Today’s Power Trip – Heat Pump, Best Choice

Today’s Power Trip is my way of sharing my day-to-day adventures in home energy savings, in-a-way, you could say I have an slight energy conservation addiction.

My e-Newsletter, the Energy Spy Insider, hits the emailing list about three times a week and brings you the latest news, tips, methods, and stories concerning the broad subject of energy conservation, energy politics, and renewable energy. If you found this “Power Trip” and have not signed-up for my eNewsletter, just look around, there is a sign-up form here somewhere, just add your email address and hit submit.

I really appreciate your comments and ideas, so be sure and leave me some of your wisdom at the end of every article. Follow me on twitter and facebook @detectenergy.

I would like to share with you the fact that Detect Energy will be up-grading the old website once again. Visitors will still be able to access all the great “energy saving” articles, but, in addition, there will be a wealth of “How To” checklists and ebooks to choose from. Perhaps you would be interested in being a contributing writer – just let me know.

Sick of all the Super Solar Talk

The Latest solar technology speaks about painting solar cells on fabric and powering your big screen T.V. Sounds super, just super. Wow, just paint the cells on practically anything and power everything. So, where is it – where are the super, spray on solar cells. Are they in a place where the average Joe can see and use them or are they only on a lab table in some solar think tank?

Don’t know about you, but I am getting sick and tired of hearing about super solar cells that you and me will never see. All we ever see is a super power bill. You know what a super power bill is don’t you, it  is one that just keeps going up and up for no rational reason. Power bills are like hot air balloons – ever so slowly and ever so quietly, they climb out of sight.

Couple things I would like to know:

• Where is all the super solar cells?
• How does a super solar cell power my big screen at night?
• Why don’t I have solar power at my house?

First, where are all the super solar cells that are going to save us from nuclear power? It is hard for me to tell, when I read about new solar technology, if that technology is just an idea on a computer program somewhere or if it’s an actual functioning product. So many articles about solar talk about the solar application as being up-and-running and ready to go – available to the everyday consumer. This is rarely the case. Usually, the super solar cells are waiting for the next three years of intense study to determine if the solar cells are cost effective – in other words, can the cells produce more energy than it takes to make them. Hopefully, the process for certifying a new solar cell is not the lengthy ordeal similar to getting a new cancer drug on the market.

Second, solar cells are shown painted on fabric and powering some sort of unnecessary appliance like a iPod with the ear buds pumping out tunes, but what happens when the sun goes down? Seems to me solar power is only as good as the nuclear power plant that feeds the power grid from the other end. So what happens when the sun goes down – big time power takes over and we’re right back to dirty, un-earthly power governed by the power gods in high rise offices. The consolation is that at least we have provided clean renewable power  through the sunny times.

Third, I don’t have solar at my house because it costs too much and I have not had the loose change to swing the deal. Even with the incentives and tax credits, a basic solar array system producing 2400 kW/h per year will cost you out-of-pocket $4,000 to $6000.  I know that I should support renewable energy by actually having a little renewable energy, but the time and funding has not come together at the right time. I have this great garage roof facing due South with no obstructions, perfect.

Enters the possibilty of the solar lease option. Solar contractors will install solar power at your house and it won’t cost you a dime. Not a dime out-of-pocket. The contractor handles everything, pays for everything and then you pay the contractor a set agreed amount every month – which is less than the cost of the electricity you were paying for before the solar power. It’s a winner, the homeowner pays less per month for juice, the contractor makes money off of incentives, tax credits, and monthly rent, and the world has more renewable energy.

I will let you know how it goes, I’m looking into this solar lease business. First step, ask my State Dept. of Energy for their certified contractor list.

The old heat pump is the best choice

Needed a decision from the homeowner on which energy upgrade they had decided to choose. The home was constructed 27 years ago and the home could use a number of energy saving improvements.

• Add insulation to the attic: Need to add 12 inches of blown fiberglass.
• Install insulation underfloor: Need to install r-25
• Air seal and insulate heatng ducts: Duct mastic and R-11 vinyl backed insulation.
• Replace Glass sliding door: Remove aluminum frame and replace with vinyl frame.
• Replace windows: Remove and replace all double pane, aluminum frame windows with vinyl frame windows, U-30 or better.
• Replace 27 year old heat pump: Install new 14 Seer heat pump or better.
• Replace old appliances: Replace refrigerator and dishwasher with new energy star models.

Knowing that they had $3,500 to spend, the homeowners took a couple weeks to talk it over and come to a decision. They decided to spend their energy up-grade dollars on a new, high efficiency heat pump and duct sealing. The decision was based on a couple factors.

• The heat pump was old and could be on it’s last leg, ready to stop working and need to be replaced soon anyway.
• The heat pump was a major expense item where some of the other things could be done in small, less expensive steps.
• The higher efficiency heat pump would supply lower cost heating and cooling for years to come.

I think they made the correct choice, what do you think?

Guess What’s in the Picture

Yes, it has to do with home energy savings and helping your home operate more energy efficient.

Thanks for stopping by Detect Energy, hope you come back soon, but I won’t leave the light on for you…