STAY COOL AND SAVE MONEY BY USING AIR-CONDITIONING MORE EFFICIENTLY
Whether you use a central air conditioning unit /heat pump or a window unit you can save money by purchasing the most energy efficient model and by properly maintaining your systems. It is very important when purchasing a new system to pay attention to the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) on heat pump units and the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) on window or room units. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) recommends a SEER of 15 for people who live in states with a high cooling load and an EER of 12.5. Folks who live in areas with short, milder summers a heat pump unit with a SEER of 13 and an EER of 11 for window units will probably be sufficient. It is also important to purchase systems with the Energy Star certification as well. Energy Star certification means that the units exceed federal energy efficiency standards by at least 15%. There are also federal tax credits available for purchasing a new high-efficiency air conditioner and for making home improvements that reduce the energy it takes to keep cool.
Buying new equipment is only part of the picture: in some cases, home improvements can save even more. Under the 2006-2007- tax credit, the federal government will cover 10% (up to $500) of the cost for efficiency upgrades to insulation, ductwork, or windows. For detailed information, visit the Tax Incentives Assistance Project Web site at www.energytaxincentives.org/consumers/ or go directly to ACEEE’s summary table at www.aceee.org/press/tax_incentive05.pdf.
SOLAR PANEL EFFICIENCY INCREASES
Solar panels or Photovoltaic Systems (PV) are traditionally only 15 to 25% efficient. This is due to the fact that not all of the radiant energy from the sun that is captured by the solar cell can be converted to electricity. Much of the radiant energy is immediately converted to heat and the opportunity for electrical conversion is then immediately lost. Other aspects of the photovoltaic process such as electrical resistance loss and optical loss prevent total use of the available solar energy. But things are changing and there is great excitement within the industry due to several new advances in technology. The Boeing-Spectrolab has achieved a sunlight to electricity conversion ratio of 40% based on the development of a multi-junction solar cell. The National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL) is looking at nanocrystals called quantum dots that they think could reach high efficiencies of 50%. A group called RSL Energy is working with indium and gallium to produce a new semiconductor material that could allow solar cells to reach an efficiency level of 48%. And researchers in Germany are using gold particles on silicon to improve efficiencies by 15 to 20%.
All of this new research and technology advancement means that developing cells with greater efficiencies offers the best hope for a big reduction in the cost of PV systems. The cost prohibitive aspect of Solar panels and PV systems in general has greatly impacted more residential applications. And if solar is ever to be competitive with other sources of electricity the cost must be reduced considerably.
SCC FORMS WORKING GROUP TO REDUCE ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION IN VIRGINIA
The State Corporation Commission (SCC) has formed a working group to study ways to reduce electricity consumption in Virginia. The first meeting will be July 19 in Richmond, VA. AECP Executive Director, Billy Weitzenfeld is a member of this group and will push for well-designed consumer education programs that are annually funded through a public benefit fund. Virginia currently has no public benefit fund mechanism and no demand-side management programs or energy conservation/consumer education programs.
CFL’S AND MERCURY
Compact Fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) do contain a small amount of mercury. It is the vapor from the mercury that provides light when hit with an electric charge. Mercury is a heavy toxin and classified as a hazardous waste. On average each CFL contains about 5 milligrams of mercury – about the amount that would cover the tip of a ballpoint pen. No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact or in use. By comparison, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury. It would take 100 CFLs to equal that amount. CFLs must be disposed of properly. Most landfills will now accept these and they are always taken at hazardous waste collection sites. Mercury is an element found naturally in the environment and particularly in coal. Coal fired power generation accounts for 40% of mercury emissions in the U.S. Using CFLs in your home will save energy and reduce the emission from coal-fired power plants. Please check out www.epa.gov/mercury for more info on mercury and check out www.earth911.org for CFL disposal info in your area.