Domestic Crude Oil Production Tipped to Rise
The economic downturn has seen less industry. That means lower oil demand as less trucks are needed to moves goods between states. (image: stltoday.com)
US oil production is on the rise and a federal energy agency predicts it will balloon by 20 percent over the next decade, hitting levels unseen since the 1990s, upi.com reports.
In its annual energy outlook for 2012, the US Energy Information Administration estimates that the nation’s daily crude oil production will reach 6.7 million barrels per day by 2020. Figures released by the agency show oil production increased from 5.1 million bpd in 2007 to 5.5 million bpd in 2010.
US Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash, chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, stated last month that oil and natural gas production on federal lands was down more than 40 percent compared to the early part of the century. However, EIA acting administrator Howard Gruenspecht said current projections indicated that domestic crude oil production was increasing while reliance on imported oil was on the decline.
“These projections reflect increased energy efficiency throughout the economy, updated assessments of energy technologies and domestic energy resources, the influence of evolving consumer preferences and projected slow economic growth,” he said.
The bullish oil production forecasts reflect the current boom in shale oil and gas reserves that lie beneath the US. Unconventional drilling techniques like hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling are helping energy companies tap hard to reach pockets of “tight oil” reserves trapped in shale rock. The EIA said further development of oil deposits in the Gulf of Mexico is also expected to bring domestic crude oil production to forecast levels.
Many commentators argue that a plentiful domestic supply of oil would give the US greater energy security and reduce our reliance on foreign oil imports from unstable nations in Africa and the Middle East, where geopolitical developments often spark volatile spikes in world oil prices. Heating oil prices are closely lined to the those of crude. Many heating oil customers are struggling with the high cost of fuel oil, despite a relatively mild winter heating season so far.
The United States’ reliance on foreign oil has been falling with the boom in local production. But, as indicated by Gruenspecht, greater fuel efficiency and economic factors are also at play. Requirements to make new vehicles more fuel efficient are helping curb the nation’s voracious appetite for gasoline. And many states have phased out heavier, dirty heating oil varieties and mandated ultra-low sulfur heating oil in its place. The cleaner-burning oil is more efficient and much more environmentally friendly.
Finally, the recession has eaten into oil demand. Less commerce means less industry and fewer trucks moving goods between states. Though there are signs the US economy is starting to rebound, economic growth is likely to remain weak, limiting oil demand in the world’s biggest oil-using nation.
Plan to Merge Heating Oil Technology with Solar Power
Plans to merge solar power with traditional forms of power generation such as heating oil could help Europe meet a 2020 target of reducing its energy use by 20 percent. (solarpanels365.com)
A plan to combine heating oil technology with solar power is being promoted as a sustainable way to meet Europe’s increasing energy needs.
The European Heating Oil Association (Eurofuel) has teamed up with the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation to promote hybrid systems that use both renewable energy like solar electricity and more conventional power sources like heating oil.
Eurofuel is an umbrella trade group representing 10,000 companies across Europe. Its “multi-energy hybrid vision” is a response to a 2020 EU deadline to cut European energy use by 20 percent.
The document sets out a vision to incorporate the efficiency and reliability of bulk storage heating oil tank systems with renewable solar energy to warm homes and buildings more sustainably.
Combining various renewable technologies with a reliable heating oil storage tank would offer tomorrow’s customers an ideal mix between increased efficiency, greener energy provision and security of supply at reduced costs.
Solar, wood, electricity and heating oil could all be used on the basis of availability and cost-efficiency, Eurofuel says.
Heating oil is cleaner than some forms of energy such as coal. And it is becoming more environmentally friendly with increasing use of biodiesel and cleaner burning furnaces.
Renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power depend on favorable sunshine and wind conditions, and therefore may not reliably generate energy when it is most needed, Eurofuel says.
One of the great advantages of heating oil is it is stored in large tanks on the user’s property so a “base load” of energy is always on tap. It is also one of the safest and most efficient home heating sources.
Europe has over 20 million home heating oil tanks, “which represents an autonomous contribution to the EU’s security of supply.” This also enables families to incorporate more renewable technologies into their energy mix without worrying about energy shortages due to non-availability of sun or wind.
“The EU’s new Energy Efficiency Plan stressed once again the massive potential for primary energy savings in buildings, specifically through efficient heating systems,” Eurofuel president Dr. Christian Küchen said.
But we must take it one step further and offer consumers cost-effective solutions, such as hybrid systems combining oil appliances with solar thermal energy.
Eurofuel and ESTIF want more recognition of hybrid systems in energy efficiency labeling to help promote their benefits to consumers, Solar Magazine reported. But it is unclear whether the systems are yet on stream or when they would be available in the US.
US President Barack Obama has signaled a desire to make the US less reliant on crude oil imports. Last month he called for a blend of fossil fuel and renewable energy sources to power America’s more efficient, more self-reliant and lower-emission future.
Have you come across the hybrid-energy heating oil system? HeatingOil.com wants to hear what you think.
