#energy-efficient furnace
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Top 10 Warning Signs Your Furnace Needs Repair
Furnace not working: Identifying and Addressing Complete Furnace Failures One of the most obvious signs that your furnace needs repair is if it stops working entirely. If you turn on your thermostat and nothing happens, or if the furnace starts but then quickly shuts off, there is likely a significant issue that needs to be addressed. Common causes include a malfunctioning thermostat, a broken…
#energy-efficient furnace#furnace breakdown prevention#furnace circuit breaker#furnace efficiency tips#furnace failure causes#furnace maintenance tips#furnace not turning on#furnace power check#Furnace Repair#furnace repair services#furnace replacement#furnace troubleshooting#furnace troubleshooting guide#furnace warning signs#heating system efficiency#heating system problems#heating system professional#heating system repair#home heating maintenance#home heating repair#HVAC repair technician#pilot light issues#professional furnace repair.#real-estate#thermostat problems
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The Importance of Hiring a Professional Heating Contractor: A Key to Comfort and Safety
Why Rylee Home Services in Middlesex and Monmouth County?
When winter strikes, the importance of a well-functioning heating system becomes immediately clear. Homeowners rely on their heating systems to maintain comfort and safety as temperatures drop. But ensuring that your heating equipment runs efficiently and safely requires more than just a quick DIY fix or hiring an unqualified technician. This is where professional heating contractors come into play. They provide essential services that ensure your heating system operates optimally, minimizing breakdowns, and maximizing efficiency.
In this blog, we’ll explore why hiring a professional heating contractor is crucial for your home, what services they offer, and how they contribute to long-term savings, safety, and comfort.
1. Expertise and Knowledge
One of the main reasons to hire a professional heating contractor is their extensive expertise in the field. Heating systems can be complex, involving intricate wiring, gas lines, and various mechanical parts. A licensed heating contractor undergoes rigorous training and certifications to handle these complexities safely and efficiently.
Proper Installation: Incorrectly installed heating systems can lead to inefficiencies and even dangerous malfunctions. A professional contractor ensures that your system is installed correctly the first time, adhering to local building codes and manufacturer guidelines. This prevents costly repairs and safety risks down the road.
Comprehensive Knowledge: Whether you’re using a furnace, heat pump, or boiler, a trained heating contractor is familiar with the specifics of each system. They understand the nuances of different brands and models, allowing them to recommend the best solution for your specific heating needs.
2. Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings
A professional heating contractor doesn’t just install or repair systems; they ensure your system operates at peak efficiency. This can lead to significant energy savings and lower utility bills.
Energy Audits: Many heating contractors offer energy efficiency audits. These audits assess your home’s heating performance and suggest improvements, such as sealing leaks in ductwork, upgrading insulation, or installing energy-efficient thermostats. By optimizing your system, a contractor can reduce energy waste and save you money in the long term.
Proper Maintenance: Regular maintenance is key to keeping heating systems efficient. Dirty filters, clogged ducts, or malfunctioning parts can cause your heating system to work harder than necessary, driving up energy costs. A heating contractor can perform routine maintenance, including cleaning, inspecting, and tuning your system, which prevents breakdowns and ensures your unit runs efficiently throughout the winter.
3. Safety First
Working with heating systems, especially gas-powered ones, can pose serious safety risks if not handled correctly. Gas leaks, carbon monoxide poisoning, and electrical hazards are just a few potential dangers. A licensed heating contractor has the tools, training, and experience to handle these risks and ensure that your home remains safe.
Carbon Monoxide Prevention: A faulty furnace or boiler can release dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that is potentially lethal. Heating contractors inspect and repair equipment to ensure it operates safely, reducing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. They can also install carbon monoxide detectors to provide an additional layer of protection.
Electrical Safety: Electric heating systems, including heat pumps and electric furnaces, require proper wiring and connections. An improperly installed system can cause electrical fires or malfunctions. Heating contractors are well-versed in handling electrical components and will ensure that your system is safe and up to code.
4. Extending the Life of Your Heating System
A well-maintained heating system can last anywhere from 15 to 20 years. However, neglecting regular maintenance or repairs can significantly reduce that lifespan. A professional heating contractor provides the routine care and timely repairs necessary to extend the life of your system.
