WATER TERMS

term	description
EARTH'S THERMAL ENERGY	A short distance below the surface, the Earth maintains a mostly constant temperature reasonably close to human comfort range. This can be used advantageously by certain heating and cooling systems. The higher temperatures found in the Earth are also used for producing electricity in some areas.
EFFECTIVE POROSITY	The portion of pore space in saturated permeable material where the movement of water takes place.
EFFECTIVE PRECIPITATION (RAINFALL)	The part of precipitation which produces runoff; a weighted average of current and antecedent precipitation effective in correlating with runoff. It is also that part of the precipitation falling on an irrigated area which is effective in meeting the requirements of consumptive use.
EFFICIENT FIXTURES AND APPLIANCES	Fixtures and appliances that use the least amount of energy and water and accomplish tasks are considered efficient.
ELECTRODlALYSIS	A process which uses an electrical current and an arrangement of permeable membranes to separate soluble minerals from water. It is often used to desalinize salt or brackish water.
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS (EMFs)	Electric and magnetic fields are common in nature and in all living things. Electric power produces fields that have a possible association with health risks. Continuing health risk evaluation is occurring, but avoiding excessive exposure to EMFs is recommended. Placing electric meters and panels on walls of least occupied areas is a simple method to minimize exposure to EMFs.
EMBODIED ENERGY	This is the energy invested in bringing a product or material into existence.
ENERGY	In scientific terms, the ability or capacity of doing work. Various forms of energy include kinetic, potential, thermal, nuclear, rotational, and electromagnetic. One form of energy may be changed to another, as when coal is burned to produce steam to drive a turbine which produces electric energy.
ENERGY EFFICIENT GAS WATER HEATING	To select an energy efficient gas water heater for the GREEN BUILDER PROGRAM, first add up in gallons what the most demand for hot water could be in one hour. Then identify models that list a peak hour demand equal to or greater than your demand. This information is listed in the ÒGas Appliance Manufacturers Association's Consumer's Directory of Certified Efficiency Ratings for Residential Heating and Water Heating EquipmentÓ available at the appliance suppliers' locations or contact the ECSD Gas Efficiency Program. From the models that meet the peak hour demand, make a final selection (using the directory) from those models with a .60 or greater Energy Factor and 80% or greater Recovery Efficiency.
ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATOR (ERV)	Draws stale air from the house and transfers the heat or coolness in that air to the fresh air being pulled into the house. This can help reduce energy costs and dilute indoor pollutants.
ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATOR(ERV) WITH HUMIDITY REGULATION	The ERV creates decreased or increased humidity as needed in the incoming air, a particularly appropriate feature for Austin's high humidity.
ENERGY STAR RATING	The City of Austin's Energy Star Program rates the energy efficiency of homes. A three star home is the highest rating for energy efficiency. The rating considers shading, R-values, colors, lighting and equipment efficiencies. Energy Star-rated homes all exceed energy code requirements.
ENVIRONMENT	An organism's surroundings. Water is a major part of an organism's surroundings in many instances.
EROSION	The wearing away of the land surface by wind, water, ice or other geologic agents. Erosion occurs naturally from weather or runoff but is often intensified by human land use practices.
ESTUARIES	An area where fresh water meets salt water; for example, bays, mouths of rivers, salt marshes, and lagoons.
EUTROPHICATION	The process of enrichment of waterbodies by nutrients. Eutrophication of a lake normally contributes to its slow evolution into a bog or marsh and ultimately to dry land. Eutrophication may be accelerated by human activities and thereby speed up the aging process.
EVAPORATION	The process by which water becomes a vapor at a temperature below the boiling point.
EVAPORATION POND	A containment area where liquids are allowed to evaporate. In some cases a spraying mechanism is used to speed evaporation.
EARTH SHELTERED DESIGN	Design of houses that are partially or totally below ground, either as a result of digging into existing topography or filling over parts of the structure. Earth sheltered design uses the constant temperature of the soil to improve energy efficiency, and can' beneficial for use of hilly sites by decreasing maintenance and environmental impact.
EFFLUENTS	Something that flows out, usually a polluting gas or liquid discharge.
ENERGY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES	Energy Guide labels on appliances show energy efficiencies in dollar amounts and on a comparative basis. Refrigerators that are 20% or greater than federal standards are considered energy efficient by the GREEN BUILDER PROGRAM. The rankings are listed in the Blue Clue Energy-Efficient Refrigerator and Freezer Directory by Bonneville Power, which is available from ECSD. Front loading (horizontal axis) clothes washers are much more energy and water efficient than vertical axis machines(up to two-thirds better) and are considered energy efficient by the program. Appliance ratings are also published by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy and are available from ECSD.
ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHTING	Motion sensors and photo switches activate the exterior lights only when needed. Energy efficient bulbs and reflectors reduce the energy when lit in exterior and interior locations.
EXTERIOR GRADE PLYWOOD	Exterior grade plywood uses phenol formaldehyde as an adhesive which outgasses in much smaller amounts compared to urea formaldehyde, which is used in interior grade plywood and particle board.

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