Go Green 4 Earth » Environmental

Five energy-savings myths

John McRae — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:57:17 +0000

(Photo: Getty Images)

What you didn’t know about energy efficiency could hurt your pocketbook.

Myth #1: Closing the Vent Saves Energy

Though it seems that closing vents in unused rooms would save energy,
the energy consumed by the system is at the unit itself, and
restricting conditioned air at a vent
termination redirects it to other locations in the house or through
leaks in your duct system. Closing vents also puts backpressure on the
fan that pushes the air through the system, causing it to work harder,
use more energy, and wear out faster.

Myth #2: New Windows = Significant Energy Cost Savings

Replacing single-pane windows for Energy-Star rated dual-pane windows
will save energy. That energy savings, however, is a function of the
size and number of windows in your home,
their orientation and overhangs, and the location of your house and the
climate zone you are live in. This typically amounts to a small fraction
of your total energy use, and given the expense of replacing windows,
there are typically much more cost-effective ways to reduce your energy
bills.

Myth #3: Setting Thermostat Higher Heats a Home Faster

A furnace will provide heat at its max power (or a fraction of max
power for multi-stage units) when it is first turned on. So, setting the
temperature higher will have little effect
in how quickly a home heats. Setting the thermostat higher does have
the potential to increase the run-time of the heating system, using more
energy and potentially making your home uncomfortably hot.

Myth #4: Using an Electric Space Heater Saves Money

Given that electricity is typically between four and 10 times the
cost of natural gas, running just two electric space heaters can cost
the equivalent of heating an entire home with a gas-powered system.

Myth #5: Leaving a Light on Uses Less Energy Than Turning It Off, Then on Again

Some people actually believe that if leaving the light on when
they leave the room for a few minutes to take a restroom break, for
example, is better than turning it off and
then on again when they return. There is no significant additional power
draw when turning on a light bulb (other than the calories you use by
flipping the switch). So, turn off the lights each time you leave a
room, even if for just a couple of minutes.

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69% increase in U.S. solar installations

John McRae — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:57:06 +0000

The recent spike in bad news focused on the Solyndra debacle is obscuring the positive long-term trend for solar energy. Installations of photovoltaic solar panels increased by 69% during the first half of 2011, compared with the same time period for 2010, says the U.S. Solar Market Insight quarterly report. In the second half of 2011, growth is expected to continue with 1,750 megawatts installed for the whole year.

“The U.S. markets are expanding and heading toward becoming the largest in the world, and our goal is certainly to surpass Germany and Italy and some of those markets that are larger than us today. The resilience and the core stability of this market is remarkable given the economic conditions that exist today,” said Rhone Resch, from the Solar Energy Institute of America. (Source: Cleanenergyauthority.com)

New Jersey’s commercial solar capacity grew 170% in the second quarter of this year. The eastern state’s commercial solar profile now exceeds California’s, though the Golden State is far more populous, and has more annual sunlight. New Jersey’s solar energy growth is related to state policies encouraging both residential and commercial installations. At the state level, solar rebates and tax breaks are working.

Jump-starting solar manufacturers with federal loans is another matter. We all need to understand these are separate efforts, and not become distracted by a single failure, which actually was not a failure of technology, but of bureaucracy influenced by politics. America’s total solar capacity is currently about 3,100 megawatts, or enough to power about 630,000 homes. Germany is planning to add another 7,000 megawatts just in the next two years. They are Europe’s leading solar nation, and are moving towards phasing out nuclear power,and is leading in solar energy with more to come. A single German town now produces far more energy with clean sources than it uses, and actually sells it, making millions of dollars each year.

The report’s author said he hopes America’s solar installations will double this year, as it did in 2010. Why isn’t the mainstream media reporting extensively on the possibility that America’s photovoltaic installations, both residential and commercial, could double two years in a row? Solar is a growing, and resilient industry with more new installations, employing many people. It is solar research and development that is volatile, which makes it just like all other emerging technology fields.

