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Articles in Home | Energy Conservation Title|Newest|Oldest Save Electricity and Save Money!  By : Larry D. Barr As energy costs rise, consumers are seeking ways to save money on their utility bills. This article shows you how to save up to 30% or more on your electric bill each month. Drive For Less!  By : Larry D. Barr Although fuel prices are higher than ever, you can save money on your transportation costs by following these simple guidelines. Alternative Energy for the Home  By : wpat007 The trend toward homes that are powered by alternative energy sources, ranging from wind turbines and solar collection cells to hydrogen fuel cells and biomass gases, is one that needs to continue into the 21st century and beyond. We have great need of becoming more energy independent, and not having to rely on the supplying of fossil fuels from unstable nations who are often hostile to us and our interests. Consultants On Alternative Energy  By : wpat007 We have about 30 years left of reasonably cheap oil and gas—and consultants say that within 20 years beyond that point, we had better be at least 90% independent of them. Unfortunately, at the present time the world is mostly not acting as if this is the case. The thirst for oil is growing, not slaking, and it is growing faster now than it did even in the 1970s. Just What Is Alternative Energy?  By : wpat007 One alternative energy resources is wind power. Another energy resource is the one that is most well known: solar energy. Ocean wave energy. Geothermal energy is extremely abundant. Hydroelectric power has been with us for a while. Radiant Floor Heating  By : Jerry McElroy A brief article about the advantages of radiant floor heat. Best Gas Mileage  By : Malega Michael Informative article for Best Gas Mileage topic that may be of value to you, tips, ideas, suggestions and more. Take a look at Best Gas Mileage and other related information. Maryland and the Electron-Hungry Mob  By : Elisa Wood Governments remain in power as long as the people have enough food, or so the old adage goes. But in today’s appliance-driven society, political longevity may depend as much on giving us our daily share of electrons. So it is little surprise that government leaders in Maryland are looking hard for ways to ward off a possible power shortage. Without quick action, the state could face blackouts in three years. Thus, energy efficiency is a big topic of conversation. Energy Efficiency: A Bubble or a Vaccum?  By : Elisa Wood No one much likes hearing their industry may be in a bubble. Bubbles burst and it hurts. We’re seeing that now in housing. So it’s understandable that clean energy companies aren’t exactly happy that economist Eric Janszen (itulip.com) says their industry may experience the next bubble. Apparently, clean energy is exhibiting bubble-like symptoms: It is the talk of the town, attracts investors looking to make quick money, and enjoys strong government support. Utilities: Friendsor Foes of Energy Efficiency  By : Elisa Wood With oil prices so high, talk again has turned to making the U.S. more energy efficient. In the power industry, utilities have been typically charged with this mission. Or to more aptly describe it, they have gotten dragged, kicking and screaming, into helping their customers use less electricity. You can’t blame them for resisting. An electric utility is a business that makes its money selling power. If too many customers dim the lights, utility profits fall. A Green Apple for the Teacher  By : Elisa Wood By news accounts Barack Obama is all the rage on college campuses these days. But there is another less reported campus movement that could considerably boost the energy efficiency industry. College students nationwide have mounted a serious campaign to clean up the nation’s energy supply. And they are starting in their own backyards – or rather dorm rooms. Nudged by these students, college administrations are installing co-generation, switching to more efficient lighting, and undertaking... Negawatts Beat Megawatts in New England  By : Elisa Wood Energy efficiency advocates have argued for years that a negawatt is cheaper than a megawatt. That is, it is less costly to install energy efficiency equipment and reduce consumption than to build new power plants. In New England, the premise was recently tested, and the results should hearten anyone in the efficiency business. ISO New England invited demand-side resources, like energy efficiency or demand response projects, to compete on equal terms against power generation projects to fill the region's need for electric capacity in 2010/2011. The test took place during the wholesale market manager's first forward capacity auction. After three days of bidding, demand-resources stood up handily to generation. In fact, ISO-NE announced at the close of bidding in mid-February that it had selected new efficiency-related measures that will create 1,188 MW of energy savings, but only 626 MW of proposed power generation. Is Today's Interest in Efficiency a Blip?  