Green Eco Home USA

Husky Energy Expectations To Be Able To Faucet New Kind Of Oil-Sands Reservoir

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Winkler) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 09:03:00 +0000

Husky Energy (HSE-T25.850.401.57%) Inc. is drilling test wells into a new type of oil resource that holds promise as a major source of Alberta crude, if it can be profitably exploited.

On Monday, the company revealed a new estimate suggesting it might one day be able to pull as much as 10 billion barrels of oil from a relatively new type of reservoir on its oil sands properties. The vast pool is contained in the so-called carbonates, which are limestone rocks that contain crude, but which have so far resisted efforts at commercial production.

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The Amount Energy Really Does GHD Hair Straighteners Utilize?

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Winkler) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 09:57:00 +0000

Its been a while since we added products to our how much energy does section, and the first product of 2009 is for the fashionista's out there. GHD hair straighteners, are an item many can not live without, where ever they are in the world. Not only are they an essential, its a serious emergency should your bags get lost. But is this little gadget drawing enough energy to cause climate change?

Well we tested standard GHD straighteners (model ghd3) over a five minutes, the typical hair straightening time frame for medium length hair.

Initially, for the first minute of use from cold, the straighteners reached 300W, then as they warmed to temperature, this reduced to 120W, for the remainder of their use during the trial period they drew between 55W and 106W, with an average of approximately 79W.

Over the five minute period that the straighteners were used, they drew an average of 123W. This would equate to 1.6p an hour, or 0.13p per use. This equates to 56.7g of CO2 per hour use and 4.72g of CO2 per use (of five minutes).

But don't forget to switch them off or not only will they burn a hole in your work surface, maybe your pocket and the environment too.

For information on the electricity consumption of other products check out "How Much Electricity Does a ... Use?"

Please Note the energy use figures are taken from an energy monitor and are not scientifically analysed, therefore the range and margin of error is greater. If you would like a specific product tested let us know and we will endeavour to check it out.

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Our Moving Power Diet regime

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Winkler) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:42:00 +0000

It's fairly easy to agree on the desirability of shifting our energy diet away from fossil fuels and toward more renewable or sustainable sources, but it's much harder to agree on the time scale involved. While recognizing the great potential of renewable energy technologies such as wind, solar and geothermal power, along with advanced, non-food-based biofuels, I am convinced that the transition will take much longer than many hope--longer than many will have patience for, in light of pressing concerns about energy security and the environment. When considering future shifts in our energy diet, it's instructive to review some of the changes we've already experienced, and how long they took. The graph below displays the relative contribution of America's main energy sources since 1949, based on data from the Energy Information Agency of the US Department of Energy.

This chart, which compares the proportional, rather than absolute contribution of each source as a percent of the total, shows that the US energy diet has experienced constant change over the last seven decades. Some of these changes have been dramatic, such as the erosion of coal's market share in the 1950s and '60s by oil and natural gas, while others, such as the resurgence of biomass-based energy since the 1970s are less dramatic but still noticeable. On the scale of this graph the non-biomass renewables that I've lumped together appear relatively steady, because the recent rapid growth of wind and solar energy has so far only compensated for a contemporaneous decline in hydropower output. I'd expect the growth of that green segment to be more obvious in a few years, though still not on the scale of nuclear power.

The chart also reminds us that however prominent a given energy source might have become during this period, none overwhelmed the others. We talk a great deal about oil's dominance, yet it never exceeded a 48% share of our energy diet, and it has recently fallen below 37%. In fact, you'd have to go all the way back to the 1920s to find an energy source with a market share above 60%, which coal still enjoyed during the early years of oil's rise as the combination of mass-produced cars and the big oil finds in East Texas and Oklahoma upended the US energy landscape. That's one reason I generally find forecasts of renewables capturing 80% of the energy market within a few decades to be improbable.

Perhaps the most relevant example for renewables of a disruptive energy technology capturing a significant share of the market is commercial nuclear power, which contributed just 0.1% of US energy in 1962. That's about what solar provides today. Yet even with a major push by utilities and government and broadly favorable market acceptance until after the Three Mile Island accident, it still took nuclear power 25 years to reach a 6% share of total US primary energy, and nearly 40 years to reach its current 8% or so. Today's renewables also face similar limits on their potential market penetration, albeit due to very different factors relating to intermittency and the high cost of energy storage.

What would it take for renewables to repeat the model of oil's success against coal? In the absence of a high carbon price or incentives on a level unlikely to be either politically feasible or affordable in the current environment, I believe it would require technologies that don't just reduce greenhouse gas emissions or local pollutants, but actually enable something new and very attractive to consumers and businesses, along the lines of the quantum leaps in mobility and other economic activity that oil made possible. Otherwise, their promoters should be prepared to play a long game, in much the same way that the conventional energy industry did when it was building its market post World War II. Do investors and policy makers have the patience that requires?

By the way The Energy Collective is offering a free virtual conference on November 30 on the subject of "How to Save A Planet on A Budget." The conference includes panel discussions and case studies moderated by Marc Gunther of Fortune magazine, Jesse Jenkins of the Breakthrough Institute, and Gernot Wagner, economist at the Environmental Defense Fund.

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Don’t Wager With a Large Tumble Within Oil - Even With Any Slowdown

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Winkler) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:38:00 +0000

With debt crises either side of the Atlantic, Europe flirting with recession and Libyan oil fields returning to production, it is tempting to be bearish on oil.

Tempting but risky.

Despite all the financial and economic gloom, 2011 has been a record year for oil with Brent crude at its highest-ever average above $110 (U.S.) per barrel, and few analysts forecast a big drop in price, even those who expect an economic slowdown.

Rising demand for fuel from China and other emerging economies, declining output from traditional suppliers including the North Sea and interruptions to production in key exporters such as Libya have kept the oil market tight.

And unless the United States, the world’s biggest oil consumer, slips into a double-dip recession, oil prices are likely to stay strong, at least until the end of the northern-hemisphere winter.

“Pessimistic scenarios for oil have not been realized,” said Harry Tchilinguirian, head of commodity market strategy at French bank BNP Paribas. “World oil demand is growing and, if supplies don’t increase, either inventories have to fall or prices rise: both have been happening.”

