Virginia Energy Sense

Partners Making an Energy Efficient Difference—OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY

(This is the third post in a series highlighting the great energy efficiency work Virginia Energy Sense partners are achieving across the state.)

Old Dominion University is working with Dominion Virginia Power to install a photovoltaic solar system on the roof of its Student Recreation Center.  The system will include more than 600 photovoltaic panels producing 132 kilowatts of energy, which is enough to power about 35 homes.

Old Dominion is the first participant in Dominion Power’s Solar Partnership Program.  The solar power generated on ODU’s campus will feed into the power grid where Dominion Virginia Power will assess its benefits for the overall electrical distribution system.  The university and power company agree that this project should encourage the growth of solar energy throughout Virginia.

The solar system will also be a learning tool for the university’s engineering school and the overall student body.  Students can access real-time information about how much power the installation is generating from two kiosks on campus.

Have an energy efficiency story you’d like to share?  We’d love to hear what you’re doing and any ideas on how your company/organization can encourage Virginians to reduce their energy use.  For your chance to be featured, contact the Virginia Energy Sense team at justin@virginiaenergysense.org.

Top Ten Energy Efficiency Gadgets

Did you know that 98% of Virginians agree that saving energy is important, but only 27% feel highly knowledge about how they can achieve energy savings?  We’ve compiled this Top 10 list of simple energy-efficiency gadgets to help make saving easier. 

Whether you’re new to becoming more energy efficient, or are an expert always looking for more you can do to save, these low-cost tools can help make saving a breeze.  Each of these devices can be found at your local or online hardware or electronics retailer. Most cost only a few bucks and all can be found for less than $75, so pick up the ones that work for you to start saving today! For more energy-saving tips, visit www.virginiaenergysense.org.

1.  Electricity Usage Monitors

To save energy, first arm yourself with information!  Plug the monitor into the wall and enter the price per kilowatt-hour for your area.  Next, plug any device into the monitor and use it as normal for a few days.  Check back later and the monitor will tell you how much it costs to run the device per month, including how much energy is wasted to vampire load.  After a few weeks, you’ll have a good understanding of your biggest expenses, meaning you know where to target your savings.

2.  Smart Power Strips

On average, 10% of the cost to power our electronics is wasted to vampire load, the energy used when devices aren’t even in use.  Smart power strips have special settings that maintain continual power to critical devices while cutting electricity to others when they are not in use.  Even traditional power strips are handy for powering off several unused devices with one flip of the switch.

3.  Air Filter Whistles

You should regularly replace the air filters on your heating and cooling unit—as frequently as every month during the summer and winter when you use the system the most.  Air filter whistles make it easy to remember.   Simply attach the whistle to your filter and it will automatically “sing” when it’s clogged, reminding you to make the swap.

4.  Electrical Outlet Gaskets

The average household spends nearly half of its electric bill on heating and cooling, but you could be wasting money from gaps, cracks and other air leaks in your home.  A simple way to start reducing some of this air loss is to install foam gaskets behind your light switch and AC outlet faceplates.  The gaskets only cost a few bucks, and you can seal up all your outlets with nothing more than a screwdriver.

5.  Insulated Letterbox Flap

Speaking of gaps in your home, mail slots in doors are notoriously drafty and lead to major heating and cooling loss.  If you don’t want to replace your entire mail slot, find models that now attach to the inside of the door and are invisible from the outside.  They cut down on drafts while still allowing mail to be pushed through.

6.  Wireless Outlet Controls

Do you always forget to turn off the lights?  Maybe you forget to turn off a fan or space heater?  If so, pick up a wireless outlet controller to give yourself a backup.  These devices enable you to control any electronic device remotely on your computer or with an app on your smartphone.  Simply plug the controller tool into the wall, and then plug any appliance or device into the controller to instantly give you the power to save on-the-go.

7.  Device Charging Stations

How many gadgets do you have lying around your home?  Are chargers for your phones, mp3 players, and tablets strewn about your room and staying plugged in to the wall even when not in use?  Why not consolidate them into a single charging station.  Both USB and AC models are available, and stations enable you to charge multiple devices simultaneously, reducing the amount of energy consumed per device.  They also sense when devices are fully charged, automatically shutting off to reduce vampire load.

