Comments on: An excellent report on energy efficiency http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/29/an-excellent-report-on-energy-efficiency/ The Latest on Climate Science, Solutions, and Politics Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:53:37 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: charlesH http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/29/an-excellent-report-on-energy-efficiency/#comment-19916 charlesH Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:26:47 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/29/an-excellent-report-on-energy-efficiency/#comment-19916 "Numerous technologies exist today to increase the efficiency of U.S. vehicles and buildings in ways that could save individual consumers money. But without federal policies to overcome market barriers, the U.S. is unlikely to capitalize on these technologies." Help me out here. Someone give me an example of a technology that would save consumers money if it were not for "market barriers". I can believe ignorance but market barriers? “Numerous technologies exist today to increase the efficiency of U.S. vehicles and buildings in ways that could save individual consumers money. But without federal policies to overcome market barriers, the U.S. is unlikely to capitalize on these technologies.”

Help me out here. Someone give me an example of a technology that would save consumers money if it were not for “market barriers”. I can believe ignorance but market barriers?

]]> By: Dano http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/29/an-excellent-report-on-energy-efficiency/#comment-19915 Dano Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:17:20 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/29/an-excellent-report-on-energy-efficiency/#comment-19915 <i>Excuse my ignorance, but is the US market regulated in the same way?</i> States can choose to adopt the International/Uniform Building Code (IBC/UBC) if they wish, and their development regulations will adhere to whatever is adopted. I used to practice in WA State and they used the IBC, which was e.g. IIRC R-19 walls and R-28 (?) ceiling insulation. IIRC CA state had requirements for solar gain through windows, etc. Best, D Excuse my ignorance, but is the US market regulated in the same way?

States can choose to adopt the International/Uniform Building Code (IBC/UBC) if they wish, and their development regulations will adhere to whatever is adopted. I used to practice in WA State and they used the IBC, which was e.g. IIRC R-19 walls and R-28 (?) ceiling insulation. IIRC CA state had requirements for solar gain through windows, etc.

Best,

D

]]> By: charlie http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/29/an-excellent-report-on-energy-efficiency/#comment-19895 charlie Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:47:29 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/29/an-excellent-report-on-energy-efficiency/#comment-19895 I my experience, houses in Europe don't have ANY insulation compared to the northern united states -- mostly because it doesn't get as cold. Joe, have you written much on microturbines and their potential for co-generation? [<em>JR: Yes, I have written a couple of Journal articles on that and microcogen is part of a chapter in The Hype about Hydrogen. Microturbines never really panned out because they are electrical efficiency is too low. You have to be able to use pretty much all of their heat 42/7 year-round -- which very few buildings or factories can -- to get even a small carbon benefit.</em>] I my experience, houses in Europe don’t have ANY insulation compared to the northern united states — mostly because it doesn’t get as cold.

Joe, have you written much on microturbines and their potential for co-generation?

[JR: Yes, I have written a couple of Journal articles on that and microcogen is part of a chapter in The Hype about Hydrogen. Microturbines never really panned out because they are electrical efficiency is too low. You have to be able to use pretty much all of their heat 42/7 year-round -- which very few buildings or factories can -- to get even a small carbon benefit.]

]]> By: Robert http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/29/an-excellent-report-on-energy-efficiency/#comment-19886 Robert Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:48:30 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/29/an-excellent-report-on-energy-efficiency/#comment-19886 In the UK loft insulation etc. is subject to building regulations. A new house must have 270mm of loft insulation. Excuse my ignorance, but is the US market regulated in the same way? We had full wall cavity and 270mm loft insulation installed a couple of years ago. It makes a huge difference and pays back in less than 2 years. People should do it for simple economic reasons. In the UK loft insulation etc. is subject to building regulations. A new house must have 270mm of loft insulation. Excuse my ignorance, but is the US market regulated in the same way?

We had full wall cavity and 270mm loft insulation installed a couple of years ago. It makes a huge difference and pays back in less than 2 years. People should do it for simple economic reasons.

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