The Energy Show

Latest Episodes:

Don’t Make These 4 Energy Investment Mistakes Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

The energy world just changed.

Again.

For years solar, batteries, EVs and heat pumps were sold as clean alternatives. Now they're simply the least expensive alternatives.

In this episode, Barry Cinnamon explains why economics -- not politics — is driving the next phase of the energy transition, and why fossil fuel interests are fighting harder than ever to slow this transition down.

In this episode:

• Why electrons beat molecules every time

• The real economics of EVs vs gasoline vehicles

• Why solar and batteries keep getting cheaper

• The deployment realities of geothermal, nuclear, hydrogen and other "next big thing” technologies

• Why Direct Air Capture may be one of the most expensive ways imaginable to solve a CO2 problem

• How politics and lobbying distort energy markets

• Why homeowners should focus on thermodynamics and economics—not headlines and politician proclamations

The future of energy isn't complicated.

It's solar.

It's batteries.

It's EVs.

It's heat pumps.

And it's happening whether the fossil fuel industry likes it or not.

#SolarEnergy #BatteryStorage #CleanEnergy #EnergyTransition #EVs #ElectricVehicles #HeatPumps #RenewableEnergy #SolarPower #Tesla #EnergyShow #BarryCinnamon #ClimateTech #HomeElectrification #EnergyIndependence #LithiumBatteries #SolarBatteries #CleanTech #DistributedEnergy #EnergyEconomics

Is Balcony Solar BS or The Bomb? May 27, 2026

Show notes

Did you know that you can plug solar panels into a WALL outlet!

Utility executives are spewing out their morning coffee. Who would have thought a good little solar panel could destroy our wicked trillion dollar business! ????????????

Balcony Solar — AKA Plug-In Solar — is coming and is inevitable. Europeans love Balcony Solar. Renters love Balcony Solar. Utilities…they’d rather come down with Ebola.

Because these small solar systems let people make their own electricity without paying a huge connect fee and ongoing tolls to utilities. Just to connect to OUR electric grid.

In this episode:

• How Balcony Solar works

• Real world savings from a standard Balcony Solar system

• Why utilities are flat-out lying about Balcony Solar

• Installing Balcony Solar safely and in compliance with local regulations

• California’s pending Balcony Solar law

• And watch out...Balcony Solar is a gateway drug to Rooftop Solar

Tiny solar systems. Savings for renters. BIG utility drama.

Mitsubishi Beats Your Heating Bills May 20, 2026

Show notes

Barry’s Heat Pump Promises:

1. Your AC will die on the hottest day of the year

2. PG&E gas rates will keep going up

3. Resistance — to electrification — is futile

So… are heat pumps part of the solution, or just part of the precipitate…or problem?

This week on The Energy Show, Barry Cinnamon sits down with Dana Fischer from Mitsubishi Electric to explore the truths about modern heat pump systems — and why today’s technology is NOTHING like the loud, inefficient, polluting heating and cooling systems in most homes.

In this episode:

• Why California’s new “AC2HP” rules could impact your next HVAC replacement

• Manual J, no way José

• The hidden differences between old-school heat pumps and today’s inverter-driven systems

• The #1 sizing mistake that causes comfort problems and high bills

• How homeowners are cutting gas usage and moving toward all-electric homes

• Heat pump rebates, tax credits, and hidden savings opportunities

• Maintenance tips that can save you thousands over the life of your system

• How heat pumps can improve indoor air quality while reducing smog and pollution

If your AC system is aging — or you’re even THINKING about replacing your HVAC system — this episode could save you from making a very expensive mistake.

Here’s Why Solar in Australia is Cheaper than the U.S. May 06, 2026

Show notes

Barry' been bashing his head against the wall for over two decades to reduce solar and battery system costs in the U.S. So on his recent “vacation” to Australia, he did a deep dive into solar costs Down Under.

As Jigar, Saul and Birchy have observed, solar and battery system costs in Australia are one fourth the price of comparable systems in the U.S. But the REAL reasons for these high costs are not what you may think.

• It’s not greedy installers — although there are still too many sleaze bags.

• It’s no longer permitting — although improvements can still be made.

• It’s not because we don’t manufacturer the equipment in the U.S. — although we can and should.

It’s because we have lousy energy policies in the U.S. -- from the Federal government down to local city councils. Barry identifies four specific policy changes that will make solar much more affordable in the U.S.

So tune into this week’s Energy Show for a detailed solar and battery cost breakdown, capped off with the changes we need to make in the U.S. to reduce solar and battery costs for homes and businesses.

Replacing Your Air Conditioner MAY Be Illegal! Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

That’s right, in many California cities you MUST replace a broken air conditioner condenser with a dual-purpose heat pump.

These Reach Codes — also known as AC2HP Requirements — are currently in effect in Los Gatos, Saratoga, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, Menlo Park, Mountain View and Alameda.

Barry’s guest on this week’s Energy Show is nationally-known HVAC expert Nate Adams, “The House Whisperer.” Nate and Barry provide a no-BS breakdown of what’s changing, relative costs and savings, and how you can make the smartest decision when your AC is no longer cool.

Episode Highlights:

Why cities are forcing AC 2 Heat Pump upgrades
The REAL upgrade costs: it’s complicated
Why heat pumps are now outselling traditional AC systems
How a heat pump will make your home more comfortable, efficient and safer
The best ways to find a contractor that knows new AC2HP requirements

Why the Heck Are My Electric Bills So High? Apr 15, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Energy Show, Barry Cinnamon talks with Mark Toney, Executive Director of The Utility Reform Network (TURN), about the growing energy affordability crisis in California and across the U.S.

