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Category: MESA Activities

2013 Walk on Water Competition

Published August 22, 2013 by Eric Pamintuan

The Walk on Water Competition is held every year to promote the field of Engineering and its importance in society. More specifically, the goal of the event is to promote fundamental scientific and engineering design principles that are the core foundation of all engineers. Students are assigned the task of designing, constructing, and piloting water shoes across the pool. They must consider three important design considerations; buoyancy, stability, and propulsion. The entire process will allow one to gain experience at applying the engineering design process and ultimately, to solve open-ended engineering problems.

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2013-2014 MESA Schools Program Outreach, Volunteer, and Employment Opportunities

Published August 19, 2013 by Eric Pamintuan

The MESA Schools Program is the K-12 branch of MESA. In San Diego, there are two K-12 programs serving schools in San Diego County and Imperial County. We work with underrepresented and educationally disadvantaged students over a large network of over 40 middle and high schools.
We want to work with the local university chapters of STEM student organizations to reach out and make an impact in our SD community. Get in touch with us to meet your outreach goals and to volunteer at our events.

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How to become an Eligible Contractor in the CSI-Thermal Program

Published August 19, 2013 by Eric Pamintuan

This contractor and self-installer workshop is a prerequisite for participation in the CSI-Thermal incentive program for solar water heating installations. For contractors, it is MANDATORY that the contractor business owner attend the workshop, and it is strongly recommended that the lead installer and rebate manager attend as well. Contractors must hold an A ,B ,C-4, C-36, or C-46 license in order to be eligible for this program, and the attendee’s name must be identified under the contractor’s business name on the California State License Board webpage.

This workshop will provide information on the CSI-Thermal Program requirements, such as the application process, incentive amounts, customer and equipment eligibility, and installation guidelines. Training on solar water heating system design and installation is not provided in this workshop.

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Solar for Homeowners 2 – Be a Smart Solar Customer

Published August 19, 2013 by Eric Pamintuan

Solar for Homeowners 2 is the second workshop in this two part series that provides the details and information required for homeowners when comparing solar bids from contractors. In this free workshop, homeowners will be given the tools necessary to compare different bids received by contractors. We will also discuss the details that must be included in a solar purchase agreement and reveal some consumer awareness tips for those entering into negotiations. After completing this two step series, homeowners will have the knowledge and resources necessary to confidently make that final decision to go solar!

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North Park – Energy Efficiency Home Tour

Published August 19, 2013 by Eric Pamintuan

You’re invited to tour Shirley’s energy-efficient home.

Is an 87-year-old home destined to be drafty? Shirley of North Park knows the answer is no. After enduring 13 chilly winters, she decided to make her living environment more comfortable.

“Inside this 1920s vintage house it was extremely cold in the winter and I had to wear heavy sweaters most of the time and use extra blankets,” Shirley recalls. “The bathroom was so cold that I would run a space heater in there before taking a shower.”

Shirley hired a contractor to add attic and crawlspace insulation, seal the home’s air leakage, replace the ducts, replace the old furnace and water heater with high-efficiency models, and install dual-pane windows. Because the contractor was participating in Energy Upgrade CaliforniaTM Home Upgrade, Shirley was able to access a rebate of $4,000.

The energy efficiency upgrades are projected to reduce the home’s annual energy use by 41%. And, just as important to Shirley, “the temperature is consistent throughout all the rooms; when it is cold outside I hardly need to turn on the furnace.”

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Solar for Homeowners 1 – Getting Started

Published August 19, 2013 by Eric Pamintuan

In this workshop you will learn the fundamentals of solar electricity and the current incentives that are offered through the California Solar Initiative (CSI) program. We will explain how to calculate your energy use and properly size a solar system for your home, as well as how to find and research solar contractors. The more you know, the better prepared you will be when choosing a contractor that is right for you!

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Spring Valley – Energy Efficiency Home Tour

Published August 19, 2013 by Eric Pamintuan

You’re invited to tour Tony and Cindy’s energy-efficient home.

In 2010, Tony and Cindy bought a remodeled 25-year-old home in Spring Valley. They quickly discovered the temperatures in the home were inconsistent and uncomfortable. “Our house was really cold in the winter and it got really hot in the summer,” says Cindy. They knew there was very little insulation in the attic, and a home energy assessment conducted last year revealed gaping holes in the ducts.

After seeing the results of the assessment, the couple decided to complete upgrades including attic insulation, air sealing, new ducts, and a high-efficiency furnace and air conditioning system.

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Serra Mesa – Energy-Efficiency Home Tour

Published August 19, 2013 by Eric Pamintuan

You’re invited to tour Crystal and Joseph’s energy-efficient home.

Crystal and Joseph have completed a variety of improvements on their 1959-built Serra Mesa home. Like many families, they wanted to lower their energy bills. But they were also motivated by the connection between energy upgrades and healthy indoor air quality.

“Before the upgrades, I was sick a lot, and we suspected the bad ducts and poor air quality may have been the cause,” Crystal says. “After the upgrades were installed, my headaches, nausea and sore throat are no longer an issue.”

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