Rethink Energy

Scott Sklar is a self proclaimed gadget guy. In his home, he has almost any clean alternative energy technology you can think of. On this episode, we visit him there, and he explains how he accomplished something almost no one else around here has... energy independence.

This episode has just a taste of all of the systems at Scott's house. See links below for more info:

http://www.thestellagroupltd.com/home/sklars-zero-energy-home-office/

http://energy.gov/eere/videos/energy-101-fuel-cell-technology

Arlington home energy rebates - environment.arlingtonva.us/energy/rebates/

Music

"Hurt Me" by Benjimanji is licensed under CC BY 4.0

"The Wonder" by Dave Depper is licensed under CC BY 4.0

" Cicadas in Rhododendrons on the Trail to Ghorepani, Nepal" by Samuel Corwin is licensed under CC BY 4.0

"How it Fades" by Scott Gratton is licensed under CC BY 4.0

Happy Halloween! Today we aim to surprise and delight you with an episode about the unexpected benefits of energy efficiency. Who knows, one day it may save your life. Dun dun duuuunn...

Jonathan Cohen works for our US Department of Energy on the Better Buildings Residential Network. In his work supporting local governments, nonprofits, and businesses he sees all of the benefits of energy efficiency upgrades. The obvious - lower energy bills, increase comfort - and the not so obvious...

More info from this episode:

Arlington Community Energy Plan - https://environment.arlingtonva.us/energy/community-energy-plan-cep/

Peer Exchange calls - http://energy.gov/eere/better-buildings-residential-network/peer-exchange-call-summaries-0

Incorporating energy efficiency into disaster relief efforts - http://energy.gov/eere/better-buildings-residential-network/downloads/incorporating-energy-efficiency-disaster

Music

"Hurt Me" by Benjimanji is licensed under CC BY 4.0

"I'm What You'd Be Without Her" by Doctor Turtle is licensed under CC BY 4.0

"Scary!" by Liz Deroche was generously created for this episode of Rethink Energy. Thanks Liz!

"How it Fades" by Scott Gratton is licensed under CC BY 4.0

Are you skeptical of this whole energy efficiency thing? You aren’t alone. Change is hard, but here’s something you ought to know...on this episode we discuss comments from you, our listeners! Thanks for the feedback and keep it coming!

More info

Health Product Declaration Library - http://hpd.smithgroupjjr.org/Pages/default.aspx

Living Building Challenge Red List - http://living-future.org/redlist

Energy Vanguard blog on Indoor Air Quality - http://www.energyvanguard.com/blog-building-science-hers-bpi/do-energy-efficient-homes-cause-asthma

The Latitude

http://livewithlatitude.com/leed-benefits/

Music

"Hurt Me" by Benjimanji is licensed under CC BY 4.0

"How it Fades" by Scott Gratton is licensed under CC BY 4.0

Photo

"Cat" by Rainer Stropek is licensed under CC Attribution 2.0

Cathy Lin, Energy Manager for Arlington Public Schools, shares with us how one of her projects saved the school system $50,000. Putting money back where it's needed most. She also shares her personal experience achieving Net Zero electricity at home, and the importance of building maintenance.

NOVA Regional Science Fair

https://www.apsva.us/post/green-scene-showcases-nova-regional-science-fair/

How to Use a Programmable Thermostat - https://www.energystar.gov/products/heating_cooling/programmable_thermostats

Music

"Hurt Me" by Benjimanji is licensed under CC BY 4.0

"Dog and Pony Show" by Podington Bear is licensed under CC BY 4.0

"Telescope II" by Unthunk is licensed under CC BY 4.0

"How it Fades" by Scott Gratton is licensed under CC BY 4.0

Additional production assistance from Greg Dixon.

Steve Stricker from Arlington Public Schools gives us a tour of Discover Elementary School in Arlington, VA. This school is “net zero energy,” generating as much clean, renewable, solar energy as it uses each year. Zero fossil fuels. 100% fantastic.

More Information

arlingtonenergy.us

Discovery Project - www.vmdo.com/discovery-elementary-school.html

Solatubes - www.solatube.com/

Cool ICF Construction video - www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LrlSR-Qm8o

Geothermal - www.nrel.gov/workingwithus/re-geo-heat-pumps.html

Music

Permission for use of "I Spy" by the Singing Lizard was generously given by the artist.

Some neighbors organize block parties. These neighbors organized solar installations. On this episode, we talk with Aaron Sutch from VASUN and learn more about solar co-ops, an innovative solution that helps average citizens access solar.

More Info

arlingtonenergy.us

Solar Co-op - VASUN

www.vasun.org/potomac/

Music

"Hurt Me" by Benjimanji is licensed under CC BY 4.0

"Telescope II" by Unthunk is licensed under CC BY 4.0

"How it Fades" by Scott Gratton is licensed under CC BY 4.0

Patty Shields, one of the few women builders in Virginia, shares with us what it's like to be an oddity. She's a woman in the primarily male home building arena. On top of that, is one of those building science geeks, on the leading edge of high performance green building. Patty teaches us to forget about fitting in. How has that ever changed the world anyway?

More Info

Green Home Choice program

https://environment.arlingtonva.us/energy/greenhomechoice/

Metro Green

http://www.metrogreenhome.com/

Passive House

http://www.phius.org/home-page

LEED

http://www.usgbc.org/

Music

"Hurt Me" by Benjimanji is licensed under CC BY 4.0

"Dog and Pony Show" by Podington Bear is licensed under CC BY 4.0

"Black Water" by Portayal is licensed under CC BY 4.0

"How it Fades" by Scott Gratton is licensed under CC BY 4.0

Building or renovating a home can be incredibly stressful and frustrating. Things can get technical and you might feel out of your element. Here's a story about how to get the most value out of that system that does so much for you. It heats. It cools. It ventilates. It dehumidifies. It's your HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system!

Music:

"Hurt Me" by Benjimanji

From the Free Music Archive

Attribution License

"Rudolph Steiner's Favorite Television Program" by Jesse Spillane

From the Free Music Archive

Attribution License

"Lune Tune" by Shayna Lewis

From the Free Music Archive

NC SA License

"How It Fades" by Scott Gratton

From the Free Music Archive

NC License

Producers: Jessica Abralind, Chris Somers

Welcome to Rethink Energy! This is our first ever podcast episode and we're so happy that you found us. This is the story of Chris Conway, who overcame tough odds to become a leading expert in the field of green building.

Related Links

Arlington Initiative to Rethink Energy - arlingtonenergy.us

Conway Energy - http://conwayenergyexperts.com/

Earthcraft Virginia certification http://www.viridiant.org/

Find a certified energy rater - http://www.resnet.us/directory/search

Learn more about the blower door - http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/blower-door-basics

Music attribution

"Hurt Me" by Benjimanji is licensed under CC BY 4.0

"Sphere" by SPCZ is licensed under CC BY 4.0

"How it Fades" by Scott Gratton is licensed under CC BY 4.0

Rethink Energy explores the concept of sustainability through storytelling. Here's a sneak peek at Season 1. Subscribe today so you don't miss a single episode!

Website

arlingtonenergy.us

Music

"Our Ego Feat. Different Visitor" by Broke for Free is licensed under CC BY 4.0

"Version 2.83" by Michett is licensed under CC BY 4.0