Preventive Maintenance: Regular maintenance not only keeps your system running efficiently but also helps detect potential problems early. Fixing small issues before they become major breakdowns extends the lifespan of your system and saves you money on costly replacements.
Warranties and Guarantees: Many manufacturers require proof of professional installation and regular maintenance to honor warranties. Hiring a licensed heating contractor ensures that your warranty remains valid, offering peace of mind in case repairs or replacements are needed.
5. Access to Advanced Technology and Products
The HVAC industry is continually evolving, with new technologies emerging that offer improved efficiency, control, and comfort. Heating contractors are up to date on the latest innovations and can help you access cutting-edge products that improve your home's heating performance.
Smart Thermostats: A professional heating contractor can install and configure smart thermostats, which allow you to control your heating system remotely. These devices learn your preferences over time, optimizing energy usage and lowering costs while maintaining your comfort.
Energy-Efficient Systems: Whether you’re upgrading an old furnace or installing a new heat pump, a heating contractor can recommend energy-efficient models that meet modern standards. Energy Star-rated products, for example, are designed to consume less energy while delivering excellent performance. Contractors can help you choose the best product for your home’s size and needs, ensuring long-term energy savings.
6. Compliance with Local Codes and Regulations
Heating system installations and repairs must comply with local building codes and safety regulations. Failure to meet these standards can result in fines, increased liability, or even the need to redo the entire installation. Heating contractors are knowledgeable about these codes and ensure that all work is performed in compliance with the latest regulations.
Permits and Inspections: A heating contractor will also handle the necessary permits and inspections required for installing or upgrading heating systems. This not only saves you time but also guarantees that the work is done correctly and legally.
7. Emergency Repairs and Availability
Heating systems often break down at the worst possible times—during extreme cold or on holidays. When an emergency arises, having a reliable heating contractor you can call is invaluable. Many professional contractors offer 24/7 emergency services to quickly address issues and restore your comfort.
Rapid Response: When your heating system fails, especially in the dead of winter, time is of the essence. Professional contractors have the skills and experience to diagnose the issue quickly and perform repairs promptly, minimizing downtime and discomfort.
Conclusion: The Importance of a Professional Heating Contractor
Hiring a professional heating contractor is not just about convenience; it’s about ensuring safety, efficiency, and long-term savings. From expert installation to routine maintenance and emergency repairs, heating contractors play a crucial role in maintaining your home’s comfort during the colder months. They provide the knowledge, experience, and tools necessary to keep your heating system running at peak performance while offering peace of mind that the job is done right.
Investing in a reliable heating contractor ensures that your home is prepared to withstand the winter chill, keeping your family warm, safe, and comfortable. So, when the cold season arrives, don’t hesitate to contact a professional heating contractor to ensure that your system is running smoothly, efficiently, and safely.
#Heating contractor#Professional heating contractor#Heating system maintenance#Furnace repair#HVAC installation#Energy-efficient heating#Carbon monoxide safety#Emergency heating repair#Smart thermostats
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I'm gonna be so so incredibly brave and leave the furnace on when I go to bed 😬 😱
#charlie babbles#I have to do it sooner or later and sooner is better#IF something is gonna happen. I'd rather it happen when it's 30 out. and not -2.#also we're /not/ getting a new hot water heater because our wiring situation can't handle it#which makes me nervous about new furnace#and wary of new washer#like. new fridge seems fine? so maybe new washer won't be an issue??#but new furnace would be BIG sooo......#not confirmed new furnace but we are awaiting a call for next step of energy efficiency process#which is the Six Hour Inspector whom will closely. inspect. our home for where efficiency is lacking#and then we will see#we can't do the spray foam insulation in the basement step because it offgasses a carcinogen and we have nowhere to go
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Air quality testing in West Lake Hills-Hybrid HVAC systems in Bee Cave
