Saving Energy @ Home
Focus: Homes that need little energy – “green builders in Massachusetts
just completed several duplexes that use almost no energy at all.” – from the
1/10 issue of a DoE newsletter.
Home energy hogs – as identified by Forbes (and
presented in an online
slide show).
Kennedy home – RFK Jr. lives in a house (don’t you?) – it’s a
1920s colonial in Westchester County, N.Y., according to a HousingZone.com report.
Now, it’s been renovated into the “Kennedy Green House.”
Research – from Pike
Research: “A number of factors are converging to make energy efficient
residential products and services a hot sector over the next several years.
These drivers include increased environmental awareness among consumers, government
incentives, utility energy efficiency programs, and new offerings and rebates
from product manufacturers.”
Retrofits help builders/remodelers survive – the housing
market is depressed. EcoHome reported
on an International Builders Show session in which a NJ remodeler said “pros
can immediately profit from offering energy-efficiency testing services because
they are in demand.”
Takeaways from Builders Show – “small is the new green”
– and more – as reported
by HousingZone.com.
‘The case for home efficiency retrofits’ – from Forbes,
the gist is that idle construction workers could be put to work cutting residential
energy use (in the HOME STAR program).
VIDEO: Seeking the best ideas – Grist.org’s article about
a project (driven by Slate, the online magazine) to find “practical suggestions
for a more energy-efficient life” included a video
featuring Daniel Gross, a noted biz writer.
EE Issues
President proposes EE rebates – the
3/2 AP report noted: “Various vendors, ranging from small, independent contractors
to national home improvement chains, would promote the rebates, give the money
to consumers and then be reimbursed by the federal government.”
Six-agency co-op to fund EE research center – at a cost of $130M,
according to GreenerBuildings.com.
From Energy Secretary Chu: "This unique partnership will not only advance
the development of new, energy efficient technologies, it will help local governments,
businesses, and homeowners save money on their utility bills by putting the
technology to work,"
‘Will public support for efficiency continues?’ – that’s what
blogger
Elisa Wood asked. Her answer: “The road ahead indicates price increases
to come for electric power, and consumers are not likely to take kindly to them.”