Have you ever heard of an energy retrofit that just sounded too good to be true, like insulating paint or passive fresh air inlets? This list has some obvious picks, but a couple on here might just surprise you ...
The Most Useless Energy-Related Products?
All of the Ten Most Useless Energy-Related Products can be found on Green Building Advisor's Web site, but here are a few worth noting:
The most controversial? The programmable thermostat. According to the author, simply installing a programmable thermostat makes no difference in energy use. One's own behavior — like your views about energy, and whether or not you even know how to use a thermostat correctly! — is a far more important factor.
Others worth noting:
- DuPont's Tyvek ThermaWrap, which only changes an R-value of an air space from R-1 to R-2.
- Powered attic ventilators, which more often than not draw conditioned indoor air into the attic through leaky ceilings.
- Inexpensive LED lamps, which are actually less efficient than CFL lamps. Higher quality LED lamps are more efficient and match that of CFL's.
Check out the rest of the list at Green Building Advisor.
Photos and original article via Green Building Advisor.
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I was a little shocked to see the programmable thermostat on there--it has ABSOLUTELY saved us money and energy. Then again... We know how to use it and don't mind living in slightly-less-than-perfect indoor temperatures. The 78/68 trick works well for us.
view amber77's profile
I agree, a programmable thermostat stops that impulsive "I am cold, let's heat the entire house" moment and keeps you to a stricter schedule forcing you to put that sweater or socks on instead. And for $20, its a quick payback, kind of a no brainer. And as for the "learn how to use your device" well, let's face it that applies TO EVERYTHING and you can't put a $ amount on stupidity. The programmable thermostat runs at the difficulty level of an alarm clock.....
view bagelpower's profile