The green movement has been a pillar of the HVACR industry for decades. Within our organization (RSES-the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society), the running joke here is that we were "green" before it became the "in" thing to do.
And that's more important than ever, because the reality is that a building's heating and cooling needs account for the largest expenditure (in most cases) of energy. The U.S. Department of Energy notes that 43% of home energy use goes toward space heating and cooling. Energy audits and other proactive energy saving tips are all things that service professionals should share with customers. A great place to start is the DOE's Energy Savers page, where technicians and contractors can get statistics; offer advice to homeowners about how to conduct an energy audit (or get them thinking about having a professional conduct one for them!); and get helpful links and other energy-efficient tips.
But that energy that we're trying to save has to come from somewhere. And the sad reality is, the U.S. is not in a mad dash to build more coal-fired powerplants to generate our seeming insatiable need for electricity. Existing oil-fired plants are being converted to coal - or have been decommissioned and taken offline completely. Nuclear energy is always a dicey topic, whether it involves finding a potential location for a facility or the fallout (no pun intended) from the public about the storage or transportation of spent nuclear fuel.
That is perhaps why other "alternative" energy programs, such as geothermal and wind-power, are moving more toward the forefront. For example, South Dakota continues to invest in wind energy, and as this article notes, the state is now the third largest supplier of wind-generated energy in the U.S. Programs like this not only provide the U.S. with excellent alternatives to reliance on foreign oil, but also provide a platform to develop new green technologies right here at home.
What does this mean for the average HVACR professional? In simple terms, it helps them sell and install more energy-efficient products and services. Because if the cost of energy can be curtailed AND you can sell a homeowner on high-SEER, high-efficiency equipment, everyone wins. Especially that antiquated power grid of ours...but I'll save that for another blog...
John: You hit the nail on the head when you said "our seemingly insatiable need for electricity". This is why renewable energy technology is so important...not to "banish" our coal and oil producers, but, because coal and oil are not infinite resources with an endless supply. They will be depleted eventually. Renewables are an awesome "Plan B" that we should invest in because its really the right thing to do. I myself personally, would love to be off the grid making my own power. Renewable technologies are advancing at the speed of light. The small scale wind turbine company ABC just purchased last month already has a newer and more efficient design. Remember bag phones? Now we have cell phones that fit in the smallest of pockets and double as computers! Renewable technology blows cell phone advances out of the water! As far as the HVAC industry...yep...great news...every home in America needs weatherization and/or energy improvements. I know mine does! I, myself want to invest in a newer and more energy efficient HVAC system beacuse is saves me money and energy. For those not so into the green deal, just stick to the money saving aspect of it! :) So...the HVAC industry should be prepared for the biggest boom ever...not to mention the whisper under your breath: "Geothermal"...... Thanks cuz! :)
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