Despite increasing costs for homeowners and businesses, utility companies continue to raise rates—while reporting strong profits.

So what’s really driving these high electricity bills?

This episode covers:

• Why utility rates keep increasing year after year

• The hidden structure behind utility profits

• How regulation (or lack of it) impacts your bill

• Why some public utilities charge HALF the cost of others

• The role of wildfire costs, infrastructure spending, and policy

• How distributed energy (solar + batteries) can reduce costs

• What legislation is being proposed to fix the system

Like, Subscribe and Share!

Host: Barry Cinnamon

Director: Gary Mull

Producer: Jessica Montes

#energycrisis #electricityprices #utilityrates #cleanenergy #solarenergy #energystorage #renewableenergy #energyindependence #PGandE #TheEnergyShow #BarryCinnamon #CinnamonEnergySystems

I’m Electrifying! How Do I Upgrade My Solar System? Apr 08, 2026

Show notes

When you electrify your home – with a heat pump HVAC system, EV charger, induction cooktop or heat pump water heater – your demand for electricity will go up. Duh. Or as Tim Allen would say: “I need more power.”

Incentives as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) help reduce the "upfront" costs of these electrification upgrades. But the only way to reduce the "operating" costs of these new electrical appliances is with more solar power on your roof.

But upgrading an old solar system is not for the faint of heart. New solar inverters and panels are unlikely to be compatible with your existing system. Your utility may restrict the number of panels you can add. And sometimes your electrical service may require an upgrade to handle the higher power output from your upgraded solar system.

Keep in mind these three recommendations. First, it is relatively easy to add a battery to an existing system. Second, seriously consider replacing the entire system if it is over 15 years old. And third, work with an experienced solar installer who’s familiar with older equipment.

For the nitty gritty details about upgrading your existing solar system, please tune into this week’s Energy Show.

My AC Broke - Is a Heat Pump Cool? Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

Yes, definitely. Heat pumps are literally and figuratively cool. And without a doubt, the best time to consider installing a heat pump is when your AC (or furnace) dies.

Heat pumps do double duty, providing both heating and cooling. They offer significant savings and improved comfort -- which I confirmed first hand after my old outdoor air conditioner compressor died. Replacing both my old AC and gas furnace with a heat pump was one of the best home improvements I’ve ever made. The system operates almost silently, has better temperature control throughout my house, and my heating and cooling bills are down significantly.

New heat pump models use inverter-based variable speed compressors with efficiencies in excess of 350%. These high system efficiencies mean that your total heating and cooling costs will almost always be lower with a heat pump than an ordinary AC and gas furnace. And from a comfort standpoint, with mini-split models you can even heat/cool individual rooms in your house!

Sure, a basic AC replacement might seem cheaper initially. But keep in mind, federal tax credits and state rebates (part of the Inflation Reduction Act) will bring down the cost of your heat pump installation by $2k-$10k. So in most cases it makes sense to price out a heat pump when your AC fails in the summer, or your furnace fails in the winter.

Want to learn more? Tune in to the full podcast at EnergyShow.Biz and discover why heat pumps are the smart choice when your AC can longer stand the heat.

Energy Uncertainty Is Unnecessary Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

Since our worldwide economy depends on a steady supply of fossil fuels — oil, gasoline, natural gas, LNG, jet fuel — even the mere threat of disruption can cause a large and long-term increase in energy costs. Especially energy that is generated from burning hydrocarbon molecules, which have to be physically transported in pipelines and tankers. But not so much for energy that is generated from photons (I bet you know where I’m going with this).

During the first two weeks in March, 2026, Iranian drones set ablaze four oil tankers with a combined total of about 750,000 barrels of petroleum products. That’s less than 1% of the world’s daily petroleum consumption. Nevertheless, the price of oil went up by 40%. Not because of a real supply shock, but because of the new uncertainty about future oil supplies and prices.

No one really knows how long Iran will be able to threaten shipping and energy production throughout the Persian Gulf. Until there is peace in that region there will be uncertainty about fossil fuel energy prices. But there are ways to reduce this uncertainty and avoid energy price spikes.

In this episode:

• Why U.S. fuel prices rise in the U.S. even when we are the biggest oil producer in the world. Hint: the solar and battery tax credits (still available) were a quid pro quo for fossil fuel exports.

• How global oil and natural gas markets determine prices — not political jawboning.

• How rising natural gas prices affect electricity and food costs.

• Why solar, batteries, and electric vehicles reduce exposure to fossil fuel volatility.

To cap it all off, we’ll explain what you can do to isolate your home and business from skyrocketing energy costs.

What's up with residential solar? Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

In this week’s episode of The Energy Show, Barry Cinnamon talks with Sean Gallagher (Senior VP of Policy, SEIA) about the new market reality after recent federal changes. As well as the financing tools, state policies, and grid programs that can help homeowners and installers move forward.

In this episode:

• How installers are adapting to the end of the residential tax credit with leases, PPAs, and newer financing structures

• What to ask a financing provider before you sign (risk, Fair Market Value, payment timing, working capital, Approved Vendors List)

• Why state-level policies are now the biggest lever: permitting automation, interconnection streamlining, and VPP/DPP programs

• The real promise of plug-in / balcony solar — and the UL standards challenge

• Data centers + electrification: why local solar + storage is the fastest and cheapest way to meet data center power demands

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