Browsing Posts in efficiency
With a warm climate year round and relatively cool nights thanks to the ocean breeze, the state of Hawaii is a perfect place for AirScape Whole House Fans. Not only is the weather ideal, but the cost of electricity is sky high. The average cost for electricity in August 2010 in Hawaii was 28.59 cents per kilowatt hour. Compared to the U.S. Average of 12.02 cents during the same month**, it is obvious that going green by lowering electrical use is not as much a choice as it is a financial necessity for many residents of Hawaii.
Armstrong Builders has partnered with the DHHL (Department of Hawaiian Home Lands) to build affordable green homes in a state where affordable housing is virtually unheard of and utility rates are astronomical. The communities “Kumuhau” and “Lai Opua Village” both include AirScape Kohilo-e Whole House Fans (the Kohilo-e is a special limited edition model using the highly efficient ECM technology designed specifically for Armstrong Builders for use in their projects). Even with the high electrical rate, the fan only costs an average of 5.7 cents an hour on high speed and 1.4 cents an hour on low speed. Compare that to an extremely efficient 2 ton Air Conditioner, which is going to cost 68.5 cents an hour on average, and it’s easy to see why our whole house fans are so beneficial in Hawaii.
As Kaulana H.R. Park, director of DHHL and chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission (HHC) said, “Reducing living costs is one measure of a sustainable lifestyle and as native Hawaiians, living a sustainable life is what we strive for.”***
We’re glad we can be a part of this move towards greater sustainability in Hawaii.
*Kohilo is Hawaiian for “a gentle breeze”
**For average electrical rates by state, visit the Energy Administration Website.
Homewise in Santa Fe, New Mexico helps moderate homeowners achieve affordable home ownership. That’s great! We appreciate the fact that Homewise understands that sustainable and affordable are part of good design and planning. They have chosen to use one of our whole house fans in every house.
1.0WHF Installation
There are a couple of trends that will affect solar photovoltaic installations:
- Newer electrical rate structures encourage conservation (tiered rates)
- ‘Energy Security’ is a powerful motivator
- Photovoltaic rebates require house efficiency check-ups
We think solar energy gathering is great. The idea of getting electricity essentially for free energy has certainly captivated our imaginations. Even though the cost of photovoltaic panels is dropping very quickly, the investment is still considerable. Our crystal ball tells us that electrical energy is very, very versatile and will be in demand as electrical cars come on stream and coal fired electrical power plants start to show their ugly side. (coal burning)
As the demand for clean electrical energy increases, its value will certainly not go down. In fact, if the validity of predicting cheap energy such as the famous line is any guide “too cheap to meter”,then we should get prepared for high prices.
By combining whole house fans solar contractors and homeowners can:
- Decrease the initial investment in PV panels
- AND/ OR
- Increase the Return on Investment for the entire system
This article by Henry Gifford, an energy saving specialist discusses why heat pumps are no panacea. His points, well made, bring home the messages that building envelope efficiency is critical and the importance of examining the entire energy chain - from power house to your house. Not that readers of this blog need reminding, but Henry also points out that over half of this country’s electricity derives from coal burning . (BTW clean coal = oxymoron du jour)
http://www.finehomebuilding.com/departments/taking-issue/heat-pump-schmeat-pump.aspx
