Tag: energy efficiency

Let’s Talk Power Efficiency, Not Light Bulbs

Posted: February 3, 2014 By Vic Shao
Source: Energy Manager Today.com

Light bulbs sound like an innocent enough topic. And yet, during last week’s Congressional budget debate, light bulbs spawned a ferocious debate.  One side claimed that the government was “coming for your light bulbs” while the other side fought to pour millions into phasing out incandescent bulbs in favor of their more energy-efficient counterparts. Both sides are wasting their breath because energy efficiency is only half the battle.

We have changed light bulbs, weatherized homes and turned down thermostats for the past decade with relatively little impact. We will not solve the challenges of an aging grid, rising electricity demand and a warming climate with energy efficiency. But we might just solve them with power efficiency.

Power efficiency is the next frontier in efficiency savings. It requires sophisticated software and predictive algorithms; but if done right, power efficiency holds the promise of using software instead of copper to keep up with rising electric demands on the grid. And we can do it for three to ten times less cost than current upgrades.
Continue reading Let’s Talk Power Efficiency, Not Light Bulbs

NV Energy The 2014 Sure Bet Incentive Program

Posted: February 3, 2014
Source: NV Energy Sure Bet Incentive Program

Energy costs are the most controllable operating expenses for most businesses. The Sure Bet program offers cash incentives and technical assistance to commercial customers to help them improve energy efficiency and save money on power bills.

Incentives are available for NV Energy’s commercial electric customers in new construction, major renovations, existing facility project improvements, and NV Energy commercial gas customers in the Reno-Sparks area.

  • Sure Bet incentives reduce your initial project costs
  • Energy efficiency improvements reduce your energy use and produce long-term savings

Application Process

  • Submit pre-notification application.
  • Sure Bet team reviews the application; conducts pre-inspections as necessary and reserves funding for eligible projects.
  • Complete project within reservation period
  • 90-day reservation period will be strictly enforced. Contact the Sure Bet team if your project is delayed.
  • Submit project completion agreement when project is finished.
  • Sure Bet team reviews request for payment; conducts post- inspections as necessary.
  • Incentive check will be issued 4-6 weeks after NV Energy approval

Questions: Contact a Sure Bet Program representative at 1-800-342-6335 or
email us at SureBet@nvenergy.com

Metal Halide Lamps: DOE Updates Efficiency Standards

Posted: January 31, 2014
Source: Energy Manager Today.com

The US Department of Energy has finalized new energy efficiency standards for metal halide lamp fixtures.

Metal halide lamp fixtures include the ballast, which starts and regulates the electrical current for these lighting systems. They are commonly used for parking lots and streets, flood lighting, athletic facilities, big-box stores and warehouses. On average, one metal halide lamp fixture consumes about 2,210 kilowatt hours of energy per year.

The new efficiency standards update the 2007 standards for metal halide lamp fixtures. These standards incorporate feedback from industry, consumer and environmental advocacy groups and other stakeholders and will go into effect three years after publication in the Federal Register.

In November, the DOE proposed new and amended energy conservation standards for certain commercial and industrial electric motors, including a number of different groups of electric motors that DOE has not previously regulated.

Philips Launches Energy Efficient Incandescent Bulb

Posted January 8, 2014
Source: Sustainable Business.com

Philips Lighting (NYSE: PHG) is launching a new line of incandescent light bulbs designed to meet federal energy efficiency standards that will take force in the US over the next few years.

While not as efficient as compact fluorescent or LED bulbs,  EcoVantage bulbs will likely appeal to people who are unhappy with the quality of light delivered by the more energy efficient technologies.

The new bulbs, which use halogen elements, provide energy savings of about 28% compared to conventional incandescents. That meets or exceeds efficiency standards established in the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007. Wattage options are as follows:

29-watt replaces a 40-watt incandescent
43-watt replaces a 60-watt incandescent
72-watt replaces a 100-watt incandescent
Continue reading Philips Launches Energy Efficient Incandescent Bulb

EPA Proposes Updates to Air Standards for Newly Manufactured Woodstoves and Heaters

Posted January 3, 2014

Updates would make the next generation of woodstoves and heaters significantly cleaner and more efficient

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing standards for the amount of air pollution that can be emitted by new woodstoves and heaters, beginning in 2015. The agency’s proposal would make the next generation of stoves and heaters an estimated 80 percent cleaner than those manufactured today, leading to important air quality and public health improvements in communities across the country. The proposal would affect a variety of wood heaters manufactured beginning in 2015 and will not affect heaters and stoves already in use in homes or currently for sale today.

Smoke from residential wood heaters, which are used around the clock in some communities, can increase toxic air pollution, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide and soot, also known as particle pollution, to levels that pose serious health concerns. Particle pollution is linked to a wide range of serious health effects, including heart attacks, strokes and asthma attacks. In some areas, residential wood smoke makes up a significant portion of the fine particle pollution problem. EPA’s proposal would work in concert with state and local programs to improve air quality in these communities.
Continue reading EPA Proposes Updates to Air Standards for Newly Manufactured Woodstoves and Heaters

Home electricity use in US falling to 2001 levels

Posted January 2, 2014
By Jonathan Fahey, AP Energy Writer
Source: Fuel Fix.com

NEW YORK (AP) — The average amount of electricity consumed in U.S. homes has fallen to levels last seen more than a decade ago, back when the smartest device in people’s pockets was a Palm pilot and anyone talking about a tablet was probably an archaeologist or a preacher.

Because of more energy-efficient housing, appliances and gadgets, power usage is on track to decline in 2013 for the third year in a row, to 10,819 kilowatt-hours per household, according to the Energy Information Administration.

That’s the lowest level since 2001, when households averaged 10,535 kwh. And the drop has occurred even though our lives are more electrified.

Here’s a look at what has changed since the last time consumption was so low.
Continue reading Home electricity use in US falling to 2001 levels

Light ’em up

Posted on December 19, 2013
Source: Reno News & Review Green Guide
By:

Peppermill saves electricity by changing to LED lights

With its own geothermal power plant on site powering all heat and space, the Peppermill Resort had already cut its energy bills down quite a bit—about $1.8 million a year. But they’re always looking for more ways to save, and they recently cut down their electricity bill by an estimated $130, 539 a year by switching their parking lot lights from 1,000-watt metal-halides to 188-watt LEDs.

These savings come from switching both of the Peppermill properties—the Reno Peppermill Resort and the Western Village in Sparks—to LED-lighted parking lots.

“In August of this year, we put in these new units. We’re already seeing about a 90 percent energy reduction at Western Village because they have meters that are dedicated to the lights,” said executive director of facilities at the Peppermill, Dean Parker.
Continue reading Light ’em up