Energy Audit News

Energy Savers Blog

  • This Month on Energy Savers: January 2012

    In the coldest parts of winter, we've turned our thoughts toward the best seasonal tips, conservation of water and lighting power, and what's new in 2012. If you've missed any of January's posts, here's a recap.

    What's New in 2012

    On the Blog, In Case You Missed It…

    This Month

    Weekly Questions—Did You Share Your Answer?

    Comment Spotlight

    Home Maintenance Tracker commented on Have You Found Any Energy-Efficient Bargains?: "LED lights are also more durable than traditional lights. We all know how frustrating it can be for one light to break and shut down the rest of the string."
    king singh commented on Musings on Water (and Power): "It takes about 1.75 gallons of water washed down the drain for the first hot water to arrive at the showerhead...

  • Green Up Your Next Movie Night!

    Winter. For many of us, the season means hot chocolate, winter sports, exercise indoors, and the classic American pastime—movie night. So, if you find yourself caught in a chilly day, and are in the mood for popcorn and a good flick at home, check out the following movies that have environmental or clean energy innuendoes/themes:

    • Back to the Future—In parts II and III of the popular series, the DeLorean time machine was powered by the Mr. Fusion Home Energy Reactor. In the end of the first movie, we see Dr. Emmett Brown putting a banana peel, beer (and the can), and other waste products into the Mr. Fusion unit, and in turn, suggesting that the car's flux capacitor is run on biomass energy. Another interesting tidbit is that the cool DeLorean car that was featured in the series is actually being made in real life as an electric vehicle.
    • Avatar—This 3D box office megahit carries a strong environmental theme. The film's depiction of corporate mining for unobtanium in the Na'vi lands is a futuristic caricature of the oil and coal extraction that we're familiar with here on Earth. The film shows the damage to wildlife habitats and impacts on the livelihoods of native residents from the excessive exploitation of interplanetary mineral resources. In his interviews on the film, Avatar Director James Cameron has urged the rapid transition to renewable energy.
    • Iron Man—Tony Stark, the superhero of this Marvel Comics hit flick, owns a shiny battery-powered Tesla Roadster, boosting the appeal of the electric vehicle. In real life, Hollywood stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz bought the Toyota Prius in 2001, helping to kick off the hybrid car boom. Actor Ed Begley, Jr., one of Hollywood's prominent environmentalists, has owned electric vehicles since the 1970s. Find out more about
    • Be a Lean, Mean, Green Eating Machine

      Like most Americans, I watched the State of the Union to hear President Obama outline his goals for the year ahead, to understand his energy outlook and plans, and of course, to see what Michelle would be wearing (a stunning royal blue, of course).

      When listening to the President highlight his administration’s clean energy initiatives, I couldn’t help but remember the First Family's goals to reduce childhood obesity in America. By no surprise, the link between nationwide health improvement and energy efficiency efforts is strong. By reducing our demand for processed and imported foods, we can improve the health of generations to come, extend our overall lifespan and reduce the energy we waste on packaging.

      In the First Lady's health program, she outlines goals of improving the quality of food in schools and making healthy foods more affordable and accessible for families. The message resonates with many of us who are steadfastly moving forward with our new year’s resolution to drop the pounds – and save some energy along the way.

      If you were born in 1975 or later, you are probably well-versed on the topic of organic growing and eating. We’ve heard it a million times: Organic foods are foods that have not been produced using pesticides, chemicals or unnatural ingredients. So, what exactly is it about organic food that is green-friendly? Research has shown that foods grown by sustainable agricultural methods avoid unnecessary pollution and oil consumption caused by synthetic, petroleum-based fertilizers and pesticides.

      In addition to the energy savings that comes from producing organic foods, growing them locally (perhaps in your own garden) saves the energy cost of shipping and importing. And while we're on the topic of growing in your backyard, it really is the least expensive option, as opposed to buying the sometimes overpriced organic produce...

    • What Are Your Favorite Winter Energy Savings Tips?

      This week, Amanda highlighted the Energy Savers seasonal website as a great place to get tips to save money and energy in any season. We want to know which winter energy savings tips you've tried. Have you covered your drafty windows, added weatherstripping to your doors, or opened your south-facing window curtains during the day? How well have these tips worked for you?

      We want you to share your own favorite tips and tricks with us. What have you done to save energy and money in your home this winter? Tell us!

      Each week, you have the chance to share your thoughts on a question or frequently-asked-question about energy efficiency or renewable energy for consumers. Please comment with your answers, and also feel free to respond to other comments.



    • Energy Department Announces Student Teams, New Location for Solar Decathlon 2013

      At an event today in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the 20 collegiate teams selected to compete in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013 and unveiled the competition's location, the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California. The 20 teams from colleges and universities across the United States and from around the world will now begin a two-year process to build solar-powered, highly energy-efficient homes that combine affordability, consumer appeal and design excellence. Throughout the two-year process, the teams will design, construct, and test their homes before reassembling them at the Solar Decathlon 2013 competition site. As part of the Solar Decathlon, teams compete in ten different categories—ranging from best architecture and engineering to energy production for heating and cooling—while gaining invaluable real-world experience in a growing global industry.

      Aerial photo of Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California.

      Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California.

      "As President Obama made clear in the State of the Union address this week, we need to ensure that the next generation of America's architects, engineers and entrepreneurs have the hands-on experience and training they need to lead our nation's clean energy future," said Secretary Chu. "The Solar Decathlon will unleash the ingenuity, creativity, and drive from these talented students to demonstrate new ideas for how families and businesses can reduce energy use and save money with clean energy products and efficient building design."

      In fall 2013, the student teams will showcase their solar-powered houses at the Orange County Great Park, highlighting renewable energy systems and energy-efficient technologies, products and appliances that are already available to homeowners. The selected teams and their proposed projects represent a diverse range of design approaches, building technologies, target markets, geographic locations, climates, and regions, including urban, suburban,...

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