April 30, 2002: Energy Efficiency - Donald Wulfinghoff
Podcast: The Art Bell ArchivePublished On: Fri Apr 04 2025
Description: Art Bell opens with news commentary on human cloning, the UN water crisis report, and a newly discovered predator insect species in Africa before welcoming energy conservation expert Donald Wulfinghoff. The author of the Energy Efficiency Manual, a comprehensive reference used worldwide, Wulfinghoff explains the global energy timeline. Citing Dr. M. King Hubbert's predictive model, he estimates that world oil and gas production will peak around 2010, with practical depletion occurring mid-century, making conservation an urgent priority.The discussion turns to practical household measures. Wulfinghoff identifies heating and cooling as the largest residential energy consumers and recommends aggressive attic insulation, proper roof ventilation, and strategic window shading as the most cost-effective improvements. He warns against foam insulation inside homes due to its lethal fumes when ignited and advises against ground-source heat pumps in hot climates where the earth gradually warms and efficiency degrades. For new construction, he suggests thick-walled framing, zone-controlled heating with baseboard radiators, and Japanese split-system air conditioners for individual room cooling.Wulfinghoff notes that modern appliances consume roughly one-third the energy of models from 30 years ago, largely through better insulation. He estimates existing homes could reduce energy use to half or even one-third of current levels through practical upgrades, while new homes designed with proper insulation and shading could achieve 80 to 90 percent reductions without any advanced technology.
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