The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued specific advice to businesses and organizations that will help save 10% or more on their energy bills. Businesses will be especially hit hard this winter with rising fuel prices and if every business in the U.S. saved 10% on their energy bills – that savings would allow Americans to save 10 billion dollars annually.
EPA encourages organizations to take the five following steps:
- Measure the energy use of your building and set a savings goal.
Visit http://www.energystar.gov/benchmark and use a free online tool that provides buildings with a current energy use measurement. Then visit http://www.energystar.gov/challenge and learn how to set a minimum 10% energy savings goal. - Inspect heating equipment now and perform monthly maintenance.
35% of energy in commercial buildings nationwide is used for space heating. Make sure all systems are operating properly and at their maximum efficiency level.
• Tune up all heating equipment and inspect all ducts, filter, and dampers.
• Calibrate all thermostats and controls used by the heating equipment.
• Create a monthly maintenance plan. - Turn back or turn off heating and cooling equipment when not needed.
Install programmable thermostats and reduce the overall use wherever possible. If you can cut back one hour out of every twelve – the energy savings will be about 12%. - Get the occupants involved.
Educate employees about how their behavior and decision-making can impact energy use and potential savings. - Improve lighting systems.
Lighting uses about 13% of the energy in commercial buildings – second to heating and cooling. Turn lights off when not in use, use daylighting whenever possible and replace older lighting systems with energy efficient lighting systems. Evaluate security lighting and lights that are left on all night and determine the appropriateness and necessity for this.
Visit http://www.energystar.gov/bizheating and www.energystar.gov/products for more information.
LEARN HOW TO USE NEW TAX CREDITS TO SAVE ENERGY AND REDUCE INCOME TAXES
The recently passed National Energy Plan provides new tax credits for consumers interested in home energy efficiency improvements, residential solar energy, and purchasing hybrid vehicles. Check out www.ase.org/taxcredits and learn the specifics from the Dept. of Energy and the Alliance to Save Energy.
SLEC STRAW BALE NEARS COMPLETION
The straw bale structure, which is being built in partnership with Virginia Tech and the Sustainable Living Education Center (SLEC) is nearing completion. All of the straw bales were stacked and secured this past Saturday and are ready to be plastered. The straw bale will house a wood-turning studio and be used by the Jacksonville Center for a variety of purposes. It will also serve as a demonstration of sustainable building techniques.
AECP IS AWARDED GRANT FOR SLEC
AECP received a $1,000 grant award from the Community Foundation of the New River Valley. This money will be used to set up the education room at the Sustainable Living Education Center – in the same building that houses the AECP office. AECP also received $3,000 in funding assistance from the Department of Housing and Community Development for the same purpose.
AECP UNSUCCESSFUL IN EFFORTS TO OBTAIN REGULATORY CHANGE
AECP made its case for a home energy performance specialty contractor’s classification before the Virginia Board for Contractors on November 16. AECP was interested in providing some level of competency for the industry to not only protect consumers but to also establish a benchmark within the industry that would promote growth and professionalism. The Board rejected our arguments and will not make any change.
ENERGY TIP
Save energy by not eating too much turkey on Thursday. Happy Thanksgiving!