Obama Administration Offers New Justification For Slashing Heating Aid
Energy Secretary Steven Chu has given a new defense for the Obama administration's proposal to slash $2.5 billion from a federal heating aid assistance package for low-income homeowners. (image: huffingtonpost.com)
First it was the falling price of home heating fuels that justified a proposed $2.5 billion cut in federal assistance for low-income homeowners.
But now the Obama administration is taking a different tact.
On Friday, Energy Secretary Steven Chu threw another explanation into the mix, arguing the government could get more bang for its buck and help more people by investing in home insulation projects that would have greater long-term benefit, The Huffington Post reported on Monday.
In February President Barack Obama announced plans to slash the Low Income Home Energy Program (LIHEAP) by nearly half to $2.57 billion. The program gives financial assistance to cash-strapped homeowners struggling with winter energy costs. It helped a record number of Americans this winter, when temperatures plummeted and home heating oil costs soared.
Initially, Obama’s justification for cutting the program was that energy costs had fallen since the 2008 peak while aid funding has “stayed the same”.
This may have been true for natural gas but was certainly not the case for heating oil prices.
Oil prices have spiked, however, since the announcement following fresh political unrest in the Middle East and the unfolding nuclear crisis and natural disasters in Japan. A barrel of crude oil cost $85 on February 10 but was selling for about $107 today (April 4, 2011). This spike has led the Obama administration to reassess its approach.
Chu told a Christian Science Monitor breakfast last week that the administration was pursuing alternate, broader reforms to help stabilize energy costs for households.
“We are shifting the program so that not only includes low, but also middle income people.”
Chu argued that apart from subsidies, other programs were needed to make homes more energy efficient.
“We need to work with the lenders in order to come up with things like, when you buy a home or try to convince lenders, it’s prudent to ask about the affordability of the home or for an energy audit… This will stimulate people who want to sell their home to make energy improvements in their home, so they increase the resell value. With a very modest amount of funds, or remodeling funds, you can begin to promote weatherization of homes and buildings.”
Chu said $5 billion could build 750,000 low-income homes. But $2 billion could fund the retrofitting of tens of millions of homes. It was prudent to investigate projects that promoted the most benefit in times of austerity, he said.
“There is great opportunity here.”
President Barack Obama plans to slash federal assistance to families struggling to pay their heating bills as part of his proposed budget package. (image: scrapetv.com)
The explanations stand in marked contrast to Obama’s comments when he announced the proposed cuts in February. His plans sparked outrage among many heating oil users and opposition from northeastern state politicians, whose constituents rely heavily on heating aid assistance.
Though the worst of winter appears to be over, there is no sign of tensions easing in Libya or elsewhere in the Middle East where recent pro-democracy protests have helped drive up the price of crude.
Combined with better US job figures last week and signs of a tentative economic recovery, oil prices do not appear likely to fall anytime soon. And if next winter is as severe as the one we’ve just endured, the heating aid program will be more crucial than ever.
The National Energy Assistance Director’s Association announced in February it expected a record-breaking 8.9 million American households to apply for federal home heating aid during the 2010-11 winter, up from 8.3 million last year.
And while retrofitting millions of homes would indeed make them more energy efficient and therefore warmer in the long-term, millions of US families will start needing help to pay their heating bills in just six months’ time. Only a fraction of those homes could be retrofitted by then.
The GOP meanwhile has proposed less severe cuts to the aid program of $390 million. Its actual amount will depend on the shape of the federal budget once it is agreed upon in Congress and signed into law by the president.
New Invention Cuts Heating Oil Costs and Emissions
Eric Lavoie has invented a new device that makes home heating oil furnaces burn more efficiently, saving consumers money and cutting the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. (image: boston.com)
A new invention could revolutionize the home heating oil industry by dramatically cutting oil usage and reducing dirty emissions.
Eric Lavoie’s invention, the Burner Booster, is heralded with cutting heating oil usage by between 25 and 35 percent, meaning significant cost savings for consumers, The Boston Globe reported on Monday.
It comes at a time of volatile oil prices amid unrest in the Middle East, the Japanese disaster and heavy winter demand.
The unit is a specially designed oil burner that creates ultra-efficient combustion, reducing oil usage and soot buildup, while cutting emission of greenhouse gases.
The box-shaped device turns oil into a super-fine mist that burns more efficiently than during a standard combustion process, creating the same amount of heat while using less fuel. The units cost about $5,900 each, but Lavoie says it will pay for itself in oil savings within two to four years.
The device has already attracted state officials’ attention in New England, where heating oil is used widely to heat homes and public buildings. The system has been tested in homes, schools, public buildings and a prison, producing significant savings. The Massachusetts state Department of Energy Resources is looking closely at Burner Booster and is awaiting more results from demonstration sites before deciding whether Lavoie’s system should be rolled out to more public institutions.
“So far, from everything we can see and everything we’ve heard, it looks like a promising technology,’’ said Eric Friedman, director of the Leading by Example program, which promotes emissions reductions and energy efficiency at state facilities. “It looks like a fairly inexpensive way to get quickly at reductions of oil usage.’’
