Go Green with Home Energy Use!
Jan. 2010 Green Tip: Save $ with those Curly Lightbulbs
Did you know: If each home in America replaced one incandescent lightbulb with an Energy Star Compact Fluorescent Lightbulb (CFL), it would save enough energy to light 3 million homes for a year and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from 800,000 cars. CFLs use less power and have a longer rated life. A CFL has a higher purchase price than an incandescent bulb, but lasts up to 10 times longer, uses about 75% less electricity, and can save over $30 in electricity costs over the bulb's life time. The average American home has about 45 bulbs; replacing them with CFLs could save $180 (or 8%) per household per year on electricity bills.*
*My personal experience shows a 20% savings, amounting to several hundred dollars over one year.)
What you can do: Try replacing some of your old lightbulbs with CFLs, starting with the lights that tend to get left on longer. For safety, use CFLs in all sturdy light fixtures -- it is best to NOT use them in table or floor lamps in children’s bedrooms or play areas.
The newest bulbs light quickly and with a warmer light than their predecessors. Some stores, such as the Lightbulb Shop, will even refund your money (with a receipt) if you are experimenting with different types of bulbs at home. Also, with a receipt, some shops will exchange a bulb if it ever burns out prematurely.
Because CFLs contain mercury** (a fraction of the amount in an old fashioned thermometer), broken bulbs should be sealed in a plastic bag. Those and all used CFLs should be disposed of at a Home Depot, IKEA or Ace Hardware store OR at the City of Austin Hazardous Waste Facility.
**Traditional incandescent lights end up generating 2-10 times more mercury than CFLs when you figure in the mercury emissions from the coal plants that usually power them.
NOW is the time to conserve water for $ savings
Did you know: The cost of providing wastewater services (or sewage treatment) is higher that the cost of providing water services. Wastewater must be extensively treated before it is clean enough to release back into the environment. You will notice on your utility bill that the cost of wastewater service is much higher than the cost of your water.
What you can do: In Austin, you can lower your wastewater costs for 2010 by conserving your water usage during the winter months. Since the City has to guess how much water is going down your drains, it chooses the season when you are least likely to be watering outdoors to estimate how much water you use each month. Depending on your billing cycle, the 3 monthly periods used for wastewater averaging will occur between mid-November and mid-March. The two months with the lowest usage will be averaged and then used to bill you for NO MORE THAN that usage amount throughout the following year. My own wastewater bill has fluctuated as much as $90 annually based on how much water we used during the winter.
For more information about conserving water, visit: www.cityofaustin.org/watercon/
To find out when YOUR 3-month averaging period begins, visit: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/water/wwaverage/wwaverage.cfm
It improves our air quality while slowing climate change.
Become an informed consumer: Tip #1
(Read your Energy Bill)
Did you know? Much of our “carbon footprint” comes from home energy use. The average Austin Energy customer uses 12,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, creating about 8 tons of CO2 emissions per year. If all 352,574 Austin Energy residential customers reduced their annual consumption by 1,000 kWh, collectively we could reduce CO2 emissions by more than 450 million pounds (~228,000 tons).
What you can do: Check your Austin Energy bill to see how many kilowatt hours of electricity you use, and do at least one thing to reduce your use of electricity. See what a difference that change makes to your next bill. Creating an online account with Austin Energy allows you to see the past 24 months of your usage history.
Personal story: Last January, our family began turning off lights more often, and replaced half of our lightbulbs with Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs and saw a 20% drop in our use immediately, saving us $300 over 12 months. Of course, we had been using more than the average 12,000 kWh each year, so now we are about average.
Another simple way to reduce your carbon footprint is to subscribe to Austin Energy’s GreenChoice program to bring emissions-free, renewable energy (mostly wind energy, at this point) to the Austin area. By reducing the amount of electricity you consume as a GreenChoice customer, you free up more renewable energy for others to become GreenChoice customers. Find out more about Austin Energy electricity conservation programs at www.austinenergy.com.