Image Credit: Jake Richardson

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Geothermal energy 101: Harnessing the earth’s heat

John McRae — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:56:56 +0000

Because of the way we’ve built our society, humans require a large amount of energy to power our lives.

Unfortunately, the ways we create this energy usually involve the burning of fossil fuels which pollute our air, water, and soil, and endanger millions of different species — including ourselves.

Although it’s about 30 years too late, people are finally waking up to the fact that there are cleaner, more sustainable ways to generate energy.

One of these alternative energy options is geothermal energy. Countries like Iceland, Japan and even the United States have vast stores of clean geothermal energy waiting to be tapped.

If you’ve always wondered what makes this alternative energy source different from coal, gas, and even solar energy, scroll through the infographic below.

Home Energy Audits by Wellhome.com

Image Credit: Flickr - futureatlas.com

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Big island of Hawaii gets 20% of its electricity from geothermal

John McRae — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:56:50 +0000

A geothermal plant on Hawaii’s Big Island is providing 20% of that islands electricity needs, with additional capacity in the works.

The Puna Geothermal Venture is run by Ormat Technologies and is located in the Mt. Kilauea East Rift zone. The plant has five wells that bring up 650-degree geothermal fluids to the surface where the steam is separated out and used to drive generators. The plant also captures waste heat from the primary circuit with fluid pentane to increase power output and efficiency.

The plant is currently contracted to provide 30 MW of electricity to Hawaii Electric and Light through 2030, but is looking to add another 8 MW of capacity soon, as well as building new reservoirs off the coast of Maui and near Mt. Hualalai to expand its electricity coverage across the islands.

With the vast amount of geothermal energy in the area, Hawaii could easily get most of their electricity from these sources within the near future.

via Cleantechnica

New Suspect in ‘Great Dying’: Massive Prehistoric Coal Explosion

John McRae — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:56:49 +0000

LiveScience.com – A great explosive burning of coal set fire and made molten by lava bubbling from the Earth’s mantle , looking akin to Kuwait’s giant oil fires but lasting anywhere from centuries to millennia, could have been the cause of the world’s most-devastating mass extinction, new research suggests. Related posts:Smoking Linked to Skin Cancer [...] Related posts:

Nigeria coast braces for biggest oil spill in 13 years

John McRae — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:56:49 +0000

Reuters – Nigerian authorities were putting emergency measures in place on Thursday to prevent an oil spill from a Royal Dutch Shell facility, the biggest leak in Nigeria for more than 13 years, washing up on its densely populated coast. Related posts:Shell oil spill off Nigeria likely worst in decade Nigeria coast braces for Royal [...] Related posts:

Doctors, moms take on No. 1 polluter in Utah

John McRae — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:56:49 +0000

AP – When winter comes to Utah and atmospheric conditions trap a soup of pollutants close to the ground, doctors say it turns every resident in the Salt Lake basin into the equivalent of a cigarette smoker.

EU airline carbon move could spark trade war: China

John McRae — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:56:48 +0000

Reuters – Beijing criticized a decision by Europe’s highest court to allow airlines to be charged for carbon emissions on flights to and from the European Union, with state media warning on Thursday it could spark a trade spat and the foreign ministry urging talks. Related posts:NJ figures in dispute over cap-and-trade success Why Don’t [...] Related posts:

Pollution rule may affect Pa.’s coal-fired plants

John McRae — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:56:48 +0000

AP – New federal pollution standards targeting the nation’s dirtiest power plants may help lead to the shutdown of some coal-fired plants in Pennsylvania, although it’s not yet clear how many. Related posts:New EPA rules threatening aging power plants The Dirtiest of the Dirty Power Plants Cross State Air Pollution Rule aims to cut smog, [...] Related posts:

Shell oil spill off Nigeria likely worst in decade

John McRae — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:56:48 +0000

AP – An oil spill near the coast of Nigeria is likely the worst to hit those waters in a decade, a government official said Thursday, as slicks from the Royal Dutch Shell PLC spill approached the country’s southern shoreline. Related posts: Nigeria coast braces for Royal Dutch Shell oil spill Shell moves closer on [...] Related posts: