Comments on: When it comes to Energy Efficiency, Do We Need Walmart? http://thegreenlightdistrikt.com/2010/05/04/when-it-comes-to-energy-efficiency-do-we-need-walmart/ All Things Boston + Clean Tech + Innovation. Events, Resources, Industry Insiders Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:01:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Chris Williams http://thegreenlightdistrikt.com/2010/05/04/when-it-comes-to-energy-efficiency-do-we-need-walmart/comment-page-1/#comment-229 Chris Williams Tue, 01 Jun 2010 19:55:46 +0000 http://thegreenlightdistrikt.com/?p=923#comment-229 Megan, Thanks a really interesting point, it certainly fits in well with education. Energy Circle has an interesting program along these lines called the "moolah maker"(http://www.energycircle.com/moolahmaker/) which makes it a game for kids to help reduce energy. I wonder if he rolled it out nationally as an education device? Megan,

Thanks a really interesting point, it certainly fits in well with education. Energy Circle has an interesting program along these lines called the “moolah maker”(http://www.energycircle.com/moolahmaker/) which makes it a game for kids to help reduce energy. I wonder if he rolled it out nationally as an education device?

]]> By: Megan Atkinson http://thegreenlightdistrikt.com/2010/05/04/when-it-comes-to-energy-efficiency-do-we-need-walmart/comment-page-1/#comment-212 Megan Atkinson Thu, 20 May 2010 01:53:58 +0000 http://thegreenlightdistrikt.com/?p=923#comment-212 One really successful program in my area (Lansing, MI) has been working with the Boys and Girls Club. They have a program at B&GC called "Get City" over here and these kids are highly focused, really driven tikes that tackle energy issues head on. I've sat on a couple discussion panels for them and the kids are just amazing. They would definitely train well for a clipboard type audit. We've found that it's also a great way to get kids fired up about the green economy. One really successful program in my area (Lansing, MI) has been working with the Boys and Girls Club. They have a program at B&GC called “Get City” over here and these kids are highly focused, really driven tikes that tackle energy issues head on. I’ve sat on a couple discussion panels for them and the kids are just amazing. They would definitely train well for a clipboard type audit. We’ve found that it’s also a great way to get kids fired up about the green economy.

]]> By: Peter Troast http://thegreenlightdistrikt.com/2010/05/04/when-it-comes-to-energy-efficiency-do-we-need-walmart/comment-page-1/#comment-183 Peter Troast Fri, 07 May 2010 21:31:14 +0000 http://thegreenlightdistrikt.com/?p=923#comment-183 Jesse's point, and really what this whole discussion is about, is how do you get the uninitiated started? As long as we can make a clear distinction about what a true whole house energy audit is, then almost anything to get going works--HEET is great, Boyscouts, Cool Communities, house parties, etc. The key, though, is to make sure those that receive a "clipboard" audit don't assume that the work is done. Jesse’s point, and really what this whole discussion is about, is how do you get the uninitiated started? As long as we can make a clear distinction about what a true whole house energy audit is, then almost anything to get going works–HEET is great, Boyscouts, Cool Communities, house parties, etc. The key, though, is to make sure those that receive a “clipboard” audit don’t assume that the work is done.

]]> By: Brian Hayden http://thegreenlightdistrikt.com/2010/05/04/when-it-comes-to-energy-efficiency-do-we-need-walmart/comment-page-1/#comment-180 Brian Hayden Thu, 06 May 2010 12:45:07 +0000 http://thegreenlightdistrikt.com/?p=923#comment-180 Noel - my email address is bhayden@heatspring.com (is it bad form to share that in a blog? Hopefully not.) I'm not really sure why my friend's rebate disappeared suddenly. It's a good question and I need to find out. But no matter the reason, my friend Tom doesn't understand and has lost momentum on making these efficiency upgrades. Even if there's a good reason, the process failed Tom and needs to be improved to make it easy for others. Jesse - great ideas. The boyscout idea is interesting...obviously it would need to be a group with significant training and oversight, but the compensation could come in the form of a recurring charitable donation to their group. Peter - I totally agree that you get what you pay for. There's a relatively small number of people who really know what they're doing and they need to be compensated for their time and energy. Noel – my email address is bhayden@heatspring.com (is it bad form to share that in a blog? Hopefully not.)

I’m not really sure why my friend’s rebate disappeared suddenly. It’s a good question and I need to find out. But no matter the reason, my friend Tom doesn’t understand and has lost momentum on making these efficiency upgrades. Even if there’s a good reason, the process failed Tom and needs to be improved to make it easy for others.

Jesse – great ideas. The boyscout idea is interesting…obviously it would need to be a group with significant training and oversight, but the compensation could come in the form of a recurring charitable donation to their group.

Peter – I totally agree that you get what you pay for. There’s a relatively small number of people who really know what they’re doing and they need to be compensated for their time and energy.