The system was designed after a 2006 bet with the owner of an automobile service shop. Lavoie bargained for free inspections of his truck in exchange for his figuring out a way to make the garage’s waste motor oil-fueled heating system cleaner and more efficient.
He has never paid for an inspection since.
The invention could be welcome relief to low-income consumers of heating oil who are struggling with the cost of heating their homes. And though more efficient combustion could mean oil dealers selling less heating oil to customers, there are new business opportunities emerging, according to Lavoie.
The systems will need to be installed and maintained by qualified technicians who can carry out evaluations of heating systems. Lavoie’s website is calling for expressions of interest from licensed oil burner technicians who have strong communications skills, insurance coverage and calibration equipment.
Ikea Halts Sales of Energy-Hogging Incandescent Light Bulbs in the US
(image: crunchgear.com)
Ikea, Swedish manufacturer of the world’s most affordable and frustrating furniture, is no longer selling incandescent light bulbs in its US stores, the Associated Press reported on Tuesday.
The decision to stop the sale of incandescent bulbs comes ahead of a federal law that will require light bulbs to be more energy-efficient beginning in 2012. In a statement, Ikea’s US president Mike Ward explained the decision, “Eliminating incandescents is just one simple way for IKEA customers to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gases.” Of course, the company also saved itself the hassle and expense of rushing to meet the 2012 regulatory deadline as well.
Whatever the true motivation behind it, Ikea’s move is a victory for energy efficiency. Using more efficient bulbs like compact fluorescents (CFLs) and LEDs (both of which Ikea sells in the US) saves lots of energy and lowers electrical bills. Although the energy-efficient bulbs are more expensive, they last 10 times longer (or more) than incandescents, making them a smart and responsible investment. They also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by decreasing electrical demand.
So next time you’re shopping for a Kivit or an Ektorp, remember to pick up an LED or CFL and shave a bit off of your next electrical bill.
Federal Funding Keeps Weatherization Program Humming Along in Mass.
Workers in Massachusetts add insulation to the exterior of a home as part of a federally-funded program. (image: mass.gov)
The combination of an ongoing economic downturn and spates of extremely cold weather have made 2010 a difficult year for many residents of the Northeast who depend on government assistance to keep their homes warm. But while heating assistance funding falls short of meeting demand, a federally funded initiative to weatherize homes is saving residents of Massachusetts and other Northeastern states big bucks on heating bills by delivering serious energy efficiency improvements.
Boston.com reported on Saturday that a federal program funded by the 2009 economic stimulus package is rapidly weatherizing homes and lowering heating bills for Massachusetts residents who receive government help. The long-standing Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a federal program administered by state governments that provides funds to needy families to help them pay heating bills saw its funding reduced in 2010 as part of broad cutbacks aimed at reducing government expenditures. At the same time, more and more Americans sought help from LIHEAP as unemployment and other economic difficulties resulting from the recession took a bite out of family budgets.
The US Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is partially bridging that gap around the country, and is supporting brisk weatherization progress in Massachusetts. Thanks to the stimulus-funded WAP, Massachusetts’ weatherization budget jumped from about $6.5 million last year to $122 million to be used by March 2012. The extra funding allowed the state to weatherize 7,500 homes this year, compared to 2,500 homes weatherized in 2009.
A local administrator of WAP in Boston estimated that most weatherization recipients save up to 30 percent on their heating bills after improvements are made to their homes, which can add up to over $1,000 in savings per year.
Massachusetts’ impressive progress in weatherization is the latest of many examples that show the high effectiveness and strong return on investment offered by weatherization and other home energy efficiency improvements. Even the most basic and low-cost improvements that homeowners can undertake themselves can lower the cost of heating oil or other heating fuels by hundreds of dollars a year.
If you are in need of heating assistance and/or think you may be eligible for free energy efficiency improvements, visit the Department of Energy’s Weatherization and Intergovernmental program web page for details on eligibility and how to apply for assistance locally.
Watch Boston.com’s video report on the weatherization program below.
The Skinny on Energy-Efficient Lighting
CFLs are superior to incandescent bulbs in energy efficiency and lifespan. (image: treehugger.com)
On Friday, the Huffington Post published a slide show of six little-known facts concerning energy-efficient lighting. By now, most people know that compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are superior to traditional incandescent bulbs because they use much less energy and last much longer, making their slightly higher cost well worth it. The Huffington Post slide show, lifted from the pages of Brian Clark Howard’s new book Green Lighting, offers some lesser-known details about saving energy through greener and more efficient lighting. A synopsis of the facts follows:
1. Every $1 invested in energy-efficient lighting saves up to $6 in saved energy
2. All CFL light bulbs are not created equal: some discount brand models burn out faster than those with EnergyStar certification
3. CFLs contain diminishing amounts of mercury, and therefore should never be thrown in the trash, but taken to a hazardous waste collection site.
4. Installing dimmer switches can in some cases save more energy than switching light bulbs.
5. Halogen bulbs work best with dimmer switches.
6. Light-emitting diode (LED) lights are becoming increasingly common. The Ultra-efficient and super-long-lasting bulbs are becoming cheaper and spreading to more and more household applications.