Global oil demand is likely to have increased by about 900,000 barrels per day (bpd) this year to more than 89 million bpd, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), which advises major industrialized economies on energy policy.

Next year, world demand for oil will rise even faster, by about 1.3 million bpd, the IEA forecasts, as China, India, Brazil and other emerging economies all use more.

Inconsistent supply
“While headlines are full of ... the spectre of recession, it is easy to overlook the fact that oil demand has resumed its growth path and 2011 levels are the highest in history,” said David Wech, head of energy studies at consultancy JBC Energy.

While demand has increased, supply has been inconsistent, with the uprising against former dictator Muammar Gaddafi removing up to 1.6 million bpd of high quality Libyan oil this year and hiccups in production in Russia, Britain, Norway and Nigeria.

Other factors are also supporting oil.

Despite low levels of consumer confidence, U.S. economic data has consistently out-performed forecasts over the last quarter, bolstering U.S. crude for the last two months.

As the United States moves into an election year, there are widespread expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve will launch a new round of monetary easing in an attempt to buoy the U.S. economy and increase employment. In the past, such moves have led to rallies in asset prices, particularly oil.

Economists say it would take a significant fall in economic growth to dent oil demand and tip the balance in the oil market towards surplus. And as even more conservative forecasts see global growth around 3 per cent, that looks very unlikely.

‘Fear’
If oil prices did start to decline, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) would be likely to step in to curb output, as it did in 2008 during the depths of the financial crisis, analysts say.

If necessary, key OPEC members such as Saudi Arabia are likely to accommodate the resumption of Libyan oil exports by trimming their own production, analysts say.

This is even more likely given the rising cost of production for OPEC members in the Middle East Gulf, which analysts at Deutsche Bank now estimate as high as $86.50 (U.S.) per barrel.

If prices were to approach that level, pressure to reduce output and deliveries to the market would intensify greatly.

Many analysts see the chance of modest falls in oil prices if economic activity in Europe is hit hard by the euro zone debt crisis, but even the lowest forecasts are relatively high.

In the most recent Reuters oil price poll, only two of 35 analysts predicted Brent would slip below $90 per barrel next year and the average forecast was that prices would be close to where they are now, around $106 per barrel.

Goldman Sachs, the most accurate oil price forecaster over the last year, now sees Brent at $125 per barrel in 12 months.

Amrita Sen, oil analyst at Barclays Capital, argues the oil market is caught between competing and intensifying influences.

Outside the oil market, the possibility of a major economic failure has grown, but inside the market, spare capacity has eroded and physical market strength has increased, she said: “In our view, it is only the fear of macroeconomic discontinuities that is keeping a lid on oil prices. Without that fear, we believe that Brent would have already reached an all-time high and climbed past $150 per barrel.”

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True for Purchasing Electricity Efficiency

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Winkler) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:11:00 +0000

McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) reports that an additional annual investment in energy productivity of $170 billion through 2020 could cut global energy demand growth by at least half—the equivalent of 64 million barrels of oil a day or almost one and a half times today’s entire U.S. energy consumption.

MGI research suggests that the economics of investing in energy productivity—the level of output we achieve from the energy we consume—are very attractive. With an average internal rate of return of 17 percent, such investments would generate energy savings ramping up to $900 billion annually by 2020. . . .

Moreover, the opportunities to boost energy productivity use existing technologies that pay for themselves and therefore free up resources for investment or consumption elsewhere.

MGI has put a figure on how much it would cost and how much "energy productivity" could reduce our energy consumption and corresponding green house gas (GHG) emissions which, by there reasoning, is affordable. Because none of this investment is in renewables the effect of these technologies on GHG emissions is in addition to the energy savings.

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What Does it Cost To Develop A Property Electricity Effectively?

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Winkler) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 08:58:00 +0000

Statoil To Grow In To Bakken Along With Brigham Takeover

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Winkler) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:20:00 +0000

A global energy giant struck a friendly multibillion-dollar takeover agreement Monday, giving it a stake in the Bakken light oil play and demonstrating how companies now need deep pockets to compete in the prolific zone.

Statoil ASA (STO-N24.27-0.66-2.65%), Norway’s state-controlled oil and gas company, said it plans to buy Brigham Exploration Co. (BEXP-Q36.756.3921.05%) for $4.4-billion (U.S.) in cash, as well as assuming the smaller outfit’s debt. It marks Statoil’s first move into the popular Bakken and Three Forks region in Montana and North Dakota, and the company wants to further expand its territory in the play.

The U.S. formation, which stretches into Alberta and Saskatchewan, albeit at shallower depths, is expected to churn out an enormous amount of oil as drilling activity blooms. But, given Bakken’s potential to host tens of thousands of wells, smaller players that are focused solely on the increasingly expensive play are expected to dwindle, challenged by wealthy competitors.

“This [acquisition] gives us a very good position and obviously we think that we can build on that and develop that position even further,” Ola Aanestad, a spokesperson for Statoil in the U.S., said. “Unconventional oil and gas in the U.S. has a lot of promise and will become a very important part of future energy supply.”

Texas-based Brigham pumps out about 21,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day before royalties, with the potential to hit between 60,000 and 100,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day before royalties over the next five years. Statoil’s current North American production rings in at about 100,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, Mr. Aanestad said. The deal will give Statoil 150,000 hectares in the Williston basin, as well as 16,000 hectares elsewhere, the European company said in a statement.

Enbridge Inc., along with a partner, last month proposed a pipeline to move oil to refineries in Texas from Cushing, Okla., and expects growth in the Bakken will make the line necessary. Further, Exxon Mobil Corp. in the second quarter started shipping crude via rail from North Dakota to its refineries. Others have made similar moves as production grows.

Statoil’s new Bakken and Three Forks properties rest in the Williston basin, a tight oil play covering about 3.2 million hectares which may need about 35,000 wells to extract its bounty, according to Marcus Talbert, a Canaccord Genuity analyst based in Houston. It cost roughly $4-million to $5-million to drill a well there two years ago, but with costs rising, more hydraulic fracturing needed, and different geological makeup, companies now need about $9-million per well, he said.

“It is this massive amount of capital that is required to drill through this huge amount of inventory, which thus far looks to be some of the most prolific oil-weighted wells in the Lower 48 [United States],” Mr. Talbert said. “It is a several-hundred-billion-dollar problem.”

