The morning session I attended was planning for "Energy Security and Climate Change." The session, didn't leave me with much. All I could think was, how do I take this back to my neighborhood and community. I will have to check out the website, they gave and perhaps, I can learn a little something. That website was http://www.greenspokane.org.
-------------------
The afternoon session was much better. There was three speakers, but most of it was questions and answers. With two of the speakers, both of whom spoke for the Electric & water company here in Spokane (Avista). They gave an 800 phone number and said they would be happy to answer any of our questions. I will share that with our neighborhood leaders after I get back to Topeka.
The session was titled, Implementing innovative Energy Efficiency Initiatives, and the website they gave for more information was, everylittlebit.com.
What keeps the utility company from raising rates, because they are losing revenue, because of the reduction of energy use (that they are encouraging their customers to do)?
Decoupling. Something that even President Obama has encouraged. Which, separates the delivery from the energy use, which forces the energy companies to find lower costs of energy production. If a company doesn't do this voluntarily, they will probably be forced to by the government.
- Tom Lienhard
-----------------------
Devices that can help reduce energy usage?
1. Wrapping your water heater in an insulating blanket.
2. Surge protectors - is another great way to reduce energy.
A lot of digital equipment (stereos, TV's, computers, etc) or anything with a display, light or some form of memory will use energy all the time while plugged in. If those devices were plugged into surge protectors, you can turn the strip off and reduce your energy bill.
- Camille Martin
--------------------
What about using battery powered devices instead of electrical?
Use of batteries would be way more expensive. Battery power would translate into about $5 per kilowatt hour (KWH), whereas electrical devices would only be (depending on your local area) about 7 cents/kWh.
- Tom Lienhard
--------------------------
Avista also will conduct energy audits at the customers request for about $100.
-------------
As a utility, when you go in to do your energy audits, do you consider landscaping? (shade trees help with cooling)
Avista, has a "stake a claim" program. Where Avista gives you a stake and you place it where you want a tree. It is then surveyed for underground and overhead utilities. If it doesn't interfere with anything, Avista will pay for the planting of the tree.
---------------
What about using the tankless water heaters?
A tankless, will cost about $700 more then a traditional water heater, and will save you about $80/year. Not very much, but when you consider a tankless lasts 2.5 times longer then a traditional water heater, and is paid for in the traditional heaters life span, then it is a huge savings in the long run.
Traditional water heater should be replaced every 10-years.
Tankless water heaters replacents are every 25-years.
- Tom Lienhard
--------
Tomorrow I will be attending Neighborhood Traffic Saftey and Greener is Cheaper and More Profitable. Should be two interesting classes (I hope). Saturday, we will be traveling home, with our flight going through the Vegas Airport.
- Kevin Surbaugh
-------------------
The afternoon session was much better. There was three speakers, but most of it was questions and answers. With two of the speakers, both of whom spoke for the Electric & water company here in Spokane (Avista). They gave an 800 phone number and said they would be happy to answer any of our questions. I will share that with our neighborhood leaders after I get back to Topeka.
The session was titled, Implementing innovative Energy Efficiency Initiatives, and the website they gave for more information was, everylittlebit.com.
What keeps the utility company from raising rates, because they are losing revenue, because of the reduction of energy use (that they are encouraging their customers to do)?
Decoupling. Something that even President Obama has encouraged. Which, separates the delivery from the energy use, which forces the energy companies to find lower costs of energy production. If a company doesn't do this voluntarily, they will probably be forced to by the government.
- Tom Lienhard
-----------------------
Devices that can help reduce energy usage?
1. Wrapping your water heater in an insulating blanket.
2. Surge protectors - is another great way to reduce energy.
A lot of digital equipment (stereos, TV's, computers, etc) or anything with a display, light or some form of memory will use energy all the time while plugged in. If those devices were plugged into surge protectors, you can turn the strip off and reduce your energy bill.
- Camille Martin
--------------------
What about using battery powered devices instead of electrical?
Use of batteries would be way more expensive. Battery power would translate into about $5 per kilowatt hour (KWH), whereas electrical devices would only be (depending on your local area) about 7 cents/kWh.
- Tom Lienhard
--------------------------
Avista also will conduct energy audits at the customers request for about $100.
-------------
As a utility, when you go in to do your energy audits, do you consider landscaping? (shade trees help with cooling)
Avista, has a "stake a claim" program. Where Avista gives you a stake and you place it where you want a tree. It is then surveyed for underground and overhead utilities. If it doesn't interfere with anything, Avista will pay for the planting of the tree.
---------------
What about using the tankless water heaters?
A tankless, will cost about $700 more then a traditional water heater, and will save you about $80/year. Not very much, but when you consider a tankless lasts 2.5 times longer then a traditional water heater, and is paid for in the traditional heaters life span, then it is a huge savings in the long run.
Traditional water heater should be replaced every 10-years.
Tankless water heaters replacents are every 25-years.
- Tom Lienhard
--------
Tomorrow I will be attending Neighborhood Traffic Saftey and Greener is Cheaper and More Profitable. Should be two interesting classes (I hope). Saturday, we will be traveling home, with our flight going through the Vegas Airport.
- Kevin Surbaugh
No comments:
Post a Comment