By : Elisa Wood Political leaders push energy efficiency when electricity rates spike, then drop it like a hot potato when prices fall. So how long will the current interest last? Three reports out this week indicate power prices will not ease any time soon. Indeed, forces are in place to only push costs higher. One force is the renewable portfolio standard, according to Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services in “The Race for the Green: How Renewable Portfolio Standards Could Affect U.S. Utility Credit Quality.” Half of the states, representing 40% of electric load, now require that a percentage of power come from green energy. S&P warns that the requirement is moving “squarely away from least-cost procurement and toward acquiring often above-market renewable generation in unprecedented quantities.” The standards are in their infancy, so the price impact is still to come in most states, says S&P. Rhode Island: Little State, Big Energy Efficiency Opportunity  By : Elisa Wood Rhode Island is often the butt of jokes about its size, a lot of them having to do with an inability among residents to screw in electric light bulbs. But when it comes to energy policy, the state has often loomed large, even if few people notice. For example, it was Rhode Island that led the way with electric industry restructuring in the 1990s. California and Massachusetts usually get the credit. How to Find “White Tag” Markets  By : Elisa Wood Doing business in the US can be a crazy venture if you’re an international company trying to make inroads. Europeans often say it’s like learning the rules of 50 different countries. This is because important energy policy decisions are often made by state governments. It looks like the emerging “white tag” market for energy efficiency may be no different. So far, Congress has resisted the idea of a national energy efficiency portfolio standard, which would set uniform energy savings requirements for utilities nationwide. But several states are moving ahead with their own standards. Often the standards allow trading of white tags, or energy efficiency certificates. The tags are proof that an entity reduced consumption through energy efficiency. A manufacturer might earn the tags by upgrading motors; a store might install more efficient refrigeration; a hospital could add cogeneration. The business or institution can then sell the tags to utilities who use them to show they (or a surrogate) met the state’s efficiency requirement. Which states should you watch for white tag business? Energy Efficiency: Not a Sound Bite Business  By : Elisa Wood I’m a star at the neighborhood playground because I write about energy. Let me explain. I have a young son, and often find myself next to the swings talking with other parents. Inevitably we talk about work. Inevitably it comes up that I know a little about energy. And inevitably I’m surrounded by a crowd that wants to know– demands to know–why the US doesn’t use more green energy. They are looking for a sound bite answer, like “It is Bush’s fault” or “Exxon is evil.” Instead, I find myself grasping for an answer, even though I’ve been following this business for 20 years — or more accurately – because I’ve been following this business for 20 years. Efficiency Guru: The Behind-the-Scenes EE Revolution  By : Elisa Wood behind-the-scenes revolution is taking place when it comes to energy efficiency. To get an inside look, we recently spoke with one of the industry’s long-time gurus, Steve Cowell, chairman and CEO of Conservation Services Group in Boston. Much of the action is happening on the state level where industry players are hammering out ways to lower costs by reducing energy consumption. In most cases, the goals are aggressive and could increase efficiency investments by 2.5 to 3 times what we have today, says Cowell. Industry insiders often talk about efficiency as the invisible power plant. If you need 50 MW of new power, you can build a new generating facility. Or you can find ways to reduce energy use by 50 MW. That’s like building a virtual power plant. The virtual power plant saves ratepayers money because a 1% reduction in load during high peak periods can reduce wholesale electricity prices by 10%, according to the Electric Power Research Institute. Cowell sees three ground-breaking efforts in the works to increase the use of efficiency: portfolio standards, procurement, and demand resources in forward-capacity markets. Luminous Efficacy  By : Ionela Efficacy, power and costs of high brightness LEDs have got levels that make them an attractive solution in many lighting system applications. LED Lights: Tactical Innovations and Uses  By : Ben Anton This article explains the traditional uses for tactical flashlights by the police, military, search and rescue and serious outdoorsmen and how tactical lights are different from everyday flashlights. Think Gas Prices Are High? Electricity is Next.  