Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine January 2026

HVACR NewsMagazine January 2026

Energy Talk

only be a facade to have the property move quickly. Air sealing, thermal bypassing, and misalignment of insulation and air barriers may be hiding behind the drywall, or wall coverings. We have witnessed stucco board in contact with the ground. Any type of panel or board, including Hardie plank and panels are not to be in contact with the ground. These products will wick moisture that will destroy the materials. Be sure of consistent insulation application with a thermal camera inspection. Even the inexpensive thermal cameras give a great analysis of insulation integrity. Finally, a blower door inspection is worth the expense to demonstrate the integrity of construction. If the home has foam insulation added, the blower door will demonstrate the value. If foam has been installed improperly, the blower door will show air leakage that mimics a vented attic space with high air changes. Practical thought Wind power, solar power, batteries and more. Today it is popular to evaluate everything but fossil fuels or nuclear power. While all the alternatives are valuable in the proper setting, real life application dictates all as secondary power sources due to costs and size constraints. I maintain solar at my own home paired with batteries and an inverter for emergency use. I will continue to keep track of the market and upgrade as necessary.

There is a reason the first car was electric. The vehicle was simple and powerful with relatively low maintenance in its day; something touted in today’s electric vehicles. The laws of physics demand that we take note of the practicality under heavy use. The steam engine was pushed aside in favor of an electrically driven locomotive. That new locomotive had to be driven by diesel due to portability and the ratio of power produced. Those whose loyalty is for a greener outcome are to be credited for the view. Everyone should want cleaner air and water. The U.S. has done a great job over the past forty years, but, as a practical view when only one in twenty-three people are residents of our country, our efforts are limited. Perhaps when we find a practical method of storage, generation may no longer be an issue. We could then capture power from thunderstorms that occur pole to pole and on every continent in the world.

This article was furnished by Tom Turner, The Air Evangelist. You should get to know Tom. His knowledge and commitment to the industry are greatly appreciated.

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