Energy Efficient Technologies that Suck [Energy]

by Jeff Ihnen | Jun 3, 2013 | Energy Efficiency, Energy Rant

Sometimes I wonder. No, sometimes I’m amazed how certain energy efficient technologies have fooled the industry and the public for years, possibly even decades, into a false sense and blind acceptance for energy savings.  Want to see two technologies that are...

Cost Recovery for Energy Efficiency Programs – An Ignorant Idea

by Jeff Ihnen | Apr 29, 2013 | Energy Efficiency, Energy Rant

If you haven’t seen Michaels’ recent self-indulgent video, you might want to do that now.  It is many hours of video shooting reduced to a fine sauce, just under four minutes.  My interview, for example, lasted maybe 45 minutes and maybe 30 seconds of it are included...

Refrigerator Sitcoms and Lethal Toaster Ovens

by Jeff Ihnen | Dec 31, 2012 | Energy Efficiency, Energy Rant

I’ve read enough energy-saving tip lists to fill a Webster’s dictionary[1].  In this rant, I dissect some common ones, some uncommon ones, and provide some myself. Cook with small appliances – toaster oven, slow cooker, electric skillet:  I would strongly advise...

The End of Lighting

by Jeff Ihnen | Dec 10, 2012 | Energy Efficiency, Energy Rant

Believe it or not, I did not have a rant topic in mind going into Saturday morning – my rant writing time.  But the fog burned off quickly as a topic came into view – one that arose during the prior week.  Incidentally, I once heard a “meteorologist” instructor say he...

Dude- Cheap Cookies

by Jeff Ihnen | Dec 3, 2012 | Energy Efficiency, Energy Rant

Taking a suggestion from an anonymous rant reader [doesn’t want to get fired], I purchased and have been reading a book called Predictably Irrational.  Figuring out peoples’ decision-making process is my job – to win proposals, design programs that people want, and...

Tea Party On, Dudes

by Jeff Ihnen | Aug 20, 2012 | Energy Rant

Jeff Erickson of Navigant Consulting presented an interesting paper at last week’s American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) Summer Study for Buildings.  The title was, “Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party Battle over Energy Efficiency.”  I thought it...