]]> By: Peter Troast http://thegreenlightdistrikt.com/2010/05/04/when-it-comes-to-energy-efficiency-do-we-need-walmart/comment-page-1/#comment-179 Peter Troast Wed, 05 May 2010 15:18:27 +0000 http://thegreenlightdistrikt.com/?p=923#comment-179 Fair question. My answer: you get what you pay for. The sorry story of Mass SAVE points out the challenges we face in getting home energy efficiency to scale. In the interests of impacting as many homes as possible, which is certainly an important goal, there is an inherent lowering of quality, standards and service. It is very important that people understand the difference between an energy audit that takes a half hour and and a true, whole house energy audit. The latter involves diagnostic testing using a blower door and infrared camera, assesses health related issues related to mold and air quality, and tests appliances for combustion (carbon monoxide) safety. At the conclusion, a good auditor will provide a detailed report that becomes a multi-year road map for tackling the energy use, comfort and safety of your home over time. Depending on location, this is a $350 to 500 expense that is worth every penny. The level of building science involved, and the appreciation by a seasoned, certified energy auditor of the interconnected physics of a home is not something to be trusted to low price providers. Peter Troast Founder/CEO Energy Circle Fair question. My answer: you get what you pay for.

The sorry story of Mass SAVE points out the challenges we face in getting home energy efficiency to scale. In the interests of impacting as many homes as possible, which is certainly an important goal, there is an inherent lowering of quality, standards and service. It is very important that people understand the difference between an energy audit that takes a half hour and and a true, whole house energy audit. The latter involves diagnostic testing using a blower door and infrared camera, assesses health related issues related to mold and air quality, and tests appliances for combustion (carbon monoxide) safety. At the conclusion, a good auditor will provide a detailed report that becomes a multi-year road map for tackling the energy use, comfort and safety of your home over time. Depending on location, this is a $350 to 500 expense that is worth every penny.

The level of building science involved, and the appreciation by a seasoned, certified energy auditor of the interconnected physics of a home is not something to be trusted to low price providers.

Peter Troast
Founder/CEO
Energy Circle

]]> By: Jesse Gossett http://thegreenlightdistrikt.com/2010/05/04/when-it-comes-to-energy-efficiency-do-we-need-walmart/comment-page-1/#comment-178 Jesse Gossett Wed, 05 May 2010 04:27:21 +0000 http://thegreenlightdistrikt.com/?p=923#comment-178 Great thought experiment. I know there's been talk (and might actually been happening, haven't checked) that Lowes or Home Depot or one of those was offering plug and play solar systems. Efficiency should be so much easier! Maybe an instructional video (or interactive) that walked people through their own energy audit, all the easy stuff, and sent them in the right direction to get it done (whether that be hiring an expert or going to buy their own caulk)? I also really like what HEET does (http://heetma.com/), maybe we could incorporate tupperware somehow and it'd explode...? Or maybe there's a way to get boyscouts or kids involved somehow? How many lawn mowing businesses do you know started by 12 year olds? What about turning that into a home audit business (not saying it's child's play, but there are a few simple, low hanging fruits that could be done by young, aspiring entrepreneurs!). All we'd need is a simple 'tool-kit' for them to invest in. Wow, treading into pyramid scheme, AND taking advantage of kids. Anyone want to run with the idea...?! Great thought experiment. I know there’s been talk (and might actually been happening, haven’t checked) that Lowes or Home Depot or one of those was offering plug and play solar systems. Efficiency should be so much easier! Maybe an instructional video (or interactive) that walked people through their own energy audit, all the easy stuff, and sent them in the right direction to get it done (whether that be hiring an expert or going to buy their own caulk)?

I also really like what HEET does (http://heetma.com/), maybe we could incorporate tupperware somehow and it’d explode…?

Or maybe there’s a way to get boyscouts or kids involved somehow? How many lawn mowing businesses do you know started by 12 year olds? What about turning that into a home audit business (not saying it’s child’s play, but there are a few simple, low hanging fruits that could be done by young, aspiring entrepreneurs!). All we’d need is a simple ‘tool-kit’ for them to invest in. Wow, treading into pyramid scheme, AND taking advantage of kids. Anyone want to run with the idea…?!

]]> By: Noel Kelly http://thegreenlightdistrikt.com/2010/05/04/when-it-comes-to-energy-efficiency-do-we-need-walmart/comment-page-1/#comment-177 Noel Kelly Tue, 04 May 2010 21:45:42 +0000 http://thegreenlightdistrikt.com/?p=923#comment-177 Hi Brian, We spoke briefly at the Nexus event a few weeks ago. Please drop me an email with your contact info. Our clients have had tremendous success with the Masssave program over the years. Why was your friend refused? As for Walmart... here is an interesting take on their much publicized greening. http://www.grist.org/article/putting-wal-marts-green-moves-in-context/ It is so hard not to be cynical... I believe the answer lies in "fine with me so long as it doesn't cost me anything and doesn't inconvenience me either". Hi Brian,
We spoke briefly at the Nexus event a few weeks ago. Please drop me an email with your contact info.
Our clients have had tremendous success with the Masssave program over the years. Why was your friend refused?

As for Walmart… here is an interesting take on their much publicized greening.
http://www.grist.org/article/putting-wal-marts-green-moves-in-context/

It is so hard not to be cynical… I believe the answer lies in “fine with me so long as it doesn’t cost me anything and doesn’t inconvenience me either”.

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