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Energy is a complex topic these days and most bring to the discussion old or preconceived concepts that no longer serve.
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Dirty Coal will never be clean.
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Nuclear will never be cost effective because of plant construction costs, before we consider waste disposal and a finite resource.
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Amory Lovins', co-founder and chairman of Rocky Mountain Institute, comments were included in an interview Efficiency Is Our Best Untapped Energy Source worth the read --
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Carole Bass: You have called energy efficiency "the largest, cheapest, safest, cleanest, fastest way to provide energy services." How do you quantify that claim? For example, how large, how cheap, how fast?
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Amory Lovins: Oh, for example, in the United States we could save at least half the oil and gas and three-quarters of the electricity we use, and that efficiency investment would cost only about an eighth [of] what we’re now paying for those forms of energy. …
Amory Lovins: Oh, for example, in the United States we could save at least half the oil and gas and three-quarters of the electricity we use, and that efficiency investment would cost only about an eighth [of] what we’re now paying for those forms of energy. …
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As part of our conversation, of necessity we need to consider both sides of the equation, that is Supply as well as Demand.
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It's not as sexy as wind turbines on the horizon or a photo voltaic array on the roof, but is far more cost effective.
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The current New England winter has treated us to snow-covered roofs repeatedly. Watching the pattern of snow melting on a roof is the best and cheapest indication of attic heat loss. Driving around Middleboro reveals some pretty astounding energy consumption just from the barren roofs. I can only wonder what their heating bills are and how long it would take to save the cost of insulating their attics.
Good point about looking at the roof!
ReplyDeleteWe have a cathedral ceiling in one room and the ceiling is the underside of the roof. One entire bay appears uninsulated and I just noticed it this winter. I'll bet mice or squirrels got in there. It's first on the list for a winter thaw project or spring. Where's the "honey do" list?