Know Your Insulation Options and How Applying Insulation

It is easier and less costly to fit insulation in a new home than to retrofit. However, many existing houses have little or no insulation, and they will benefit from any improvements that can be made to the levels of insulation. In most houses, insulation can be reasonably easily added to roof spaces and under timber framed floors. It is more difficult to retrofit insulation to walls. It is advisable to add insulation during any renovation, and it can also be cost effective – especially in colder parts of the country – to remove internal linings in order to add wall insulation. (more…)

Energy Efficiency Improvements and Variations

Energy performance ratings tell what the energy performance of a building is, but if the energy performance of a building is to be improved, the causes of lower than desired performance must be understood, and methods of achieving improved performance must be determined. Causes of variation in energy performance among commercial buildings are understood to a degree, but much remains to be learned. (more…)

How Batteries Lead to Better Energy Efficiency

The pace of innovations in batteries has not matched the remarkably fast evolution in the development of portable electronic technology. Batteries are widely regarded as the weak point slowing the rapid innovations in portable technology. Chief among consumer complaints are that batteries do not last long enough and that they do not last as long as the manufacturer claims they will. (more…)

The Future of Solar Energy Through Photosynthesis

solar energy photosynthesis
In the mid-1880s, Charles Fritts built the first solar cell formed by selenium coated with a thin layer of gold and with an energy efficiency of 1%. However, it was not until 1954 that Bell Labs discovered accidentally that would be the first commercial solar cell, with silicon as the base. (more…)

Use Ceiling Fans to Save Home Energy

Ceiling fans are a popular room addition; comfort can be easily obtained with a flip of a switch. An immediate cooling breeze is created by an electric motor with rotating blades. That motor uses electricity. Ceiling fan motors are not large, but energy can be wasted. Read on for tips on operating your ceiling fans so that you can be comfortable and save home energy.

Ceiling fans have a cooling effect, but do not cool. (more…)

Do You Know Where Your Energy Dollar Goes?

energy dollar money
You’re paying a lot more for energy of all kinds these days—oil, gas, and electricity cost double (and in some cases, nearly triple) what they ran you just a few short years ago. The higher cost of energy is also reflected in the price of everything else you buy; energy-related price hikes have been shooting out of sight recently. (more…)