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9.2 Key Terms
9.2 Key Terms
Key Terms
Definition / Description
1.1 Energy Concepts and Energy Resources Review
Absorbance
A measure of the light-absorbing ability of an object.
Balance points
Barrier
The temperatures from which the degree-day difference is
measured.
A substance that stops the flow or slows it down to a negligible rate
Baseload Consumption
The virtually constant consumption over a given period of time
Benefit/Cost Ratio
A ratio attempting to identify the relationship between the cost and
benefits of a proposed project.
The amount of heat required to raise a pound of water’s temperature
one degree Fahrenheit.
Net Zero carbon emissions because the total amount that is released
is captured.
When humid air moves near a cool object, tiny beads of water begin
to form on its surface.
The process by which a gas or vapor changes to a liquid.
British Thermal Unit (BTU)
Carbon Neutral
Condensation
Condense
Conduction
Conductor
Convection
Cooling Degree-day
Density
Efficiency of Use
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Emittance
End Users
Energy
Energy conservation
Energy Conversion
Energy Density
Heat transfer mechanism that occurs when two materials of different
temperature are in direct contact or when there is a difference in
temperature within a single material- the warmer material or side
conducts it’s heat to the cooler one.
A substance connecting two regions where the medium can flow
rapidly.
Heat transfer mechanism that occurs when a material comes in
contact with air (or other gas or liquid) - a warmer material heats up
the air adjacent to its surface, and in turn the warmer air rises and is
replaced with more cooler air.
Measure the air temperature differences between the outdoors and
78 degrees Fahrenheit over the hot summer season.
Measures how many pounds a cubic foot of fluid weighs.
Efficient homes maximize comfort, service, and value for each unit
of energy.
Graphic way of describing the types of waves that radiate through
our universe
A numerical rating based on a theoretically perfect emitter having
an emittance of 1or 100%.
The end user is the person who uses the product after it has been
fully developed, marketed, and installed
The ability to do work. In terms of electricity, this is the amount of
energy something uses over time. Watts X Time = Energy.
An approach to energy usage that focuses more narrowly on
reducing non-renewable energy use and its resulting environmental
damages.
The process of changing energy from one form into another. For
example, the chemical energy in gasoline is converted into kinetic
energy by an automobile engine.
The amount of energy available in a specific quantity of energy
source.
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9.2 Key Terms
Key Terms
Energy Efficiency
Energy security
Energy Transport
Enthalpy
Environmental Restoration
First Law of Thermodynamics
Definition / Description
The more popular approach to the use of energy that focuses on
maximizing the economic benefits of wise energy use. Often results
in energy savings.
Wasting less energy makes individuals and communities less
dependent on energy and less vulnerable to price and supply
fluctuations
The international movement of energy from one place to another.
The temperature of a given weight of material tells us how much
energy that material contains
Wasting less energy creates less environmental damage.
Joule
Energy is neither created nor destroyed. Energy merely moves from
place to place and changes form.
Coal, natural gas and petroleum produced by the decomposition of
ancient, fossilized plants and animals. Non-renewable energy
Radiant heat from the sun passes through the glass warming the
contents while the glass traps radiant heat from inside.
Unit of measure used to describe how long the temperature is below
65 degrees Fahrenheit during each day, month, or year.
The number of Btus of energy used by a home divided by its area in
square feet, then divided by the number of heating degree days
during the time period
Emitted as different wavelengths depending on the emitter’s
temperature.
An international energy unit that describes both work and heat.
Kinetic energy
Transitional energy, like a flame
Latent Heat
Unexpected or hidden heat, which is released or absorbed as a
substance changes form.
The total discounted dollar costs of owning, operating, maintaining,
and disposing of a building or building system.
Supplies of this energy source are not replenished in a short period
of time.
Stored energy
Fossil Fuels
Greenhouse Effect
Heating Degree-day
Home Heating Index
Infrared Radiation
Life-cycle cost
Non-Renewable Energy
Source
Potential energy
Power
Radiant Temperature
Radiation
Reflectance
Relative Humidity
Renewable Energy Source
Resistor
Energy divided by time. Power is the rate work is done or heat is
released.
