My name is Jay Stein and I write about the technologies we use to turn energy into the amenities we want, like comfortable buildings, fresh food, and information services. I’m mainly interested in the overlap between these technologies, public policy, investment opportunities, and climate change. I was affiliated with E Source for 27 years and during that time I participated in a management buyout of the company. Currently, I’m an independent consultant living in Boulder, Colorado.
High indoor humidity threatens our health and building structures. A new technology enables air conditioners to effectively dehumidify using off-the-shelf …
The refrigerant that charged up air conditioners and heat pumps for the last 15 years is going away in 2025, and replaced by two new more climate-friendly ones. Whether you’re buying a new system, or you want to help battle the misinformation and confusion that’s likely to ensue, here’s what you need to know.
Artificial intelligence consumes a lot of energy, but history suggests that with concerted effort by industry and government, it won’t wreck the electric grid, or cause calamitous amounts of carbon dioxide to be emitted.
Charging heat pumps and air conditioners with propane refrigerant can help mitigate climate change and other environmental problems. That may seem scary, as propane is highly flammable, but with advanced technology we can use it safely.
When the smoke from Canadian wildfires spread through much of North America during the summer of 2023, it gave rise to an important question: How do you keep indoor air fresh when the outdoor air is polluted?
We want dual-fuel heating systems—electric heat pumps combined with gas furnaces for backup—to minimize our carbon footprints and utility bills. …
Heat pumps are becoming more efficient, less expensive, and more climate friendly. Understanding the legislation and regulations driving these changes …
Every day in the US, homeowners replace thousands of central air conditioners. They’d save money and reduce climate emissions if …
Concerns about climate-warming refrigerants leaking from heat pumps are valid. Even so, the benefits of installing heat pumps instead of natural gas furnaces far outweigh the drawbacks.
Greenhouse agriculture is far more water efficient than open field, at the expense of greater energy consumption. New technology is …