8.  Radiator Insulation Panels

Also called radiator reflector panels, these thin metal sheets slide between your wall and radiator, and reflect the heat off the wall and back into the room.  By circulating the air and reducing the heat wasted into the wall, your heater doesn’t have to work as hard.  These simple devices can cut up to 30% off your heating bill.

9.  Water Tank Jackets

Heating water takes a lot of energy, so any way you can save in this area is sure to lead to big savings.  Wrap your water tank with a jacket to improve insulation by as much as 75%.  Keeping the water hot lets your water heater take more frequent breaks, saving you money.

10.  Efficient Showerheads

Speaking of hot water, pick up one of these nifty showerheads that reduce the water wasted while you wait for your shower to heat up.  The showerhead has a built-in thermometer and runs normally when you first turn it on and the water is still cold.  Once the water’s hot, the showerhead automatically cuts the flow to a trickle.  The change in sound will signal your shower’s ready and reduce wasted water before you hop in. A simple pull of a lever will return the flow to normal.  Pick up one of these to help you conserve electricity and water.

Virginia University Students Leading the Way in Sustainable Design

University students from Virginia are turning heads with their innovative sustainability solutions at the Environmental Protection Agency’s P3 event.  P3, which stands for People, Prosperity, and the Planet, is a competition that provides $15,000 grants to college students to develop a sustainable design idea.  Teams then bring their idea to a competition hosted on the National Mall in Washington, DC for a chance to win an additional $90,000 grant to develop the concept for real world application.

This year’s is the 9th annual expo, and features teams from James Madison, Virginia Tech, and Radford Universities.  James Madison’s team has developed a system to turn agricultural waste and wood-based products into biochar, a charcoal-like substance that is added to the soil to provide nutrients for plants and help prevent runoff.  The biochar produces several benefits for farmers:  it recycles waste materials into a useful substance; adds nutrients to the soil for healthier crops; captures and stores carbon, preventing its release into the atmosphere; and waste heat from the conversion process contributes to solar water heating, reducing the farm’s electricity use.  JMU’s concept is already benefitting four farms in the Shenandoah Valley and helping protect the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Virginia Tech’s team developed a more efficient and sustainable system to wash eggs.  With the rise of pastured egg production, there is a critical need for egg washers on small-scale farm operations.  Virginia Tech’s system features a conveyor belt that moves the eggs through an underwater channel.  The water holds the key breakthrough; the team discovered that by reducing the water pressure, little bubbles form on the egg shells that naturally whisk away dirt and germs.  The eggs come out clean without the need for chemicals, and the automated system is both energy efficient and can clean eggs much more quickly than the systems small farmers currently use.

Finally, Radford University’s team discovered an economical method for purifying water.  By binding sugars to ordinary sand and immersing it in the water, the sugar-sand compound captures heavy metals and other contaminants that would otherwise make water unsafe for drinking.  The sand is then easily filtered back out, leaving clean, safe water.  Radford’s team is looking for ways to make the system easily replicable so that it can be reproduced in low-income areas across the world.

Virginians can be proud of the breakthroughs its university students are making in sustainable and energy saving design.  Keep checking back on our blog and social media channels to learn more about ways Virginians are taking steps to reduce our energy footprint.  You can also visit our Energy Efficient Home Showcase to see what your neighbors are doing to save!

Partners Making an Energy-Efficient Difference: Virginia Department of Corrections

(This is the third post in a series highlighting the great energy efficiency work Virginia Energy Sense Partners are achieving across the state.)

The Virginia Department of Corrections, a Virginia Energy Sense partner, has been hard at work to provide cost-effective services while reducing energy use.  The Department completed construction of the largest solar thermal system in Virginia, a 253-panel roof mounted system that preheats water used in showers, lavatories, and the campus kitchen.  The system was designed to offset 20-30 percent of the propane fuel used to heat water.  Measurements are underway to further improve performance.

The system is located at St. Brides Correctional Center in Chesapeake, VA.

The Department was recognized by the Governor’s award for environmental excellence in 2008, 2009, and 2010.

