Posted by: Earl
on Jul 13, 2009
I've been asking questions of home builders (or their sales representatives) as I plan a new home. I am basically pleased with what I have seen in my survey but we still have a long ways to go. Case in point - the new construction I've encountered recently is much tighter and better insulated than I have previously seen (at least with a couple of better builders that I've checked out). On the "not so good news front" there is a real lack of knowledge about options for implementing new technologies such as geothermal assist for heat pumps, solar water heaters, photovoltaic solar, and even passive solar designs.
An interesting bit of insight that I received from the builders was that for fundamental changes to permit widespread adoption of these technological advancements it needs to be driven by someone other than the builder. It must come from the developer. I proposed a group of houses oriented for optimal passive solar gain and drilling for geothermal piping in advance of construction. The builder said that it was interesting but they couldn't do it. Most of the lots that they procure for building are made available long after the streets have been laid out and, in some cases, after the streets and utilities are all in.
If the top of the picture is north how many of these houses are oriented for optimal solar gain?
You know how when you turn over rocks you sometimes find some nasty stuff under them?
Posted by: Earl
on Jul 8, 2009
It should come as no surprise that I am a big advocate of conservation. See
previous post. Not to discount alternative energy and not to argue the global warming controversy - this is just too important. My point is simple - it is in the best interest of our national economy and security to reduce our demand for foreign energy! Conservation is the most cost and time effective way to go about this. So how do we do it?
The city of Austin, TX has a plan. They are calling out the Green Police. See
Austin City Ordinance No. 20081106-047 if you think I'm kidding. Fines will be issued if you do not comply when selling your home effective 1 June 2009. The U.S. Congress is considering similar legislation in the new energy and climate legislation bill that recently passed in the House. At the other extreme would be an all voluntary system. Rather than debate the merits of each I would rather offer some suggestions for doing it on your own. It's a good idea because it can reduce your household expenses and, on a global level, it does no harm. If there are enough people doing no harm it could ultimately mean doing a lot of good.
Fill out a profile questionaire on your home and you will see where you compare with others in energy consumption for similar homes in your locale plus get recommendations with cost and savings figures for improvements. I've been reading a number of comments about the site - both compliments and criticisms. I agree that the profile is lengthy but you can receive recommendations for partially filled out forms. There are two things to remember. The results you get are determined by the quality of the input. There is no easy way to do this, hence, a long questionaire. Secondly, consider what sort of time, effort, and expense looming if an audit is mandated by your city or state or federal government. If this can't eliminate that at least you will be more prepared.
There are a number of other energy audit tools online. Check out
Energy Info For You - Home Energy Tips for more ideas. Regardless of the politcal climate, hype, or real concern, please get started by taking the self-help approach. By yourself your actions may seem insignificant but add them up and the results will be remarkable. Those results may mean fewer new electrical generating plants, less frequent brownouts, slowing energy price increases, and reduced oil imports.
If the Green Police are authorized to visit you does anyone have a suggestion on how to utilize the available self-help efforts to avoid additional mandated (costly) audits for those that can ill afford it? Would it not be reasonable to document measures taken and and results gained (comparison of utility bills before and after) to be used in place of a mandated audit? Shouldn't documented energy savings be considered in lieu of a costly audit especially for those on fixed incomes or with limited budgets.
Posted by: Earl
on Apr 19, 2009
Yesterday I attended a Living Green Expo. I was impressed by the number of exhibitors. Even more impressive was the number of attendees. I've been sensing for a while that there has been a change in momentum toward living green and interest in renewable energy. That's the good news.
Now the bad news. I talked to a lot of the vendor representatives in the booths. I didn't go with this intention but I starting asking the same questions to different people. I got a lot of different answers. None of them seemed to lack any confidence in their answers. Unfortunately, a lot of attendees were getting erroneous information. Some of the errors were perhaps innocuous The information that was provided may not have been critical but they were basic questions about the technology they were promoting.
There may be many thousands of dollars at stake for the system cost or for tax credits. The message is caveat emptor! You can't assume that the "expert" is in fact that. Get a second or third opinion. A lot of people have jumped on the bandwagon and have perhaps not committed the manuals to memory. Make them earn your trust.
Posted by: Sqearl
on Feb 15, 2009
Ok.. I'm not talking about the levels of mercury, or how to dispose of them. Although that's another problem on its own.
I'm talking about installing energy efficient light builds in the WRONG room in the house!!! You married men know what I'm talking about. It's the inappropriate use of a fluorescent bulb (for a host of reasons) that causes marital bliss to go awry.
Let's start with some real world examples:
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