https://usairtx.com/portfolio Air quality testing in West Lake Hills-Hybrid HVAC systems in Bee Cave With a focus on providing a high standard of living in this affluent suburb of Austin, air quality testing services are essential. These services aim to identify and address potential pollutants and allergens in the air, contributing to healthier indoor environments. feel free to contact
#HVAC Austin in Cedar Park#Air conditioning repair in Georgetown#Heating services in Buda#HVAC installation in Austin#Furnace maintenance in Round Rock#Emergency AC repair in Cedar Park#Ductless HVAC systems in Pflugerville#Heat pump services in Leander#HVAC maintenance in Kyle#Indoor air quality services in Manor#Commercial HVAC in Lakeway#Thermostat installation in West Lake Hills#Energy-efficient HVAC systems in Bee Cave#Central air conditioning repair in Sunset Valley#Heater replacement in Dripping Springs#AC tune-up services in Hutto#Ventilation system repair in Hutto#Geothermal HVAC systems in Killeen#Emergency heating repair in Georgetown#HVAC contractor in Buda#Affordable air conditioning services in Austin#Best HVAC Company#Experienced HVAC technicians#Professional heating and cooling services in Georgetown#24/7 HVAC repair service in Austin#HVAC system upgrades in Round Rock#Reliable AC maintenance in Cedar Park#Gas furnace repair in Pflugerville#Energy-efficient Heating Solutions Local HVAC experts in Leander#Residential HVAC services in Kyle
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youtube
#Induction Furnace#Melting Technology#Clean Energy#Metal Melting#Environmental Benefits#Energy Efficiency#Carbon Footprint#Alloying Elements#Metal Industry#Industrial Engineering#Energy Efficient Technology#DIY#Youtube
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Which Wins in Energy Efficiency - Space Heaters or Furnaces?
Choosing the right heating solution for your home is crucial for comfort and cost-effectiveness. Among the popular options, space heaters and furnaces stand out, each with advantages and disadvantages. This article will delve into comparing space heaters and furnaces, focusing on energy efficiency to help you make an informed decision.
Understanding Space Heaters:
a. Types of Space Heaters:
Space heaters come in various types, including convection, radiant, and fan-forced. Each type operates differently, impacting energy efficiency.
b. Pros and Cons:
Space heaters are known for their portability and ability to provide spot heating. However, they are generally more suitable for smaller spaces, and their efficiency can vary.
Exploring Furnaces:
a. Types of Furnaces:
On the other hand, furniture is typically central heating systems that use various fuels like gas, oil, or electricity. They distribute warm air through ducts to heat the entire house.
b. Pros and Cons:
Furnaces are effective for larger spaces, offering consistent and even heating. However, they may have a higher upfront cost and require professional installation.
Energy Efficiency Comparison:
a. Space Heaters:
While space heaters are efficient for small areas, there may be better choices for heating an entire home. Their effectiveness diminishes in larger spaces, leading to potential energy waste.
b. Furnaces:
Furnaces are designed for whole-house heating, making them more energy-efficient for larger spaces. However, the efficiency depends on factors such as the type of furnace and proper maintenance.
Factors Influencing Energy Efficiency:
a. Insulation:
Both space heaters and furnaces perform better in well-insulated homes. Proper Insulation reduces heat loss, allowing the heating systems to work more efficiently.
b. Thermostat Settings:
Setting your thermostat at an optimal temperature helps in energy conservation. Programmable thermostats can enhance efficiency by adjusting the temperature based on your daily schedule.
FAQs:
FAQ 1: Are space heaters energy-efficient for large rooms?
Answer: While space heaters are effective for smaller spaces, their efficiency diminishes in larger rooms. In such cases, a furnace is generally a more energy-efficient option as it is designed to provide whole-house heating.
FAQ 2: Can I use a space heater as a primary heating source in my home?
Answer: Using a space heater as a primary heating source depends on the size of your home. For smaller residences or specific areas, a space heater may suffice. However, a furnace is often recommended for more efficient and consistent heating for larger homes.
Conclusion:
Choosing between space heaters and furnaces involves considering the size of your space, upfront costs, and long-term energy efficiency. While space heaters offer portability and spot heating, furnaces are designed for whole-house comfort. Assess your specific needs and the characteristics of your home to determine which heating solution aligns best with your energy efficiency goals.
