How you "feelin' bout your wheelin" - Mercedes-Benz Camper Vans are now available with underfloor heating. This is not a new concept in heating transportation but it's always worthy of mentioning more brands adopting this comfort conditioning system. The blog has several past feature articles on boats, buses and motor-homes with radiant heat.

This week at the Blog...NAHB is holding a Denver conference on the Future of Housing for Boomers (remember two weeks ago when we told you about another conference  - homes becoming vital health care venues) - both important "human factor" events if you're paying attention - plus enjoy the entire transcripts from the New Zealand Legislation question and answer period where ministers take aim at government for installing radiant floor heating in their prisons...this is politics at it's finest - too funny.

Last to know?

If you had been dropping by the on-line forum you would have been the first to know about several new reports and industry announcements including:

Natural Resources Canada Pending Advisory on Bubble Foil Insulation, I've seen the first draft and it clarifies at least one global authority's position on this type of product.

An excerpt, " As a result of countless inquiries from the general public, building contractors and building professionals concerning claims made by manufacturers of foil-faced bubble insulation (FFBI) products, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has prepared an advisory dealing with the effective thermal resistance (RSI/R value) of these and other reflective types of products for the purpose of energy modeling under its energy efficiency housing initiatives."

If you want to receive this advisory as soon as we have it, we suggest you register at the online forum.

The American Lung Association State of the Air: 2007 Report, this is a real ear opener (nose and throat as well), check to see if your region has a pass or failing grade in outdoor air quality...your outdoor air may be worse or better than your indoor air...

Facility Management Forecast, 2007, where there are long term shortages of anything there are opportunities, so parents if your looking to help your kids find a career, this report will help.

Building Design Leaders Unite on Energy Reduction Targets, probably one of the most significant announcements to come out of the professional world of design. This will have a major long term impact on the entire industry.

Life Expectancy of Home Components Report, puts into perspective what to be expected from appliances to paint jobs.  Think the boiler should last forever - think again.

Plus if you had been at the on-line forum last week, you would have had the opportunity to speak with Susan with Abbott Research who has been contracted by a major organization to find out about who is using radiant based HVAC systems and why?

Drop by the forum...you never know what your missing.

Software review: We just finished reviewing another software package called: Water Flow Characteristics of Thermoplastic Pipe. It is a free down-loadable program from the Plastic Pipe Institute. A quick useful tool for determining velocity and pressure drop. The technical document, which comes with the program, should be in every designers hands.

Reminder, to register for upcoming conferences:

June 13-16, 2007
Topic: Human Factor in HVAC
Delta St John's
St John's, Newfoundland
Canadian Oil Heat Association,  COHA 2007

June 19, 2007
Topic: Control Signals, discussion on p-band, on/off, PWM, and PID.
RPA Webinar Series
Radiant Panel Association

September 13 - 15, 2007
Topic: Creating Quality Environments
Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort & Spa
Victoria, British Columbia
Heating, Refrigeration, Air Conditioning Institute of Canada, 39th AGM

Website News
For those that were around Oct 2004, our website launch date, you would have discovered that www.healthyheating.com was a big experiment on using the web to arm consumers and designers with fact based information on integrating architecture and HVAC systems with environmental ergonomics to accomplish one thing only: Creating Thermal Environmental Conditions Suitable for Human Occupancy.  In 2006 we started on what we call, "our really big project" which are on-line burst of information on architecture, mechanical systems and anthropology; this spring we've been working with some very knowledgeable people on current indoor air quality approaches and will be uploading a lot of good content toward the latter part of the year as we consolidate the materials.

Stay tuned and visit often.

If you are having troubles downloading documents, accessing our website, blog or forum, want to provide feedback or make suggestions on the editorial content or design of the site, or wish to link to our site or obtain permission to republish our content, please let us know via info@healthyheating.com.