Utility rebate and study programs can be difficult for trade allies to navigate. In many cases, they may not be experts in energy calculations, making it a challenge to produce consistent and accurate results.
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I imagine the EPA is working feverishly on their final ruling for the Clean Power Plan (proposed under the Clean Air Act), due this June. Meanwhile, many states and one prominent company, Murray Energy, are digging in to do legal battle for decades to come, possibly. The “possibly” part of that would occur if the Clean Power Plan is upheld by the courts. That will result in endless litigation. If it is thrown out, the federal government may have to actually pass laws for once – you know, the political process. Here is the problem with the Clean Air Act:…
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About two years ago, I wrote Duct Leakage Chaff, which explained that residential duct leakage is a mole hill, a red herring, a boogeyman. I recently reviewed a report that nails my assertions from June 2013. The program evaluation (residential HVAC tune-up) was thorough, likely expensive, but worthwhile. Too often, not just in evaluation, but any professional service industry, contracts go to the low-ball bidder. The low-ball bidder either uses the tactic because it’s the only weapon they have, they don’t understand the challenge of doing a decent job (ignorance), or providing actionable value simply isn’t that important to them.The…
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Space heating and AC for SFDH use more than two times as much energy versus MF. An obvious cause for increased space conditioning in SFDH is increased building enclosure area, especially for heating.
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Last week I discussed the need to simplify energy codes to disallow the variable air volume systems that (1) 95% of design and construction professionals don’t understand from an energy perspective, or (2) require constant babysitting by the other 5%. This week the topic is commissioning; another critical function to achieve real energy performance. Commissioning has become the rage for energy codes, and before long, it will be required along with all the other things that are required and not achieved. Quickly, to douse the risk of losing readers, commissioning is an oversight role that should be fulfilled by an…
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In January, I wrote about code compliance and that while energy codes keep ratcheting down energy intensity in theory, reality is misery. That post was a thinly veiled advertisement for my AESP National Conference session in the Lion’s Lair, and that presentation can be seen here. My Lion’s Lair proposal was a thinly veiled pitch to fix what would be the equivalent of curing cancer for commercial HVAC systems. The cancer is the widely used variable, air volume system. Another boondoggled application of one such system triggered this post. The boondoggle was part of an evaluation we are doing on…
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Finding the original refrigerant for an existing system can be a daunting task. But don’t worry, alternative refrigerants are out there – the trick is finding the right one.
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The source of this week’s post about the utility of the future is this Utility Dive article about Pacific Gas and Electric’s proposed incentives for electric vehicles. The article made me think of this: liberals think big business is evil and conservatives think big government is evil. Both are right to a large extent. Oooh. In my opinion, libertarians are most correct fearing crony capitalism as the unholy alliance between big government and big business. A primary role of government is to ensure citizens are protected from fraud, embezzlement, collusion, and the seven deadly sins. Hens and little people are…
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