Smart Meters and Electric Utility Customers

As the roll out of smart meters continues, these new devices provide customers with the ability to monitor their electricity usage on a real time basis and electric utilities with the capability of reading meters at frequent intervals. These meters have also become the source of growing controversy: Smart Meter Customers are questioning their accuracy, particularly in the wake of sudden...

Operation and Repair of Fluorescent Lamps

There are a number of reasons why homeowners might consider voluntarily replacing incandescent fixtures with fluorescent lamps. Fluorescent lamps offer: More even and “shadow-free” illumination, and Improved energy efficiency as a significant amount of the electricity in an incandescent bulb is discharged as heat rather than light, where as a fluorescent bulb remains cool. Operation of...

Energy Performance Ratings

Energy Performance Ratings for windows, doors, and skylights indicate the potential for gaining or losing heat as well as transmitting sunlight into the home. Heat loss or gain can occur in a number of ways: Conduction, Radiation, and / or Air leakage. These properties are typically measured and rated according to a number of performance characteristics. Performance Characteristics The National...

Thermographic Inspections – An Energy Auditor’s Tool

Thermal Imaging Camera Infrared scanning, commonly referred to as “thermographic inspections,” detects thermal defects and air leakage in buildings. Through the use of infrared video and still cameras and their images (referred to as “thermograms”), this process: Measures surface temperatures, Detects light from the heat spectrum images on the video / film, and Records variations in...

“Do-It- Yourself” Home Energy Audits

A home energy assessment, commonly referred to as a “do-it-yourself” home energy audit, requires a comprehensive walk-through that, when coupled with the development of a detailed punch list of discrepancies, provides a means to upgrade the energy efficiency of one’s home. Typically, these audits inspect four major areas: Air Leaks Insulation Heating / Cooling Equipment Lighting Air Leaks...

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs – Are they Helpful or Harmful?

Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFL) are the likely replacement for the traditional incandescent bulbs that have been the standard since the early 20th century. CFL’s have joined home thermostats and fish as potential contributors to mercury exposure. Since mercury is a neurotoxin, it can cause damage to nerve cells, and can be harmful even in small doses. The effects of mercury exposure can...

Basic Electrical Safety Tips

Most homeowners avoid repairing or replacing electrical components primarily because of concerns regarding personal safety. Though electrical devices and wires are designed to be inherently safe, carelessness or ignorance can quickly offset any built-in safeguards.  However, by following a number of guidelines and practives, the relative novice can perform simple electrical repairs on many basic...

Energy Efficient Top-Loaded Washers

Top-Loaded Washer Conventional wisdom over the past 5 years has pointed to front-loading washers as more energy efficient. They use much less water than traditional top-loaded washers, meaning less water to heat and they have higher capacity tubs, meaning fewer loads to cycle. Therefore, less energy is presumed to be required. Though the initial price is considerably higher, ranging between $500...

Gasoline Consumption in the U.S.

Gas Consumption Begins at the Pump Petroleum is used in everything from medications to lubricants, partially explaining its high usage in the U.S.’s heavily driven consumer economy. According to the EIA, the U.S. consumes approximately 21 million barrels of oil daily, the majority of which is refined into gasoline. To put this in perspective the U.S. consumes more gasoline than South America,...

Energy Efficiency – Home Appliances

Though often taken for granted, home appliances exist to allow us to operate more efficiently on a day-to-day basis. And, though not critical to our well-being, they definitely save us time and labor, but questionable as to whether they save us money. Even those refrigerators, microwaves and dishwashers that come with energy and money-saving features need to be operated properly if one is to...