The temperature of walls ceilings, floors, and furnishings.
Heat transfer mechanism that occurs when two materials are
separated by air or a vacuum- the warmer surface emits or radiates
across the air space to the cooler surface.
The total amount of radiation, as of light, reflected by a surface.
A very important summer comfort factor, determines how rapidly
sweat can evaporate from the skin.
Supplies of this energy source are replenished in a short period of
time.
A substance connecting two regions where the medium flows
slowly.
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9.2 Key Terms
Key Terms
Savings-to-investment Ratio
Definition / Description
A ratio of economic performance computed from a numerator of
discounted energy and/or water savings, plus (less) savings
(increases) in other operation-related costs, and a denominator of
increased initial investment costs plus (less) increased (decreased)
replacement costs, net of residual value (all in present-value terms),
as compared with a base case; useful when evaluating two or more
design options.
Seasonal Consumption
The energy consumption for heating and cooling. Varies from
month to month.
Heat moves from high temperature regions to low temperature
regions—never the reverse (without additional energy from an
external source).
The radiant energy emitted by the sun.
Second Law of
Thermodynamics
Solar Energy
Solar Power (photovoltaics)
Specific heat
Sustainable Prosperity
Temperature
Third Law of
Thermodynamics
Transmittance
Energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical
energy
The number of BTUs of heat that a pound of any material absorbs or
releases for each degree of temperature change.
Wasting less energy preserves fossil fuels for future generations and
allows for diversity of energy generation options.
A measure of how fast the molecules in a substance are moving or
vibrating.
As temperature approaches absolute zero, the entropy of a system
approaches a constant minimum.
The ratio of the radiant energy transmitted to the total radiant energy
incident on a given body.
1.2 Electricity Generation, Transmission and Distribution
Amperes
Measures currents
Amps
Currents are measured in amps
Circuit
One complete run of a set of electric conductors from a power
source to various electrical devices (appliances, lights, etc.) and
back to the same power source. Volt(s): amount o voltage, or push
provided by generators
Rate of electrons moving through a wire
Current
Generator
Load
A machine that converts one form of energy into another, especially
mechanical energy into electrical energy
A power plant that adjusts its power output as demand for electricity
fluctuates throughout the day
A device that uses electricity
Ohm’s Law
E (Voltage)=I (current) x R (resistance).
Peaking Power Plants
Power plants that generally run only when there is a high demand
for electricity
A system of high-tension cables by which electrical power is
distributed throughout a region
A central station generating facility that produces energy
Intermediate Power Plants
Power Grid
Power Plant
Switch (open and closed)
Transformer
A switch is opened if it is creating an air gap and stopping
electricity, and closed if it is connecting the circuit
A static electric energy transducer that transfers electric energy
without change of frequency
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9.2 Key Terms
Key Terms
Transmission
Definition / Description
Transporting bulk power over long distances
Turbine
An engine in which the rotary action required to power the drive
shaft is obtained by the impingement of the working fluid onto the
blades of a turbine rotor
Amount of voltage, or push provided by generators
Volt(s)
Voltage
Whenever an abundance of electrical energy exists in one area along
with a relative lack of electrical energy in another, voltage exists
between those two areas.
1.3 Energy Consumption by Building Types
Building Type
Describes the purpose and use of a building.
Energy Smart School
A school with a multidisciplinary construction and renovation
project involving energy-efficient systems and equipment that
reduce the school’s carbon emissions and provide healthier learning
environments.
A net zero-energy building (ZEB) is a residential or commercial
building with greatly reduced energy needs through efficiency gains
such that the balance of energy needs can be supplied with
renewable technologies.
Zero Energy Building
2.1 Energy Metrics
Calorie
CO2 Equivalent
Electric Utility
Electrical Energy
Electrical Power
Emissions Factor
Equivalency Calculator
Kilowatt-hour (kWh)
Newton
Newton-meter
Therm
Work
The amount of energy required raising the temperature of one
kilogram of water by one degree Celsius. One calorie is equal to
4,186 joules.
