Comments on: 7 Wishes for a Green ’16

By: Bill Swanson

Bill Swanson — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 21:00:34 +0000

In reply to Allison Bailes. I thought some more about
I thought some more about that. Maybe a garden would be a better example. Anything grown in the garden has to be sold at the price a farmer would get and all food to be eaten needs to be purchased at the grocery store.

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 20:02:15 +0000

In reply to Bill Swanson. Thanks for the suggestions,
Thanks for the suggestions, Bill! They're all good ones. I really like the apple analogy and will have to use that.

By: Bill Swanson

Bill Swanson — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 19:22:21 +0000

Thanks for the blog and sorry
Thanks for the blog and sorry about the skiing accident.
Ideas for topics in 2016.
– Utilities attach on solar. I live in Michigan and the two main Utility companies are trying to change the net metering law. They want to treat a home owner with solar panels as a competitive producer. The Utility will sell at the established residential rate (I think it is around 14 cents per kWh) and buy all energy at the market rate for imported energy. This rate fluctuates hourly but it averages around 6 cents per kWh. Someone compared it to an apple orchard owner who is forbidden from eating any apples they grow and must by from the grocery store if they want to eat an apple. The practical effect of this change will be to add over a decade on the ROI payback. Solar has finally gotten affordable and now the goal post is being shifted. I want to add solar to my house but I’m not going to donate money to the Utility company.
2) An article on the costs of solar. Average installed cost per kW for a small system or a large system. Rebates and tax write offs available for residential, commercial, and non-profits.
3) Use of thermal imaging cameras to check envelope integrity.
4) Changing the status quo. Everywhere around me I see people talking about wanting to make more energy efficient buildings. But habits are hard to change. Suggesting a thicker wall, or better window, or different HVAC system, there’s always a reason to not change. Any advice or examples of when someone made it work.

By: Dale Sherman

Dale Sherman — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 02:55:50 +0000

Nice summary of what we need
Nice summary of what we need to work on for this year, Allison. I think you should have touched on using a universal energy rating (EUI, HHI, HERS, kBtus/s.f./HDD, etc.) as well. Realtors, home buyers, and renters need a common metric. I'll be watching closely for your next education and training direction. I suspect something like a cross between HeatSpring and Khan Academy. We certainly could use a new approach to disseminating building science to those who want it or need it. You may have to get one of those sit-n-ski devices to finish out the ski season. Or be the practice patient for Ski Patrol exercises just to still get out on the slopes.

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 03:05:47 +0000

In reply to Steve Waclo. Thanks, Steve. Yeah,
Thanks, Steve. Yeah, utilities often like to present a skewed picture of reality, making the things they don't like seem worse than they are. What this means is that we need to change the rules so they don't make money off of big capital projects and increasing sales of kWh but rather by providing energy services and meeting the needs of their customers in ways that are better for the environment.

By: Steve Waclo

Steve Waclo — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 00:37:23 +0000

Get well soon, Allison and
Get well soon, Allison and thanks for all you have done, and will do in years to come to further building science 👍.

I’m pleased, but humiliated, you mentioned NV as a state where a big step backward has occurred in regard to renewables. I’ve been following developments, and while new rate schedules have been published, as well as total estimated costs to non-PV ratepayers, no one has run the figures to estimate the additional annual charges to each non-PV account. I suspect the number would be minimal and acceptable to most, and we would be willing to shoulder the “burden” in the interest of expanding the industry and reaping the obvious advantages to society. The cost of having NVEnergy as back-up needs to be addressed, but cutting a budding rooftop solar industry in our state off at the knees is not the way to do it.

All the best!

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 22:54:44 +0000

In reply to Don Jackson. Thanks, Don! I've been to
Thanks, Don! I've been to Alta twice now, and I seem to find myself skiing off of Sugarloaf more than any other lift there. But the whole place is wonderful, and I even had a group lesson that took us into the Ballroom and Saddle areas. Can't wait to go back. I'm trying to convince my wife to move to Salt Lake City now, but that could take a while.

By: Don Jackson

Don Jackson — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 22:09:34 +0000

Alison,
Alison,
Happy New Year, and thank you for all the work you put into the blog. I hope you heal quickly. I loved the photo (not the crutches though) – have many happy memories of skiing Collins and Wildcat and lunches at the Watson!
-DJ