Comments on: Why Energy Efficiency Is Worth the Investment

By: Amory Lovins: Efficiency Burns Brightest

Amory Lovins: Efficiency Burns Brightest — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 23:43:00 +0000

[...] save upfront as well–and ‘break through the marginal cost barrier,’ as Lovins puts it. In this prior article we discovered that there’s even a business case for improving building efficiency when you’re a [...]

By: GlobalPatriot

GlobalPatriot — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 01:00:18 +0000

Nice to see arguments for energy efficiency being made with regard to the long term value of the buildings as opposed to only the immediate gain from lower energy bills.

By: GlobalPatriot

GlobalPatriot — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:00:18 +0000

Nice to see arguments for energy efficiency being made with regard to the long term value of the buildings as opposed to only the immediate gain from lower energy bills.

By: Cory Vanderpool

Cory Vanderpool — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:28:04 +0000

Skanderberg Capital- great info…I am going to look into Greenscape now…maybe we can even do a piece on them for 3P. Thank you for your insightful feedback…I couldn't agree more with your comments.

By: Cory Vanderpool

Cory Vanderpool — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:27:03 +0000

Thank you!

By: nickaster

nickaster — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:17:43 +0000

Rocket Science!

By: Cory Vanderpool

Cory Vanderpool — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:11:20 +0000

Nick-

This is a very valid point. The reason why many buildings constructed before 1975 are actually more energy efficient than newer buildings is because their windows still open! So instead of occupants running to adjust the heat/ac, they can simply open their own window.

By: Skanderbeg Capital

Skanderbeg Capital — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:36:41 +0000

Cory, I think you've hit the nail on the head. The primary barrier to achieving higher energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings is capital costs. But, like you say, there are other financing options out there. One model you might be interested in is that of Greenscape Capital Group. Greenscape operates an energy retrofit company which covers all of the upfront costs to the consumer. The project is financed by the energy savings over time. The model completely eliminates that barrier to entry.

Greenscape is a publicly traded company (GRN on the TSX.V) and, as a result, the uniqueness and success of this new revenue model will be scrutinized by the masses. I think, and the market has reflected this so far, that market-based approaches to sustainability, environmentally sensitive operations, and energy efficiency not only make the most sense for the environment, but there's a significant upside for investors here too.

Perhaps market incentives and unique business models can overcome the reluctance you've identified.

By: nickaster

nickaster — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:10:08 +0000

Why not just let people open the windows?

By: betsyfranz

betsyfranz — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:51:58 +0000

This is a great article. Love it!!

By: wk

wk — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:13:13 +0000

Why so much talk? small electric AC units in every room will do it. No need to heat/cool the whole house; you save money.
Electric AC units cost much less lthan large AC taking space in the the garrage and the dispensor in the yard and pipes thru the roof, , then maintinance will cost to much, small electric AC unit cost less than a hundreds. if it gets bad, buy new one and plug it in.; their no need to replace the whole large AC system and parts and labor that will cost thousands. Then small eletric AC units will last longer since they are turned off when not needed.Finally, electric AC units are noiseless, no water dripping like old ones, can be operared by remote or light switch, no need for air filter. The only issue, if we use small electric AC units might lay off more people than the jobs it create. The bottom line, your electric bill will be smaller and no need to wory about maintinance cost.