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Haines Borough Energy Sustainability Commission |
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Energy Talk Weekly Radio Show on KHNS, FM - 91.9/102.3 - 8:45-9:00 AM - Every Monday Did you miss the latest Energy Talk? How about that website mentioned? That telephone number? Or that key energy term, number, or calculation? For more information about each program, contact the Haines Borough Energy & Sustainability Coordinator. |
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Useful Numbers and formulas 1 kilowatt (KW) = 1000 watts 1,000 KW = 1 megawatt Formula for Estimating Daily KWH Energy Consumption: (watts x Hours Used Per Da)/1000 = Daily Kilowatt-hour (KWH) consumption. Wattage is usually stamped on the bottom or back of an appliance or on its name plate. Watts = amps x volts Calculation of the daily/monthly/or annual cost to run an appliance: Multiply daily KWH consumption by electricity rate per KWH = daily cost. Multiply daily KWH consumption by number of days in a month by electricity rate = monthly cost. Multiply daily KWH consumption by 365 by electricity rate = annual cost. Rate per KWH, Haines, APT, residential as of 4/20/2009:
Rate per KWH, Haines, APT, small commercial:
BTU = British Thermal Unit defined as the amount of energy needed to raise one pound of water from 60-degrees F to 61-degrees F at sea level. BTU content of fuel source: (Please think of these numbers as estimates. There seems to be some slight variation depending on the source.)
Foot-candle: A unit for measuring brightness of light A foot candle is the amount of light produced one foot away from the source. Illuminance is the intensity or the degree to which something is illuminated and is therefore not the amount of light produced by the light source.It is measured in foot-candles too. Lumen is equal to one foot candle falling on one square foot of area. Lux is illuminance measured in metric units, not foot candles. A lux equals one lumen incidence per square meter of illuminated surface. |
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Energy Talk 26: Supporting Bi-Pedalism - an Ancient, Often Overlooked Source of Renewable Energy, May 4 Join Mike Denker to talk about the work going on in Haines to supply the infrastructure that will support walking and biking around town. Did you know that 55% of the kids who ride the school bus live within 2 miles of the school, but don't have a safe route to walk or bike to school? Where should we start improving these routes? Check out the local data in Safe Routes to School presentation prepared by Leigh Horner April 29 {Download}. More and more, drivers and bicyclists are having to share the roads. Communities promoting biking are also promoting rules that help keep drivers and bikers safe. The City and Borough of Sitka has been named a "Bronze" level bicycle friendly community. Here are the rules posted by the Sitka Bicycle Friendly Community Coalition : Rules for Motorists {Download}. Rules for Bicyclists {Download}. Look at the League of American Bicyclists Bicycle Friendly Community Application.{Download}. There IS an Alaska Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan! And there IS a US Department of Transportation Policy Statement Integrating Bicycling and Walking into Transportation Infrastructure which includes guidance for accommodating bicycle and pedestrian travel.{Policy} |
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Energy Talk 25: Sustainable Skagway, April 27 Long time Skagway resident Charlotte Jewel and new resident Tim Wing will explain how they have come together around the concept of "sustainability." Hear what projects are topping the list for group of volunteers now organized as Sustainable Skagway. Sustainable Skagway agendas and minutes are posted at the Sustainable Skagway blog. |
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Energy Talk 24: Electric Vehicle Conversion Class, April 20 South Seattle Community College Continuing Education in West Seattle and the Seattle Electric Vehicle Association (SEVA) are presenting Electric Vehicle Conversion Workshops. Haines resident George Figdor speaks about his participation in the most recent class this March. The six-day workshop guides students through the complete process of converting a vehicle from a gasoline engine to electric power. By the end of the workshop, the group will have completed one running electric car conversion capable of highway speeds, with a 30-60 mile range on one charge. The class costs $899.00. To register on line for the workshop go to www.LearnAtSouth.org, or call 260-764-5339 for more information. Additional less expensive classes include Electric Vehicle Technology ($29), Electric Vehicles Intro. ($49), Electric Vehicles-Batteries ($49), Electric Vehicle Safety Systems ($29). |
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Energy Talk 23: Cold Climate Housing Research Center, April 13 Jack Hebert, President and CEO of Cold Climate House Research Center, Fairbanks, was in town last week. I had the good luck to have dinner with him. Techniques pioneered at CCHRC are being applied right here in Haines. Check out the REMOTE wall system at the Haines Assisted Living Center before it is sided over! REMOTE stands for "Residential Exterior Membrane Outside-insulation Technique." Framing components are protected from precipitation and kept on the warm side of the building's thermal envelope. A peel-and-stick impermeable membrane is put on the exterior of a framed structure. Foam insulation is installed on the exterior of the membrane. Inside condensation is eliminated as is thermal bridging from heating, plumbing, and electrical components. A mechanical air exchange system is necessary in such a tight building. What some education? Check out on-line courses offered by Wisdom & Associates,and The Alaska Craftsman Home Program, Inc. Remember to join the Energy & Sustainability Commission Saturday, April 18, for a presentation by Chris Rose, Executive Director of REAP, noon, Assembly Chambers. Rose will speak about policies that support the development of an energy infrastructure based on renewable energy and energy conservation and efficiency. |
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Energy Talk 22: Federal Tax Deduction for Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings, April 6 The best guide I have found for this tax deduction is The Online Guide to Energy Efficient Commercial Building Deduction. Also check out: Commercial Building Tax Deduction Coalition. This "accelerated" deduction was put into place by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and extended through December 31, 2013 by the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (HR-1424). It offers business taxpayers a deduction of $1.80 per square foot for commercial buildings that achieve a 50% reduction in annual energy costs compared to a base building defined by the industry standard in ASHRA/IESNA 90.1-2001. To apply for the tax deduction, you must use one of the software tools approved by the Department of Energy. A complete list of approved software is posted at www1.eere.energy/gov.buildings/qualified_software.html. |
