December’s Webinar on Energy Efficiency
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAdKwrPHy9w&w=500&h=369]
Here’s our December webinar, in which noted environmentalist and energy expert Bruce Severance joined me for a lively discussion we called “How to Increase the Energy Efficiency of Existing Structures – and WHY.”
This is part of our effort to do a more thorough job at dealing with the subject of efficiency – an area containing plenty of low-hanging fruit for all of us interested in reducing our impact on the environment. I thought Bruce did an excellent job here, and I hope you’ll agree.
It seemsto be more apt, imperative and important to develop the Energy Conservation Strategy at regional & global level by launching a Campaign to achieve the objectives of Energy Security & sustaiability. The second mission to develop the fuel eficient devices minimizing the energy input and reducing any adverse environmental impacts by promoting the use Best Available Technology Options(BATO).A new thought culture and innovative engineering devices to be encouraged for the consumers at local, regional and global levels. Of course, it requires a tremendous efforts & efficient thinking wit resainable financial input to achieve the desired goals of Energy Conservation, Energy Security & efficient usage of energy sources. Do not limit the challenges but challenge the limit.
It would also help if ways could be found to make energy conservation more attractive.
When I had my new house built, I considered using insulated concrete forms to improve energy efficiency. However, I found that doing so would not add to the resale value of the house and that the interest on the investment would exceed the energy savings. So, I compromised by using 6″ studs instead of 4″ studs for exterior walls so that thicker insulation could be used. I also specified radiant floor heat, which is more efficient (and more comfortable) than hot air heat, but it did cost significantly more. It would also make it possible to convert to solar heat if that becomes economically attractive.
Finding a way to rate houses for energy efficiency and encouraging house buyers to pay more for energy efficient houses would result in more energy efficient houses. And, as I have previously suggested, it would also help to shift part of the tax burden from the income tax to a tax on fossil fuels.
Implementing programs to encourage energy efficiency would be more effective than talking about it.
I WILL NOT change every bulb to a CFL, regardless of admonitions to do so. I shall continue to use incandescent lights in closets, my stairway, and my hallways. Because they are on only very briefly, the amount of energy they consume is not significant.
Also, I do not understand this continual pushing of CFLs to the exclusion of traditional fluorescent tubes which are actually more efficient and last longer, typically more than twice as long. The lighting of my new house was for the most part designed around traditional fluorescent tubes. When designing a new house, consideration should be given to using traditional fluorescent tubes where they would be suitable. With modern electronic ballasts, traditional fluorescent tubes do not flicker. And, because the ballasts are part of the fixture, replacing the lamp does not require replacing the ballast.
In general, it is a good idea to replace incandescent bulbs in existing fixtures with CFLs, but there are situations where doing so would be unreasonable. Those situations should be noted.
Energy efficiency is wonderful and all, however – Hybrid EVs and EVs are far more important than the recognition they get: Reducing air pollution and SMOG.
Here in Norway during winter time, SMOG is a huge problem, since cold weather usually means no wind. Hybrids have been considered fossil fuel vehicles, receiving no tax cuts, meaning that people generally don’t buy them (too pricey). If politicians really cared about astma problems and the general health of the population, they would sponsor Hybrids and EVs alike!
PS. Statistical data shows that more than 80% of all driving is within the range limitations of the batteries in HEVs and EVs, meaning that people could drive their Hybrids on pure electricity to and from work every day, leaving only trucks as pollutors of the air. Buses are slowly getting Hydrogen fueled anyways.
Using what was called an “Artic”insulation package in the home I built in 1985 even though It was located in Central Florida. I kept the air-cond. at 72 degrees but the electric bill was only $250 monthly average that was less than my friends paid living in a one bedroom apartment, but, my home was 6,000 square feet. We included 2×6 wall studs filled with fiberglass bats, and a one inch foil covered foam on the outside covered with 5/8 RB&B plywood,we had R-42 insulation in the crawspace under the roof. And all windows were “Thermo-pane” including the sliding glass doors and skylights. The savings in energy paid for the extra cost in construction in less than 3 years.