Interesting comparison of benefits from conservation vs solar

[kristopher]

Does Energy Conservation Work as Advertised?

Westinghouse Solar CEO Barry Cinnamon looks at the numbers behind efficiency.
Does Energy Conservation Work as Advertised?

We're heading into an election season in which energy is likely to be a big topic of debate. Whether at the federal or state level, you almost can't open up the paper (do people still do that?) without reading about the pros, cons or nons of each of our energy options. Conservatives want to drill and generate with fission; liberals want to conserve and generate with fusion. If only we could harness all of that rapidly warming air....

I'm not getting political here -- I'm a card-carrying member of the Solar Party. All I want to do is spend less money on energy. If you're wondering how, the place to start is right at home. In the United States, the residential sector consumes 22% of all energy (by comparison, cars use about 17%).

But don't ask the government or your utility how you should reduce your home energy bill. The energy savings measures they will generally recommend are weatherizing (i.e., cash for caulkers), installing new windows, insulating attic and wall spaces, insulating and sealing ductwork, upgrading HVAC systems and installing new energy-saving appliances. Unfortunately, this advice has more to do with old-fashioned energy philosophy instead of dollars in your pocketbook. Don't get me wrong: these retrofits will save some energy, but maybe not as much as you think based on your home's particular location and condition...

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/does-energy-conservation-work-as-advertised/

[msongs]

1. no link? nt

[kristopher]

2. Appended to OP - Thanks!

[Nihil]

3. Not convinced but recommended for visibility (and further discussion)

Suggest people also read the comments (and the author's response)
as well as the article linked.

There is no way whatsoever that the saving from cutting out waste
(not higher/lower efficiency but background waste) is not a higher
ROI than any other option (including the solar that the author's
company is plugging).

That aside, he makes some valid points about the assumptions about
replacing functional appliances with "higher efficiency" ones.

Thanks for posting this. :hi:

(ETA: My rec didn't raise the visibility though as the total is still at 0 :shrug: )