Energy Information Displays

 The idea is simple:display household energy consumption on a display of some kind inside the home.  The real time feedback allows you, the resident, to easily and consistently adjust your energy use - hopefully lowering it!  I received an EID for my birthday last year, but it turned out to be incompatible with my utility meter.  My meter was recently upgraded to a smart meter, so now I'm considering a diferent display.  My new SRP smart meter allows my utility to email me the previous day's energy use, but I would rather be able to see the number go up and down immediately as various appliances turn on and off.  Her'es a relevent article.

Radiant Barriers Rock!

This study shows the tremendous benefits of having a radiant barrier in your attic/under your roof. I've just ordered 24 mylar emergency blankets($28) to create a poor man's radiant barrier in my attic. I'll post the results in a week or two. I think I'll wrap my water heater, too - so many possibilities!

From the report:

• A 23-degree drop in the peak attic temperature occurred in a home outfitted with radiant heat barrier versus a similar home without the barrier;
• A 20 percent reduction in the run-time of the air conditioning unit during the seven hours of peak attic temperatures; and
• The radiant barrier improved the efficiency of cooled air delivered through the air ducts by 57 percent during this period.

New, Ambitious High-Speed Rail Plan

I know this isn't related directly to household energy efficiency, but I couldn't resist:

A new group has formed in Washington to lobby for a very exciting new American High-speed Rail plan, to be built in 3 phases and completed by 2030.  Their plan is great because it covers more of the U.S. than Obama's plan and involves 220 mph trains(vs 90mph).  I'm not sure I want to know the cost, but we need an alternative to driving and flying.  These trains would be electric, reducing our need for fossil fuels, although increasing our need for clean electricity. Read more here.

Phoenix Landfill Solar Project Advances

4 proposals from well known solar manufacturers have been submitted for this very interesting project. Read the Biz Journal Article.

SRP increases limit for efficiency improvement program

If your household income is low enough, SRP will pay for up to $6000 worth of weatherization for your home.

The utility announced on Tuesday that it is increasing its cap from $4,000. With federal stimulus money factored in, a homeowner in SRP’s service area could get up to $12,500 for energy efficiency renovations.

“Increasing the funding level for individual homes will result in more comprehensive energy-efficient improvements,” said Debbie Kimberly, SRP’s manager of energy efficiency and policy analysis. “The customers who participate in this program will have lower electricity bills and experience improved comfort levels throughout their house.”

Check it out.