Trends in Energy Pricing

The following link is provided as a good source for understanding the trends around energy pricing. Supported by the Energy Information Administration (EIA), one can be assured that the forecasts and supporting analyses reflect industry accepted norms with respect to rigor and accuracy: http://www.energy.gov/pricestrends/index.htm This link provides featured publications and reports to aid in...

Electric Vehicles-Just the Facts

Are we Prepared for Electric Vehiclex As the automobile industry includes electric vehicles in its product portfolio, there remains more questions than answers regarding the affordability and applicability of electric vehicles for the typical consumer. And, as we address these questions, there is little, if any guidance on which makes and models offer the benefits we would expect from selecting...

Rebates for Energy Efficient Appliances

Energy Efficient Appliances Mean Cash Rebates The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funded over $300 million for consumer rebates for replacing used appliances with purchased ENERGY STAR energy efficient appliances. Eligibility to receive these rebates are handled within each of the states and U.S. territories, supported by rebate programs, preapproved by the U.S. Department of...

Do Energy Efficient Appliances Save Money?

EnerGuide and ENERGY STAR and Energy Efficiency There are a number of aids to ensure that when shopping for a major appliance, you can make the best decision with respect to energy efficiency, total lifecycle cost, and environmental stewardship: EnerGuide allows potential consumers to determine the amount of electricity that will be consumed in one year, as well as comparison information with...

How to Keep Your Electric Bill in Check

The summers seem to be getting hotter and the winters colder, adding to the increasing role of energy (and electricity in particular) in our day-to-day living. The following posting presents 13 practical steps that can be taken to keep your electric bill at reasonable levels, particularly as the cost per kWh continues to...

Monthly Electric Bill Estimator

The Online Electric Bill Calculator As economic challenges continue to impact today’s consumers, the cost of energy remains a key and vital part of a household budget. Recognizing that proactive planning can alleviate some of the economic stress being absorbed by many, and may even point to opportunities to save on the cost of energy, there are a number of tools available to assist in...

The “Cost” of “Cheap” Energy

Hidden Costs of Fossil Fuels There is no doubt that energy created from fossil fuels appears cheaper to the U.S. consumer than some of the alternate (renewable) forms of energy. However, studies continue to substantiate the view that there are “hidden” costs, estimated as high as $120 billion in 2005. Please refer to this outstanding article for a perspective on these seemingly...

The Real Cost of Renewables

Renewables-Cheaper or Better? Or Not? According to the Institute for Energy Research, states with mandates around renewables, particularly wind and solar,  are experiencing energy costs significantly higher than during the pre-mandate period. And, conversely, thoses states that have maintained a strong focus on fossil fuel have experienced the opposite.  The following article provides...