Former Construction Worker Turns Home Energy Audits into Entrepreneurial Success
The logo for Salvatore Cavalieri's home energy conservation company, Energy Sheriffs. (image: energysheriffs.com)
On Friday, the Huffington Post chose Salvatore Cavalieri as its “Greatest Person of the Day” for his work toward helping Americans save energy and lower their bills.
Cavalieri, a former construction worker, is the founder of Energy Sheriffs, a company that provides free home energy audits to homeowners in South Florida interested in saving money on energy bills. Following the free audit, Energy Sheriffs offer equipment and home improvement suggestions that yield major energy savings, and customers have the option of investing in whichever conservation measures they choose. Energy Sheriffs then install the purchased equipment and send families on their way to energy savings.
Cavalieri and his company stand steadfastly by their work, and offer a full refund to any customer who does not realize 25 percent savings on their energy bills within three months of the Sheriffs’ audit. “We haven’t returned a penny yet,” he told the Huffington Post.
The Energy Sheriffs offer fresh proof that home energy audits are a more-than-worthy investment that not only help the environment through greenhouse gas reduction and resource conservation, but also bring thousands of dollars in long-term savings to families across America. And during these tough economic times, the story of a dedicated visionary translating those powerful energy-saving benefits into a successful business further sweeten the appeal of home energy audits.
CT Heating Oil Company Kicks Off “Oldest Boiler” Contest
One entry in Gault Energy's Oldest Boiler contest, displayed on the company's Facebook page. (image: facebook.com/gaultenergy)
In its biennial Oldest Boiler contest, Connecticut heating oil dealer Gault Energy has found a great way to raise awareness about the efficiency savings of new heating equipment, and gain a few new customers in the process. Connecticut news site ctpost.com reported on Tuesday that Gault’s fourth Oldest Boiler contest has begun.
In the contest, homeowners throughout Gault’s service area (Fairfield and lower New Haven Counties) who think they may have the oldest boiler or furnace around submit photos of the equipment to the company’s Facebook page. The winner receives a free brand-new, high-efficiency boiler or furnace and all of the heating oil savings that come with it. Gault comes away from the contest with a plethora of potential customers—owners of oil and inefficient heating systems.
The promotion is good business for Gault, but also carries an important message for heating oil users everywhere: upgrading old furnaces and boilers is one of the best, if not the best way to significantly reduce oil consumption and save big bucks on bills. As Gault’s Director of Marketing Meghan Smith told ctpost.com, “A new boiler can reduce fuel consumption by as much as 40 percent.” That savings makes the cost of a new burner or furnace (which can cost several thousand dollars) a wise investment, especially considering the most expensive equipment tends to be the most efficient.
Whether you win it in a contest or invest in it yourself, buying a more efficient heating system is always a good decision.
Vermonter Takes Full Advantage of Energy Efficiency Incentives, Saves Big on Heating Oil Bills
Vermont resident Peter Jones shows off his solar electricity system, just one of many home energy efficiency improvements he made with the help of generous government subsidies. (image: wcax.com)
The weather’s getting chillier every day, which means heating oil boilers and burners all around the Northeast will soon be kicking into full operation. To prepare for the heating season, we encourage all of our readers to take whatever measures they can to make their homes more energy efficient, because an efficient home means lower heating bills. So far this season, we’ve offered lists of small steps and big steps that can be taken to improve home energy efficiency and cut down heating oil use. When put together, changes big and small can offer big payoffs as soon as the weather gets cold.
Peter Jones of South Burlingotn, Vermont is living proof of the payoffs of home energy efficiency. As reported by local TV news station WCAX on Monday, Jones undertook a comprehensive energy efficiency upgrade of his home and is enjoying substantial savings as a result. Jones reported that ten years ago, he spent $700 per year on heating oil, but now pays only $150 per year. To be clear, Jones only achieved that huge reduction in heating oil use by making major renovations to his home that cost at least several thousand dollars, but since those lower bills will continue for years and decades to come, those renovations will pay for themselves pretty quickly.
For his most recent renovations, Jones wisely took advantage of a state incentive program offered by Efficiency Vermont (Maine and several other Northeastern states have similar energy efficiency authorities). He began with a home energy audit through the Home Performance with Energy Star program, which helped guide contractors toward the energy-efficiency improvements that would be best for his home. Contractors added insulation to the attic and exterior of the house, sealed up air leaks, and installed solar panels that heat Jones’ water and generate electricity for the home. Making all those improvements under the Home Performance program allowed Jones to collect $2,500 in rebates and incentives, the state’s maximum amount for one household.
Just how much energy (in the form of heating oil, electricity, etc.) do those improvements save him? “I know that our house uses about a quarter of the amount of energy that the typical Vermonter uses,” he told a WCAX reporter.
There’s lots of money to be saved by improving home energy efficiency. It may require a significant up-front investment, but if efficiency improvements are done properly, they are unquestionably worth the investment. As the case of Peter Jones shows, now may be the best time ever to make home energy-efficiency improvements, with generous government subsidies offering savings on top of savings. So if you’ve got the financial resources, don’t wait—start with an energy audit right way and get your efficiency improvements taken care of so you can start saving money on your heating oil and other energy bills this heating season instead of next.
