Higher Gas Prices vs. Alternative Sources of Energy

[KathleenElsie]

We need to up our search for viable alternative sources of energy. Why? Because gas prices are just going to continue to rise. And besides that, who knows, we may find a better use for oil. We may be able to develop a cure for cancer using oil or something. I know that sounds strange but anything is possible, right?

If we wait till alternatives are on the market the USA will need lots of horse or goat carts till the alternative is available. First we need to find oil in our own country then we can perfect the alternatives.

I have asthma and the pollution that oil distillates produce when burned are not good for me. Yet I understand that at this time in history we need to continue to use oil and gas. Wishing for alternatives don’t help. Make it economically profitable and the alternatives will come.

 

[Linda_Marie]

PM Rudd just introduced a solar energy (and wind and other alternate forms) rebate for installing electricity generating solar panels on households, farms, remote communities, schools etc.

Unfortunately, the Australian Council of Trade Unions demanded that Rudd put means testing for private citizens on receiving the rebate to make sure the ‘rich folks’ don’t get any benefit. This has effectively removed the incentive for ordinary people to install the solar panels altogether. The rebate cuts out when a couple’s combined income reaches $100,000 before tax. Having worked for several years doing people’s taxes, I would say that MOST Australian couples will reach this with both spouses working. (truck drivers and diesel mechanics at the mines will earn upwards of $120K pa)

Couples earning less than $100Kpa will be unable to spring for the $8,000 or so that it will cost to install. They have no money to spare to pay for it up front and be reimbursed by the government later. So the whole thing is just a phony ploy to make it seem like the government is doing something to encourage alternate energy sources.

 

[KathleenElsie]

PM Rudd just introduced a solar energy (and wind and other alternate forms) rebate for installing electricity generating solar panels on households, farms, remote communities, schools etc.

Unfortunately, the Australian Council of Trade Unions demanded that Rudd put means testing for private citizens on receiving the rebate to make sure the ‘rich folks’ don’t get any benefit. This has effectively removed the incentive for ordinary people to install the solar panels altogether. The rebate cuts out when a couple’s combined income reaches $100,000 before tax. Having worked for several years doing people’s taxes, I would say that MOST Australian couples will reach this with both spouses working. (truck drivers and diesel mechanics at the mines will earn upwards of $120K pa)

Couples earning less than $100Kpa will be unable to spring for the $8,000 or so that it will cost to install. They have no money to spare to pay for it up front and be reimbursed by the government later. So the whole thing is just a phony ploy to make it seem like the government is doing something to encourage alternate energy sources.

It is mostly the same here in the USA. What the government does not understand is it is the richer people that can afford the new technology. The price will come down for the rest of us when the demand grows. So let those on the upper end have the rebates and then maybe when the price comes down we can afford to buy the items also.

It is like the new fuel efficient cars. Let those that lease new cars every two or three years get them now. Then in two or three years some of the rest of us can afford to buy then used.

IMHO standard whole house air conditioners should no longer be available. Heat pumps are much more efficient and cost effective. The technology has come a long way since our first one in 1969.

 

[SD_Catholic]

The small town I live by has a new manufacturing plant that builds oil supply tanks… these tanks are shipped out to WY ( I think) and installed by newly drilled oil sights. After installed the oil tanks are capped and left idle… hmmmmm…

I think the best way to help “green” up the world is to get that nasty oil out of the ground where it can pollute our water

SD

 

[jc-servant]

IMHO standard whole house air conditioners should no longer be available. Heat pumps are much more efficient and cost effective. The technology has come a long way since our first one in 1969.

When you live in Texas or somewhere similar then I want to hear you voice the same opinion about whole house A/C. The equivalent would be that we tell you folks who have long, cold winters to make do with a space heater because you suck up too much energy keeping warm. I don’t think you would consider us Texans a good authority on what you need up north in the cold. Last year our first 100 degree day was in April. When was yours?

 

[vern_humphrey]

When you live in Texas or somewhere similar then I want to hear you voice the same opinion about whole house A/C. The equivalent would be that we tell you folks who have long, cold winters to make do with a space heater because you suck up too much energy keeping warm. I don’t think you would consider us Texans a good authority on what you need up north in the cold. Last year our first 100 degree day was in April. When was yours?

I think she is comparing traditional airconditioners to heat pumps.

A heat pump compresses air, heating it in the process. In summer, outside air circulates around the cylinder of compressed air, cooling it to ambient temperature, and then it is released into the house, cooling as the pressure falls.

In winter, the cycle is reversed – outside air is compressed, and inside air circulated around it to warm the house.

The disadvantage of heat pumps is that they don’t work well at temperature extremes – so you have electrical reisistance heat strips to supplement them in winter.

An alternative is a Water Furnace like I have. This is a heat pump, but water from deep wells, which stays at 55 degrees year round, is used to cool or heat air. This is an extremely efficient way to heat a house.

 

[KathleenElsie]

When you live in Texas or somewhere similar then I want to hear you voice the same opinion about whole house A/C. The equivalent would be that we tell you folks who have long, cold winters to make do with a space heater because you suck up too much energy keeping warm. I don’t think you would consider us Texans a good authority on what you need up north in the cold. Last year our first 100 degree day was in April. When was yours?

We had heat pumps in Florida in the 1960’s. The cool just as well if not better then airconditioning. Then in the winter they heat.

 

[KathleenElsie]

I think she is comparing traditional airconditioners to heat pumps.

A heat pump compresses air, heating it in the process. In summer, outside air circulates around the cylinder of compressed air, cooling it to ambient temperature, and then it is released into the house, cooling as the pressure falls.

In winter, the cycle is reversed – outside air is compressed, and inside air circulated around it to warm the house.

The disadvantage of heat pumps is that they don’t work well at temperature extremes – so you have electrical reisistance heat strips to supplement them in winter.

An alternative is a Water Furnace like I have. This is a heat pump, but water from deep wells, which stays at 55 degrees year round, is used to cool or heat air. This is an extremely efficient way to heat a house.

Thank you. Yes this is what I was talking about. LOL

 

[PLAL]

VIDEO: Americans Want to Talk Gas, Not Infanticide

jillstanek.com/archives/2008/06/american_people.html#comments

 

[ProVobis]

Seems as if we had these same conversations back in the 70’s. Maybe we should bring back the chairman of the Fed, Paul Volcker, who fixed the problem.

On a related note, I’m not a devoted environmentalist, but let’s remember if it weren’t for them there would have been more deaths in London in 1953 because of the pollution and Lake Erie would still be dead. And let’s not forget, the Alaskan pipeline broke.

Let’s count our blessings, though. We still have natural gas as an alternative to oil. However, with the low interest rates and increased speculation because of it, it too has risen exponentially in price.