The Energy Pioneer Blog- Your Energy Efficiency Resource

When I first set out to write a blog post about programmable thermostats, I became really excited. I do work at an energy services company, so I am a bit of an energy nerd. (I blame it on Kris, whom I share an office with.) Even if you don’t get excited about energy as much as Kris and I, there are two benefits of programmable thermostats that I think most people would get excited about: saving money & being more comfortable.

What is your job at Energy Pioneer? What do you do?

I never used to be this way – everywhere I go, I notice the efficiency of lighting, air gaps in entry doors, stains on ceiling tiles indicating improperly insulated duct work, etc. etc. It happened gradually, fed by knowledge and awareness. The diagnosis: energy nerd, efficiency geek. It’s not just my job to help people save energy, it’s my passion.

What time do you leave the house for work?  7:30am?  8am?  Start your day off right with these five ways to lower your utility bill before you leave your house:

Slate.com recently posted an article by Jamie Holmes about our current low natural gas prices and how that lessens incentives for energy efficiency. The piece even references the executive from the Loup Public Power District in Columbus, NE, saying that efficiency makes less sense when energy prices are lower.

One of the worst things about energy efficiency: It’s practically invisible. People are more likely to spend $35,000 on a kitchen renovation than to spend $2,500 to make their home more energy efficient. Part of this stems from the fact that you can see and touch your new granite countertops, and though you can see and touch your attic insulation, let’s be honest: how many of us look at or touch our attic insulation on a daily basis?

After working at Energy Pioneer for about three weeks, I got to hear one of our CEO Scott’s favorite rants: the inefficiencies of hairdryers.  “They’re MADE to be inefficient!” he slammed his hand on the desk for emphasis, “my hard-earned money is going straight out the window.”

Low energy meals, and by energy, I mean of the kwh variety. Since I feel like I live, eat, and breathe energy efficiency, it’s only natural that I’ve wondered about the comparison of energy use of a microwave versus crock pot versus oven prepared meal.  You probably can guess these results. Here’s a handy table reference guide. 

I took down our outside Christmas Lights this weekend.

Channel 10/11 - KOLN-TV reports on Radon and Energy Pioneer: