TweetYou’ll have to forgive yesterday’s satiric look at the government’s new “Homestar” program. I just couldn’t resist the name association. The press release was fake, but the frustration was real: Why do we need further incentive to do the things that already have a financial benefit? My suspicion is that the average American homeowner lacks [...]
TweetOn Tuesday, President Obama announced his plans to make Homestar Runner, that lovable armless marshmallow from internet cartoons, the United States’ new Energy Efficiency Czar. As part of his jobs agenda, the President outlined the potential for energy efficiency improvements, like insulation and window retrofits, to put furloughed construction workers back to work. He emphasized [...]
TweetThose ancient Egyptians were really on to something when the built the pyramids. The broad base and pointy top really helps us understand that there are some things common and fundamental, and others that are a little more rare. Brilliant! Today’s pyramidal subject is energy conservation. Have you ever wondered whether you’re better off insulating [...]
TweetIt’s an age old dilemma for efficiency advocates: how do you calculate how much energy you didn’t use or how much money you didn’t spend? You can’t put a yardstick up against something that doesn’t exist. We tend to rely on models and predictions of what might have happened, and calculate the savings based on [...]
TweetWhy does flu season tend to occur in the winter? You may want to ask your guinea pig. Your mother always told you that you’d “catch your death of cold” if you went outside without a hat, but science has come to the rescue. Some old and new research suggests that it’s the dry winter [...]
TweetI don’t know many other people who get excited about receiving their utility bills, but this month I couldn’t even wait for the email reminder from the power company. I preemptively checked their website to see if I had saved some energy. For those of you keeping track, I added piles of pink insulation to [...]
TweetAs a scientist-turned-efficiency nut, I have railed against people who believe the conventional wisdom when it comes to environmental conservation, often ignoring the data. I’ve talked at length about corn-to-ethanol, cash-for-clunkers, and other programs that are supposed to save the earth, but do the opposite when you really take a look under the hood. Thus, [...]
Tweet A new air conditioner designed by Mitsubishi will try to take the guess-work out of home energy efficiency. It uses an array of sensors to identify weather and room conditions, and then suggest some ideas for trimming energy use. The unit can measure indoor and outdoor temperature and room humidity to suggest control changes. [...]
TweetI’m reading a historical mystery novel based in ancient Rome, and I’m surprised by the parallels between that society and ours. Aside from the madness of power hungry politicians (some things truly never change) I was intrigued by the description of Roman Augurs, a class of priests who interpreted the the will of the gods [...]
TweetWinter’s coming, and that means you’ll start to feel all those drafty areas of your house. The breeze in the breakfast nook, the cold floor when you step out of bed… Fight back with foam and caulk. They’re one of the cheapest weapons in the energy efficiency arsenal, and offer both a quick payback and [...]