The concentration of CO2 that would have the same effect as a
given mixture of greenhouse gas, expressed as parts per million by
volume.
A company that produces transmits and distributes electricity for
sale.
Measureable amount of electrical energy consumed over a certain
period of time, measured in watt-hours. Watts X Time = Energy.
The electrical force required for a device to work. Also called
'demand,' power is measured in Watts.
The amount of greenhouse gasses released per unit of energy
consumed
A calculator that translates energy data into commonplace terms,
such as "is the same as avoiding the CO2 emissions equivalent of X
number of cars per year."
The amount of electric energy consumed in one hour, equal to 3600
kilojoules or 3412 BTUs.
The amount of force required to accelerate a mass of one kilogram
at a rate of one meter per second per second. There are 4.45
Newtons per pound of force.
The Newton-meter is synonymous with the Joule.
The energy equivalent of burning 100 cubic feet of natural gas. One
therm equals 1000,000 BTUs or 29.3 kilowatt-hours.
The amount of energy transferred by force acting through a
distance. A force of 20 Newtons pushing an object 5 meters in the
direction of the force does 100 joules of work.
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9.2 Key Terms
Key Terms
Definition / Description
2.2 Utilizing Meters and Energy Bills
Demand charge
Electrical meters
Energy Management System
(EMS)
Hundred cubit feet (ccf)
Natural Gas meters
Peak demand
Rate code
Smart Meters
Larger multifamily buildings may pay a demand charge, which is a
separate service change for the building’s peak demand.
Devices that measure electrical demand and energy consumption of
individual devices as well as entire homes and buildings, including
watt meters, digital and analog kilowatt-hour meters.
A system of computer-aided tools used by operators of electric
utility grids to monitor, control, and optimize the performance of the
generation and/or transmission system.
What natural gas is measured in, equal to a therm
Used to measure the volume of natural gas used at residential,
commercial, and industrial buildings.
Maximum amount of energy the building used during a 15-, 30-, 60minute interval during the billing month.
A group of numbers and or letters recorded somewhere on the utility
bill, referring to a particular written rate structure used to charge a
particular type of customer. Rate codes specify different blocks or
tiers of pricing.
An advanced meter that identifies consumption in more detail than a
conventional meter; and generally communicates that information
via some network back to the local utility for monitoring and billing
purposes.
3.1 Electrical Devices/Phantom Loads
Electric Motor
A motor that converts electricity to mechanical work.
Infrared Thermometer
A non-contact temperature measurement device used to detect the
infrared energy emitted by all materials, at temperatures above
absolute zero, and converts the energy factor into a temperature
reading.
Standby power consumed by electronic equipment when not in use.
Phantom Load
Plug Load
Run Watts
Wattmeter
Any appliance or electronic device that takes power from a wall
outlet.
Power drawn by a device when in use.
An instrument for measuring the electric power, in watts, of any
given circuit.
3.2 Lighting
Ballast
A device that regulates the current going into fluorescent lamps.
Compact Fluorescent Lighting
Lamps that combine the energy efficiency of fluorescent lighting
with the convenience and popularity of incandescent fixtures.
Using daylight for indoor lighting. Modern buildings designed for
daylighting typically use 40% to 60% less electricity for lighting
than conventional buildings.
Removal of one or more fluorescent lamps from a fixture that does
not prevent the remaining lamps in the fixture from operating.
A ballast that uses semi-conductor components to increase the
frequency of fluorescent lamp operation. Fluorescent system
efficiency is increased due to high frequency lamp operation. Overlit: A space that receives more light than is needed
Daylighting
De-lamping
Electronic ballasts
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9.2 Key Terms
Key Terms
Flicker Checker
Fluorescent lighting
Foot-Candles
Glare
Illuminance
Incandescent lighting
Light Meter
Lighting Color (Cool& Warm)
Lighting efficacy
Definition / Description
Determines which type of ballast a fluorescent light contains. Spin
the flicker checker under the light. If you see smooth circles, the
fluorescent light contains an electronic ballast. If you see a
checkered pattern that moves from ring to ring, the light contains a
magnetic ballast.