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Furnace Repair in East Los Angeles by Pioneers Heating and Air
#heating repair#broken furnace#furnace replacement#boilers#heat pumps#hvac heating unit#heating and cooling#indoor#energy-efficient#Youtube
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trying to work out the funny math on the gas bill is always interesting. last month it was $43, this month it’s $2, but we only used like 20% less and the (commodity) price per unit is nearly doubled. but there’s some kind of “climate credit”, which is apparently a twice-yearly discount for electricity (and once yearly for gas) paid out by the state. which seems weird and frankly unhelpful and why aren’t you 1 spreading that out over more of the year or 2 simply running it yourself or 3 regulating price fluctuations.
and even then the cost for the bill is like, there’s a charge per day of being connected to the system at all even if there’s zero usage on a given day, then a charge per unit for “transportation”, then an additional charge per unit for “commodity”, then two different state fees per unit (regulatory fee and public purpose surcharge)
california is a nightmare state and natural gas is a shit utility
#also to be clear we completely stopped using our gas furnace partway through this billing period#so for like a third of those days we were only using gas for cooking#but no you guys it's tooooootally a waaaaay more efficient energy source for heating!!! so much cheaper!!! please believe me!!!#and like electricity absolutely sucks in some ways too but at least here it's managed by the city#and doesn't. yknow. make my body try to kill me.
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"Governor Janet Mills announced that Maine has, two years ahead of time, surpassed its goal of installing 100,000 new heat pumps by 2025, a milestone that represents significant progress in reducing Maine’s reliance on heating oil, lowering heating costs, and curbing harmful carbon emissions.
To continue Maine’s momentum, Governor Mills also unveiled a new target: installing another 175,000 additional heat pumps in Maine by 2027, thereby bringing the number of heat pumps installed in Maine homes, businesses, and public buildings during her time in office to 275,000.
If this target is achieved, Maine would have more than 320,000 heat pumps in total installed across the state.
Heat pumps can be thought of as temperature recycling machines. They are filled with refrigerant fluid and contain a compressor, and they work by extracting excess heat and moving it around, either in or out of a house depending on whether it’s hot or cold.
It’s believed they work best in hot weather, but in February, Maine’s temperatures in some places plummeted during a cold snap to -60°F. Efficiency Maine, which aided in the state’s adoption of heat pumps by organizing rebates for customers under the provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act, did a survey of owners they had helped the previous year.
Many of [the heat pump owners] reported they were comfortable and warm, and offered to bring up the fact that by February they had already saved hundreds of dollars on home heating systems, over boilers, gas furnaces, and heating oil.
“We are setting an example for the nation,” said Mills at the announcement event. “Our transition to heat pumps is… curbing our reliance on fossil fuels, and cutting costs for Maine families, all while making them more comfortable in their homes—a hat trick for our state.”
The transition began in 2019 with bipartisan support of the Legislature, when Governor Mills enacted laws setting ambitious targets for transitioning to renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions."
-via Good News Network, July 31, 2023
#maine#united states#us politics#heat pump#fossil fuels#carbon emissions#climate crisis#refrigerant#heating and cooling#air conditioning#heater#cold snap#good news#hope#hope posting#janet mills
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MA'AM *barges through the door and falls*
Biggest congrats on this milestone. May I humbly request some cuddling with Wrecker. Maybe the Marauder gets pretty chilly at night (and Tech doesn't bother fixing the A/C) so reader needs a big boy heater. much love <<3
Frozen Cuddles 🌊
🫧 Pairings: Wrecker X GN!Reader
word count: 760+
prompts:
none
When temperatures hits its lowest in the Marauder, Wrecker asks if you’d consider cuddling him. None surprisingly, you said yes.
warnings: Safe for Work, Cuddling for Warmth, Fluff, Mutual Pining.
authors note: sorry for the wait @cloned-eyes🤍🩵
The Marauder had landed on Hoth for a mission, but the planet's harsh climate was definitely unwelcoming. The icy winds howled outside the Marauder, battering against the ship's hull and making the cold inside feel even more oppressive. Even with what felt like a million layers of clothes on, you were still absolutely freezing.
As you move through the ship with a blanket draped over your shoulders, you sink into a corner next to some crates in the hopes that being in a closed space would offer you some warmth but it doesn't. You sighed miserably, the metal beneath you felt like ice, and your breath came out in visible puffs at your annoyance.
"Hey, ya look like you're freezing," Wrecker said, his voice a deep rumble that somehow managed to sound gentle as he came over, rubbing his hands together to get some friction of warmth.
You looked up, your chattering teeth turning into a smile at the sight of him. "Just a bit," you replied, trying to downplay your discomfort.
