Take the Electric Energy Challenge!


In the United States, electricity generation causes more emissions of greenhouse gases than any other cause. Most of this is the result of  carbon dioxide emissions from coal fired power plants.

Scientists generally agree that we must cut our emissions of carbon dioxide drastically to avert reaching a tipping point where catastrophic climate change is inevitable.

Families can cut their carbon emissions drastically now (without greatly altering their lifestyles), if they cut down on both the use of electricity from the burning of fossil fuels and on gasoline use. 

FIRST, SEE IF YOU CAN GET GREEN ENERGY FROM YOUR POWER COMPANY:

Call your electric company and tell them that you want the green energy option. Locally, both Kentucky Utilities and Intercounty-RECC have this option.  See Our Green Tip “Enroll in a Green Electricity Program” for more information.  When you purchase a green option, the electric company increases the amount of green energy by the amount you buy.  In the space of just a few minutes, you will have taken action to very dramatically decrease the amount of carbon emissions from your electricity use.

If your electric company does  not have a green option, you can still support the green power industry by buying renewable energy certificates, which allow you to purchase green energy in another part of the country. Your donation will dispense green power to the national power grid.

DECREASE YOUR ELECTRICITY USE WITH THE FAMILY "ELECTRIC ENERGY CHALLENGE":

Start the "Electric Energy Challenge" in your home. It makes conservation a fun family effort and will give you some interesting dinner time conversations!

The goal is to see how much you can decrease your electric bill from the same month's bill last year. This is easy to check.  At least on the KU bill, they list the average number of kilowatts you used this month and also for the same month last year.  They also give the average temperature for the month this year and last year.

Engage the whole family in brainstorming the ways to decrease your electricity usage, to work the challenge. Then, eagerly await the results on your electric bills!

HOW TO WIN AT THE ELECTRIC ENERGY CHALLENGE

1. Change all the bulbs in your house (that you run for a significant amount of time) to compact fluorescent bulbs as soon as you can. Do not wait until your old bulbs burn out. You will save a lot of money and help the environment if you change your bulbs now. For every compact fluorescent bulb you put in, you will save about $30 over the long run. Compact fluorescent bulbs need only about 25% the amount of
electricity to provide the same amount of brightness. And they usually last about 7-10 years.

2. Get an energy audit from your electric company. They will tell you ways that you can save money on your electric bill. For example, they can show you places where there is leaking of warm air out of the
house.

3. Only use the amount of lighting you need. For example, use a task light with one bulb to read, not an overhead light with three bulbs.

4. Turn off lights and appliances when not in use.

5. Run the dryer less. My family has discovered that if we hang the towels and jeans on hangers to dry, we only have to run one dryer load for every two loads of wash. And that dryer load does not have to run
as long. (Hanging all the clothes on a line is even better.)

6. Use warm fleece clothing and throw blankets in the winter so you can be comfortable with your thermostat at a lower temperature. Decrease the home temperature at night and while you are away.

7. Plant deciduous trees near your house to shade it in the summer (but don't shade any solar installations). Try to use air conditioning as little as possible. Let the cool night air in, and turn off your air conditioning when you are away. Wear cool clothing and use fans where needed, instead of air conditioning.

8. Buy "Energy Star" rated appliances whenever you replace old appliances.

7. Buy a solar hot water system if you can. A solar hot water system will save you money over time, although it costs a significant amount up front. If you install a solar hot water system at your home, this
reduces emissions of green house gases as much as eliminating one car!

ONE LAST THING:

Urge any family, business, or institution that is renovating or building a new building to make it energy efficient and use the sun's energy. This can  save the owner lots of money (especially considering
that electricity costs will be rising), as well as help save the environment. Buildings often last a hundred years or more, so a building’s use of energy makes a big environmental impact over the years. Simple considerations such as using passive solar methods do not necessarily cost more and will reduce energy expenditures significantly.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR ELECTRIC ENERGY CHALLENGE! AND SPREAD THE WORD TO OTHERS!

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