Have an energy efficiency story you’d like to share?  We’d love to hear what you’re doing and any ideas on how your company/organization can help encourage Virginians to reduce their energy use.  For the chance to be featured, contact justin@virginiaenergysense.org.

The Rise of Energy Efficient Lighting

American consumers are continuing to trade in their traditional incandescent light bulbs for newer, energy efficient products, according to a new Osram Sylvania report.  The survey found that 29 percent of US households no longer use incandescent bulbs, a 16 percent decrease in incandescent usage from a year earlier.  The trend is likely influenced by federal legislation that has slowly phased out production of incandescent bulbs, but the report also found that 68 percent of households voluntarily switched their bulbs for greater efficiency.

It’s easy to see how the new energy efficient bulbs could have a huge impact on energy savings.  The US government estimates that 12 percent of US electricity is used for lighting, and the average household spends 11 percent of its energy bill on lighting.  And while switching light bulbs is an easy fix, consumers have hesitated because of high up-front costs and the perceived aesthetic drawbacks of energy efficient bulbs.  New energy efficient bulbs, however, are making these problems a thing of the past.

Alternatives to incandescent bulbs currently include compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), which use about 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs, and light emitting diodes (LEDs), which can last up to an astonishing 50,000 hours.  Prices for LEDs in particular are declining steadily with a 24 percent drop over the last two years, and experts predict prices could drop to as low as five dollars for the formerly expensive lights.  Furthermore, advances in both CFLs and LEDs are addressing perceived aesthetic drawbacks.  Newer lights are better at replicating the “warm” white glow many consumers love about incandescent bulbs.  Many are also mercury-free, compatible with dimmer switches, and light up instantly, instead of requiring several seconds to warm up.

New technologies are eliminating the either-or dilemmas of earlier energy efficient bulbs.  Consumers can now achieve energy efficiency savings without sacrificing aesthetics or suffering from high up-front costs.  So what’s holding you back?  If Virginians can collectively make the move away from incandescent bulbs, the state will make enormous progress towards the goal of 10 percent energy reduction.  Take the 10 percent challenge, and make the switch today!

Partners making an energy-efficient difference: FERRUM COLLEGE

(This is the second post in a series highlighting the great energy efficiency work Virginia Energy Sense partners are achieving across the state.)

Located in southwest Virginia, Ferrum College  is a four-year higher learning institute nestled among mountains, lakes, state parks and numerous small towns with a variety of venues for outdoor exploration.

With such a strong connection to nature, it makes perfect sense that Ferrum College recently became a Virginia Energy Sense partner and signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) pledge to make a difference by reducing energy consumption and waste.

Ferrum College students are doing their part to help Virginia meet its goal to reduce energy use by 10%.  Every fall semester, students, faculty and staff on campus participate in the POWER DOWN ENERGY COMPETITION, a month long contest to implement energy saving practices. Their energy use is monitored by meters that show which buildings are saving the most energy. Two large monitors are connected to the energy meters and displayed on campus where students can track their energy usage and monitor the results of their efforts. You can see which building is winning by visiting http://energy.ferrum.edu/. 

Ferrum College is currently welcoming the addition of a biomass boiler to serve as an alternative energy source and teaching lab. The 1.0 megawatt boiler will provide hot water for the campus and generate enough power to compensate for at least a quarter of the electricity demand. The College has also committed to improving its lighting systems. LED lights are installed whenever possible and occupancy lights in bathrooms and hallways cut down on energy waste when lights aren’t in use.

Have an energy efficiency story you’d like to share? We’d love to hear what you’re doing and any ideas on how your company/organization can help encourage Virginians to reduce their energy use. For your chance to be featured, contact the Virginia Energy Sense team at Tabitha@virginiaenergysense.org.

Partners making an energy-efficient difference: CORNERSTONE ARCHITECTS

(This is the first post in a series highlighting the great energy efficiency work Virginia Energy Sense partners are achieving across the state.)