Wrecker's brow furrowed with concern. "Tech's got the heating off again, huh? Trying to save power and all that." He rolled his eyes but then grinned, his expression brightening. "Ya know, I've got a lot of body heat to share. Want me to come over there and warm you up?"
You blink up in surprise at him, his offer not exactly surprising but one that made your heart flutter considerably. “S-Sure,”
You scooted to allow Wrecker to sit down, and without hesitation, he enveloped you in his strong arms.
"Come ‘ere," he said with a soft smile, pulling you close. His warmth was immediate and intense, a stark contrast to the coldness of the ship. You let out a contented sigh as you nestled against his chest, feeling his heartbeat through the fabric of his civvies.
"This is much better," you murmured, relaxing into his embrace as you drape the blanket over your shoulders around you and him more securely.
Wrecker chuckled "Told ya. I'm like a big furnace." He adjusted his position, making sure you were comfortable. "Y’know, we could always gang up on Tech and force him to turn the heater on."
You laughed softly, rolling your eyes. "I don't think that would go over too well. He'd probably give us a long lecture about energy consumption and efficiency."
"Yeah, you're righ’," Wrecker admits, his tone playful. "Still, I'm glad I can help ya out. I hate seeing ya cold."
You sat in comfortable silence for a while, the sound of the ship's systems humming softly around you. You felt a sense of peace, a rare commodity in your line of work. Being in Wrecker's arms, feeling his warmth, made the harsh realities of your life seem distant and insignificant. Did he feel the same way you felt for him? Was he just being nice?
"You know," Wrecker said after a few minutes, his voice softer than usual. You feel your skin tingle with a warmth as his hand falls onto yours, gently entangling your fingers with his."I've always liked having you around. You're, uh, different from the others. Special."
You looked up at him, your eyes meeting his sincere gaze. Sincere yet nervous.
Adorable.
“I've always felt the same about you, Wrecker. You seem to know how to make everything better."
His cheeks burn slightly, a flustered expression barely visible in the dim lighting of the ship. "I try," he said with a bashful grin. "It's easy when it's for someone like you."
Your heart swelled at his words. There was something incredibly endearing about Wrecker's honesty, his lack of pretense. He was straightforward in his affections, and it made you feel something you hadn’t felt for a long time - cherished.
As the minutes ticked by, you found yourself growing drowsy, the combined warmth and the steady rhythm of Wrecker's breathing lulling you towards sleep. You shifted slightly, resting your head more comfortably against his chest. "Is this okay?" you asked, your voice barely above a whisper.
Wrecker tightened his hold on you slightly, a protective gesture to make sure you were as comfortable and warm as possible. "More than okay," he replied, his tone full of affection. "Get some sleep. I've got ya."
Feeling content, you allowed your eyes to close. The cold of the ship seemed like a distant memory as you drifted off, cocooned in Wrecker's arms. The last thing you heard before sleep claimed you was the soothing sound of his heartbeat.
Hours later, when Tech finally relented after being nagged at by the others and turned on the heating system, it barely mattered. You and Wrecker were already lost in a galaxy of dreams and warmth. Maybe Tech should keep the heating off more often.