An electric current conducted through mercury and inert gases
causes the light produced by a fluorescent tube. Fluorescent lamps
require a ballast to regulate operating current and provide a high
start-up voltage
A measure of illuminance, one foot-candle equals one lumen per
square foot of surface area
There are three variations of glare: direct glare, reflected glare, and
veiling reflections. Direct glare is strong light from a window or
bright lamp shining directly in to your eyes. Reflected glare is
strong light reflected off a shiny surface in to your eye. Veiling
glare is glare from work surface like a printed page or computer
screen.
The amount of light arriving at a surface.
The oldest and most common, type of lights (lamps), produced by a
white-hot coil of tungsten wire that glows when heated by electrical
current. These lamps have the shortest service life.
An instrument used to measure the amount of striking or reflecting
from an object.
Lamps are assigned a color temperature depending on their
“coolness” or “warmness.” People perceive colors at the blue-green
end of the color spectrum as cool and those at the spectrum’s red
end as warm. Cool lighting is preferred for visual tasks, since it
produces better contrast on the printed page, at the workbench, and
so on. Warm light sources are preferred for living spaces because
they are more flattering to people’s skin and clothing.
Linear Fluorescent Lamp
The ratio of the total energy field emitted by a light source,
measured in lumens per watt.
Fluorescent light tube standard for interior overhead lighting.
Lumen
A measure of light output from a light source.
Magnetic ballasts
A type of ballast that uses a magnetic core to regulate the voltage of
a fluorescent light.
An energy conservation measure applied to an existing building.
Also, the action of improving the thermal performance or energy
efficiency, of the building and systems in it.
When a rotating electric fan is illuminated by a flashing light source
(called a stroboscope) so that a flash arrives whenever a fan blade
passes a fixed position, the blades will seem to stand still. This is a
useful way of observing fast-moving objects such as machinery or
insect wings.
The "energy saver", four-foot, cool white, fluorescent lamp that is
most often used for both general ambient and specific task lighting
is
T-8 fluorescent lamp-ballast system is a relatively recent energyefficient lighting product. Introduced to the American market in
1982.
Retrofit
Stroboscopic effect
T-12 lamps
T-8 lamps
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9.2 Key Terms
Key Terms
Definition / Description
3.3 Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and Water
Heating
AFUE
Air conditioning
Air distribution system
Air handler
Air Leakage
Boiler
Central air conditioner
Central heater
Circulator
Degree days
Annual fuel utilization efficiency. Measures the amount of heat
produced compared to the amount of fuel used. A higher rating
means more efficient.
The process of treating air to control its temperature, humidity,
cleanliness and distribution to meet requirements of the conditioned
space.
Includes all building elements (duct systems, air handling units,
cavities of the building structure and mechanical closets) through
which air is delivered to or from the conditioned spaces.
The fan unit of a furnace and the fan-coil unit of a split-system,
packaged air conditioner or heat pump.
A leak that allows hot outdoor air to leak in to the home, and cold
indoor air to leave. Air leakage contributes about 20% to summer
heat gain.
A device used to create steam by applying heat energy to water
Type of air conditioner that works from a central location to
distribute air throughout a home or building.
Convert fossil fuel or electricity to heat in a central location and
employ ducts or pipes to distribute heat.
A blower or pump for moving the heating fluid—air, water, or
steam.
A unit used in estimating fuel requirements for heating a building.
Energy input
The heating system’s useful heat output divided by the energy input
into the heating system.
A boiler is considered energy-efficient when it delivers the same or
better performance as comparable models while using less energy
and saving money
BTUs per hour
Evaporative cooler
Is a device that cools air through the simple evaporation of water
Heat gain
Heater
Unwanted indoor heat during the cooling season. There are four
types of heat gain in the home: solar heat, internal heat, air leakage
and temperature driven heat transmission.
Transmission of heat through the shell of the home. The least
important summer heat gain because the temperature difference
between indoors and outdoors is much smaller in summer than in
winter. Typically represents around 10% of the total cooling load.
Furnace, boiler, or space heater
Heating load
The building’s heat loss rate.