He did not expect the consolidation spree to kick off until late 2012 and early 2013. “This [deal] is indicative of the sheer amount of capital it is going to take to drill through these sites.” While Brigham is a speck compared to its new owner, analysts give it credit for developing technology and sporting a respectable balance sheet.

Statoil’s cash, coupled with investments from other major energy companies, does not necessarily mean drilling in the Bakken will explode. While large companies have stronger balance sheets to help them drill through the vast tracks of land, they can also afford to let rigs sit idle if oil prices are unattractive. With property around the world, the global giants have flexibility that pure-play Bakken companies like Brigham lack.

“With these bigger guys in the picture, down the road they could grow at a [faster] pace if oil prices allow, but if oil prices are [about] $70 per barrel, the Bakken is not as competitive as some other assets they might have,” said Vanessa Howell, a research associate at Raymond James in Houston.

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Alberta Conservation Program Stuns Oil Patch

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Winkler) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:17:00 +0000

The Alberta government has proposed new environmental rules that would revoke a number of oil sands leases – including those which already have active projects – in an effort to protect sensitive habitat, wildlife and forest land in the most industrialized area of the province.

The government on Tuesday unveiled a plan to set aside two million hectares, or about 20 per cent, of Alberta’s oil sands zone, for conservation. Lease maps of the oil sands show that a number of major energy producers have properties in the area, including Nexen Inc., (NXY-T16.40-0.68-3.98%) Suncor Energy Inc., (SU-T29.76-0.93-3.03%) Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (CNQ-T31.96-0.98-2.98%) and Imperial Oil Ltd. (IMO-T40.50-0.05-0.12%)

Alberta is under harsh international scrutiny for the way it manages the development of the oil sands, but Tuesday’s announcement sent shock waves rippling across an industry that has spent vast sums of money to acquire land in the region. The prospect of having parts of it ripped away prompted one executive to compare Alberta to Venezuela, and to warn that any expropriation of land may frighten away investment crucial to developing one of Alberta’s most important economic resources.

“It’s like taking away money,” said a senior industry source who requested anonymity. “It’s really messy.”

Fourteen energy companies and 10 mineral outfits have assets in the proposed conservation areas. Conventional oil and gas companies will be governed by softer regulations, allowing them to keep their leases and further develop projects, although under greater scrutiny, government officials said. New leases will not be issued for land in the protected zones.

Mel Knight, the provincial minister for Sustainable Resource Development, said he is prepared to deal with any backlash from affected companies. However, he said repatriation plans have happened before, with compensation helping to soothe the pain.

That compensation will be negotiated between companies and the government and could include refunding what companies paid to the Crown for the leases and development and reclamation costs, plus interest.

However, Mr. Knight is willing to consider concerns that energy and mineral companies may have regarding the proposed rules. Tuesday’s proposal is still a draft.

“This is not written in stone,” Mr. Knight said in a press conference. “This is a consultation.”

The consultation process is scheduled to wrap up in 60 days, and the minister said he wants to have the final draft of legislation before Cabinet in 90 days.

While energy companies and other market players were caught off guard by the announcement, Mr. Knight noted the government has been openly working on a plan for the Lower Athabasca Region. Energy companies were part of the consultation process and should have had a reasonable idea whether they would be among those affected by the new rules, he said.

The new rules will hit some of Canada's largest oil sands players, including Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., Cenovus Energy Inc., and international players like BP plc and Statoil. Small outfits also have holdings in the protected zones, and companies are already firing back.

One of them is Sunshine Oilsands Ltd. The government is proposing a massive Birch River conservation area that falls over a substantial swath of land the company spent last summer drilling. It found an estimated 7.6 billion barrels of bitumen in place. It’s not clear how much, if any, of that will be recoverable. But it is clearly a substantial resource.

The company says the government was using old data that did not show what it has discovered there – and plans to lobby hard to have the protected area changed. The prospect of having that land expropriated is so surprising that David Sealock, the company’s vice-president of operations, said he can’t imagine the Alberta government carrying through with its current plan.

The area in question “represents huge amounts of jobs, huge amounts of royalties, huge amounts of upside for the public,” he said.

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Feds Assist In Energy-Efficiency Updates Of Public Properties Throughout Ohio

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Winkler) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:52:00 +0000

As local governments struggle with a down economy and cutbacks by the state, energy-efficiency improvements to some Licking County buildings this fall could be a model for Ohio communities that want to cut costs while also reducing pollution.

The Licking County commissioners recently completed a loan agreement that will secure more than $4.7 million to update county buildings.

Set to begin in a few weeks, the work will add money- and energy-saving upgrades to 12 county buildings. It includes more-efficient lights, occupancy sensors, better insulation, window and roof replacements, and new heating and air-conditioning systems.

Todd Nein, interim executive director of the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority, said the county is one of only two in Ohio to take advantage of a federal program that makes low-interest bonds available for energy-efficiency upgrades.

The Qualified Energy Conservation Bond program has been available since late 2008, and it was expanded in early 2009 by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It originally functioned as a tax break that was widely considered to be too complex to be useful for county and city governments, Nein said. That changed in March 2010, when federal legislation made it possible for bondholders to receive a direct payment from the U.S. Treasury in lieu of a tax credit.

A project completed at about that time at Owens Community College in northwestern Ohio is thought to be the first in the country to use the bonds. Since then, the authority has approved projects in Findlay in northwestern Ohio, South Euclid near Cleveland, Pickaway and now Licking counties, and at Kent State University.

Nein said banks see the bonds as a good investment because the borrowers generally have strong bond ratings.

And because the energy-service companies that perform the work guarantee the energy savings, the money saved each year in reduced utility costs typically is enough to cover the loan payments.

Nein said the authority has expended about $20 million of the $120 million available to the state for the bonds, which are part of federal stimulus money. Because of its ability to leverage those bonds against other tax-exempt federal funding, the authority has approved $42 million worth of energy efficiency upgrades statewide, Nein said.

It’s his hope that more than $200 million of work can be completed with the rest of the money.

If local governments or universities want to get involved, they need to act quickly, though, because once word gets out, the competition for the program could be fierce, Nein said.

