By DR. MIRIAM ACZEL Home performance describes how the different systems in a home work together to create comfortable, healthy, and energy-efficient indoor environments. This building science-based approach evaluates different factors such as air flow, moisture/humidity, and thermal protection to improve occupant comfort, energy savings, and indoor air quality (IAQ). Why is home performance...
By Dr. Miriam Aczel and Janine Finnell Introduction 2021 was another challenging year in many ways. From the COVID-19 pandemic which continued to cause dramatic impacts to yet another year of record-breaking temperatures, natural disasters, and artic sea ice loss, it was a difficult year for people across the globe. But one bright beacon of...
By DR. MIRIAM ACZEL Induction cooking, a relatively new technology powered by electricity, is cleaner and more energy-efficient than cooking with gas or even traditional electric burners. Many cities throughout California are passing regulations banning natural gas use in new buildings. This means that residences and businesses—including restaurants—will need to switch from gas to...
By DR. MIRIAM ACZEL As we continue to practice social distancing to keep those around us safe during the pandemic, many of our usual activities are not possible or available. ‘Stress-relief’ activities such as playing team sports or spending time with friends may not be possible. However, we do have a great option to...
By DR. MIRIAM ACZEL Induction cooking, a relatively new technology powered by electricity, is cleaner and more energy-efficient than cooking with gas or even traditional electric burners. Many cities throughout California are passing regulations banning natural gas use in new buildings. This means that residences and businesses—including restaurants—will need to switch from gas to...
By DR. MIRIAM ACZEL In recent years, California has suffered from water shortages. This year’s severe drought—and previous ones—have led to the loss of crops for many grape growers in the state’s wine country. Studies show that it can take anywhere from two to over fifteen gallons of water to make just one glass of California...
By DR. MIRIAM ACZEL The increasing frequency of power outages, as well as the growing severity of natural disasters like wildfires, poses significant threats to our national electric grid system. These risks, along with others such as cybersecurity threats, are a good reason to revisit the 1880’s debate over whether Direct Current (DC) or...
By DR. MIRIAM ACZEL As we continue to practice social distancing to keep those around us safe during the pandemic, many of our usual activities are not possible or available. ‘Stress-relief’ activities such as playing team sports or spending time with friends may not be possible. However, we do have a great option to help...
By DR. MIRIAM ACZEL In the decade since the 2011 East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, microgrids have sprung up across Japan to help the country meet their energy demands and build resilience. On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck Japan—the largest ever experienced and so powerful that it shifted the Earth on its axis by...
By DR. MIRIAM ACZEL The 26th annual Conference of the Parties (COP) summit is taking place now through November 12, 2021, in Glasgow, Scotland, where over 20,000 global leaders, scientists, and activists have convened to work towards critical action on climate change. Author, journalist, and professor Michael Pollan is perhaps best known for his...