PickVidsBest Power grid, heating & buildings Videos
The 68 Power grid, heating & buildings videos here were recommended by different people across different months. Choose by who it is for: 6 introductory, 4 intermediate, 58 for a general viewer, and 0 for someone who wants the harder derivation. Most of them are an explainer. What they share is that one picture or analogy is used to supply a missing concept. Channels you will keep seeing include Technology Connections, Practical Engineering, Kirsten Dirksen.
Heat Pumps: the Future of Home Heating
Technology Connections explains how heat pumps work as reversed air conditioners and why they can deliver several times the heat of resistive heating per unit of energy.
James Burke Connections, Ep. 1 "The Trigger Effect"
The first episode of James Burke's 1978 BBC series Connections traces modern dependence on complex technological networks, starting with the 1965 New York blackout, and moves through ancient agriculture to Kuwait's oil-driven leap.
Why Heat Pumps are Immensely Important Right Now
Technology Connections explains why heat pumps matter right now, covering their efficiency, how they hold up in cold weather and the energy savings over burning fuel.
What Really Happened During the Texas Power Grid Outage?
Practical Engineering's explanation of the February 2021 Texas winter storm and the resulting power grid outage.
It’s Time To Break Up With Our Gas Stoves | Climate Town
Climate Town argues for moving away from gas stoves.
Ground Source / Geothermal Heat Pumps and Other Info
A Technology Connections video on how ground-source (geothermal) heat pumps work and why they hold efficiency in winter.
Heat Pumps are Not Hard: Here's what it will take to start pumping
Technology Connections' long closing video in his heat pump series, arguing that adopting heat pumps is well within reach.
Connecting Solar to the Grid is Harder Than You Think
Practical Engineering explains why connecting solar and other inverter-based generation to the grid is hard.
Why don't Americans use electric kettles?
Technology Connections explains why electric kettles are uncommon in the US, centering on 120V circuits limiting power.
What Is A Black Start Of The Power Grid?
Practical Engineering explains what a black start is: restarting a power grid after total collapse.
Best fan placement to move air through the house
Matthias Wandel uses anemometer measurements to find where to place a fan to move the most air through a house at night.
World's Largest Batteries - (Pumped Storage)
Practical Engineering explains pumped storage hydropower, which makes up most grid-scale electricity storage.
Why Air Quality Matters
David Heinemeier Hansson explains what he learned about indoor air quality after his new house made his family sick.
How To Make Infrared Cooling Paint (Electricity Free Air Conditioning)
NightHawkInLight shows how to make ultra-white radiative paint that cools surfaces below ambient temperature without electricity.
James Burke Legend Connections 1 The Trigger Effect
The first episode of James Burke's Connections series, 'The Trigger Effect', explores how modern society depends on interlinked technological systems and how quickly it breaks down when they fail, starting with a power blackout.
Electric car chargers aren't chargers at all – EVSE Explained
Technology Connections explains that the so-called EV charger in an electric car's charging cable or wall unit is really an EVSE, a smart switch that safely delivers AC power.
Portable Air Conditioners - Why you shouldn't like them
Technology Connections explains why single-hose portable air conditioners are inefficient and often a poor choice compared with window units.
Humidifiers: Simpler is better?
Technology Connections explains why humidity matters and compares the main types of humidifiers, including evaporative and ultrasonic designs.
Britain peak power demand (from BBC TV series: Britain from Above)
A clip from the BBC series Britain from Above showing UK peak power demand.
The Problem with Solar Energy in Africa
Real Engineering looks at why Africa's abundant solar potential is hard to turn into usable power, especially for Europe.
Perhaps the weakest link in the US electrical system
Technology Connections explains weaknesses in the US electrical system, centering on how cord and circuit ratings can mismatch and cause fires.
Nebraska retiree uses earths's heat to grow oranges in snow
Kirsten Dirksen visits retired mailman Russ Finch in Alliance, Nebraska, who grows oranges, figs and pomegranates in a backyard greenhouse without paying for heat.
California's Renewable Energy Problem
Real Engineering looks at the numbers for running California on renewables, focusing on the large energy storage needed.
The US electrical system is not 120V
Technology Connections explains that US household power is split-phase, with two 120V legs that combine to 240V for large appliances.