Brad Lutz, Pickaway County administrator, said the cost savings the county expects from the upgrades installed in the summer should just about pay for the $2.9 million project. He said the bonds allowed the county to replace the old boiler system and window air conditioners in the county’s courthouse with a modern heat-pump system.

“In today’s economy, there are not a lot of places left to cut,” Lutz said. “To be able to save a significant amount of money and extend the life expectancy of our county buildings really is a best-case scenario.”

Michael Bruder, director of design and construction for Kent State, said work has begun on a $20 million project that will renovate about 20 dorms on the main campus. He said the most-exciting aspect of the upgrades is the installation of wireless sensors that will detect when students leave their rooms and automatically dim lights and turn down the heat.

In Licking County, Commissioner Tim Bubb said the program will make needed renovations to facilities such as the county courthouse, jail and administration building that the county couldn’t afford otherwise.

Nein said reducing energy spending is an important part of the authority’s mission to protect the state’s air quality.

The Licking County project alone is expected to reduce the state’s carbon-dioxide emissions by more than 1,200 tons a year, which is equivalent to taking 264 passenger vehicles off the road, Nein said.

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Energy Conservation Can be 'Hot' On The Village

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Winkler) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 08:31:00 +0000

The Massachusetts Farm Energy Program, a project of Berkshire-Pioneer Resource Conservation and Development group, has reason to celebrate. On Oct. 17, it'll be releasing the Massachusetts Farm Energy Best Management Practices Guide at the Farm Energy Networking Event.

The event will kick off that day at 4 p.m. at Bramble Hill Farm, 593 S. Pleasant St., Amherst, Mass. It'll link farmers with energy experts and resources, including state and federal agencies, installers, vendors, and public utilities to initiate on-farm energy projects. RSVPs are required by Oct. 12th to info@berkshirepioneerrcd.org or (413) 256-1607.

Farmers anywhere in the Northeast who are interested in energy conservation or producing renewable energy as part of their farm business will be able to download the guide by October 17 at www.berkshirepioneerrcd.org/. It's a set of manuals for dairy, greenhouses, maple, orchards, vegetable farms and renewable energy system, with practical information about energy-conscious upgrades.

It includes equipment specifications, costs and payback periods and renewable energy technologies. It also helps identify opportunities, estimate financial savings, and find technical and funding resources to reduce energy use, minimize carbon emissions, and improve farm viability.

85 farms are proof of the savings

"This is a practical resource for the farming community that focuses on cost-effective equipment upgrades to improve efficiency and environmental performance", says maple producer J.P. Welch of Justamere Tree Farm. "For farmers with limited time, this guide provides a straightforward entry point to on-farm energy saving measures and renewable systems that make use of farmers' technical skills and systems-thinking," says the Worthington, Mass., farmer.

The guide's recommendations are based on industry research and data from more than 50 farms that participated in MFEP energy audits across the Commonwealth. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service supported development of the publications.

"These guides are a unique resource. They provide enough detail so that we can use them to fine-tune our programs for the scale of farming found in our state. At the same time, the best management practices are informed by real-life Massachusetts farms so they are useful to farmers who are new to energy technologies," said Christine Clarke, NRCS Massachusetts State Conservationist.

Since 2008, MFEP has worked with over 300 farmers, assisted in leveraging $5 million for farm energy projects implementation. More than 85 projects were completed on 61 farms, at an average savings of $14,300 per farm.

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Just What Queries Are You Experiencing Regarding Power Efficiency?

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Winkler) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 01:17:00 +0000

On Tuesday, September 20, I’m set to moderate a panel on energy efficiency, specifically as it applies in New York City. As part of Climate Week NYC, the panelists will explore what the local utility Consolidated Edison—and some of its partners—are doing to manage electricity use in the city that never sleeps (which means we use a lot of power when you add it all up, explicitly 2,500 megawatts per square mile in Manhattan).

In New York, it’s all about the buildings. New regulations will soon force building owners to stop burning the dirtiest fuel oil in heating system boilers. And, as James Gallagher of the New York Independent System Operator, pointed out a year or so ago, “400 buildings are responsible for 20 percent of Con Ed’s peak load.” That’s some pretty low-hanging (and easily identified) fruit, though challenges remain, like the fact that owners, who would have to pay a bundle for such efficiency improvements, typically don’t live in the building (or pay its electric bills) and therefore don’t reap any financial reward. Then there’s the fact that New York already has (or is soon to get) many of the “smart grid” improvements that are merely under discussion for the rest of the country.

Ultimately, there’s a perpetual question that faces any energy efficiency effort anywhere: if it saves money, why isn’t more already happening?

I know what questions I’ll be asking, but I’m also curious what *you* want to know about energy efficiency efforts? What questions do you have for your local utility, or for Con Ed, ThinkEco and Viridity?

The event will be held at the New York Academy of Sciences, 7 World Trade Center. Join us if you can. In any case, please contribute a question in the comments below or email them to submit@sciam.com.

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The Truth For Purchasing Vitality Productivity

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Winkler) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 01:14:00 +0000

Find Out About Natural Practices in Sustainable Video Library

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Winkler) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:20:00 +0000

Lake County’s Sustainable Video Library offers tips on conservation of energy, recycling, and water conservation.

County residents can learn about the energy saved by replacing incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent. The Sustainable Lake County website also has videos on how to conserve your computer’s energy, the importance of recycling cans, and how to avoid wasting water.

Back in 2007, the county board passed a strategic plan with a goal to make Lake County a leader in sustainability. An explanation of the Strategy for a Sustainable Lake County is also available in the video library. Other videos show what Lake County is doing to go green.

Lake County’s latest addition to the Sustainable Video Library is a series How Do You Go Green Lake County, which kicked off with Max, a dog that recycles bottles.

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A Lot More Insulating Material Or Perhaps High Efficiency Home Heating & Air Conditioning?

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Winkler) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 10:05:00 +0000

Earlier this week, my HVAC guru, David Butler, made a statement in a LinkedIn discussion group that's obvious to those of us who know building science and high performance homes, but it's something that I think may not be clear to a lot of people who are building or remodeling their homes. His comment answered the question in the title of this article - Should you spend your money on a better building envelope (air barrier and insulation) or on high efficiency air conditioners, heat pumps, or furnaces?

