The Curse of the TRC

Archaic utility cost effectiveness-testing is killing effective energy efficiency programs

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Collaborative Makes Efficiency Programs Efficient

Author: Greg Dalhoff

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January 01, 1996

For the past three years, state and utility low-income programs promoting energy efficiency in Iowa have collaborated, extending their reach and saving themselves and their customers money. [continue reading]

Duct Improvement in the Northwest Part I: New Construction and Retrofit

Author: Ted Haskell

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January 01, 1996

In the Northwest, energy losses in forced-air systems average 25%-30% in electrically heated homes, with some homes being significantly worse. [continue reading]

Duct Improvement in the Northwest Part II: Mobile Homes

Author: Bruce Manclark and Bob Davis

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January 01, 1996

Although the thermal shell of the typical mobile home has changed radically over the last 30 years, the air distribution system has not. The walls have gone from 2 x 2 framing with an R-4 fiberglass batt to 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 walls with a high-density R-21 batt (codes vary from state to state). [continue reading]

Advancing the Art of PRISM Analysis

Author: Margaret F. Fels, Kelly Kissock, Michelle A. Marean and Cathy Reynolds

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July 01, 1995

Since the original version of PRISMÃƒ(PRInceton Scorekeeping Method, developed and copyrighted by Princeton University) was released in 1986, it has been used by utilities, private companies, government agencies, and universities to estimate energy savings from conservation programs. [continue reading]

Coming Soon: "Interactive" Home Energy Management

Author: Jim Hammett

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May 01, 1995

Hundreds of households across the country are participating in pilot tests of interactive energy management systems, while utilities are getting a better picture of how the systems actually work in residential buildings. [continue reading]

Defrosting Refrigerator Data

Author: Jeanne Byrne and Alan Meier

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May 01, 1995

We now have a better idea of the energy use of older refrigerators, thanks to utility programs nationwide that pick up second refrigerators. [continue reading]

SMUD Customers Pay a Premium to be PV Pioneers

Author: Abba Anderson

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May 01, 1995

Sacramento residents are signing up in droves to pay a 15% premium (about $3-$7 per month) on their electric bill, in exchange for the pleasure of hosting tiny utility power plants on their roofs. [continue reading]

Wisconsin's "Orphan" Solar Program

Author: Jeff DeLaune, Chip Bircher and Richard Lane

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May 01, 1995

In July 1993, Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) and Public Energy Systems (PES) began to evaluate the condition of existing Solar Domestic Hot Water (SDHW) systems as a precursor to a New Install Demand-Side Management (DSM) program. [continue reading]