The Curse of the TRC

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

Power quality is a relatively obscure concept, limited mostly to conversations among utility engineers and physicists, but as electronic appliances take over the home, it may become a residential issue as well. [continue reading]

Trade Allies: Long Haul Partners

Author: Jeff Hammarlund

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September 01, 1993

Utilities and demand-side management firms have made huge advances in recent years as they've implemented energy conservation programs. [continue reading]

Who's Repairing What? Duke Power's Success

Author: Frank Vigil

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September 01, 1993

Duke Power Company in North Carolina is one utility intent on improving duct efficiency in its service territory. In the "Home Comfort Tune-Up," the utility targets all-electric homes with a mass mailing describing the program and its costs. [continue reading]

Duct Fixing in America

Author: Cyril Penn

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September 01, 1993

Ducts and thermal energy distribution systems are the new frontier in energy conservation. Several utilities are just getting started, while others are thinking about launching duct repair programs. [continue reading]

Will Duct Repairs Reduce Cooling Load?

Author: Danny Parker, Jim Cummings and Alan Meier

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September 01, 1993

Summer air conditioning causes the peak demand for electricity in most parts of the United States. If utilities reduce air conditioning demand, then they can avoid building expensive power plants. [continue reading]

Weatherizing (Almost) An Entire Town

Author: Ted Rieger

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July 01, 1993

Final results aren't in yet, but officials at Ontario Hydro think they've made Espanola the most energy-efficient town in Canada. [continue reading]

Pulling Utilities Together: Water-Energy Partnerships

Author: Andrew Jones, Jim Dyer and Jim Obst

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July 01, 1993

Install high-efficiency showerheads and faucets in the average U.S. house, and the water meter will report about 6,000 gallons of water saved in one year. Not bad. But the savings continue. If the house has an electric water heater, the electric meter will show about 600 kilowatt-hours savings; if it's a gas heater, the savings will be 30 therms. [continue reading]

SMUD'S Solar Water Heating Program

Author: Cliff Murley

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May 01, 1993

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) serves roughly 60,000 residential customers with electric water heaters, each consuming up to 5,500 kWh annually. [continue reading]