Back in the days before I spent most of my waking hours thinking about heat transfer, the refrigeration cycle, and pressure testing, I might've been a bit confused had someone asked me that question. It's all stuff to help cut down your energy bills, right? True, but there's definitely a preferred order (when you have the option). As David said, "Ironically, the more efficient the shell, the harder it is justify expensive high-end HVAC systems."

Here's the way to look at this.

The building envelope reduces the amount of heating and cooling your home needs.
High efficiency HVAC equipment reduces the amount of fuel you need to meet the heating and cooling needs.
Think of your house as a basketball game. The HVAC system is your offense. The building envelope is your defense. You might have an amazing offense, but if you keep getting clobbered on defense, you're going to wear yourself out on the offenseve side just trying to stay in the game. The better your defense, the less you have to rely on a high-powered offense. And you know what they say: "Offense sells tickets; Defense wins championships."

In David's quote above, he used the word 'ironically' because it might seem that if you want to build a high performance home, you have to put in an expensive, high-end, super-duper, brag-to-your-neighbors-about heating and cooling system. Right? Well, maybe not.

When we start talking about Deep Energy Retrofits, Zero Energy Homes, and homes that meet the PassivHaus standards, the building envelope reduces the amount of heat flow between inside and outside to such a degree that the house needs little heating and cooling. I remember an article a few years ago about a PassivHaus in Illinois that claimed the house was so efficient, the owners could heat it with a blow dryer.

If you read my article about electric resistance heat, you know that using a blow dryer, which is electric resistance heat, isn't the most efficient way to heat your home. But it doesn't matter in that case. This was a home in Illinois, and if I'm remembering correctly, the heating bill for the whole winter was about $38. This is a clear case of energy conservation trumping energy efficiency.

So, as odd as it sounds, the more energy efficient the home is, the less sense it makes to put in high efficiency HVAC systems. Do as much as you can with the building envelope before you tackle the HVAC side of the equation. If you start with the heating and cooling equipment, you've probably lost the battle before you've even begun.

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COEP, YCMOU Find Support For Energy Resource Efficiency

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Winkler) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 12:45:00 +0000

PUNE: The Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (Meda) recently provided financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh each to the College of Engineering, Pune and Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU), Nashik. The aid was a part of Meda's scheme to implement energy conservation demonstration projects in government, semi-government and urban local bodies.

The scheme, which has been implemented for the first time in the country, was started in March this year. It focuses on replacement of old and inefficient equipment in government buildings with energy saving equipment, thus saving 25% to 30% energy."There is scope for 25% to 30% energy conservation in government and semi-government buildings, which often have equipment that are 30 years to 35 years old. Replacing this equipment with energy-saving equipment can save up to 30% energy," said a Meda official.

Hence, this demonstration project that provides government and semi-government buildings with the funding required to replace the existing equipment with that which saves energy, such as Energy Star labelled air conditioners and timers for streetlights, among other things.

Under the scheme, government offices can send proposals to Meda, after which they would be given a financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh each. The scheme also talks about providing technical assistance for conducting a detailed energy audit of the building through a Meda-empanelled energy audit consultant. Use of renewable energy based equipment and energy monitoring devices is also promoted in the scheme.

"Many a time, streetlights are manually operated and thus, often remain on even when it is not needed. Timers for streetlights ensure that they are automatically operated, and turn off when need be, thus saving 10% to 20% energy," the official said.

The COEP had sent four proposals to MEDA, one being the replacement of electrical geysers in its hostel with solar water heaters. "Apart from replacing old tube lights, they would also replace the old fans with new, energy-efficient fans. The old fans use up to 100-120 W of energy, while the new ones would consume about 60 W, thus saving considerable amount of energy," he said.

The Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University will now install 86W LED streetlights, thus saving 60% to 70% energy. "In addition, they would replace the old tubelights with energy efficient ones. Previously, one such old tubelight would consume 52W of energy. The university has asked for replacing the exiting tubelights with T 5 tubelights. One T 5 tubelight consumes 28W energy, thus saving about 30% to 40% of it," the official added. In addition, all the electric geysers here will be replaced with solar water heaters.

Besides, the Meda has proposed provide financial assistance up to Rs 20 lakh to municipalities, municipal corporations and Maharashtra Jivan Pradhikaran for improving energy efficiency of water pumping and streetlighting by installing energy saving devices and energy monitoring systems.

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Edmonds Debuts Brand-New Site Devoted to Energy Conservation

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Winkler) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 09:40:00 +0000

The city of Edmonds has debuted a new website dedicated to the subject of energy in the Edmonds community, EdmondsEnergy.org.

“EdmondsEnergy.org is an opportunity for the city to help our community find ways to save money through conservation,” said Mayor Mike Cooper.

It was during Edmonds’ annul July 4th parade that volunteers from Sustainable Edmonds and the Mayors Climate Protection Committee passed out more than 1,000 business cards announcing the launch of the website.

The site focuses on two overriding questions: How is energy used in Edmonds? What can we do to conserve and reduce energy use and reduce what we pay for energy use on a daily basis?

This Blog is brought to you by Geothermal Atlanta by Premier Indoor. Provides ground source heat pumps (GSHP) that heat and cool your homes and offices using green technology. Our system draws energy from the ground and cuts down your energy bill!

EdmondsEnergy.org highlights include:

Energy meter program

Borrow an energy meter to find out how much energy you use, and what you can do to reduce or conserve energy.

Energy planning in Edmonds

What's being done by city government to reduce energy in its operations, and what's being explored for the larger community? A key new initiative involves the New Energy Cities Action Plan, developed through a partnership between the City and Climate Solutions, a nonprofit organization based in Olympia.

Energy saving ideas

Explore ideas you can follow up on to save energy where you live.

Community Solar project

A public-private partnership to jump-start solar energy awareness in town.

Electric vehicles

The City of Edmonds has been "greening" its fleet by changing fuels and replacing older vehicles with hybrids and electric vehicles.

Bring your own bag

Last year, Edmonds banned single-use plastic bags in town in order to reduce plastics in the waste stream and to encourage the re-use of shopping bags to reduce needless energy use.

Calculate your energy use and explore energy links

Try out a simple calculator, or explore more extensive links to online resources.

