[Hidden-tech] Recorder article

[A - Z International]

Thanks to Kathy Reinig for sending this:


High oil prices rejuvenate interest in conservation, alternatives




By JANET BOND, Recorder Staff

GREENFIELD ­ Finally, the time has arrived when energy conservation has 
merged what had been a lifestyle with the notion of thrift.

High prices for all energy sources are being celebrated by those whose 
business is alternative fuels and those whose business is conservation.

For those who have become alarmed by the climb in oil, natural gas, 
electric, propane and gasoline costs, finding answers has become critical.

That was the motive behind gathering several sustainable energy and 
conservation experts together with a group of home-based entrepreneurs and 
free-lancers at a meeting Tuesday evening.

Hidden-Tec, a group of home-based companies, gathered to enjoy the 
expertise of conservationists from Western Massachusetts Electric Co., and 
representatives from Pioneer Valley PhotoVoltaics, Don Campbell of Solar 
Energy Consulting, and Lynn Benander, co-manager of CO-op Power at the 
downtown campus of Greenfield Community College.

The most basic change urged for any consumer is a change in light bulbs 
from incandescent to Energy Star compact fluorescent. That conservation 
measure can then be followed by at least nine other practices in a list 
handed out by Timothy Simmonds WMECO manager of conservation and load 
management.

Simmonds includes a programmable thermostat, which can result in 10 to 20 
percent savings in annual heat bills and eliminating “phantom load,” the 
electricity that is burned by automatic chargers, VCRs, computers and 
television sets. If those items are plugged into a power strip and the 
power strip is turned off when the equipment is not in use, homeowners 
stand to save $10 a year.

More energy tips are available on a variety of Web sites, including wmeco.com.

Solar power remains an investment that is beyond many resident’s 
pocketbooks ­ Kim Pinkham of PV PhotoVoltaics, suggested that smaller 
starts, such as solar hot water, might be more affordable.

Regardless of the decision, customers face a three-month wait because the 
installers are “out flat” and demand for solar systems is outstripping supply.

If all goes according to plan, Northeast Biodiesel could begin production 
of biodiesel fuel in July at the Interstate 91 Industrial Park. Biodiesel 
can be mixed with fuel oil for home heat and with diesel fuel for cars that 
run on diesel.