You can see the full video of WCAX’s report on Peter Jones’ energy success at the channel’s website.
LED Light Bulbs: Coming Soon to a Home Socket Near You
Philips's LED light bulb of the future. (image: wired.com)
Everyone knows that compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs are superior to their incandescent predecessors because they last much longer and user much less electricity. So what’s the next step in high-value, low-impact light bulbs? That would be light-emitting diodes (LEDs), the superefficient light source that’s slowly making its way onto Christmas trees and traffic signals. Thus far, however, their relatively weak light and silvery hue have kept them out of home lamps and ceiling fixtures.
But, as Wired magazine reported this week, Philips is intent on changing that. Its EnduraLED bulb has fixed those problems, and offers a tiny energy demand and lifespan longer than that of some household pets: it lasts “25 times longer than an equivalent incandescent, all while using 80 percent less power.”
Impressive. Just a warning, though: one bulb will set you back $60. Although it’s well worth the investment when you do the math, it may be difficult to get your head around the idea of spending over $50 on a light bulb. But hey, it’s the 21st century—things are going to be different!
With Heating Oil Prices Rising, Maine Extends Deadline for Efficiency Improvement Benefits
Efficiency Maine is offering rebates to residents who make home efficiency improvements for a few months longer. (image: efficiencymaine.com)
Heating oil prices in Maine are once again on the rise, according to the latest report from the state’s Office of Energy Independence and Security (OEIS). The news of rising heating oil prices was accompanied by some good news for heating oil users in Maine—Efficiency Maine, the state’s heating and energy conservation organization, will offer subsidies for energy-conserving home improvements for an additional three months.
The Maine Public Broadcasting Network reported on Monday that the latest price report from the governor’s OEIS showed that the statewide average price for heating oil was $2.59 a gallon last week, up a penny from the previous week. It also reported that Efficiency Maine has scrapped the September 30 deadline for Mainers interested in receiving rebates for home energy efficiency improvements to get home energy audits. The home energy audit is the first step in Efficiency Maine’s Home Energy Savings Program. Professional auditors identify which home improvements can save homeowners the most energy and money. Once the improvements are made (Efficiency Maine offers financing to cover all or part of their cost) and the authority is notified, homeowners get an incentive check in the mail based on how much the improvements increased their home’s energy efficiency. After that, certain improvements are eligible for additional tax credits from the federal government.
The program does involve a substantial up-front investment—typically several thousand dollars—but with two generous incentives on top of the decades of savings on heating oil and other energy bills, it’s a pretty sweet deal. Although the deadline to get energy audits has been lifted, improvements (the second step in the process) must be made before December 31 of this year. For details on how the program works and how to sign up for your incentive, visit the Efficiency Maine website.
15 Simple Energy-Conserving Tips to Help You Save Money This Heating Season
A well-insulated and air-tight home conserves energy used for heating and brings substantially lower energy bills. (image: publicaffairs.alberta.ca)
Good advice that helps people save money is worth repeating. With that in mind, we’re sharing a list of energy-saving tips for the heating season sent out today by the Energy Communications Council. All of the tips below are covered in the HeatingOil.com article on home energy conservation, which offers some more detail and instruction on each step. But with the weather turning colder, we thought it would be a good idea to remind heating oil users of simple actions they can take right now that could bring them substantial savings on heating oil and electricity bills over the next six months or so.
So take a look at the lists below and take action! The investment of time and money made now will be more than worth it by the time January rolls around, and will keep paying off for years to come.
HEAT SAVING TIPS: EASY DOs
• Get a heating system tune-up — it’ll ensure you get the maximum performance out of every drop of heating oil burned.
• Open shades and drapes when the sun is out to let it help warm your home. Close them when the sun goes down.
• Turn back the thermostat at night or when you are away from home; for every degree you lower your thermostat for 8 hours or more each day, you’ll save 2 percent on your heating bill.
• Insulate pipes to guard against heat loss and prevent them from freezing.
• Stop drafts by eliminating any gaps between your door and the threshold on the floor. Use a bottom seal that can be attached to the bottom of the door – it should brush up against the floor to seal up the threshold.
• Caulk or re-caulk exterior spaces between the windows and walls of your home.
• Close your kitchen vent, fireplace damper and closet doors when not in use.
• If you have central air conditioning, close your air vents and returns to prevent heat loss.
• Remove air conditioning window units, or cover them to keep cold air outside.
• Keep radiators and registers free of furniture or other obstructions for top efficiency.
HEAT SAVING TIPS: SHOULD DOs
• Consider replacing heating systems that are more than 20 years old because modern versions can cut costs by 15 to 25 percent.
• Talk to your heating fuel supplier about installing a set-back thermostat, which pays for itself through lower energy costs in about a year.
• Make sure you have good insulation on exterior walls, ceilings with cold spaces above, and floors with cold spaces below.
• Install and close storm windows. Consider new glass designed to decrease radiant heat loss without lowering visibility.
• Contact your heating local heating oil dealer for information about a service agreement.