Located in Richmond, Virginia, Cornerstone Architects is an architecture and interior design firm committed to building environmentally friendly structures that make a statement and a contribution to the community. Recently signed on as a Virginia Energy Sense partner, Cornerstone Architects just completed the Emergency Command Center project located at the Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans’ Administration Hospital. This LEED Silver building project services more than 200,000 veterans coming from 52 cities and counties covering 22,515 miles of central and southern Virginia. The building incorporates energy saving strategies including a super insulated building envelope, high efficiency mechanical equipment, LED lighting, light controls and occupancy sensors.

The firm also owns a historical building in the “Old and Historic District” in downtown Richmond. This location allows employees to walk to several client sites and a variety of lunch options, further reducing their environmental footprint. The Cornerstone Architects team recently improved the energy consumption in the building by applying a “White Roof” coating that increases reflectance, cuts down on heat gain, lowers the electric bill and extends the life of the roof.

Have an energy efficiency story you’d like to share? We’d love to hear what you’re doing and any ideas on how your company/organization can help encourage Virginians to reduce their energy use. For your chance to be featured, contact the Virginia Energy Sense team at Tabitha@virginiaenergysense.org. 

Deck the Halls With Minimal Cost

We’re noticing lots of holiday decorations up already! You can make your home festive for the holidays without ruining your energy efficiency efforts. Read on to learn a few simple ways you can make sure your home is full of holiday cheer with minimal impact on your utility bill this season:

Tip 1: Get Creative

• Skip lights and go for old-fashioned and edible decor. Gingerbread men, candy canes and popcorn strings make great decorations— and require zero energy!
• Make your home sparkle by strategically placing tinsel, glittered stars and other shiny to catch lights already in use. They will give off a twinkle similar to lights and keep your energy use down over the holidays.

Tip 2: If you can’t skip lights, choose LEDs

• Did you know it costs about $10.00 to light a six-foot tree for 12 hours a day for 40 days with incandescent lights? To light that same tree with mini-LEDs for the same amount of time costs about $.82—now that’s what I call savings.
• As you pull decorations out of storage, check your lights. If they’re damaged or you’re using incandescent bulbs, consider swapping them for LED bulbs and mini-lights.
• You can find energy efficient lights in a variety of colors at most local hardware and retail stores. Before you buy, search ENERGY STAR’s Special Offer/Rebate Finder to find deals and other incentives. Enter  your zip code to find rebates near you.  

Tip 3: Set a Timer 

• Automatic timers make it easier for you to schedule your holiday lights to shine… when you want them to! Look for timer models that come with dusk/dawn sensors or shut off after a specific length of time. Newer models also have settings to create a light show and can even be combined with music—a fun addition if you’re hosting a holiday party.
• If you don’t have a timer, consider plugging lights into centrally located power strips to make it easier to turn them off before you go to bed or leave the house.

For more tips on saving energy all year long,  visit our  “At Home” section and check out our Do-It-Yourself Guide full of quick projects you can work on to reduce your utility bills.

Question of the Week: what’s a lumen?

It’s no secret that our home lighting choices have become significantly more efficient.  Now, instead of measuring our old, incandescent light bulbs by the amount of energy they use (watts), we’re measuring them by the amount of light they emit (lumens). This new measurement helps ensure you pick bulbs that use the least amount of energy while providing the appropriate brightness you need! Here are some tips to make sure you get the right bulbs for you:

1)      Before your next trip to the hardware store, think about your home. What kind of lighting do you need? Are you looking for energy efficient light bulbs for reading, or a brighter bulb for your desk? Make a list of your lighting needs.

Tip: There are also free mobile apps to help you while at the store, including Light Bulb Finder, the winner of the U.S. EPA’s Apps for the Environment contest. 

2)      Bookmark this graphic from the FTC to help you remember what kind of light bulbs you’re looking for.

3)      Once you get to the store, take a look at each bulb’s packaging label. It will include important information you’ll want to consider, including:

·         Brightness (in lumens)

·         Yearly estimated energy cost

·         Expected bulb life (in years)

·         Light appearance (how warm or cool the light will look)

·         Wattage (the energy used)

For more information on other simple steps you can take to reduce your energy use at home, check out the Virginia Energy Sense Do-It-Yourself Guide, full of low and no cost projects to help you Value Your Power!