By : Elisa Wood Today’s interest in energy efficiency may be nothing compared to tomorrow’s, if power prices rise as much as expected. One of the biggest price drivers, at this point, appears to be greenhouse gas restrictions, which Congress is expected to enact. It’s not clear yet exactly what the rules will be. But a federal analysis of a leading proposal shows electricity prices rising 5% to 27% by 2020 and as much as 64% by 2030. And greenhouse gas restrictions are only one factor pushing up electricity prices. Industry insiders cite additional pressure from rising fuel costs, higher component costs, and new transmission investments. Big Energy Efficiency Vote Due From Small Commission  By : Elisa Wood The European Union (EU) isn’t shy about implementing aggressive energy policy. In January, for example, the EU passed a proposal for Climate Action that includes an overall binding target of 20% renewable energy by 2020, according to the European Commission. The US, on the other hand continues to shy away from aggressive energy policy. However, one of the more influential energy votes of the year will be decided by a small council in Minnesota, the International Codes Council (ICC). The ICC will vote in September on an energy efficiency policy that could influence energy in the US over the next 20 years, according to the ICC. Go Green With Energy Efficient Kitchen Appliances  By : BraegHeneffe Using environmentally friendly cleaning products, recycling and using biodegradable bin liners are just a few ways families are going green in the kitchen. However one of the most important, and significant changes many households are making is buying and using energy efficient kitchen appliances. For many families, the kitchen is the room in the house where the most energy is consumed. Garage Insulation Saves You Money  By : realart Not only will insulating your garage save money. It can help make your home a healthier place to live. Report Reveals Unusual EE Market Pattern  By : Elisa Wood “Big dogs eat first” is a phrase often used to describe energy markets. That is, expect large energy consumers – usually manufacturers -- to be the first at the plate to take advantage of any economic benefits. But a recent report suggests that when it comes to energy efficiency, householders may nudge the Mastiffs out of the way. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy found that in divvying up EE investment dollars, the US home makes up a disproportionate share. Specifically, appliances and electronics made up 48% of the $178 billion spent on buildings in 2004. Yet these devices represented only 8% of the energy consumed by buildings. Meanwhile, the industrial sector received only 25% of EE investment dollars even though these businesses use up 34% of our energy. Attic Insulation has a Tough Job  By : realart Making sure your attic is well insulated is a great way to save money on energy costs and to make your home more comfortable. The type of insulation you choose can make a big difference in how well your attic is insulated. Enhance Gardening With Hydroponics Breakthrough  By : Jovan_Gomez Hydroponics has been a breakthrough in the agricultural technology. With its efficiency defined, the technology secures optimum results on food production and even the leisure of gardening. Maximum results can be achieved through proper administration of the technology in agriculture and gardening methods. Hydroponics ensures safe produce for consumers  By : Jovan_Gomez Hydroponics has been adapted in Canada and other countries, due to the efficiency and the accessibility of the technology.It is the means of using water with mineral solutions in cultivating plants. This is being adapted due to cost efficiency and product quality. Have a Tankless Water Heater? You Need a Hot Water Demand System!  By : William J. Lund Tankless water heaters save energy, but they have their own set of problems. It generally takes longer to get hot water so more water gets run down the drain. This waste of water can be solved with a hot water demand system. You get faster hot water with less waste. What price motivates customers to save energy?  By : Elisa Wood “Are we there yet?” We’ve heard that refrain often over the last couple of years. No, not from our kids in the backseat of the car, but from energy observers wondering exactly how much price pain the consumer will take before cutting back significantly on use. Two reports circulating this week indicate that we have arrived – or at least we are close. Americans drove their cars 4.3% fewer miles in March 2008 than they did a year earlier, according to the Federal Highway Administration. This is the first time since 1979 that we took to the road less in March. While a 4.3% drop may not sound like much, it amounts to 11 billion miles, and represents the largest decline since the FHWA began reporting monthly statistics in 1942. Camping Green: How To Enjoy the Outdoors Enviro-friendly  By : Ben Anton More and more families are looking for ways to vacation in a more environmentally friendly way. This article describes ways your family can camp green this summer. Tankless Water Heaters – the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly!  