PECO Presents County Discount Pertaining To Energy Conservation

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Winkler) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:46:00 +0000

Representatives of PECO, an Exelon Company, presented a rebate for $274,255 to Delaware County for energy conservation measures, which was accepted by County Councilman Thomas J. McGarrigle from PECO Senior Marketing Specialist Tom Brubaker, Yvette Brown, of PECO Outreach and Marketing, and Ralph H. Brown Jr., Regional External Affairs Manager for Delaware County for PECO.

They were joined in the presentation by Joe Solomon, President of Provident Energy Consulting, and Mike Lang, a Principal of Provident Energy Consulting.

Provident coordinated the application process for the County under PECO’s Smart Ideas Program, which resulted in the rebate under the Pennsylvania Energy Savings Act (GESA) for updating facilities with the most energy efficient and modern lighting, energy management controls and other equipment and measures which yielded reductions of 20-25 percent in energy and costs.

Joining in the presentation were Councilman Andy Lewis, Council Chairman Jack Whelan, Council Vice Chairman Christine Fizzano Cannon and Councilman Mario J. Civera Jr.

This Blog is brought to you by Geothermal Atlanta by Premier Indoor. Provides ground source heat pumps (GSHP) that heat and cool your homes and offices using green technology. Our system draws energy from the ground and cuts down your energy bill!

Energy Conservation Efficiency Quest at Bishop's Corner Library

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Winkler) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:45:00 +0000

In an age of rising fuel costs and a weak economy, energy conservation and being "green" are important issues.

If you're looking for something to do with your children during the waning days of summer vacation, there is a new exhibit at the Bishops Corner Branch of the West Hartford Public Library which will teach them about energy usage and conservation, while entertaining them at the same time.

The "Conservation Quest" exhibit is on loan from the Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk, Conn., and is made possible through a grant from the Connecticut Energy Fund.

The exhibit is interactive, and utilizes multimedia elements to teach children – and adults – about energy use and conservation. It is designed to be fun and educational at the same time, as children can generate electricity to power different types of light bulbs and calculate their family's energy consumption.

This Blog is brought to you by Geothermal Atlanta by Premier Indoor. Provides ground source heat pumps (GSHP) that heat and cool your homes and offices using green technology. Our system draws energy from the ground and cuts down your energy bill!

Power Efficient Houses Conserve Power and Money

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Winkler) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:45:00 +0000

With summer just around the corner home improvement projects are beginning to take off. As more and more people become conscious of the environment and work to reduce their carbon footprint, energy efficient, green upgrades are gaining in popularity. By making a few changes around your home you will not only save money but also do your part to reduce negative effects on the environment. The following tips will help you save green while going green.

Energy Efficient Landscaping- It is not uncommon for people to overlook the importance of the placement of trees and shrubbery outside the home. Properly placed plants on the south and west side of your home can provide shade during the peak daytime heat. Increase the effectiveness of natural shade by keeping shades and blinds closed during the day to prevent heat buildup.

Replace AC Filters- As the days become longer and hotter it is important to make sure your air conditioners are running efficiently. Remember to change your air conditioner filter at the beginning of the summer and once a month throughout the warmer season to prevent restricted airflow which will make your unit work harder and run longer. Other ways to reduce energy consumption and save on your cooling costs would include raising the thermostat setting and/or using a programmable thermostat.

Sealing and Insulating- Two great ways to lower energy use while shaving dollars off your energy bill include sealing leaks and adding insulation. When correctly installed insulation combined with sealed doors and windows will increase comfort during both the hottest and coldest days without wasting energy.

Upgrade Appliances- If you budget includes upgrading major appliances be sure to look for Energy Star approved appliances to save money and energy.

Use Nature To Your Advantage- When the weather permits open your windows to give your air conditioner a break while allowing fresh air into your home. Hang your clothes outside to dry and open the window blinds after the hottest part of the day has passed to take advantage of natural light. Another great way to take advantage of the warmer weather would include getting the family outside to enjoy activities. The benefits are two-fold; first you have more time to spend with your kids enjoying nature or activities such as swimming or hiking. Second, by spending time together outside the home, the TV's, computers, video games and other energy consuming appliances can take a break.

Making your home more energy efficient will save you more money in heating and cooling costs in the long run while making a positive impact on the environment. If everyone makes small changes in their daily lives the results will be significant.

Trisha Wagner is a freelance writer for Deposit Accounts where you can compare rates of deposit accounts from dozens of banks in one place. Trisha writes regularly on the topics of personal finance and savings accounts.

This Blog is brought to you by Geothermal Atlanta by Premier Indoor. Provides ground source heat pumps (GSHP) that heat and cool your homes and offices using green technology. Our system draws energy from the ground and cuts down your energy bill!

Fund Your Property Along With Conquer The Stock Exchange

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Winkler) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 08:25:00 +0000

The stock market’s been making news lately, and the news isn’t good. With so many people agonizing over when and what to sell or buy, the dream of a solid and significant return on investment seems a long way off. But it could be closer than you think. If you plan to stay in your house for a few more years, you don’t need to keep rolling the dice on Wall Street. Instead, think seriously about investing in your house.

Hold on a minute. I know what you’re saying: “How does home improvement make sense in our current real estate market? There are still plenty of foreclosures out there. Home prices are stagnant or even falling in many parts of the country.”
Right you are. But I’m not talking about expensive home improvements with dramatic visual appeal, like new kitchen cabinets, bathroom makeovers and hardwood flooring. No, most of these improvements are actually out of sight. You won’t notice them unless you go up into the attic or down to the basement.
Energy Saving Improvements

The home improvements that really pay off these days are based on the increasing cost of energy in the form of electricity, fuel oil, natural gas and propane. We depend on these energy sources every day to keep our homes comfortable and to operate innumerable devices; from washing machines and water heaters to laptops, lights and microwave ovens.

In Connecticut, where I live, we have some of the highest energy costs in the country, so there’s a great deal to be gained from energy-saving upgrades. But energy costs will continue to rise everywhere because of conditions we can’t control –like political instability with oil-producing countries, severe weather events that shut down refining operations, and speculation about global energy resources.
To hedge against these inevitable price increases, it’s smart to invest in home improvements that can, collectively, transform an energy hog of a house into a model of energy efficiency. Below are just a few of the ways that you can put more money in the bank by paying less money to utility companies.