Study of Americans’ Energy Conservation Views Reveals Misconceptions
Americans mistakenly believe that turning off or unplugging appliances are more effective ways to save energy than buying more efficient ones, accoring to a new study. (image: chicagopressrelease.com)
The good news is that Americans know how to save energy. The bad news is that they are pretty far off the mark when it comes to knowing the best ways to go about it. Both of these tidbits come from a recent study conducted by researchers at Columbia University, Ohio State University and Carnegie Mellon University that asked 505 participants about energy conservation. The results showed a lack of understanding of the relative effectiveness of different energy-saving actions, a post of the New York Times’ Green blog reported on Wednesday.
For example, the method of conservation most commonly cited in the study was turning off lights when leaving a room. While doing so consistently does save energy, the amount energy (and money) it saves is significantly less than the amount of energy saved by replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. In a similar example, the majority of participants believed that line-drying laundry saves more energy than changing washing machine settings, while the opposite is true.
The perception problem appears to boil down to a misguided focus on “curtailment rather than efficiency,” according to the study’s authors. That is, Americans seem to believe that using less energy is a more effective approach to conservation than using energy more efficiently, which is simply not the case. To apply this truism to heating oil use, investing in a more efficient heating system conserves considerably more oil than turning down the thermostat a few degrees. This misconception is somewhat understandable; people want to believe that small behavioral changes that cost nothing will save just as much energy as major, expensive changes like buying a new boiler or furnace. In the researchers’ words:
Relative to experts’ recommendations, participants were overly focused on curtailment rather than efficiency, possibly because efficiency improvements almost always involved research, effort and out-of-pocket costs (e.g. buying a new energy-efficient appliance), whereas curtailment may be easier to imagine and incorporate into one’s daily behaviors without any upfront costs.
To be clear, turning off lights and dialing down the thermostat are effective ways to conserve energy (so if you’re been doing both or either, don’t use this study as an excuse to stop). But they conserve a much smaller amount of energy than do more extensive measures like adding insulation to a home (which only 2.1 percent of the study’s participants cited). Many people simply can’t afford to buy new appliances or upgrade their home insulation, especially during these times of economic trouble. But it’s important to know that big energy savings require big investments—so when times are better, maybe we Americans will invest in that more-efficient heater or dishwasher instead of buying a gas-guzzling SUV.
Quincy, MA’s Energy Smart Program Helps Homeowners Save Money
A technician performs a blower door test, part of a home energy audit. A free home energy audit is the first step for homeowners who apply for the Energy Smart Quincy program. (image: austinqualitygreen.com)
Energy Smart Quincy is a new program designed to help the town of Quincy, MA reduce energy consumption and save money, the Boston Globe reported on Thursday. The program started in July, and provides homeowners and businesses with a free energy audit, during which a technician identifies ways to reduce energy use and informs consumers about available rebates and incentives for making energy-efficiency improvements.
The program is funded by federal stimulus money through an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant worth $881,000. That money will not go directly to homeowners, though; instead, it provides for the free energy audit and assistance in taking advantage of existing rebates and incentives. National Grid offers rebates of up to $2,000 and federal tax credits can take $1,500 off the cost of efficiency improvements. Those incentives can often help homeowners make the initial investment in projects such as adding insulation or sealing air leaks, which provide energy savings for years to come.
Home energy audits for the program are carried out by Next Step Living, whose chief executive, Geoff Chapin, heartily endorsed the program to the Globe:
“It’s an incredible deal. Not many people know about it,’’ Chapin said. “We help people access the rebates, fill out the forms. We make it easy.’’
Caryn Smith, a Quincy homeowner, spoke with the Globe about her efforts to reduce her energy costs. A home energy audit revealed that her 130-year-old home needed insulation in its roof and eaves. Through rebates and tax credits, what would have been a $5,500 job became a $2,000 job. That’s not exactly chump change, but Smith anticipates that the new insulation will save her $700 a year in heating costs, helping her pay off the investment in just under three years. After that, the improvement will continue to afford Smith the rewards of a more efficient home year after year.
Even a much smaller investment, combined with incentives, can substantially reduce energy bills. Larry Chretien, the executive director of Mass Energy Consumers Alliance, says that a $500 out-of-pocket expense can pay for $2,700 in insulation and air sealing, and usually saves consumers enough money that the initial investment pays for itself in just one year.
Quincy residents can apply today at the Energy Smart Quincy website. For those of you who live elsewhere, the example of Quincy might serve as inspiration. Find out what rebates or tax credits are available to you, and get a home energy audit to find out what improvements you can make to lower your heating costs. An upfront expense today could save you money for years to come.
Home Star Advances in Senate’s Limited Energy Bill
Home Star promises rebates and energy savings to homeowners who take up energy efficiency projects such as adding insulation. (image: betterinsulation.com)
Senate Democrats have cast aside many of their goals for energy and climate legislation in favor of a more limited bill that focuses on the oil spill and energy efficiency, Politico reported on Thursday. One program that party leaders say will make it into the final bill is Home Star (also known as cash for caulkers), a program that will give homeowners thousands of dollars to make their homes more energy efficient.