Become an informed consumer: Tip #2
(Get a FREE Energy Audit)
Did you know: The Austin region’s ozone emissions are flirting with non-compliance with the federal ozone air quality standard. If we do get named as a region in violation of the ozone standard in June 2010, we will be required to take more stringent measures to reduce ozone emissions, which could make it more costly for industry to do business in Austin, which may make Austin a less attractive economic hub. This happened not too long ago when Toyota decided to open a new plant in San Antonio rather than Dallas because, at the time, San Antonio did not violate the federal ozone standard, whereas Dallas is in violation and therefore has to meet tougher, more expensive emissions limits. Also, if we do get designated for non-compliance, in the long-turn we could have federal highway funding withheld if we do not meet our timelines for cleaning up our air below the ozone standard. If Austinites can reduce our demand for electricity in the coming 17 months, lowering the demand for electricity from coal-fired plants, we could reduce our ozone-forming emissions from our power plants and potentially avoid being labeled as violating the ozone standard.
What you can do: Austin Energy is looking at ways to limit our power production during high ozone days, but will need the help of all of our customers to lower their demand. Start by scheduling a FREE energy audit to find out what changes you can make your home more energy efficient. An energy audit is recommended for all homes 10 years and older. Companies will check your HVAC system, duct system, attic insulation, solar shading and air infiltration. To find energy auditors, visit austinenergy.com and click on "Power Saver Program."
Shop wisely for TVs
Did you know? A big-screen plasma television can use as much energy as a refrigerator, even if it is on only five hours a day. Turning on this TV is like turning on 30 Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs and generating a half-ton of carbon emissions in one year. And yet, this TV has qualified as an Energy Star model, because it is (in it’s energy-saving mode) 30% more efficient than other TVs in its class.1,2
What you can do: -The greenest option is keep your older TV. The upcoming switch from analog to digital signal on February 18, 2009, affects only cube-shaped cathode-ray (CRT) televisions without a cable or satellite subscription and, of those, mostly sets at least 5 years old that don’t have built-in digital tuner. These older “rabbit ear” televisions can adapt to the switch with a $50-$75 converter box (look for a box with the Energy Star). Every household is eligible to receive two $40 coupons toward their purchase. Visit www.dtv.gov for details.
-If you do purchase a new television, think Energy Star, but think outside the Energy Star box by considering the most efficient “class” of TV from the most environmentally responsible manufacturers. Avoid plasma TVs with high resolutions (1080 pixels) – they are the biggest energy hogs. The most energy-efficient option is an liquid crystal display LCD flat-screen TV smaller than 42 inches at any resolution, which is more efficient than the same-size CRT, according to EfficientProducts.org, a website that tests the efficiency of products. If you must have a bigger screen, consider a rear-projection TV. To save energy and extend the life of the LCD, have the set tuned to the medium level of backlighting or “home” setting. To prevent power leaks or “phantom loads” while the TV is off, plug it into a power strip that can be switched off when not in use.-Buy used or from manufacturers who will take back & recycle their TVs. Most do not, causing a serious issue with toxic chemicals that TVs leak into our environment. Visit takebackmytv.com to find out which manufacturers take responsibility for their products. Sony and Samsung earned the highest scores from the “2008 Greenpeace Guide to Greener Electronics,” which ranks companies for their take-back and recycling programs, as well as for the toxicity of their products. Panasonic, Sharp and Toshiba have partnered with Central Texas Goodwill to take back and recycle their non-working TVs. Visit texastakeback.org to find a drop-off location for other brands of non-working TVs and electronics. Though Philips received a low score from the Greenpeace guide, its Eco-TV is notable for being one of the least toxic and energy-saving.3Educate and Advocate! To learn more about the e-waste issue in Texas (from a public-interest perspective), visit: texasenvironment.org/ewaste.cfm.
Endnotes
[1] Harris, Richard. “New Ratings Help Buyers Scan TV Energy Use,” All Things Considered, aired on National Public Radio, 11/17/08.
2 In November, the government updated Energy Star efficiency standards for televisions. To figure out how much an energy an Energy Star qualified TV uses when it is ON (the old standards only measured energy consumption when the TV was OFF --- go figure!), visit www.energystar.gov. TVs that earn the ENERGY STAR label under these requirements will be up to 30% more efficient than non-qualified models in the same class.
