Letters: Reader Feedback

In response to the story “Green Building Consultant Makes 2007 Predictions,” (Top Engineering News, www.csemag.com, 01/25/07), green guru Jerry Yudelson's predictions for sustainability left me with one question: Have the builders also been developing low voltage DC homes that can run on storage batteries recharged by wind or solar, or overnight by local power service? Because most of the personal electronics utilize DC power supplies lowering the voltage to 5 or 12 volts DC would seem to be the next step unless AC is a more efficient delivery system.

Donald Kellyvia the internet

In response to the story “Autodesk and USGBC Partner on Technology” (Top Engineering News, csemag.com, 12/13/06), to be honest, I find it very discouraging that USGBC CEO Rick Fedrizzi refers to this partnership as “democratizing.” This will be nothing of the sort—more like tyrannizing. At least Adobe viewers are downloadable for free. Perhaps if Autodesk offered Revit for free, this might be a good idea to streamline the LEED certification process, but I doubt that Autodesk has that as their primary focus.

Jack Schneidervia the internet

I really enjoyed your article on the early years of christmas lights and house electrification. (“The True Story of Electric Christmas Lights,” www.csemag.com, 12/19/06, lighting community). I think, however, that the author understates the cost to light an early-1900s christmas tree. I checked with the US Gov't CPI site inflation calculator, which states that a dollar in 1913 was worth about twenty dollars today. So, that $300 lighting job would be closer to six grand in 2007. I look forward to more great articles of this kind.

Jim Suskyvia the internet

Certainly T8 high bays have their place, but not in refrigerated warehouses. (“Lighting Warehouse Aisles,” csemag.com, lighting community, 06/01/06) I represent a T5-HO high bay luminaire that is fully insulated and will out perform any T8 high bay on the market, with over 5,000 units in operation in temperatures that range from 0ºF to -20ºF.

I would like to further discuss the opinions expressed in the article and provide some case studies and actual customers that are using our product throughout North America.

Chris Issakides chris@legacyenergy.org