The Home Star program is a stimulus program, a job creation program, and an emissions reduction program all wrapped into one. By helping homeowners make improvements that will save them money on their energy bills, Home Star gives people more money to spend on goods and services instead of energy, helping to stimulate the economy. By encouraging people to add insulation, replace windows, and make other improvements, Home Star creates jobs for contractors and companies that perform these home improvements. And lastly, by making homes more efficient, Home Star reduces the amount of energy people use, which reduces emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
Because of its myriad benefits, Home Star passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support in a standalone bill (the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act) in May. In the House version of the program, homeowners could get up to $8,000 in rebates, depending on the extent of their retrofit, and the program planned to distribute $5.7 billion in rebates over the course of two years.
While the Senate program could differ in its details, the core of the Home Star program—paying homeowners to make improvements that will save them more money later on—will remain. Senate Democrats may try to push controversial programs such as a cap on carbon emissions later in the fall, but right now they have focused on creating a bill that will pass. If it does, Home Star could soon become a reality—maybe even in time to make your home more efficient for this winter.
Mass. Program to Upgrade Heating Oil Systems for Low-Income Homeowners
The Massachusetts Oilheat Council (MOC) and Conservation Services Group (CSG) are teaming up to bring high-efficiency heating systems to hundreds of Massachusetts homes. (image: chimneysweepnews.blogspot.com and csgrp.com)
Five hundred homes in Massachusetts could get new, high-efficiency heating equipment through a new program aimed at heating oil users with low or moderate incomes. Conservation Services Group (CSG) and the Massachusetts Oilheat Council (MOC) announced that they had secured $1.7 million in federal stimulus funds for the Oil Heat Efficiency Program (OHEP).
OHEP will give rebates of up to $4,000 for energy-efficient boilers, furnaces, and water heaters. CSG and the MOC will work with the Massachusetts Low Income Energy Affordability Network (LEAN) to determine eligibility for the program. In addition to upgrading heating systems, OHEP provides for training dozens of heating oil technicians to become specialists in home energy efficiency.
Michael Ferrante, president of the MOC, explained how the program would benefit low-income heating oil consumers and the state of Massachusetts:
Many of the state’s homeowners with older, inefficient heating equipment are paying only the most essential bills in this tough economic climate, so upgrading their heating system may not be a priority. Fortunately, this innovative and timely program will enable hundreds of residents to reap the benefits of higher efficiency equipment. They’ll see their energy bills go down, because they’ll use less fuel without compromising comfort. This program is also a boost for the local economy because it provides work for oil heat retailers and their technicians, due to increased demand for equipment installations. We will also need to train qualified candidates to become energy auditors, leading to even more jobs.
Many states have adopted rebate programs to encourage people to upgrade to energy-efficient appliances and heating equipment, but OHEP is unique in offering a rebate large enough that it could cover the entire cost of a heating system upgrade. Add on the savings from lower heating costs, and this stimulus program will continue to keep money in the pockets of hundreds of Massachusetts homeowners for years to come.
Massachusetts heating oil users can contact their heating oil dealer or the MOC (800-722-0623) to find out more about OHEP and to determine their eligibility for the program.
IEA: Growth in Oil Demand Will Slow in 2011
The IEA says that efforts to cut oil consumption are working and will slow the pace of oil demand growth through next year. (image: aug,ipp.mpg.de)
Economic growth will accelerate from 2010 to 2011, but that won’t translate into higher growth rates for oil demand, said the International Energy Agency (IEA) in its latest report on oil markets. According to the IEA, which advises the industrialized nations that make up the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), increased fuel efficiency in OECD nations will slow down oil demand growth even as global economic growth picks up. In other words, conservation and energy efficiency don’t just keep household bills down, they work on a global level.
The global economy is forecast to grow by 4.1 percent in 2010 and 4.3 percent in 2011. Faster economic growth would typically speed up oil demand growth, but changes in oil consumption in Europe and North America means that those economies are able to expand while they reduce the amount of oil they use. The news service AFP cited an example of increased efficiency from Germany, which made the transition to low-sulfur heating oil and became 15–20 percent more efficient in the oil it uses for home heating. This transition is under way in the US too, and will further curb global oil demand.
Global demand for oil in 2010 will be 86.5 million barrels per day (bpd), an increase of 2.1 percent from 2009 demand. Oil demand will rise again in 2011, but will do so at a slower rate; 2011 oil demand will reach 87.8 million bpd, according to the IEA’s numbers, for an increase of 1.6 percent. All of the increased demand in 2011 is expected to come from non-OECD countries, with China being the single largest driver of increased demand.
The changing relationship between economic expansion and oil demand growth could keep prices moderate through 2011, in contrast to some earlier forecasts that said oil prices would soar as the world pulled itself out of recession. If the global economy can grow faster than oil demand, then the supply of oil should be enough to keep up with demand and keep prices near current levels. Said the IEA:
Whisper it quietly, but we might, just might, be in for some market stability for a while longer.