Masterlist
Tags: @littlefeatherr @kaitou2417 @eyecandyeoz @jesseeka
@theroguesully @ladykatakuri @arctrooper69 @padawancat97 7 @staycalmandhugaclone
@ko-neko-san @echos-girlfriend @fiveshelmet @dangraccoon @plushymiku-blog
@pb-jellybeans @nunanuggets @sleepycreativewriter @erellenora @zippingstars87
@ezras-left-thumb @the-rain-on-kamino @lamiliani @tech-aficionado @grizabellasolo @therealnekomari @tech-depression-inventory @brynhildrmimi
@greaser-wolf @tinyreadersmur r @kaminocasey @marvel-starwars-nerd @ladytano420
@ladyzirkonia @thesith @raevulsix @cw80831 @knightprincess @crosshairlovebot @imalovernotahater @sithstrings @the-bad-batch-baroness @lulalovez @green-alm0nd
#bad batch wrecker#queued post#wrecker x reader#the bad batch Wrecker x reader#the bad batch#tbb#tbb wrecker x reader#nahoney22 writes
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heating and furnace repair near me
Top Quality Heating and Furnace Repair Near Me: Keep Your Home Warm When the cold season sets in, having a reliable heating system in your home is essential. The comfort and warmth provided by a well-functioning furnace can make all the difference during those chilly winter months. To ensure that your heating system is in top-notch condition, it’s important to have access to top quality heating…
#Affordable heating repair#emergency furnace repair#Emergency heating repair#energy#furnace maintenance service#furnace repair near me#furnace troubleshooting#heating repair experts#Heating repair near me#heating service near me#heating system efficiency.#Heating system inspection#Heating system maintenance#heating system repair#home#home heating solutions#home-improvement#hvac#local furnace service#local heating services#professional heating services#rapid furnace repair#real-estate#reliable heating repair#top quality heating repair
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The trouble with cones
Written for the @steddiemicrofic challenge, December 2023 edition
Prompt: pine, 508 words
Rated: M
CW: Explicit language
Tags: Coffee shop owner Steve; Tattoo studio owner Eddie; Flirting; Teasing; Sexual Tension
(Everything goes under the cut bc Eddie jumps right to the important question.)
“Is that a butt plug?”
Steve pinches his nose and heaves a long-suffering sigh. Tries to steel himself for the sight awaiting him. Turns and realizes he failed.
Eddie is leaning in the door of his tattoo studio, mouth curled into a cocky grin. Sleeves rolled up, like the cold doesn't bother him at all, revealing lean forearms covered in ink. Snowflakes gathering in his hair, stark white against the dark curls.
“Fucking hilarious,” Steve rolls his eyes, just barely remembers to cap his window marker before he tugs his freezing hands into his armpits. “Don't you have better things to do?”
“Well…” Eddie's eyes crinkle. “I'm not the one drawing a butt plug on my window.”
“It's a pine cone!” Steve sputters, face lighting up like a furnace. It stings in the frosty air. “Jesus fuck- it's supposed to look festive, why would I draw a butt plug?”
Eddie watches him gesture at the cursed creation he has spent the last thirty minutes slaving over with an expression full of fond indulgence. When Steve signed the contract for his quaint little coffee shop, he wondered why there were no other bidders for the place …
“See, I wondered, but who am I to kink shame you?”
He is beginning to suspect the reason now.
“It is a pine cone,” he insists lamely. “It even has the- what d'you call them? The little nub thingies!”
Eddie quirks a brow. Steve turns and looks at his work.
“Oh fuck,” he groans.
Eddie pulls some hair in front of his mouth, but his shoulders are shaking treacherously. Steve thinks he dies, just a little.
“Here, lemme help.”
Eddie's hands are warm as he steals the marker from his stiff fingers. He whips his bandana from his back pocket to wipe the embarrassing evidence of Steve's total lack of artistic talent off the window, and then-
Then he works his magic. Steve watches him bounce to and fro before the glass like a manic blur of creative energy, brow furrowed in concentration, tongue poking out from between plush lips.
When he steps away, Steve doesn't say anything for a second. Too mesmerized by the image Eddie has thrown together with those quick, efficient strokes of his wrist. A steaming mug of coffee, surrounded by a cluster of artfully scattered pine cones, baubles and twinkling lights dangling above.
“Thanks,” he finally manages to croak. “It's… That really wasn't-”
And then Eddie grabs his arm and pushes back the sleeve of his sweater and he forgets what words are.
“Did you…” he squawks when he finally remembers. “Did you just write on my arm with window marker?”
“Yup,” Eddie says proudly, tugging the marker into Steve’s back pocket. “So that you know where to find me. In case you ever need my assistance with any conical objects again.”
He winks, and then he's skipping into his studio. Steve stays outside and stares at the numbers on his arm for a long time. The snow falls around him, but suddenly he isn't cold anymore.
Part 2
#steddie#steve harrington x eddie munson#steve x eddie#steddie brainrot#steddie fanfic#fanfiction writer#fanfiction#fanfic#my writing#steddiemicroficdecember#steddie microfic#hype's microfics
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Electrons, not molecules
I'm on tour with my new, nationally bestselling novel The Bezzle! Catch me in TUCSON (Mar 9-10), then SAN FRANCISCO (Mar 13), Anaheim, and more!
