At a small conference on a little island, some big thinkers propose ways to fix everything from energy to education.
energy
7 Odd Solutions for 7 Common Economic Problems
Could dog poop help communities meet their energy needs? Should the government give signing bonuses to unemployed people who accept job offers? Would a commuter loyalty program similar to the airlines get more workers to use …
Big Fan
Here’s some math on the costs of staying cool this summer: A decent window A/C unit costs roughly 14¢ an hour on your utility bill. A larger central-air system will cost you about 36¢ an hour to run. The energy needed to keep a …
Why Energy-Efficient Home Improvements Haven’t Brought Your Energy Bill Down
One-third of homeowners who have paid for energy-efficiency upgrades—switching to CFL lightbulbs, installing Energy Star appliances, etc.—say they haven’t seen the decrease in energy bills that they expected.
President Obama Goes Backward on Energy
Crossposted from TIME’s Ecocentric blog:
Last March, President Barack Obama gave a speech on energy security at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington. In it, Obama offered what might be called a “grand compromise” on energy—in exchange for expanded offshore drilling, including in previously untouched areas like north Alaska and …
The Future of Nukes in America
The Oyster Creek nuclear plant in New Jersey was opened when the Beatles were still together, and since 1969 its single 645 MW boiling water reactor has provided enough energy to power 600,000 homes. But the oldest nuclear plant will be going out of commission a little early-last year owner Exelon Energy announced that it would close …
246 Money Tips: When to Haggle, How to Extend Food’s Lifespan, Why Being Old Has Its Benefits, and More
Also, plenty of stuff it’s best to avoid, including bad bosses, toxic spouses, diet soda, and voting for “American Idol.”
Incense as Energy-Conservation Tool
Turns out a stinky incense stick is useful for reasons other than masking the smell of marijuana.
UNC College Kids School Everybody on How to Save Energy (and Money)
In a national competition organized by the Environmental Protection Agency, buildings around the country were challenged to decrease energy use over the course of a year. The winning building was a dorm at UNC-Chapel Hill, which reduced energy use by 35.7% and saved more than $250,000 on energy costs.
Cheapskate Wisdom … About the Staggering Amount of A/C That’s Wasted
“Take a 3,000-square-foot house on a summer day — only about 3 percent of the cooling power from the central air conditioning is going for people cooling.”
The Ceiling Fan as Energy (and Money) Saver
The fan is often thought of as the poor man’s air conditioner. But you might want to use a ceiling fan even in rooms that have A/C, and you might want to turn the fan on even in the winter.
Want an Energy Star Label? No Problem—Even for a Product That Doesn’t Exist
The Energy Department admits it doesn’t properly track how Energy Star labels wind up on refrigerators, air conditioners, and other products. The labels, which are supposed to indicate a product’s energy- (and money-) saving prowess, are often based solely on info provided by the manufacturer, with no independent verification. A recently …