By : William J. Lund If you are considering a tankless water heater to save energy you need to read this article. You could end up wasting a lot of water and having a higher energy bill. Find out the real story about tankless water heaters. Toronto Sky Farm - Grow UP  By : Jovan_Gomez The building would be 238-meters tall and contain 750,000-square meters of hydroponic growing area, with products ranging from soybeans to strawberries to high-rise fields of lettuce. A service core at the back of the tower would include irrigation and electrical systems, and an isolated lower area could house chickens bred for both eggs and meat. Are the Number Crunchers Forgetting About Energy Efficiency?  By : Elisa Wood What is good news for the environment is often bad news for the economy. Or least that’s the conventional wisdom. The thinking is bolstered by government findings that industrial activity and Gross Domestic Product will drop if the nation adopts a leading proposal before Congress to reduce greenhouse gases. But the number crunchers may be forgetting an important input: Energy efficiency. So says a report released this week by the Americ Overcoming the dirty secret of clean energy  By : Elisa Wood A dirty secret of clean energy is that being green can be an expensive pursuit. The cost of solar panels and hybrid cars is declining, but they remain too expensive for many people. As a result, the green energy movement is often viewed as an upper-income trend in the United States. But a recent survey indicates energy efficiency may be a more egalitarian product. The intent of “The 2008 Energy Costs Survey,” released this week by the Energy Programs Consortium and the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association, is to show the sacrifices made by low, moderate, and middle-income households because of rising energy costs. Households are cutting back on food, medicine, clothing, heating and cooling, education and eating out. And they are paying their bills later, according to survey of more than 500 households in May. CHP Gains Stature as Efficiency Measure  By : Elisa Wood Combined heat and power is a form of alternative energy that has been available for many decades. Yet it’s remained below the radar screen in policy discussion about our energy future. However, it appears to be gaining new stature as lawmakers and regulators seek ways to make energy use more efficient. Also called cogeneration, the technology creates both electricity and heat in one unit. Most power plants throw away two-thirds of the energy consumed in production. But CHP plants use the excess energy to heat, cool or humidify the building. As a result CHP reclaims one-third of the energy that would otherwise be lost. How Long Will Efficiency Be the Favored Choice?  By : Elisa Wood Energy efficiency creates an odd sort of market. Nothing (lack of energy use) competes for customers against something (energy generation). There is no free lunch and even nothing, energy efficiency, costs something. But for now it is cheaper than its main competitor, the power plant. In fact, it is often three times less costly to install efficient light bulbs, better insulate buildings or pursue other forms of efficiency than to buy power. Green Alternative  By : Truemack We are in the midst of an energy crisis. The price of a gallon of gas is sky high and there is a great deal of trouble-brewing in the Middle East, Iraq and Iran and other areas. How Power Hungry Is Home Entertainment?  By : Elisa Wood Plasma televisions, video game consoles, and cable set-top boxes find their way into more and more American homes thanks to lower prices and aggressive marketing. While this trend makes for better home entertainment, it strikes a blow to energy conservation efforts. For example, even when just in standby mode, a plasma television consumes nearly $160 of energy/year and a game console over $25/year, says an article in Good magazine. A study by Australian consumer group Choice found that plasma t More Tips for Saving Gas on the Road  By : Harry80 Gas prices are hindering the family vacation, but it doesn't have to put a stop to them altogether. You can make your vacation budget stretch just a little farther by following a few guidelines. The more you can do to get your car travel ready the more mileage you will get from each tank. And Now for Some Good Economic News: EE Workers Needed  By : Elisa Wood With energy demand high and supply tight, the only thing in abundance these days is uncertainty. So says a recent Standard & Poor’s report: “The Credit Impact of Rising Energy Costs on Industry Sectors.” “Whether energy production can keep up with demand growth is a major question,” says the credit rating agency. “Where the energy will go is easy to estimate. The harder question is where will it come from?” Even if oil prices dip in the short-term, S&P says they are “cycling around a rising tre Green Home Design in America and Energy Conservation in Europe  By : Linda Glutmein As new information comes in, the global community becomes more and more concerned about the environment and energy conservation. And while America is focusing more on the environment than it used to (with its newly popular green home building initiatives in particular), the U.S. is still behind the times when it comes to conservation. How Electric Underfloor Heating Can Improve