When hydrocarbon barons do their damndest to torch the Earth with fossil fuels, they call us dreamers. They insist that there's a hard-nosed reality – humanity needs energy – and they're the ones who live in it, while we live in the fairy land where the world can run on sunshine and virtuous thoughts. Without them making the tough decisions, we'd all be starving in the frigid dark.
Here's the thing: they're full of shit.
Mostly.
Humanity does need energy if we're going to avoid starving in the frigid dark, but that energy doesn't have to come from fossil fuels. Indeed, in the long-term, it can't. Even if you're a rootin' tootin, coal-rollin' climate denier, there's a hard-nosed reality you can't deny: if we keep using fossil fuels, they will someday run out. Remember "peak oil" panic? Fossil fuels are finite, and the future of the human race needn't be. We need more.
Thankfully, we have it. Despite what you may have heard, renewables are more than up to the task. Indeed, it's hard to overstate just how much renewable energy is available to us, here at the bottom of our gravity well. I failed to properly appreciate it until I read Deb Chachra's brilliant 2023 book, How Infrastructure Works:
https://pluralistic.net/2023/10/17/care-work/#charismatic-megaprojects
Chachra, an engineering prof and materials scientist, offers a mind-altering reframing of the question of energy: we have a material problem, not an energy problem. If we could capture a mere 0.4% of the sun's rays that strike the Earth, we could give every person on the planet the energy budget of a Canadian (like an American, only colder).
Energy isn't just wildly abundant, though: it's also continuously replenished. For most of human history, we've treated energy as scarce, eking out marginal gains in energy efficiency – even as we treated materials as disposable, using them once and consigning them to a midden or a landfill. That's completely backwards. We get a fresh shipment of energy every time the sun (or the moon) comes up over the horizon. By contrast, new consignments of material are almost unheard of – the few odd ounces of meteoric ore that survive entry through Earth's atmosphere.
A soi-dissant adult concerned with the very serious business of ensuring our species isn't doomed to the freezing, starving darkness of an energy-deprived future would think about nothing save for this fact and its implications. They'd be trying to figure out how to humanely and responsibly gather the materials needed for the harvest, storage and distribution of this nearly limitless and absolutely free energy.
In other words, that Very Serious, Hard-Nosed Grown-Up should be concerned with using as few molecules as possible to harvest as many electrons as possible. They'd be working on things like turning disused coal-mines into giant gravity batteries:
https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/02/06/this-disused-mine-in-finland-is-being-turned-into-a-gravity-battery-to-store-renewable-ene
Not figuring out how to dig or flush more long-dead corpses out of the Earth's mantle to feed them into a furnace. That is a profoundly unserious response to the human need for energy. It's caveman shit: "Ugh, me burn black sticky gunk, make cave warm, cough cough cough."
Enter Exxon CEO Darren Woods, whose interview with Fortune's Michal Lev-Ram and editor Alan Murray contains this telling quote: "we basically focus our technology on transforming molecules and they happen to be hydrogen and carbon molecules":
https://fortune.com/2024/02/28/leadership-next-exxonmobil-ceo-darren-woods/
As Bill McKibben writes, this is a tell. A company that's in the molecule business is not in the electron business. For all that Woods postures about being a clear-eyed realist beating back the fantasies of solarpunk-addled greenies, Woods does not want a future where we have all our energy needs met:
https://billmckibben.substack.com/p/the-most-epic-and-literal-gaslighting
That's because the only way to get that future is to shift from molecules – whose supply can be owned and therefore sold by Exxon – to electrons, which that commie bastard sun just hands out for free to every person on our planet's surface, despite the obvious moral hazard of all those free lunches. As Woods told Fortune, when it comes to renewables, "we don’t see the ability to generate above-average returns for our shareholders."
Woods dresses this up in high-minded seriousness kabuki, saying that Exxon is continuing to invest in burning rotting corpses because our feckless species "waited too long to open the aperture on the solution sets terms of what we need as a society." In other words, it's just too late for solar. Keep shoveling those corpses into the furnace, they're all that stands between you and the freezing, starving dark.
Now, this is self-serving nonsense. The problem of renewables isn't that it's too late – it's that they don't "generate above-average returns for our shareholders" (that part, however, is gospel truth).
