Articles tagged with "residential-energy"
Oregon Adopts New Building Codes to Reduce Energy Costs and Increase Energy Efficiency in Newly Constructed Homes - CleanTechnica
Oregon’s Residential and Manufactured Structures Board (RMSB) has approved updates to the state’s residential energy code requiring new homes to use energy-efficient heat pumps instead of traditional ducted air conditioning. This change is expected to save residents an average of $125 per month, or over $1,700 annually, on energy bills. The update aims to improve comfort, affordability, and resilience in new homes while reducing pollution by relying more on clean heating technologies and cutting energy waste. Heat pumps provide efficient heating and cooling, helping to address rising energy costs and increasing household energy burdens across the state. The code update aligns with Oregon’s broader energy strategy to achieve reliable, affordable, and clean energy, and has received support from building professionals, elected officials, and climate organizations. It allows heat pumps to serve as the primary heating source, with methane gas permitted only for supplemental heating to ease grid demand during peak periods. This move brings Oregon’s building standards closer to those of California and Washington, supporting the state
energyenergy-efficiencyheat-pumpsbuilding-codesresidential-energyclean-energyenergy-savingsOregon Adopts New Building Codes to Reduce Energy Costs and Increase Energy Efficiency in Newly Constructed Homes - CleanTechnica
Oregon’s Residential and Manufactured Structures Board (RMSB) has approved updates to the state’s residential energy code requiring new homes to be built with energy-efficient heat pumps instead of traditional ducted air conditioning. This change is projected to save homeowners an average of $125 per month, or over $1,700 annually, on energy bills. The update aims to improve comfort, affordability, and resilience in new homes by reducing energy waste and reliance on fossil fuels, aligning with Oregon’s broader goals for clean, reliable, and affordable energy. The new code allows heat pumps to serve as the primary heating source, with methane gas permitted only for supplemental heating to help manage peak grid loads. The update has garnered support from building professionals, elected officials, and environmental organizations like the Sierra Club and Earth Advantage, who emphasize its role in advancing state decarbonization, climate resilience, and housing affordability. The code also brings Oregon’s building standards closer to those of neighboring states California and Washington, reflecting a regional
energyenergy-efficiencyheat-pumpsbuilding-codesresidential-energyclean-energyenergy-savingsSignificant Savings from 120-Volt Heat Pump Water Heaters - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica highlights significant cost savings and practical benefits from the adoption of 120-volt plug-in heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) in California. Traditionally, heat pump water heaters required 240-volt hardwiring, which often necessitated costly electrical panel upgrades and new wiring, especially when replacing gas water heaters that lacked existing electrical connections. In 2023, manufacturers Rheem and A.O. Smith introduced 120-volt plug-in HPWHs that can operate efficiently by plugging into standard outlets, avoiding the need for electrical resistance backup heating common in 240-volt models. Data from the TECH Clean California program shows that these 120-volt HPWHs cost about 22% less to install—approximately $1,700 on average—and only 2% required electrical service upgrades, compared to over 25% for 240-volt units. This development is significant because it reduces installation complexity and cost, making heat pump water heaters more accessible to homeowners
energyheat-pump-water-heaterenergy-efficiencyresidential-energyelectric-water-heaterscarbon-emissions-reductionenergy-savingsEcoFlow STREAM Ultra: A Game-Changer For Plug-&-Play Home Solar Systems
energysolarbattery-storageclean-technologyresidential-energymodular-designrenewable-energyPanasonic Steps Away From Solar & Storage, Ends EverVolt Line
energysolarbattery-storagePanasonicrenewable-energyclean-technologyresidential-energy