The Peak Oil Debate – Does it Matter?

Establishing the Context The theory of peak oil implies that there will be a time at which global oil production begins a permanent decline as a result of supply and economic production factors. Should world demand continue to increase (as it has), the point of peak oil will pose a significant supply and price problem for the world economy. The question we seek to explore is, “Have we reached...

Reducing Home – Related Energy Costs

In reviewing the electricity price trends over the past 50 years (refer to figure 1) real electricity prices are at a level consistent with the industry’s lowest real level of the 1960s. Since many consumers are interested in reducing their overall household costs, there are certainly opportunities to reduce costs related to the use of electricity. However, the first step requires an...

Home Appliances – Energy Consumption vs. Conservation

Refrigerator/Freezer According to the EIA, U.S. residential, commercial and industrial customers consume 25 percent of the electricity generated worldwide, with more than 30 percent of that consumption, or 1.14 trillion kWh, used in homes. This seemingly high level of energy consumption in the residential sector can be attributed to the energy required to operate home appliances. Even though the...

Lowering Heating Bills – A Simple Proposition

With the continued increase in costs to heat homes in the winter and mounting financial pressure to make ends meet, homeowners are challenged to afford the comfort of an optimally heated home. This article identifies a number of simple and relatively inexpensive actions that can result in lower heating bills. Ceiling Fans Ceiling Fan Be sure to establish the fan’s direction in the clockwise...

Energy Star – Promoting Energy Conservation

Energy Star Label The Energy Star program, currently covering over 50 product categories, was started by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1992. As currently positioned in the market, the Energy Star label highlights those products that are more energy efficient than other products in the same category. Most commonly found on appliances, the label can now be found on roofing materials...

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)

In 1998 the U.S. Green Building Council developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program which has evolved into the authority for establishing green building requirements for new construction and older homes, and for certifying new homes. In so doing, LEED drives the regulations to ensure that new construction is healthy and durable for both the occupants and...

Solar Powered Refrigerators

Solar power, often referred to as photovoltaics, is gaining traction as part of the overall energy efficiency solution. Applications range from powering our homes to charging cell phones and radios; and recent technological developments suggest that widespread production of solar powered automobiles will soon be a reality. Along these same lines, tremendous strides have been taken in applying...

Are Renewables Mainstream?

Figure 1-Wind Farm There is a prevailing view is that renewable electric power generation in its many forms is entering the mainstream as a viable alternative to the more traditional fossil fuel alternatives. Assisted by the ever increasing list of states with renewable portfolio standards (RPS), and continuing advancements in technology to enhance affordability, wind and solar generation are...

Introduction to Thermal Technology

With the pending threat of continually rising natural gas prices, alternative energy technologies are taking on greater significance. This article on thermal technologies explains how  the natural tendency of heat to travel from hot to cold is leveraged to turn heat into useful energy. Thermal Technology – Beyond Photovoltaic Panels Figure 1-PV Panels Photovoltaic (PV) panels are used to...

Energy Efficiency and Environmental Stewardship – Getting Started

The myth that living “green” is expensive is certainly substantiated by the seemingly higher costs for health foods, LED light bulbs, and solar panels. However, there are myriad ways to save money and improve the environmental impact of our day-to-day lives. Home Applications to Save the Environment Homeowners can decrease the carbon footprint and lower their energy bill by simply using...