Are You “Efficient” At Spelling?

Vivi Gorman
Posted on Wednesday 27th May 2009

The word “efficient” made it into the 2009 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., the Associated Press reported. The national contest wraps up May 28.

Can you spell “energy efficiency?”

\ˈe-nər-jē\ \i-ˈfi-shən-sē\, noun Effective operation of power measured by a comparison of production with cost (as in energy, time, and money).

At GREENandSAVE, you can become an efficiency expert through the GREENandSAVE Eco Academy, a cutting edge training program that can turn your mom or dad, uncle or aunt into a Home Efficiency Consultant.

Learning about energy efficiency, you will be able to spell words such as “geothermal.”

\ˈjēō-ˈthər-məl\, adjective Geothermal power uses heat from the earth to generate electricity. This is a clean, renewable power source. Geothermal energy is harnessed with a Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) to tap the stored energy beneath the planet’s surface. These pumps can be used to provide heating, cooling, and hot water for residential and commercial buildings. See if you know these words: Sustainable \sə-ˈstā-nə-bəl\, adjective Capable of being sustained; relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged. Sustainability refers to meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. This involves using, re-using, and conserving natural resources to do the least harm to the natural environment. It’s now used almost interchangeably with “green” and “eco-friendly.”techniques. Glazing \ˈglā-ziŋ\, noun The action, process, or trade of fitting windows with glass. A special window coating that helps prevent the warmth inside your house from escaping through the glass in the winter (pyrolitic). A variation (solar control) is designed to block heat from the summer sun. Low-E coating can reduce energy use by up to 35 percent. Runoff \ˈrən-ˌȯf\ , noun The portion of precipitation on land that ultimately reaches streams often with dissolved or suspended material. The waste water that flows from our gardens, lawns, driveways, and streets into our sewer systems carries various pollutants, including fertilizers and pesticides from our yards. The water eventually travels into rivers and oceans where they degrade water quality for humans and animals. To reduce runoff, home owners can make sure they don’t over-water their lawns or accidentally water their sidewalks and driveways. Permeable stone pavers in driveways also help curb runoff. Lumen \ˈlü-mən\, noun A lumen is the total amount of light emitted from a source. Lumens are typically used to rate the output of lamps. Condensation \ˌkän-ˌden-ˈsā-shən, -dən-\, noun The act or process of condensing: as: a chemical reaction involving union between molecules often with elimination of a simple molecule (as water) to form a new more complex compound of often greater molecular weight; the conversion of a substance (as water) from the vapor state to a denser liquid or solid state usually initiated by a reduction in temperature of the vapor. Condensation is the buildup of water droplets on a cold window pane. This can occur on the inside of single pane windows, and in between the panes of multiple pane windows. Condensation on single pane windows can damage windowsill and wall surfaces if extensive. Condensation between the panes of multiple pane windows indicates a problem with the seal between the panes.

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