lot is being taken from us and we don't have any lobby to fight this monster. We need stroing voices fast!

It's hard enough for us to do business in this world as it is. Do we need another layer between us and the money - really for goodness sake! OWNERS UNITE!

Hey, here is the icing, let's pay a 2.5% fee for the added risk! HA! I would laugh if I didnt have tears in my eyes! When will Homeawy do something *good* for the owners? Every day it's more for the renters and less for us - oh yeah, but we get to pay more each year for the added lacerations!

WHAT WE NEED as owners IS strong visibility online (like Homeawy provides) but without the ever greater push for renter control of EVERYTHING. Every year it's just a little harder and just a ittle more shifted in favor of renter control. But online payments takes it the rest of the way there. The last vestige of security that we had - ie cash in the bank to secure a renter's good faith is stripped from our hands with Homeaway's invention of online payments - motivated surely to get a piece of the action (logical conclusion) - you gotta believe Homeaway makes something on the processing fees. Increased listing fees and saturation due to more owners in each region is just not enough for Homeaway.

ps the reason this is so important is because homeaway is pushing higher sort for people who sign up for this online payment so that makes it more difficult fro those of us with integrity to security. The Yapstone agreement shold NOT allow them to escrow EVER EVER EVER. Nor should it allow credit card disputes (which by the way are almost always in favor of the credit card holder) to allow the renter to reach into our bank accounts and take back the money - EVER EVER EVER. Cash and checks are the only assurance that a renter won't flake. BROKERS work that way - and we should too! Do NOT accept credit cards on an expensive rental. Would you accept a credit card to sell you house - and sign the deed over if you knew that the money was not GUARANTEED? WEll why shoul you ever accept a payment that is not GUARANTEED unconditionally either. the only way a chargeback should eve be able to occur is if the owner were comitting fraud. Fraud is WAY different than renter cancelling on a whim. SHAME ON YOU HOMEAWAY for supporting the Yapperstone agreement. That's what they are - yappers - scammers.

All replies are welcome. Yeah, I'm upset. I'm upset because I'm worried that nobody else sees the potential damage here and no voices to support US - not Homeaway but US the owners - we are NOT represented by Homeaway in any capacity.

Re: Security deposits vs. rental protection

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Sun, 19 May 2013 03:37:46 GMT

i've wrote about this many times. Yes i agree a damage deposit is 100 times better than getting a $49 damage wether as when people have there skin in the game they're much more careful. Were i differ with many on here is if you;re to upper middle class i think just getting the check and saying if any damage i will cash the check. works just as good.I've been doing it 3 yrs and 75 renters and have not had to hold one sent. I'm positive that wether you cash the check or not people are mentally concious that you hold there check. .An example is every few rentals i'll get an email telling me the handle came off on the toaster, the door nob fell off front door or the handle on toilet broke. They tell me because they don't want to get charged. of course all thosw are wear and tear. also i'll get an email every 4th renter asking me what i did with there uncashed rental check which i tell them in my giving them all the codes letter that i shred the check when no damage done. To each his own but it works good for me and i think not having to pay another $500 gets me some rentals.

Re: WHO DO YOU TURN TO WHEN YOUR PROPERTY HAS BEEN USED IN A RENTAL SCAM?

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Sun, 19 May 2013 03:36:23 GMT

Here is another phishing attempt for you all to look for. If you receive phishing attempts view the full header, copy and paste it into the email and forward it to Homeaway immediately

Spoof@HomeAway.com

The quicker you do this the quicker these sites will be shut down. Sure they will open new ones but if EVERY PROPERTY OWNER did this immediately it would at least slow the scammers down.

Also my advice to all property owners is to set up completely new email addresses for contact and Inquiries. I did so today. With Yahoo you can also take an option for a 2nd level of security whereby you are notified by telephone text if anyone attempts to gain access to you email from anywhere other than the normal devices that Yahoo have on file. Change all your passwords to 20+ digits with UPPER and Lower case letters, numbers and icons like %#?! on both your Homeaway Accounts and your email accounts. Don't wait until it happens to you. Protect yourself and change your passwords frequently. My apologies to those computer savvy prperty owners who have already done this and know this. This is just a reminder. As property owners it is our responsibility to protect our email accounts. Thanks

Re: WHO DO YOU TURN TO WHEN YOUR PROPERTY HAS BEEN USED IN A RENTAL SCAM?

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Sun, 19 May 2013 03:09:42 GMT

Congratulations and a big Thank You to Homeaway for taking the proactive steps below. Homeaway has sent to all inquirers the pictured alert for inquirers to verify the phone number on the listing and call the owner prior to making payment. This is a really positive step. This warning went out to inquirers at Cranberry Lake who our records show have been targeted for this scam. I will run some test inquiries to see if Homeaway has sent to other affected tourist areas like Florida and Bali. It is not a warning mixed in with marketing. These are not often read. It is a clear warning specifically do address this security issue. THANK YOU HOMEAWAY FOR TAKING THIS PROACTIVE STEP. For some victims it will mean discovering they have been scammed prior to arriving in a forgeign country and being stranded. By identifying victims BEFORE they leave on their trips this will minimize the personal toll. It will also give Homeaway access to many more fraudulent accounts at Barclays that can be quickly shut down. It won't stop the scammers but it will minimize the damage done to victims.

Boiler Room – Increase Ventilation

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Sun, 19 May 2013 02:56:04 GMT

http://www.cntenergy.org/media/Boiler-Room-Increase-Ventilation.pdf

The Problem

Anytime you maintain, retrofit, or replace a gas heating system you also need to be concerned with air quality. Combustion air is needed by all oil and gas heating systems to support the combustion process. This air is provided in some homes by unintentional air leaks, or by air ducts that connect to the outdoors. The combustion process creates several byproducts that are potentially hazardous to human health and can cause deterioration in your home. You can protect yourself from these hazards, as well as maintain energy efficiency, by ensuring that your chimney system functions properly and that your gas heating system is properly ventilated. In some cases, installing a sealed-combustion furnace or boiler can also help. The Solution a general rule of thumb is 2 in2 of ventilation for every thousand BTUs of heating input for mechanical equipment. Thus, if the input of a heating system is 200,000BTUs, the appropriate dimensions for a louver would be 20” x 20“. It is important to consider all mechanical equipment in the boiler room when sizing ventilation, not just the boiler or furnace.

Fig. 1: A common mechanical louver used for boiler room ventilation

Special Considerations

 In colder climates, it is ideal to direct the outside air towards the intake of the mechanical equipment. This will ensure that less of the unconditioned air from outside cools the room and the equipment, and more is utilized to maintain the highest efficiency possible in the heating system.

 Regardless of climate, it is always advantageous to have a mechanical louver, which opens when the mechanical equipment needs air intake, and closes when the equipment turns off, thus keeping out unneeded ventilation to the outside. Of course, uncontrolled intake of outside air is preferable to the dangers of unventilated boiler rooms, but depending on the climate, the unconditioned air will cool the boiler room and increase fuel costs.