"Homes and office buildings consume three-quarters of U.S. electricity, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory wants to lower that figure by erecting what it believes will be the largest "net-zero" energy building in the world - one that produces as much power onsite as it uses."
Wow. Let's read that again, "home and office buildings consume three-quarters of U.S. electricity..." Three quarters! Reducing just a quarter of that through weatherization, net-zero techniques, conservation, etc., we could dramatically reduce carbon emissions from coal fired power-plants and save money. Save the planet and save money? Sounds like a win win for both left and right. And kudos to NREL for showing us how we can get there.
After you read this, look at your electricity and gas bills and think about what you can do to refrain from using that electric space heater, air conditioner, or furnace so much. Is it supporting the local economy by getting an energy audit by a trained professional and learning how your particular home home uses energy? Is it adding more insulation to the attic and receiving a federal tax credit through 2010? Whatever you decide, it will require a new way of thinking about how we can reduce our energy consumption.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
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Wishful Thinking
*Before adding PV, wind, or solar thermal to your residential or commercial structure, the first step is to analyze this structure's energy consumption through a professional energy audit. I'd like to see some public education on the importance of an energy audit for any structure. Remember Smokey the Bear's forest fire shtick drilled into our heads over the last few decades? How about something like, "Henry the House" desperately wanting to know how much energy he consumes and wastes throughout the day?
*With over 300 sunny days a year on the Front Range is it too much to ask for solar PV and thermal modules on every residential and commercial unit (after an energy audit of course)?
*How about affordable plug-in electric cars that go more than 100 miles on a charge with PV and wind powered recharging stations?
*Dreaming of companies large and small adopting business sustainability practices to maximize profits, reduce their carbon footprint, and enhance the lives of their employees and the communities that surround them.
*With over 300 sunny days a year on the Front Range is it too much to ask for solar PV and thermal modules on every residential and commercial unit (after an energy audit of course)?
*How about affordable plug-in electric cars that go more than 100 miles on a charge with PV and wind powered recharging stations?
*Dreaming of companies large and small adopting business sustainability practices to maximize profits, reduce their carbon footprint, and enhance the lives of their employees and the communities that surround them.
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