Don Ames's Blog Posts Tagged 'energy' (33)

What is Humidity and How Does it Effect Home Energy Savings

by Don Ames,   www.detectenergy.com

We all know what humidity is - it is the cause of the mold on the ceiling in the bathroom. Humidity is what happens to the bathroom mirror during a shower. Humidity is why we have an exhaust fan in the ceiling of the bathroom. Humidity is why a hot summers day in …

Getting the Most out of Your Pergola, Think Solar Power Panel

by Don Ames,   www.detectenergy.com

Sitting in a meeting the other day, I was listening to a discussion on where to put half-a-million dollars worth of solar power panels. The discussion considered placing panels on roofs, on picnic shelters, and carports - it's not easy trying to find a place for a bunch of solar panels. After all, there are things to keep…

Your Home: Calculating Potential Energy Savings With the Home Heating Index

by Don Ames,   www.detectenergy.com,  the Energy Spy Insider

This is about taking a miles-per-gallon approach to calculating Home Heating Performance and Potential Home Energy Savings. I will cover the Home Heating Index formula that will allow you to evaluate your Energy Performance and Energy Saving Potential. By using this…

How to Raise the Efficiency of Your Fireplace

by Don Ames,   www.detectenergy.com

Story tells of a gentleman that came home from work…

Wood Burning Fireplace: Energy Efficiency Loser.

by Don Ames,  www.detectenergy.com, and the eNewsletter, the Energy Spy Insider

People can have a Love-hate relationship with their wood burning fireplace. There is a lot of loving and hating going on right about now, because cooler weather has come and there are about 35 million fireplaces in the U.S. Whether we are hanging the Christmas stockings with care or trying…

by Don Ames,   www.detectenergy.com

At the beginning of a home energy audit, I make it a habit to ask the homeowner if I can see their…

If a double pane window is better than a single pane window, should I use triple pane windows?

By Don Ames,  www.detectenergy.com

Should I be using triple pane windows for my retrofit project? 

If a double pane window is better than a single pane window, should I use triple pane windows?

By Don Ames,  www.detectenergy.com…

Household Energy Consumption and Successful Energy Education

by Don Ames,  www.detectenergy.com

Two homes…

Energy Auditors: A Professional on a Mission to Save Energy

by Don Ames,   www.detectenergy.com,  

Hopefully, most people that become Doctors, want to be Doctors. If someone is going to go digging around in my belly, I want them to enjoy what they're doing and not wish they were out leading a group of fisherman on a flounder trip.

I feel the same way about Energy Auditors, anyone that is going to test my…

Energy Retrofits and Priorities for Energy Efficiency

by Don Ames,   www.detectenergy.com

Nothing worse than saving…

Are Energy Saving Retrofits Cost-Effective?

by Don Ames

Government and Utility based programs that offer weatherization and other energy saving…

How Oil Pointed the Way to Home Energy Savings

Don Ames

When the oil fields began to be developed in places like North Dakota, manpower was an immediate need. Manpower was needed in remote places where the oil was hiding and having enough ready housing was a problem. The cheapest and quickest solution was manufactured housing. Pull it in, set it up, and your done.

Manufactured home communities began to sprout up over…