Quality of Life  By : Micrositez An interesting article on alternatives to home heating and how they can improve the quality of life. What's Cool about Air Conditioning  By : Elisa Wood Conservationists often mock Americans for their love affair with the car. But the air conditioner appears to be a growing rival for our affection. Twenty years ago only about one-quarter of US residences had central air conditioning; by 2005 it was up to 62%, according to the United States Census Bureau. Benefits of Building Green Houses Abound  By : Linda Glutmein Building with green design concepts and architecture can be a rewarding experience for both your wallet and the environment. Although the initial costs of building a green house may top those of a conventional home, expenditures can be made up in reduced utility bills. Green Home Design  By : Linda Glutmein Green home design is becoming more and more popular as people begin to realize the effects of wastefulness on the environment. Consider this, just a few years ago (2005), homes incorporating green home design concepts only made up 2% of the total homes being built or remodeled. Congress Feels No Pain  By : Elisa Wood A big question often asked by energy analysts is: How high must energy prices be to motivate customers to change their behavior? We are beginning to think that the more perplexing matter is just how much do we pay before Congress reforms its behavior. Prices are plenty high enough to encourage customers to conserve. Driving is down and pursuit of efficiency is up. Federal lawmakers, however, can’t seem to get beyond partisan maneuvering to extend efficiency incentives. Reducing Hospital Costs through Efficiency  By : Elisa Wood The energy and healthcare industries share a mutual woe. Both are experiencing meteoric price increases. The Alliance to Save Energy projects a household’s energy costs will be about $6,300 this year, representing about 13% of median pre-tax earnings. Meanwhile, the National Coalition on Health Care reports that medical costs rose 6.9%— two times the rate of inflation last year with total spending of $2.3 trillion or $7,600 per person. Why it is so Hard – and so Important – To Increase Distributed Resources  By : Elisa Wood If distributed resources are such a good idea, why don’t we build more of them? A report released this week by Tufts University sheds some light on the answer. Despite all of the talk about the efficiency they bring to the grid, resources like solar energy and combined heat and power still face significant regulatory and monetary hurdles. Consider the following findings from “Distributed Energy: The Way Forward” produced by Tufts’ Center for International Environment and Resource Policy. Eastern States Ready for Big EE Boost  By : Elisa Wood Several eastern states will see a large injection of cash for energy efficiency after the nation’s first mandatory auction of carbon dioxide allowances September 25. The auction marks the United States entry into the world of capping and trading carbon dioxide emissions. Ten states are participating in the program, known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), or more commonly called “Reggie.” Harmonic Footprinting Shrinks Recovery in Oil Rigs  By : Barbara Cohen So much time and money could be saved if we were could keep an eye on an entire oil rig and platform before, during, and after a hurricane or tropical storm. You would know precisely what, if anything, required substituting. Watching an entire oil rig 24 / 7 with alarms released identifying the location(s) on the derrick whenever a joint fractured or the derricks metal was so corrosive it could no longer work. Consider the cost savings if the metal used to frame derrick drill bits. Efficiency’s Role in Carbon Cap-and-Trade  By : Elisa Wood We hear a lot about how efficiency will play an increasingly important role as the United States undertakes efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. But how does that play out in a practical sense under cap-and-trade programs? Getting Ready for the Next US Industrial Boom  By : Elisa Wood Selling large manufacturers on energy efficiency isn’t easy, even though they stand to achieve great bang for the buck. Manufacturers are apt to only consider efficiency improvements as part of a major plant expansion or improvement. Such capital expenditures tend to occur in a cyclical fashion, and manufacturers give little thought between cycles to new efficiency measures. Profile of a White Tag Project  By : Lisa Cohn Few topics we write about here draw as much attention as energy efficiency certificates. After we mention the certificates, we inevitably receive inquiries from data centers or other large energy users, who want more information. Efficiency and the Jobs Argument  By : Elisa Wood How will the recent bad economic news affect energy efficiency efforts? Will state lawmakers retreat from the many financial commitments made over the last year? It is too soon to know the answer. But one thing is for sure, the industry may have to shift its marketing message. Consumers and politicians typically are keener on protecting the