Get in over your head. The attic is the most significant source of energy loss in most houses, especially during cold winter months. A survey done by the Dept. of Energy (DOE) revealed that most houses have attic insulation in the range of R-19 or lower. In New England, the DOE recommends R-49 to R-60 of attic insulation. You can cut your heating and cooling costs by 30% by sealing air leaks between the living space and the attic, and upgrading attic insulation.

Deal with your ductwork. If you have forced-air heating or central air conditioning, you’ve got a ductwork system that delivers conditioned (heated or cooled) air to your living space. Unfortunately, most ductwork systems haven’t been properly sealed, and leaky ducts can diminish HVAC system efficiency by as much as 40%. Duct leaks have undesirable health effects too; they can allow “bad” air from crawl space, basement, attic and garage areas to be drawn into the system and distributed throughout the house. Sealing leaky ducts ups the efficiency of your HVAC system, enabling you to be more comfortable for less money.

Trade up for HVAC savings. If you’ve completed attic insulation and duct sealing upgrades as described above, you’re already on track to save hundreds of dollars on heating and cooling (which together account for nearly half of your total energy expenses). Next you might want to investment in a new heating system. Even when it’s in perfect condition, a furnace or boiler that’s more than 15 years old is probably only 65% efficient at turning fuel into heat. By replacing this outdated appliance with a new 95% efficient model, you’ll save over $30 on every $100-worth of heating fuel. Wall Street can’t beat that ROI.

Give your old water heater early retirement. Heating water for washing is typically your third-largest energy expense. An old water heater is like an old furnace: It can waste energy even though it’s in good working order. To maximize savings in this category, consider replacing a tank-type water heater with a “demand,” or tankless hot water heater that only consumes energy when a hot water tap is turned on. Some homeowners who have made this switch have seen water heating costs plummet by 40%.

How to Begin

If you already know that your house needs some or all of the above-mentioned improvements, it’s a great idea to seek help from qualified contractors. But to get the total picture on how your house uses and loses energy, you’ll need a home energy audit, also known as a home energy assessment. Energy audits subsidized by local utilities tend to be less comprehensive than those performed by home energy specialists like Dr. Energy Saver®. What you’re looking for is a complete profile of your home’s energy consumption and specific recommendations on improvements that will cut energy costs in numerous areas.

To sweeten the deal on these energy-saving investments, you can take advantage of different incentive programs offered by local, state and federal agencies. To find out what incentives apply in your area, check out the Database for State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.

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What Will It Expense To Construct A Property Energy Efficiently?

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Winkler) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 06:01:00 +0000

Dennis and I began building energy efficient homes in the 1980’s. We understand construction math and profitability. It costs 5-10% more to build an energy efficient home than "standard" homes.

Many people pay deluxe home prices for fancy looking features but they get only paltry energy saving benefits.

When we first started building energy efficient homes in the 1980’s builders were pleased if they had $10,000 left to share with investors per home after completion, bills paid, and the home sold. Twenty years later builders aim for $100,000.

At this point, you should be wondering how much money was actually spent on the construction of your home?

The following is a list of major line items in the cost of construction of a home.

• Acquisition cost of the land, including fees
• Legal fees for township/municipality approvals
• Engineers fees
• Architects fees
• Building permit fees
• Site improvements, i.e. sewer or septic systems, and water
• Insurances, builder’s liability and worker’s compensation
• Home construction
• Financing fees
• Investor’s return on investment (ROI)
• Real Estate agency fees
• Builders’ soft costs
• Builders’ profit

The actual construction cost of a home is a small percentage of the entire development process. Home construction quality is often times sacrificed to pay one or more of the other line items.

The homebuyer pays the price three times. Once in the purchase price of the home, the second time for increased operating costs, and the third to repair the cost cutting measures.

This Blog is brought to you by Geothermal Atlanta by Premier Indoor. Provides ground source heat pumps (GSHP) that heat and cool your homes and offices using green technology. Our system draws energy from the ground and cuts down your energy bill!

Slender Movie Solar - 1st Solar

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Winkler) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:58:00 +0000

Thin film solar is becoming an increasingly important segment of the solar industry. Thin-film solar cells consist of layers of active materials about 10 µm thick compared with 200- to 300-µm layers for crystalline-silicon cells. Some sixty companies have announced to start thin film production by 2010, and EuPD Research estimates that by then, the production output will amount to 3.5 GW. According to the EIA, in 2006 thin film represented a 30% share of the of the 337,268 Wp of photovoltaic cells shipped by the U.S. solar industry, as compared to 12% in 2004. in 2007 total solar (including solar thermal) represented less than 1% of the total of all renewable energy [including biomass (53%), hydroelectric (36%), geothermal (5%) and wind (5%)] which in turn represented just 7% of total energy consumption in the U.S. Cadmium telluride PV (CdTe PV) is the only thin film photovoltaic technology to surpass crystalline silicon PV in the marketplace, in terms of lower system price, for a significant portion of the PV market.

First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR), producer of Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) PV modules, is the largest manufacturer of thin film solar modules, expanding manufacturing capacity to an expected 735 MW in 2008; and with additional plants under construction, First Solar will bring total expected capacity to more than 1 GW by the end of 2009.

At the end of 2007, over 300 MW of First Solar PV modules had been installed worldwide and First Solar expects to ship 420 to 460 MW of PV modules in 2008.

First Solar announced on October 29 groundbreaking for the expansion of its Perrysburg, Ohio facility which will increase the annual capacity at the facility to approximately 192 megawatts. Plant construction is expected to be complete by the first half of 2009, with full volume production expected by the second quarter of 2010.

On the same date First Solar, Inc. and SolarCity Corporation announced a module supply agreement and investment that will make solar power an affordable option for more U.S. homeowners and businesses. The two companies have entered into a five-year agreement that calls for First Solar to supply 100 megawatts of its thin film solar modules to SolarCity, marking First Solar's entrance into the U.S. residential segment. Pursuant to the agreement, First Solar will begin delivering modules to SolarCity in the first quarter of 2009. First Solar will also make a $25 million equity investment in SolarCity; part of a $30 million round of financing that will fund SolarCity's continued U.S. expansion. SolarCity's innovative SolarLease(TM) financing option allows homeowners to switch to solar power for less money than they currently pay for electricity from their power company, without the need for a large upfront investment.

