Hybrid Vehicles vs Energy-Efficient Homes

At this past weekend's 41st Annual Home and Garden Show in Johnson City, I had the opportunity to hear Jeff Christian with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (and UT professor) speak. I taught a seminar before him, and thank God for that. Had I gone after, I would have looked like even more of an amature. Anyway, Jeff has recently been appointed the head of a research project by Oak Ridge, TVA, and Vice President Biden to research the effects of improving energy efficiency in existing homes on the power grid. It was one of the most interesting angles on "green" that I have ever heard, so I thought I would mention it in this blog entry while I mix in a few thoughts of my own.

He started with talking about the power grid. One of the major problems throughout the country is that power grids are becoming more easily overwhelmed by demand. That leads to the need for more coal, more wind trubines, more solar panels, more everything. We've all heard of rolling blackouts in California, and they're becoming more frequent and occuring outside of just California at this point. Jeff talked about alternative energy/fuel sources, but beleive it or not, that wasn't his big concern. The reason for that not being his focus is that according to his research, we have to get demand under control and develop the ability to use our energy/fuels more efficiently before we start to further the development of alternative fuel sources. For example, it has been said that to use corn-based fuels for cars, every crop in America would have to be devoted strictly to fuel to meet the demand, and then it would still fall short. Cars, Jeff said, aren't the problem or solution at all. 71% of all the energy consumed in the country is by structures! That is an enormous amount, and producing a bunch of hybrid vehicles is not going to solve that problem. In fact, Jeff said that it will actually make things worse because all of those hybrids get plugged into the power grid to recharge. So, the entire research project is devoted to looking at the expense and amount of difficulty in retro-fitting homes and buildings for energy-efficiency to begin to reduce demand. Only when we get demand under control can we begin to look at alternative fuels. Then it will make more sense.

The research project is well underway, and some subject's power bills (for example) are down to under $1 per month after retro-fitting. So it's not just reducing the kilowatt hours used, it's also keeping cash in homeowner's pockets. Jeff went on to say that he has no doubt that over the next 8-10 years there will be mandates on homes to be energy-efficient to at least some set standard. It's important to note that it's already state-mandated in Oregon that homes meet a certain energy-efficiency requirement.

And, you know how new appliances have stickers on them that show consumers how energy efficient they are (or aren't)? That is coming for homes... At some point in the near future, you'll be able to check out the "stickers" on the homes that you're considering purchasing for a breakdown of energy, water, and construction/remodeling materials efficiency. And, if you want to have this ability before "some day in the near future," we have the ability to calculate this in our new construction and remodeling projects now!

The future continues to look bright and green, so if you're someone who supports (or disagrees with) the green movement, green building, and energy efficiency, please feel free to post questions or concerns.