The Department of Energy recently announced a $5 million funding initiative to help develop plug and play photovoltaic systems that homeowners can purchase, install and make operational in one day. The announcement is part of the Energy Department's "SunShot...
Energy Efficiency
Green Roofs Rising
According to the latest article in Builder Magazine, green roofing has grown 115% in 2011, which is up from a 28.5% growth in 2010. This from stats given by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, the association promoting the development of green roofs and walls in North...
Pool Power
A group of go-getter California high school students have found a way to power homes and business using swimming pools. The solution uses thermoelectric panels that can harness the temperature difference between a hot surface and the cold water. On a smaller scale...
Are LEDs to Dominate the Lighting Market?
Embedded in a recent routine news release by LED manufacturer Lemnis Lighting was this little gem worth sharing: "A recent U.S. Department of Energy forecast predicts that LEDs will represent 76 percent of the general illumination market by 2030, but Lemnis predicts...
A Department of Energy Smart Grid Update
If you would believe Assistant Secretary Patricia Hoffman's latest Department of Energy blog post, all is well with the Smart Grid roll-out. According to Hoffman, utility companies (and their customers) in Oklahoma, Idaho and Tennessee have all benefited from Smart...
Department of Energy Works to Protect Smart Grid
Worried about your privacy on the Smart Grid? How about National Security? The Department of Energy is on it. In the most recent initiative, a "maturity model" is being developed to allow utility companies and grid operators to check for "gaps in their cyber...
Renovate Your World’s Top Home New Year’s Resolutions
Resolutions for one self are so selfish and 2011. How about making a New Year's Resolution for the home? Here are some of the top around-the-home, promise-to-be-better-ats for 2012: Improve the Home's Energy Usage. You know what else is so 2011? Excessive consumption...
Plug In, Light Up
A new video by Trina Solar Limited features actor and race car drive Patrick Dempsey discussing the benefits of solar power and the difference solar power can make to communities of the traditional energy grid. The video -- titled "Plug It In, Light It Up" -- is worth...
ENERGY STAR Heating Tips
With temps low and heating costs high, now is a good time to go over ENERGY STAR's Heating Tips for the upcoming winter. No surprise that "Use a Programmable Thermostat" makes the list. We at Renovate Your World have been pushing those devices for years. If you're...
Light Bulb Saver App
Want to save money by swapping out your light bulbs? The new Light Bulb Finder app will help you do just that. The free smart phone app lets you check out light bulb images, cost, anticipated savings and environmental impact. You can also create shopping lists and buy...