Heating system
The heater and its distribution system
Humidity
The amount of water vapor in the air
Hydronic heat pumps
Hydronic heat pumps use a refrigeration system to move heat from
the earth or a body of water into the home during the heating season
Internal gains include the waste heat from lighting, refrigeration,
water, heating, and other appliances, as well as the body heat from
people inside the home. Internal gains usually account for around
20% of the total summer heat gain.
Delivered efficiency
Energy efficient boilers
Heat Transmission
Internal Gains
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9.2 Key Terms
Key Terms
Oil-fired water heaters
Output
Programmable thermostat
Definition / Description
Oil-fired furnaces and boilers are a popular choice in areas of the
country with limited access to natural gas, such as the Northeast
The heater’s heat-producing rate.
Recovery capacity
Thermostats that combine a clock with a thermostat and a save a
significant amount of energy.
Gallons per hour
Room air conditioners
Type of air conditioner distributes air throughout a single room
Room heaters
Deliver all the heat into one area, generally a single room
SEER
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, the total cooling output of an air
conditioner divided by the total electrical energy input.
In most climates, solar heat is the largest heat gain, contributing
about 50% of the heat accumulating indoors.
A steam distribution system transports steam or hot water from a
boiler to the various pieces of end-use equipment throughout a
plant.
How much a given energy system can hold
Solar Gain
Steam distribution systems
Storage capacity
Types of efficiency
Zone heating
Heating specialists express heating efficiency in four different ways:
Fuel burning efficiency, steady-state efficiency (also called
combustion efficiency), annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE),
delivered heating efficiency (also called seasonal efficiency)
Forced air central heating systems distribute heated air from a
central furnace unit through ducts to various points in the home.
3.4 Building Envelope
Air exchange
Building envelope
Building performance
Conductance
Cooling Load
Fenestration
Heat transfer
Heating Load
Infiltration
Insulation
R-Value
The total building air exchanged with the out-doors through air
leakage and intentional ventilation.
The sections of the building that enclose conditioned or inside
spaces through which heat transfer may occur to or from the
outside, including the floor, walls, windows, doors, ceiling and roof.
How well a building provides an energy efficient, comfortable and
productive space.
Measurement of how easily heat energy can move through material.
The total amount of heat energy that must be removed from a
system by a cooling mechanism in a unit time, equal to the rate at
which heat is generated by people, machinery, and processes, plus
the net flow of heat into the system not associated with the cooling
machinery
The design and placement of windows in a building
How heat energy is transferred via conduction, convection, and
radiation.
The quantity of heat per unit time that must be provided to maintain
the temperature in a building at a given level.
The uncontrolled leakage of air and the water vapor it contains
through holes (cracks etc.) in the building envelope caused by
pressure differences between the indoor and outside air.
Material mainly used to retard the flow of heat.
A material’s R-value is the measure of its resistance to heat flow
The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness.
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9.2 Key Terms
Key Terms
U-factor
Ventilation
Definition / Description
The U-factor measures how well a product prevents heat from
escaping
The process of supplying or removing air, by natural or mechanical
means, to or from any space. Such air may or may not have been
conditioned.
4.1 Pre-Audit Activities
Data analysis
Energy Audit Action Plan
Walk-through
A practice in which raw data is ordered and organized so that useful
information can be extracted from it.
A guide and schedule that helps set targets for completing an
energy audit.
A physical assessment of a building’s performance conducted by
“walking-through” the building and recording critical information
either by measurement or interviews of building users.
4.2 The Walk-Through
Hours of Operation
The timeframe during which a system operates.
Questionnaire
A form containing a set of questions, especially one addressed to a
statistically significant number of subjects as a way of gathering
information for a survey.
4.3 Analysis and Reporting
Energy Audit Report
Rebates
Upgrade
The primary goal of the energy audit report is to identify sources of
potential energy and cost savings throughout a building
A refund of some fraction of the amount paid
The replacement of a product with a newer, more energy efficient
version of that same product.
4.4 The Follow-up
Comfort Survey
Community Based Social
Marketing (CBSM)
Survey Monkey
A survey of building occupant satisfaction with building
performance (thermal, light, air, etc.)
