When you think about it, there are 5 major parts of the Texas Electricity Market. ERCOT managing the stability of the grid. Power generators generating the electricity. Utility companies that transmit and distribute electricity. Retail electric providers who manage the consumers of electricity (residential and commercial). And you! Why it matters: Knowing what power you […]
šĀ ERCOT, Oncor & you: Part 4 Read More Ā»
With ERCOT managing the flow of electricity and your TDU transmitting power over the lines, itās your REP that takes your money. Unless youāre in a co-op like CoServ, which is both your TDU and REP. Why it matters: Most Texans have a choice when it comes to their REP ā Retail Electric Provider. Giving
šĀ ERCOT, Oncor & you: Part 3 Read More Ā»
Part 1 outlined ERCOTās role in maintaining a stable grid. Letās take a closer look at what the grid actually is. Why it matters: Knowing the different pieces of the Texas Electricity Market can help you understand where to turn for information during an outage. šĀ It starts with power generation ā> hundreds of power plants
šĀ ERCOT, Oncor & you: Part 2 Read More Ā»
Raise your hand if youāre growing weary of the calls to conserve energy. šāāļø Sunday marked the 4th day in a row ERCOT issued a conservation warning. š¼ļøĀ The big picture: This week Iām going to dive in on this topic to give you a clearer understanding of our energy grid. As smart homeowners we can
šĀ ERCOT, Oncor & you: Part 1 Read More Ā»
Yesterday I wrote about the ways heat moves into our homes through conduction, convection and radiation. Today weāll look at some actual numbers for a recent home performance test. Why it matters: Knowing where the heat is getting in helps us develop strategies to keep it out. š¬Ā Zoom in: Using an infrared camera, we can
āØļøĀ The heat is on Read More Ā»
I hope my fellow Gen Xers see my subject line and finish the lyric ā¦ āand some sweat when the heat is on.ā š My parents might be thinking about the 1959 Marilyn Monroe/Tony Curtis/Jack Lemmon rom-com. š„µĀ But all of us can agree ā¦ NOT THIS HOT! Why it matters: When youāre trying to stay
āØļøĀ Some like it hot Read More Ā»
Short answer: No. Why it matters: Residential rooftop solar is an incomplete solution to the grid problem. Without battery storage, solar doesnāt help the grid when itās needed most. āļøĀ How it works: Two recent conservation warnings from ERCOT asked people to conserve energy if possible. The first was from 7-10pm. The second was from 3-10pm.
šĀ Can rooftop solar save the grid? Read More Ā»
āFor the simplicity on this side of complexity, I wouldn’t give you a fig. But for the simplicity on the other side of complexity, for that I would give you anything I have.ā ā Oliver Wendell Holmes Why it matters: Itās a story I hear all too often. Homeowner adds solar. Several months go by.
š¤·āāļøĀ All out of figs to give Read More Ā»
Coverage B on a homeownerās insurance policy covers āother structures.ā Fence, detached garage, gazebo, guest house, etc. Why it matters: Iām helping a homeowner right now whoās detached garage was hit by a stolen truck. The damage to the garage exceeds the amount of coverage, so insurance cannot pay the full amount for the repairs.
šĀ How your B is covered Read More Ā»
Carol, a regular reader of the Smart Homeowner Daily Email, sent in some questions about water testing and whole home water filtration. Do you have any suggestions on who to contact for getting a complete water report for my home? Do you have any recommendations for a whole home water filtration system? š¼ļøĀ The big picture:
šāāļøĀ Reader question: water filtration Read More Ā»
