The ratio of heat produced by a fuel for doing work to the available heat in the fuel.

The amount of work done in raising one pound one foot.

The heat produced by sources of heat in a building (occupants, appliances, lighting, etc).

A tube inside a domestic water heater that distributes the cold water from the cold water supply line into the lower area of the water heater where heating occurs.

A measure of the ability of a light source to show colors, based on a color rendering index.

This committee has legislative jurisdiction and general and special oversight and investigative authority on all matters relating to energy and environmental research and development and demonstration.

The generation of electric power by a heat engine which converts part of the heat generated by combustion of the fuel into mechanical motion to operate an electric generator.

Electromagnetic energy transmitted from the sun (solar radiation). The amount that reaches the earth is equal to one billionth of total solar energy generated, or the equivalent of about 420 trillion kilowatt-hours.

Low or medium Btu content gas, composed mainly of carbon monoxide, nitrogen(2), and hydrogen(2) made by the gasification of wood or coal.

A national trade association of solar energy equipment manufacturers, retailers, suppliers, installers, and consultants.

An electrical conductor/cable that carries electricity from a generator to other locations for distribution.

A body of water used to cool the water that is circulated in an electric power plant.

The amount of energy that a building absorbs due to solar energy striking its exterior and conducting to the interior or passing through windows and being absorbed by materials in the building.

A semiconductor (photovoltaic) material composed of variously oriented, small, individual crystals.

A moveable or fixed heater used to heat individual rooms.

The practice of installing blow-in, loose-fill insulation at a lower density than is recommended to meet a specified R-Value.

The current flowing freely through an external circuit that has no load or resistance; the maximum current possible.

A registered trademark for plastic sheeting material that can be used as a vapor retarder. This plastic is used to make grocery bags. It is a long chain of carbon atoms with 2 hydrogen atoms attached to each carbon atom.

An apparatus that replicates the solar spectrum, and used for testing solar energy conversion devices.

A connection or link between power systems that enables them to draw on each other's reserve capacity in time of need.