3 Based on energy-use ratings for 128 flat-screen TVs in 10/2008 by CNET.com. reviews.cnet.com/tv-power-consumption
Jan. 2010 Green Tip: Save $ with those Curly Lightbulbs
Did you know: If each home in America replaced one incandescent lightbulb with an Energy Star Compact Fluorescent Lightbulb (CFL), it would save enough energy to light 3 million homes for a year and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from 800,000 cars. CFLs use less power and have a longer rated life. A CFL has a higher purchase price than an incandescent bulb, but lasts up to 10 times longer, uses about 75% less electricity, and can save over $30 in electricity costs over the bulb's life time. The average American home has about 45 bulbs; replacing them with CFLs could save $180 (or 8%) per household per year on electricity bills.*
*My personal experience shows a 20% savings, amounting to several hundred dollars over one year.)
What you can do: Try replacing some of your old lightbulbs with CFLs, starting with the lights that tend to get left on longer. For safety, use CFLs in all sturdy light fixtures -- it is best to NOT use them in table or floor lamps in children’s bedrooms or play areas.
The newest bulbs light quickly and with a warmer light than their predecessors. Some stores, such as the Lightbulb Shop, will even refund your money (with a receipt) if you are experimenting with different types of bulbs at home. Also, with a receipt, some shops will exchange a bulb if it ever burns out prematurely.
Because CFLs contain mercury** (a fraction of the amount in an old fashioned thermometer), broken bulbs should be sealed in a plastic bag. Those and all used CFLs should be disposed of at a Home Depot, IKEA or Ace Hardware store OR at the City of Austin Hazardous Waste Facility.
**Traditional incandescent lights end up generating 2-10 times more mercury than CFLs when you figure in the mercury emissions from the coal plants that usually power them.
NOW is the time to conserve water for $ savings
Did you know: The cost of providing wastewater services (or sewage treatment) is higher that the cost of providing water services. Wastewater must be extensively treated before it is clean enough to release back into the environment. You will notice on your utility bill that the cost of wastewater service is much higher than the cost of your water.
What you can do: In Austin, you can lower your wastewater costs for 2010 by conserving your water usage during the winter months. Since the City has to guess how much water is going down your drains, it chooses the season when you are least likely to be watering outdoors to estimate how much water you use each month. Depending on your billing cycle, the 3 monthly periods used for wastewater averaging will occur between mid-November and mid-March. The two months with the lowest usage will be averaged and then used to bill you for NO MORE THAN that usage amount throughout the following year. My own wastewater bill has fluctuated as much as $90 annually based on how much water we used during the winter.
For more information about conserving water, visit: www.cityofaustin.org/watercon/
To find out when YOUR 3-month averaging period begins, visit: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/water/wwaverage/wwaverage.cfm
It improves our air quality while slowing climate change.
Become an informed consumer: Tip #1
(Read your Energy Bill)
Did you know? Much of our “carbon footprint” comes from home energy use. The average Austin Energy customer uses 12,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, creating about 8 tons of CO2 emissions per year. If all 352,574 Austin Energy residential customers reduced their annual consumption by 1,000 kWh, collectively we could reduce CO2 emissions by more than 450 million pounds (~228,000 tons).
What you can do: Check your Austin Energy bill to see how many kilowatt hours of electricity you use, and do at least one thing to reduce your use of electricity. See what a difference that change makes to your next bill. Creating an online account with Austin Energy allows you to see the past 24 months of your usage history.
Personal story: Last January, our family began turning off lights more often, and replaced half of our lightbulbs with Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs and saw a 20% drop in our use immediately, saving us $300 over 12 months. Of course, we had been using more than the average 12,000 kWh each year, so now we are about average.
Another simple way to reduce your carbon footprint is to subscribe to Austin Energy’s GreenChoice program to bring emissions-free, renewable energy (mostly wind energy, at this point) to the Austin area. By reducing the amount of electricity you consume as a GreenChoice customer, you free up more renewable energy for others to become GreenChoice customers. Find out more about Austin Energy electricity conservation programs at www.austinenergy.com.