environment in good times than they are in bad. Saving Gas And You  By : JohnJames Owning a car these days can seem more of a curse than a blessing because of the fact that gas prices are fast becoming ridiculous. But don't despair. There are several ways that you can save gas Energy Tax Credits and the Devil in Congress  By : Elisa Wood It is difficult to get beyond the hyperbole of the election season to uncover a candidate’s true position. The non-partisan Pew Center on Global Climate Change performed a service with a recently released just-the-facts guide on the energy platforms of the presidential contenders. The Ghost of High Energy Prices Past  By : Elisa Wood Halloween is still a few weeks away, but a ghost is already making an appearance, this one floating over the presidential campaigns. His name is Conservation. I first heard the specter of sacrifice evoked by Sen. Barack Obama in the Oct. 7 debate. The next day Gov. Sarah Palin repeated the term several times in a television interview. Conservation, she said, is part of Senator John McCain’s “all- Clean Energy Prospers: Toto, We’re Not on Wall Street Anymore  By : Elisa Wood Wall Street is in the middle of an earthquake. Main Street is shaking from the tremors. Easy Street has been wiped off the map. Is there a safe haven from this economic meltdown? Green Street looks pretty appealing. Green Street is a term used increasingly to describe businesses that offer energy efficiency, solar, wind and other forms of clean power. While the global economy braces for cost cuts Important Tips To Save Gas For Your Car or Truck  By : ChristyJonpns Using your car for only important issues can help you save gas, because you will get to use it less. You don't have to take your car to the shopping mall the next time you want to buy groceries if you want to save gas. Using your car less often can help you save gas. This Saving Gas Information Can Help You Make A More Informed Decision  By : ChristyJonpns Owning a car these days can seem more of a curse than a blessing because of the fact that gas prices are fast becoming ridiculous. But don't despair, there are several ways that you can save gas. Artifical Grass: Eco Friendly?  By : Rex Freiberger Artificial grass is also know as waterless grass because it is made from plastic and it is considered to be harmless to the environment. It does not require any special care and you don't have to water it. You are already aware that you need plenty of water to take care of a lawn. Since there is a limited supply of water in many areas, artificial grass is the most appropriate substitute for nature Artifical Grass Does Save Money And The Environment  By : Rex Freiberger Artificial grass is also known as waterless grass because it is made from plastic and it is considered to be harmless to the environment. It does not require any special care and you don't have to water it. You are already aware that you need plenty of water to take care of a lawn. Since there is a limited supply of water in many areas, artificial grass is the most appropriate substitute for natur Artificial Grass - A Cost Effective Solution  By : Rex Freiberger At one point of time, those people who wanted substitutes for natural grass had very limited choices. They used to either install huge rock gardens in their yard, or they used artificial grass. Some years back, the only kind of artificial grass that was obtainable was the fake-looking grass that you will get at the neighboring mini-putt, but the situation is not the same anymore. How to Save Gas and Add Cash to Your Wallet Fast!  By : ChristyJonpns If you are afraid that saving gas will cost you, you shouldn't be because it won't. Gas saving techniques are designed to help you save more gas in your tank so that you spend less on buying gas. Gas is vital for automobile movement and is therefore a matter of extreme importance in the face of uncontrollable gas prices. Electricity use falls because of efficiency  By : Elisa Wood Electricity sales can gauge the national economic health. An ailing economy uses less electricity because is produces fewer goods and services. Sometimes, however, electricity sales fall for a good reason – efficiency. Perfect Heating System for Your Home – Know How?  By : eddiegullero Heating and cooling homes is the most essential part of modern day house designing. Your ignorance or negligence can make your life miserable and you will be paying more than ever you can imagine. With the growing concerns towards environmental pollution and energy crisis, it is advisable to make a conscious effort to make your home design more energy saving. Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and combined heat & power  By : Elisa Wood The universe contains many mysteries. A big one for me is: Why doesn’t the United States use more combined heat and power (CHP)? It requires an energy geek, of course, to even ask that question. Most of the world knows nothing about CHP, even when referenced by its other name: cogeneration. So it was heartening to see the Department of Energy’s recent effort to educate the public.	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