But let's stipulate that Woods sincerely believes that it is too late. It's pretty goddamned rich of this genocidal, eminently guillotineable monster to just drop that in the conversation without mentioning the role his company played in getting us to this juncture. After all, #ExxonKnew. 40 years ago, Exxon's internal research predicted climate change, connected climate change to its own profits, and predicted how bad it would be today.
Those predictions were spookily accurate and the company took them to heart, leaping into action. For 40 years, the company has been building its offshore drilling platforms higher and higher in anticipation of rising seas and superstorms – and over that same period, Exxon has spent millions lobbying and sowing disinformation to make sure that the rest of us don't take the emergency as seriously as they are, lest we switch from molecules to electrons.
Exxon knew, and Exxon lied. McKibben quotes Woods' predecessor Lee Raymond, speaking in the runup to the Kyoto Treaty negotiations: "It is highly unlikely that the temperature in the middle of the next century will be significantly affected whether policies are enacted now or 20 years from now."
When Woods says we need to keep shoveling corpses into the furnace because we "waited too long to open the aperture on the solution sets terms of what we need as a society," he means that his company lied to us in order to convince us to wait too long.
When Woods – and his fellow enemies of humanity in the C-suites of Chevron and other corpse-torching giants – was sending the arson billions to his shareholders, he held back a healthy share to fund this deceit. He colluded with the likes of Joe Manchin ("[D-POLLUTION]" -McKibben) to fill the Inflation Reduction Act with gifts for molecules. The point of fantasies like "direct air carbon-capture" is to extend the economic life of molecule businesses, by tricking us into thinking that we can keep sending billions to Exxon without suffocating in its waste-product.
These lies aren't up for debate. Back in 2021, Greenpeace tricked Exxon's top DC lobbyist Keith McCoy into thinking that he was on a Zoom call with a corporate recruiter and asked him about his work for Exxon, and McCoy spilled the beans:
https://pluralistic.net/2021/07/01/basilisk-tamers/#exxonknew
He confessed to everything: funding fake grassroots groups and falsifying the science – he even names the senators who took his bribes. McCoy singled out Manchin for special praise, calling him "a kingmaker" and boasting about the "standing weekly calls" Exxon had with Manchin's office.
Exxon's response to this nine-minute confession was to insist that their most senior American lobbyist "wasn't involved at all in forming policy positions."
McKibben points to the forthcoming book The Price Is Wrong, by Brett Christophers, which explains how the neoclassical economics establishment's beloved "price signals" will continue to lead us into the furnace:
https://www.versobooks.com/products/3069-the-price-is-wrong
The crux of that book is:
We cannot expect markets and the private sector to solve the climate crisis while the profits that are their lifeblood remain unappetizing.
Nearly 100 years ago, Upton Sinclair wrote, "It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it." Today, we can say that it's impossible to get an oil executive to understand that humanity needs electrons, not molecules, because his shareholders' obscene wealth depends on it.
Name your price for 18 of my DRM-free ebooks and support the Electronic Frontier Foundation with the Humble Cory Doctorow Bundle.
#pluralistic#bill mckibben#exxon#exxonknew#solarpunk#climate#climate emergency#climate crisis#gaslighting#guillotine watch#Darren Woods#incentives matter
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ive seen a few people respond with dubiousness to my claim that biden is actually one of the better presidents we've had. i'm by no means an expert on what he's done, but two big things that have swayed my opinion are:
the inflation reduction act. a bill that was titled to make it sound appealing to republicans, but is in fact, among other things, a massive government fund to install energy efficient heating and cooling that doesn't rely on fossil fuels in everyone's homes, severely discounted or even for free, depending on your income level. you can literally get a credit to get a free heat pump if you're replacing an old coal burning furnace. and you can get a tax credit of thousands of dollars if you buy an energy efficient car. unfortunately a lot of the state governments are dragging their feet actually IMPLEMENTING it, but biden has no control over that, and its still a massive massive win
he's a staunch supporter of social security and wants to tax the rich to fund it. as a young person who desperately needs ssi, that could literally save my life.
please, i am begging you to actually google the things he's done while in office, because it's very genuinely not just a case of "anyone is better than trump." it's a case of "there are some very very bad american policies that every politician across party lines is on board with, but the ones they disagree on are also a huge fucking deal."
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