Smart Energy Tips Podcast

Tom and Bret discuss window air conditioners. Energy efficiency, general tips about sizing the unit, electric safety, health and safety and more. 

Tom and Bret discuss replacement windows. Reminder that it's important to get a comprehensive energy audit first. Then, knowing when it's time to change. Energy Star and National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) performance data for comparing apples to apples. 

Tom and Bret discuss basic energy and what happens to a home when the thermostat is manipulated up and down. Learn what's going on inside a home with manmade temperature swings.

The Smart Energy Tips team interviews Matt Irving, Director of Production for Today's Power, Inc. TPI is a leader in residential, commercial, industrial and utility solar equipment, systems and installation. Matt explains basic solar 101 and their TPI Residential Solar product. Contact your local electric cooperative for more details. Or, www.todayspower.com

The Smart Energy Tips team discuss how air sealing components and measures are reducing air infiltration. When is a home too tight? What are the consequences of a tight home? And more...

The Smart Energy Tips team discuss the facts, pros and cons about burning firewood. Also, learn about how burning wood may actually cost you more money to heat your home and lessen the interior comfort. 

The Smart Energy Tips team interviews Michael Henderson with Today's Power Inc. Beginning in April 2016, TPI will have 4kW and 8kW residential self-install solar arrays available for purchase. Listen in to learn more and visit www.todayspower.com.  

The Smart Energy Tips team interviews Kevin Clark, General Electric's national sales manager for the GeoSpring water heater. Learn how heat pump water heating is the most energy efficient method for heating water.  (Clarification: During the episode reference was made about residential standby generators. Most have an output 7.2/8.0 kW peaking or 7,200/8,000 watts.)

The Smart Energy Tip team discusses proper attic ventilation. Also, why mitigating moisture within both the home and attic are important. 

The Smart Energy Tips team go into depth about return air filters. Why we need them, the differences, when to change, how often, proper sizing and much more. 

Tom and Bret talk about insulation. Why it's important. R-value and some food for thought.

The Smart Energy Tips team discuss affordable energy efficient gift ideas and the transition to energy efficient holiday lighting. 

The podcast team discusses the things that can cause an unhealthy home. Plus, how to keep your home healthy and comfortable year round and have manageable utility bills. 

Tom and Bret discuss the importance of making sure your heating system is tuned-up before winter. Special guest Joy Rice shares what her house was like before and after some energy efficiency fixes. 

Tom and Bret discuss the findings and results of the 2015, 8th Annual Energy Efficiency Makeover. They discuss the problems found with 17 homes and the appropriate energy efficient solutions. 

Tom and Bret visit with special guest Jay Bowen. Jay is an instructor for FLIR Infrared Training Center. Jay has been behind infrared cameras for decades and is recognized as a valuable resource to those in the residential building science industry. 

Special guest Dave Smith is in the studio to discuss a product designed to improve the efficiency of manufacture homes. Tom and Bret break down the science behind the product and what makes it work.

Tom and Bret discuss readying our homes for the summertime heat and humidty. Learn about why it's important to have your home AC system tuned-up. Listen to learn how manage your utility bills while improving your comfort. 

Tom and Bret discuss the origin and nature of crawl spaces. How they impact comfort utility bill and moisture. Been hearing about the benefits of sealing a crawl space? This podcast will provide useful facts about this important energy component.

Tom and Bret visit with special guest Mark Barr. Mark is Vice President of WeatherBarr Windows in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Learn about what makes an efficient window.