Everyone is talking about building very large #batteries for energy storage, for when the sun doesn't shine or the wind doesn't blow. Turns out, that is the most expensive solution. There are faster solutions that yield money.
"Lovins and many other #EnergyEfficiency experts have spent decades pointing out that an integrated system approach that focuses as much or more on consumption than supply will be so much cheaper than the current approach focused on supply."
RT by @EU_ScienceHub: ⚡While the EU energy system is shifting towards a decentralised supply landscape with increasing renewable sources, energy smart appliances play a crucial role in demand side flexibility and energy system optimisation.
🇪🇺 @Energy4Europe and @EU_ScienceHub launched today the Code of Conduct on Interoperable Energy Smart Appliances during the EU Energy Day at the @hannover_messe.
APPLiA is honoured to have worked as a facilitator for the voluntary-based initiative, and is looking forward to contributing to future developments to the Code, as a key step toward #EnergyEfficiency and #sustainability in Europe. ⚡🌱 #EUatHM24
Hmm, found the performance stats on my old windows... 2006. Dismal compard with current recommendations, even though double paned. #windows#energyefficiency
We just received our "jaarafrekening". This is the final yearly invoice sent by our energy company. They are about to pay us €252, and we will continue to pay them €5 per month next year, just like last year. i.e. overall our energy company is paying us about €200 for last year's electricity. Everything in our home is powered by electricity. No gas connection. No wood burner.
Nothing that we've done to achieve a negative energy bill was especially expensive. In particular, our installation of a air-air heat pump and a couple of extra solar panels cost far less than several of our neighbours paid for the wood burning stoves they've installed, which stink up the neighbourhood all through winter.
We also don't have to buy wood to burn.
People concerned about the cost of heating with gas buy woodburners at a higher rate than heat pumps largely because they have no idea about the relative costs. If they knew, perhaps we could have clean air.
I'll write a comprehensive blog post at the end of March about energy consumption, costs & emissions due to the heatpump vs. gas this winter. I can tell you already that we using a lot less total energy now.
To summarise: In the worst case, our CO2 emissions are reduced by 95% vs. burning gas, we have no heating bill at all any more, and our home was warmer than before.
Replaced a single pane, 1978-79 window with a very, very expensive modern equivalent. Why? Heatwaves. Lots of them in the future. Don't know how much it will help... but better than what was there before. #remodeling#windows
DOE Energy Star suggestion for windows in our part of Southern California (South-Central) is a U-Factor of less than or equal to 0.28, and a SHGC of less than or equal to 0.23. These windows were spec'd SIGNIFICANTLY above that level, because they likely will never be replaced again (at least, not by me). #energyefficiency#windows#remodelinghttps://efficientwindows.org/energystar/
How the housing industry is working to stop energy efficient homes
"Home #builders have used their political muscle to prevent states and cities from adopting the latest code, which would lower the #climate impact of new houses
#EnergyEfficiency advocates say affordability is a convenient talking point for the home builders. They say the industry is mainly concerned with its profit margins"
"For one thing, that $20,000 figure comes from an NAHB survey of just eight homebuilders, according to NCPR. It appears to be a wild exaggeration.
A federal study found the new standards would actually raise building expenses by $4,700 to $6,500 for a single-family #home
Lower energy bills mean homeowners would recoup their upfront costs in just a few years. And hiring a contractor to upgrade #efficiency later would cost many multiples of that."
Attic cover retrofit. AKA Styrofoam sandwich. Held together with duct tape, because Styrofoam bits are horrible. Also built a little square piece that goes above the hatch to fit this like a puzzle, it got late so I did not take a photo. #insulation#energyefficiency#retrofit#diy#energy#climate
Curse of the FLIR. Turned on the heater today and ran the FLIR (infrared detector) in the attic. Now I know my AC/heat ducts leak heat (I sealed them well a few years ago, but the thin layer of insulation is not doing much! #insulation#weatherization#energy#EnergyEfficiency
"The good thing about #EnergyEfficiency is not only are you making a difference on climate change, but you're saving money on your utility bills - and that's good for everybody," said Learner.
Finding windows which meet the "Energy Star Most Efficient" U-factor (insulation measurement) of <= 0.20 looks to be a challenge for suppliers in Southern California. Was able to get close, but not to the highest standard. (SHGC--a measure of how much heat your windows absorb in the sun--I did manage to beat by a significant factor). #Windows#EnergyEfficiency#climate#energy#remodeling#retrofit
Hmm, I'm going to be walking around looking for air leaks for weeks and weeks, LOL. Now that I know what to look for. (training from the DOE available on how to detect air leaks... cool photo showing what leaks look like). #FLIR#insulation#weatherization#EnergyEfficiency
UK Conservative lawmaker quits, criticizes government's climate plans
"The [Sunak] government aims to pass a new bill guaranteeing annual licencing rounds for #OilAndGas exploration in the North Sea.
#Skidmore said that as the energy minister who signed Britain's net zero pledge into law in 2019, he could not vote for a bill that promotes the production of new oil and gas."
Labour will also require serious pushing on climate action.
#Labour slashes green spending pledge in major U-turn
"The party on Thursday ditched its totemic pledge to spend £28 billion a year on green policies — slashing those spending plans by nearly 75 percent.
The cuts include a big decrease in spending on domestic #EnergyEfficiency measures, from a target of £6 billion per year by the end of the parliament to just £6.6 billion over five years."