This is a presentation that I prepared for a “Tell my why it’s cool show” which is basically a show and tell for grown-ups in Chicago. Shout-out to Mary for organizing these great events!
Category: Energy and Sustainability
This category is for all posts relating to renewable energy, sustainability, and energy efficiency.
New wind turbines threaten to blow petroleum up.
About three years ago we started to see wind turbines get even more wind behind their sails. Here is the article. https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2018/3/8/17084158/wind-turbine-power-energy-blades At the time the biggest, newest wind turbine blades that were not even out yet had a rotor diameter of 220 meters (~720 feet) and a total height of 260m (~850 feet). The…
How to Prioritize Energy Efficiency in Your New Home
We all have a limited budget. If you are fortunate enough to be able to build your own home from scratch here is a simple framework for you to prioritize your spending when aiming for the most efficient house possible with a limited amount of money. Control the air. Insulate like hell hath frozen over….
The reason we need to reframe climate action goals NOW
Humans and human institutions are master procrastinators. We know this. Everyone knows this. It is a lot easier to continue doing whatever you are doing that it is do try something new. This fundamental human behavior is why our calls for climate action with ten year and twenty year plans have not been met for…
Cut Your Carbon Emissions With 10 Awesome Affordable Renovations
Whenever we are looking to renovate our home we want to know what our return on investment will be. Financial implications are just one aspect we must look at. The other, and more difficult, aspect is the impact our renovation has on the climate. How effectively are we utilizing our resources to help mitigate the…
The best way to screw yourself and the planet
Step 1: Chop down a tree that shades your home. Step 2: That’s it. Results: Your air conditioning bill and electrical energy usage during peak summer cooling seasons will go up since the roof is exposed to the sun during the hot summer days. You house will be hotter and more uncomfortable during the summer…
One Powerful Mandate to Improve Efficiency at No Cost
Context It should be no news that we are facing an urgent climate crisis. One of the main contributors to this crisis is our building stock. One of the easiest, most cost effective, and fastest changes we can make is in improving the energy and water efficiency of existing buildings. Renter occupied units make up…
Off-Grid Carbon Free Life in a Mountain Cabin
This schematic design proposal didn’t meet the client’s aesthetic desires but I thought the Mountain Valley A-Frame was still worth sharing due to the awesome unique location and some interesting client requirements that resulted from that unique location. The site is located near Yellowstone National Park a few miles from a lake in a valley…
Seven Simple Steps To Make Your Home Carbon Free
It is definitely possible to accomplish a net zero energy and net zero carbon home within a reasonable price range. There is nothing special, complicated, or magical about it. Here are nine simple steps that you can use on your next home construction or renovation project and estimates of their associated costs. Please note that…
Surprise! The best way to stay comfortable is insulation.
Humans are foolish creatures, in particular when it comes to how we build. You know those crazy people who wear shorts and a t-shirt outside when the temperature is hovering around freezing? That is exactly what a poorly insulated building looks like. Put on a coat! What crazy fool would want to be so uncomfortable?…
All Electric Construction Equipment Will Become The New Normal
Why? We are in a climate emergency and need to eliminate all carbon burning operations immediately. It is more efficient Cheaper operational expenses because there are less moving parts to maintain, no oil to change, etc. No need to haul in or go get fuel Less air pollution Less noise pollution In case you think…
10 Reasons Why All Electric Homes Will Be the New Normal
We are in the midst of a climate emergency. We must eliminate carbon usage in our homes and everywhere else too. We still need to heat, cool, light, and operate our homes and electricity is a widespread commercially available alternative to fossil fuels. Every fossil fuel appliance now has an all electric counterpart that exceeds…
Four More Years Until Free Wind Kills Dirty Coal
In the last two years Wind and Solar just wiped U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates on the floor. Here is a graph of their estimates in 2018 for which fuel sources would provide our electricity in 2020. Well, it turns out that the EIA drastically underestimated the power of wind. Here is a graph…
Eliminate Fossil Fuels With This Happy New All Electric House
My parents are “up in age” if you will. Like many people in their 70’s and 80’s mobility is more difficult and simple improvements in architecture and design can make a tremendous difference in their quality of life and how long they will safely be able to live independently. For many years I have been…
Live better with more food, more energy, and less water!
Many people in this world behave as though our economy is a zero sum game. But, in most cases, it is not a zero sum game. In many cases simply re-arranging our thinking or our systems can actually support a better economy and more biodiversity with fewer resources. This article is a perfect example of…
It is Earth Day #50
And we are failing our planet miserably. JFK once said “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Well some wise folks at Commvault have remixed this to “Ask not what your planet can do for you. Ask what you can do for your planet.” In…
All Electric Homes are the Future
The goal of this post is to encourage people who are considering building a new home to go all electric. The main reason to do this is environmental. At the moment going all electric may cost a little bit more because of a lack of market penetration. However the cost disadvantages of the equipment required…