Become an informed consumer: Tip #2
(Get a FREE Energy Audit)
Did you know: The Austin region’s ozone emissions are flirting with non-compliance with the federal ozone air quality standard. If we do get named as a region in violation of the ozone standard in June 2010, we will be required to take more stringent measures to reduce ozone emissions, which could make it more costly for industry to do business in Austin, which may make Austin a less attractive economic hub. This happened not too long ago when Toyota decided to open a new plant in San Antonio rather than Dallas because, at the time, San Antonio did not violate the federal ozone standard, whereas Dallas is in violation and therefore has to meet tougher, more expensive emissions limits. Also, if we do get designated for non-compliance, in the long-turn we could have federal highway funding withheld if we do not meet our timelines for cleaning up our air below the ozone standard. If Austinites can reduce our demand for electricity in the coming 17 months, lowering the demand for electricity from coal-fired plants, we could reduce our ozone-forming emissions from our power plants and potentially avoid being labeled as violating the ozone standard.
What you can do: Austin Energy is looking at ways to limit our power production during high ozone days, but will need the help of all of our customers to lower their demand. Start by scheduling a FREE energy audit to find out what changes you can make your home more energy efficient. An energy audit is recommended for all homes 10 years and older. Companies will check your HVAC system, duct system, attic insulation, solar shading and air infiltration. To find energy auditors, visit austinenergy.com and click on "Power Saver Program."
Shop wisely for TVs
Did you know? A big-screen plasma television can use as much energy as a refrigerator, even if it is on only five hours a day. Turning on this TV is like turning on 30 Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs and generating a half-ton of carbon emissions in one year. And yet, this TV has qualified as an Energy Star model, because it is (in it’s energy-saving mode) 30% more efficient than other TVs in its class.1,2
What you can do: -The greenest option is keep your older TV. The upcoming switch from analog to digital signal on February 18, 2009, affects only cube-shaped cathode-ray (CRT) televisions without a cable or satellite subscription and, of those, mostly sets at least 5 years old that don’t have built-in digital tuner. These older “rabbit ear” televisions can adapt to the switch with a $50-$75 converter box (look for a box with the Energy Star). Every household is eligible to receive two $40 coupons toward their purchase. Visit www.dtv.gov for details.
-If you do purchase a new television, think Energy Star, but think outside the Energy Star box by considering the most efficient “class” of TV from the most environmentally responsible manufacturers. Avoid plasma TVs with high resolutions (1080 pixels) – they are the biggest energy hogs. The most energy-efficient option is an liquid crystal display LCD flat-screen TV smaller than 42 inches at any resolution, which is more efficient than the same-size CRT, according to EfficientProducts.org, a website that tests the efficiency of products. If you must have a bigger screen, consider a rear-projection TV. To save energy and extend the life of the LCD, have the set tuned to the medium level of backlighting or “home” setting. To prevent power leaks or “phantom loads” while the TV is off, plug it into a power strip that can be switched off when not in use.-Buy used or from manufacturers who will take back & recycle their TVs. Most do not, causing a serious issue with toxic chemicals that TVs leak into our environment. Visit takebackmytv.com to find out which manufacturers take responsibility for their products. Sony and Samsung earned the highest scores from the “2008 Greenpeace Guide to Greener Electronics,” which ranks companies for their take-back and recycling programs, as well as for the toxicity of their products. Panasonic, Sharp and Toshiba have partnered with Central Texas Goodwill to take back and recycle their non-working TVs. Visit texastakeback.org to find a drop-off location for other brands of non-working TVs and electronics. Though Philips received a low score from the Greenpeace guide, its Eco-TV is notable for being one of the least toxic and energy-saving.3Educate and Advocate! To learn more about the e-waste issue in Texas (from a public-interest perspective), visit: texasenvironment.org/ewaste.cfm.
Endnotes
[1] Harris, Richard. “New Ratings Help Buyers Scan TV Energy Use,” All Things Considered, aired on National Public Radio, 11/17/08.
2 In November, the government updated Energy Star efficiency standards for televisions. To figure out how much an energy an Energy Star qualified TV uses when it is ON (the old standards only measured energy consumption when the TV was OFF --- go figure!), visit www.energystar.gov. TVs that earn the ENERGY STAR label under these requirements will be up to 30% more efficient than non-qualified models in the same class.
3 Based on energy-use ratings for 128 flat-screen TVs in 10/2008 by CNET.com. reviews.cnet.com/tv-power-consumption