The IEA predicted that the price of crude oil would average $79.40 in 2011, just a few dollars higher than the current crude oil price. But if oil consumption can be cut even more—whether through low-sulfur fuels, biofuels for transportation and home heating, or just plain old conservation—we might see even lower prices next year.
Department of Energy Caught Wasting Energy (Again!)
The US Department of Energy missed some easy opportunities to put its money where its mouth is and conserve energy at its facilities, an audit reported this week. (image: grunley.com)
About a year ago, an internal audit found that most US Department of Energy buildings were not using programmable thermostats to save energy on heating and cooling—the very same tool the agency had been recommending for American households. Apparently, that embarrassing bit of exposed hypocrisy wasn’t enough to get the DOE to clean up its act.
The New York Times reported on Wednesday that a recent audit showed DOE buildings using decades-old fluorescent lighting at most of its facilities, instead of opting for super-efficient LED lights (and other more efficient alternatives) that the department spent millions of taxpayer dollars to develop. In another finding, auditors discovered that one DOE building had installed timers to switch off lights in 1997, but had not purchased the central control unit needed to make the system work.
The Times’ Green blog also reported this week that auditors visited seven of the DOE’s 24 sites, and found inefficient incandescent light bulbs at all seven. The department tirelessly promotes compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) over traditional incandescent bulbs, as CFLs use far less energy and last longer. In fact, a federal law banning 100-watt incandescent bulbs is slated to take effect next year.
What gives? Why is the DOE having so much trouble practicing what it preaches? According to the Times article, “Some said the lights were in high-security areas. And in some cases, the lighting that needs replacing is on very high ceilings and hard to get to, auditors were told.”
Apparently the Department of Energy can’t find professional light bulb changers with high enough security clearance and apparently is not familiar with the advent of ladders, scissor lifts, and other height-extending technology. Wow, they sure have a lot of work to do.
The results of the audit were met with little responsibility taking or plans to remedy the department’s lack of action. One bold spokeswoman did offer a vague hope that improvements will be made…eventually:
But a spokeswoman, Stephanie Mueller, said it would do better in the future. “Sometimes the first steps can be the hardest, but once you begin to take those steps, it’s easier to initiate change across a large organization,’’ she said.
Score this one slow, inefficient government agency 1, energy efficiency 0.
NJ Bill to Open Clean Energy Fund to Heating Oil Users
New Jersey’s state senate could give heating oil users the same incentives that are already available to residents who heat with natural gas or electricity. (image: nj.com)
New Jersey’s state senate is considering a bill that would expand energy-efficiency incentives financed by the state’s clean energy fund to heating oil users who want to upgrade their heating systems, reports NJSpotlight.com. The bill would ensure that any incentives available to natural gas users who buy heating equipment would be available to heating oil consumers who purchase similarly efficient oilheating equipment.
Heating oil users are currently blocked from benefiting from the money raised by the societal benefits charge, a surcharge on utility bills. The bill’s sponsors say that their legislation would help the state fulfill its energy master plan, which calls for a 20 percent reduction in energy use by 2020, by essentially leveling the playing field among different heating fuel consumers. Upgrading to a high-efficiency heating oil boiler or furnace lets consumers burn less oil, saving them money and cutting down on carbon emissions.
But the bill’s opponents say that the clean energy fund was not intended to finance upgrades of heating oil equipment. New Jersey’s Division of Rate Counsel, a state agency that represents utility consumers, said that only consumers who heat with natural gas and electricity should benefit from the clean energy fund since money is raised for the fund through a surcharge on natural gas and electric bills. The proposed bill would not expand the surcharge to heating oil purchases.
The New Jersey Utilities Association, an industry trade group that also opposes the bill, worries that expanding access to the fund will spread its resources too thin, and force the state’s Board of Public Utilities to make deeper cuts to its cash-strapped efficiency programs. Money set aside for clean energy has already been raided to fill gaps in New Jersey’s state budget. In March, Governor Chris Christie shifted $65 million from a Global Warming Solutions Fund to the state’s General Fund, and a total of more than $400 million marked for clean energy has been re-routed to patch up budgetary holes.
Supporters of the bill, such as New Jersey’s Sierra Club, are unconvinced by such arguments and think that if New Jersey wants to cut energy use it would be illogical and unfair to exclude heating oil users from energy-efficiency incentives. New Jersey state senator Robert Smith, one of the bill’s co-sponsors, told NJ Spotlight that the current incentive structure amounted to discrimination:
“These people [heating oil users] should not be discriminated against,” he said. “The bottom line is our energy master plan calls for us to reduce our carbon footprint and this will help us to achieve that goal”
Smith also pointed out that heating oil users are already paying into the efficiency fund, and will continue to do so whether or not they are granted access to it. “Show me a home heating customer who doesn’t use electricity,” he said. “There’s nothing in this bill that increases rates.”
The state senate expects to discuss the bill before their July recess. If it passes, New Jersey’s heating oil users will gain the same access to energy-efficiency funds that their neighbors who use other heating fuels already have, making it easier for them to upgrade to a high-efficiency boiler or furnace that will reduce their energy use and help them lower their heating bills for years to come.