Community-based social marketing is a strategic process that
explores and identifies the barriers to changing behavior, structures
a program around those barriers, exercises this strategy on a small
scale, evaluates the results, and applies the process across a given
target audience.
An online survey creation tool.
5.1 Residential Energy Audit
EER
Energy Factor
EER is an abbreviation for Energy Efficiency Rating. The AirConditioning and Refrigeration Institute standardized this rating,
which reports central air conditioning efficiency at 80 degrees F
indoors and 95 degrees F outdoors.
The measure of overall efficiency for a variety of appliances.
First Hour Rating
A measure of the capability of a water heater to meet peak demands.
Heat Pump
A device that warms or cools a building by transferring heat from a
relatively low-temperature reservoir to one at a higher temperature.
A web-based calculator designed by Lawrence Berkeley
Laboratories for use in conducting residential energy audits.
Time when the largest demand for hot water is needed.
Home Energy Saver
Peak Hour Demand
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9.2 Key Terms
Key Terms
Radiant Barrier
Recovery Efficiency
Standby Losses
System Capacity
Definition / Description
Or reflective barriers inhibit heat transfer by thermal radiation.
Thermal energy may also be transferred via conduction or
convection, however, radiant barriers do not necessarily protect
against heat transfer via conduction or convection.
A measure of the total amount of heat produced by the water heater
that is transferred to the water.
Is a ratio between actual and potential energy consumed, referring to
the loss of energy that results from keeping a device on standby
service without actually using it.
The total capacity of a system to deliver it’s intended service (heat,
water, etc.)
5.2 School Energy Audit (also 5.3 Commerical Energy Audit)
Air Infiltration
Energy Efficiency Measure
(EEM)
Task lighting
The uncontrolled inflow of outdoor air into the inside space, which
is accompanied by an equal outflow of air from the indoors to the
outside.
Having an acceptable payback, return-on-investment or savings-toinvestment ratio.
A recommended action to reduce energy consumption. The EEM
can include upgrades, retrofits, and behavioral measures.
Lighting provided to the area where a seeing task is performed.
Ventilation
The movement of air through an area.
Weather stripping
Flexible gaskets, often mounted in rigid metal strips, for limiting air
leakage around doors and windows.
Anything used to improve the efficiency of a window; could include
insulated shades, films, blinds, etc.
Cost-effective
Window treatments
6.1 Energy Auditor Certification Programs
HERS
Home Energy Rating System
Home Performance Contractor
An individual trained to assess homes to identify where problems
exist
Residential Energy Services Network
RESNET
7.1 State and Local Level Energy Initiatives
Building code
Building energy budget
California Energy
Commission (CEC)
Climate zone
Compliance
Policy
A set of standards established and enforced by local government for
the structural safety of buildings.
An itemized summary of estimated expenditures for a building,
based on climate, building type, and building components. Each
component gets a “baseline” or “neutral” value assigned. If the
budget is exceeded due to one component, the other component(s)
must be specified differently to stay within budget; otherwise no
building permit is issued.
A state energy regulation and technology promotion agency.
A region of the world defined by its key parameters, such as its
seasonal weather patterns.
The act of complying with a wish, request, or demand.
A plan or course of action, as of a government, political party, or
business, intended to influence and determine decisions, actions,
and other matters. Building Code
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9.2 Key Terms
Key Terms
Definition / Description
8.1 Markets for energy auditors
Futures wheel
Green jobs
Job market
Job Shadowing
Trend analysis
An instrument for graphic visualization of direct and indirect future
consequences of a particular change or development, invented by
Jerome C. Glenn in 1971.
Jobs that contribute substantially to preserving or restoring
environmental quality.
The total number of vacant jobs open to those seeking employment.
Is a way for high school students to find out what it is like to be in a
specific profession, by visiting or “shadowing” a professional for a
period of time?
A term that refers to the concept of collecting information and
attempting to spot a pattern, or trend, in the information. In project
management trend analysis is achieved by tracking variances in cost
and schedule performance.
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