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Energy Talk 21: Federal Tax Credits For Energy Efficiency Home Improvements, March 30 Credits are limited to geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, solar panels, small wind energy systems, and fuel cells for 2008, but tax credits for windows, doors, insulation, HVAC, and non-solar water heaters are available again in 2009. Go to the Energy Star site for Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency. Here is IRS form 5695 for 2008 {Download}. |
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Energy Talk 20: Alaska Heating Assistance Program (HAP), March 23, 2009 Out of oil? Out of electricity? Out of wood? Out of funds? You may qualify for a Heating Assistance Grant from the state. It is easy to apply. Download an application at http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dpa/programs/hap/ or call 1-800-470-3058 to request an application by mail. It can take up to 45 days to process your application. The grant application season ends April 30. Low Temperatures, High Local Demand Results in Adding Make-Up Diesel to APT KW Generation Mix, March 23, 2009 APT Regional Manager Stan Selmer estimates a $0.017 per KWH rate increase for power generated between now and May 1 due to the need to bring on make-up diesel. Cold temperatures coupled to high demand in January drew down the water level at Goat Lake, necessitating supplemental diesel to keep up with customer demand. See the Skagway and Haines consumption levels charted on the HainesAK webpage. See also the graphic display of the amount of KW generated day by day, diesel compared to the amount generated by hydro. Thanks to James Alborough, Bear Star Web Design, and APT for voluntarily collaborating to post this information. |
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Energy Talk 19: Microhydro with Energy & Sustainability Commissioner Scott Hansen, March 15, 2009 Join Scott Hansen as he describes the installation and operation of his home microhydro system. |
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Energy Talk 18: The Pickens Plan, March 9, 2009 Following many weeks on its agenda, The Energy & Sustainability Commission endorsed The Pickens Plan {Download} during its March 3 meeting. It's possible to think about the Plan as a gigantic "buy local" campaign. Pickens advocates using US based energy sources (wind, natural gas, & solar) to replace a significant portion of imported oil. In February 2009, the US imported 62% of its oil from foreign countries. Pickens advocates using wind energy to replace the natural gas that now powers many electrical plants and using compressed natural gas for transportation. Read more about Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles (CNG) at gas 2.0. Read about natural gas supplies at Natural Gas.org. For complete exposure to the The Pickens Plan, jump to the Plan's webpage at www.pickensplan.com/. For some additional discussion, check out thoughts about the fact that 50% of US electricity is generated by coal. Do you wonder about wind? Check out Industrial Wind Action Group. |
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Energy Talk 17: Daylight Harvesting, March 2, 2009 Daylight harvesting is the 21st century version of building the fire pit next to the cave opening - use available daylight to cut down on KWH consumption for lighting. Using digital photo sensors to detect daylight levels, the output level of lighting is automatically adjusted to achieve a balance. Technology developed at the California Technology LIghting Center, UC Davis, has reduced the need for expensive "commissioning" associated with daylight harvesting systems. It is called Simplified Daylight Harvesting (SDH). Commissioning refers to the work of the technician who adjusts the harvesting system to specific locations. In the past, systems had to be "re-commissioned" when owners made even small changes in the lit spaces. For example, re-arranging furniture or changing fabrics can change the reflective properties of a space. Read "Why Daylight Harvesting Projects Succeed or Fail," by Craig DiLouie, Light Control Association. Individual daylight harvesting electronic ballasts are now available and can be installed in T-8 32-watt fluorescent lamps (two-lamp, three-lamp, or four-lamp ballasts are available). See the Axis Technologies Axis Daylight Harvesting Dimming Ballast which reduces electrical energy consumption while maintaining the desired level of watts per square foot. |
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Energy Talk 16: Interview with Cary Bolling, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, February 23, 2008 RIC: Alaska Housing Finance Corporation Research Information Center. RIC Library materials can be requested by e-mail, phone or a visit to the library and may be borrowed via mail or in person. A hand-out on Recessed Lighting, Energy Retrofit Solutions, will be available at the Haines Energy Fair, Feb. 28. For more information, visit the RIC website or contact: Betty Hall
Mailing address: AHFC Research Information Center, PO Box 101020, Anchorage, AK 99510-1020 Click on these links to download information or to link to the webpage for the specific program:
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Energy Talk 15: Hot Water Heating, February 16, 2009 About 15% of an average home energy bill goes to heating water. To reduce this cost, check out the information on Energy Efficient Hot Water Heating from the US Department of Energy. Learn how much money you can save by installing a new, more energy-efficient water heater in your home. But also learn how to: * Reduce your hot water use * Lower your water heating temperature * Insulate your water heater tank * Insulate hot water pipes * Install heat traps on a water heater tank * Install a timer and use off-peak power for an electric water heater * Install a drain-water heat recovery system. Alaska Electric Light and Power Company (AELP), Juneau, posts helpful publications on its website, including Guide to Saving Your Water-Heating Dollars {Download}and Shopper's Guide to Water Heaters {Download}. Also try Ask Mr. Electricity How to Save Money on Water Heating Use . Compare electric and propane tankless water heaters and explore more tips for saving on an old style tank heater. Did you know that every 30 drops per minute from a hot water faucet costs you around 18 KWH/month with an electric water heater? In Haines, that's about $2.58 per leaky faucet for a residence and about $3.50 in a commercial building. Check out this Consumer Reports article on tankless hot water heaters. |
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