First Solar is the cost leader in the solar PV industry. First Solar has the lowest manufacturing cost per watt in the industry, $1.08/watt for the third quarter of 2008. Future module costs well below $1.00/Wp have been predicted by NREL

The modules are manufactured on high throughput, automated lines that integrate each production step, from semiconductor deposition to final assembly and test, in one continuous process.

The use of CdTe produces high energy yield across a wide range of conditions. The efficiency of this semiconductor material is less susceptible to cell temperature increases than traditional semiconductors, enabling First Solar thin film modules to generate relatively more electricity under high ambient (and therefore high cell) temperatures. The semiconductor material also converts low and diffuse light to electricity more efficiently than conventional cells under cloudy weather and dawn and dusk conditions. As a result, First Solar thin film modules will generally produce more electricity under real world conditions than conventional solar modules with similar power ratings.These attributes have led the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado to recognize CdTe's potential for achieving the lowest production costs among current thin film technologies. (Photon International, November 2004, page 50). As a result, future module costs well below $1.00/Wp have been predicted by NREL.

Both cadmium and tellurium are byproducts of the mining and production of base metals such as zinc and copper. First Solar claims these materials are present in abundant quantities to support multi-GWs of annual production.

Their largest project to date, shown at begining of post, is a 40 MW plant started in 2007 and to be completed in 2009 in Brandis, Germany.

The company is currently building a 10 megawatt (MW) photovoltaic (PV) power plant for Sempra Generation near Boulder City, Nevada. Construction began in July; the plant is expected to be completed by the end of 2008.

In addition, First Solar has announced that the CPUC approved project terms of a 20 year power purchase agreement between First Solar and SCE for the sale of electricity generated by a PV power plant. First Solar plans to build the new plant in Blythe, CA. The PV power plant will be a minimum of 7.5 megawatts, with an option by First Solar to increase the size to 21 megawatts, and when completed will be the largest ground based PV power plant in California. First Solar expects to begin construction of the PV power plant in 2009.

Financial results for the third quarter ended September 27, 2008. Quarterly revenues were $348.7 million, up from $267.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 and up from $159.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2007.

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The Situation Regarding Buying Power Productiveness

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Winkler) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:57:00 +0000

McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) reports that an additional annual investment in energy productivity of $170 billion through 2020 could cut global energy demand growth by at least half—the equivalent of 64 million barrels of oil a day or almost one and a half times today’s entire U.S. energy consumption.

MGI research suggests that the economics of investing in energy productivity—the level of output we achieve from the energy we consume—are very attractive. With an average internal rate of return of 17 percent, such investments would generate energy savings ramping up to $900 billion annually by 2020. . . .

Moreover, the opportunities to boost energy productivity use existing technologies that pay for themselves and therefore free up resources for investment or consumption elsewhere.

MGI has put a figure on how much it would cost and how much "energy productivity" could reduce our energy consumption and corresponding green house gas (GHG) emissions which, by there reasoning, is affordable. Because none of this investment is in renewables the effect of these technologies on GHG emissions is in addition to the energy savings.

Thanks for tip from Richard Stubi of Cleantech Blog

This Blog is brought to you by Geothermal Atlanta by Premier Indoor. Provides ground source heat pumps (GSHP) that heat and cool your homes and offices using green technology. Our system draws energy from the ground and cuts down your energy bill!

Solar Power Idea Property

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Winkler) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 06:57:00 +0000

Yesterday, the Energy Conservation team was invited to the west end of Richmond to see a pretty cool green home. And it’s not just the color of the house that makes it green, it’s what’s inside.

Our friends at James River Air Conditioning have totally gutted and renovated a home at the corner of Staples Mill Road and Hungary Springs Road; the project is called the Solar Idea House.

When arriving at the home, the first thing you notice is the house is net metered with an impressive solar panel array. JRAC has set up a 2.5 kW Solar P.V. System (with Kyocera panels) on the side of the home. But these aren’t stationary panels - the system is set up to track with the sun.

So as the earth moves around the sun, the sensors in the panels track with it, maximizing the amount of sunlight it takes in, thus, creating more energy.

Throughout the inside of the house there are a number ‘truth windows’ where you can see through the interior wall via a windowpane, showcasing the insulation. The insulation is highly rated Icynene foam sprayed a few inches thick. This quality insulation helps keep the house at a comfortable temperature throughout the year. And as you know, insulation is key.

Other green home qualities include a very impressive 24 SEER rated Westinghouse heat pump system, LED lights throughout, whole-house phantom power drain kill switches, aggressive moisture control strategies, several rain water recovery systems for irrigation, and a number of other features.

The Solar Idea House also has a Google PowerMeter set up, linked to a TED Device, so you can watch the real time energy production and usage of the home on the energy efficient big screen TV in the living room.

If you haven’t picked up on it, JRAC did a fantastic job on this project and did it the right way, from start to finish. They have the badges of honor to boot:
This house is Richmond’s first LEED Certified Platinum home;
Earthcraft Virginia Certified Platinum;
EPA Energy Star Certified;
And there’s no wonder why they won the 2010 Earthcraft Single Family Project of the Year.

This Blog is brought to you by Geothermal Atlanta by Premier Indoor. Provides ground source heat pumps (GSHP) that heat and cool your homes and offices using green technology. Our system draws energy from the ground and cuts down your energy bill!

Get The Staff Talking About Energy Waste

noreply@blogger.com (Linda Winkler) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:07:00 +0000

If you get your employees talking about energy waste, they will have it on their mind and more likely take appropriate actions to stop waste. Implement a simple contest and watch their interest soar.

We make doing energy contests easy. This energy conservation contest is simple to implement and is very low cost.

One contest would be to have employees guess the amount of the next 2 months energy bill. 25 closest guesses gets a t-shirt or similar incentive. Repeat the contest with a different utility bull every 2 months. We can provide the collateral materials to make this a big success.

This Blog is brought to you by Geothermal Atlanta by Premier Indoor. Provides ground source heat pumps (GSHP) that heat and cool your homes and offices using green technology. Our system draws energy from the ground and cuts down your energy bill!