From an article in the Wall Street Journal:
"Microsoft Corp. has calculated energy-efficiency ratings for 60
million homes in the U.S., using data including public records about
housing stock, weather patterns and utility bills, as well as
information provided by residents. The ratings can be viewed free of
charge online, at
http://www.microsoft-hohm.com
Homeowners can input data about their utility bills, appliances and
habits to refine their score—or they can simply snoop, comparing their
score with those of their friends and neighbors. "

R

On Oct 19, 5:21*am, RicodJour wrote:
From an article in the Wall Street Journal:
"Microsoft *Corp. has calculated energy-efficiency ratings for 60
million homes in the U.S., using data including public records about
housing stock, weather patterns and utility bills, as well as
information provided by residents. The ratings can be viewed free of
charge online, athttp://www.microsoft-hohm.com
Homeowners can input data about their utility bills, appliances and
habits to refine their score—or they can simply snoop, comparing their
score with those of their friends and neighbors. "

R

I t would be a lot more interesting if American could compare their
homes with those elsewhere in the world. And see how sadly lacking
you are.

On Oct 19, 1:13*pm, harry wrote:
On Oct 19, 5:21*am, RicodJour wrote:

From an article in the Wall Street Journal:
"Microsoft *Corp. has calculated energy-efficiency ratings for 60
million homes in the U.S., using data including public records about
housing stock, weather patterns and utility bills, as well as
information provided by residents. The ratings can be viewed free of
charge online, athttp://www.microsoft-hohm.com
Homeowners can input data about their utility bills, appliances and
habits to refine their score—or they can simply snoop, comparing their
score with those of their friends and neighbors. "


I t would be a lot more interesting if American could compare their
homes with those elsewhere in the world. *And see how sadly lacking
you are.

That message, unfortunately, wouldn't work as well. That turns into a
we-they thing. When it's local, then it's your neighbors who people
can more readily identify with, and hopefully try to follow, if
they're a laggard, or out-do if they're a leader.

R

harry wrote:
On Oct 19, 5:21 am, RicodJour wrote:
From an article in the Wall Street Journal:
"Microsoft Corp. has calculated energy-efficiency ratings for 60
million homes in the U.S., using data including public records about
housing stock, weather patterns and utility bills, as well as
information provided by residents. The ratings can be viewed free of
charge online, athttp://www.microsoft-hohm.com
Homeowners can input data about their utility bills, appliances and
habits to refine their score—or they can simply snoop, comparing
their score with those of their friends and neighbors. "

R

I t would be a lot more interesting if American could compare their
homes with those elsewhere in the world. And see how sadly lacking
you are.

Lacking? In what?

On Oct 19, 8:48*pm, "HeyBub" wrote:
harry wrote:
On Oct 19, 5:21 am, RicodJour wrote:
From an article in the Wall Street Journal:
"Microsoft Corp. has calculated energy-efficiency ratings for 60
million homes in the U.S., using data including public records about
housing stock, weather patterns and utility bills, as well as
information provided by residents. The ratings can be viewed free of
charge online, athttp://www.microsoft-hohm.com
Homeowners can input data about their utility bills, appliances and
habits to refine their score—or they can simply snoop, comparing
their score with those of their friends and neighbors. "

R

I t would be a lot more interesting if American could compare their
homes with those elsewhere in the world. *And see how sadly lacking
you are.

Lacking? In what?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Energy efficient homes. You are in the dark ages in America.

On Wed, 20 Oct 2010 10:21:30 -0700, harry wrote:
I t would be a lot more interesting if American could compare their
homes with those elsewhere in the world. Â*And see how sadly lacking
you are.

Lacking? In what?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Energy efficient homes. You are in the dark ages in America.

In what way? Windows and doors are made the same as elsewhere. Many
people seem to be insulating their attics up to the eyeballs. Walls are
walls - comparable to other countries who build homes with timber, I
would have thought. The products that people put into their homes are
basically the same as sold elsewhere in the world.

Where's the inefficiency coming from? (other than running monster fridges
because people here seem to want to keep things cool which don't need
it ;-)

cheers

Jules

On Oct 21, 1:50*pm, Jules Richardson
wrote:
On Wed, 20 Oct 2010 10:21:30 -0700, harry wrote:
I t would be a lot more interesting if American could compare their
homes with those elsewhere in the world. *And see how sadly lacking
you are.

Lacking? In what?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Energy efficient homes. *You are in the dark ages in America.

In what way? Windows and doors are made the same as elsewhere. Many
people seem to be insulating their attics up to the eyeballs. Walls are
walls - comparable to other countries who build homes with timber, I
would have thought. The products that people put into their homes are
basically the same as sold elsewhere in the world.

Where's the inefficiency coming from? (other than running monster fridges
because people here seem to want to keep things cool which don't need
it ;-)

cheers

Jules

Virtually no insulation in the walls for a start.
Walls here are commonly made from 8x2 timbers to get isulation in.
Mineral wool is being dropped in favour of ridgid insulation board.
(Twice the insulation value)
Windows in European houses have glass with a metal film that reflects
heat and are often gas filled to improve the insulation. In my own
house the windows are quadruple glazed though that is uncommon. I also
have insulated doors and shutters with 4" insulation.
All new houses are pressure tested to make sure there is minimal
infiltration (draughts).
Gas boilers are all condensing by building regulation, efficiencies of
over 100% are common.