Water Energy, is it the Future?

Columbia Power Technologies has come out with a prototype wave energy device. It is called the SeaRay and its design allows it to take up to twice as much energy then other developing wave technologies.  The company refers to it as a “heave and surge” energy design. The SeaRay is performing beyond our expectations and tracking well with modeling predictions. The CEO of...

Did a Spider-Man Comic Predict the 1977 Blackout?

Share What Happened in the Comic? Spider-Man and the Wasp were fighting against the villain Equinox who can shoot fire out of his arms.  A blast hit a building and the power transformer went down causing blackouts all over the city.  This issue came out in July, 1977. The same week as the real blackout. What Happened in Real Life? From July 13th, 1977 to July 14th, 1977 the only...

Energy Efficient Mortgages

Energy Efficiency Assists in Obtaining Mortgages Prospective homeowners can take advantage of the opportunity to finance the purchase of a new home by applying for an Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM), provided the home is adjudged by a home energy rater as energy efficient.  In so doing, current criteria regarding debt-to-income ratios can be stretched, providing the capability to take on a...

Energy Saving Appliances

ACEEE: Focused on Energy Efficiency The American Council for Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) provides a wealth of information regarding energy efficiency. Founded in 1980, its program areas include Federal and State Energy Policy, Research and Communication. The following link provides tremendous insights to assist homeowners in purchasing Energy Saving...

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...