The Jamestown Audubon Society has launched a new page, Green Home Chautauqua, on their website. Its purpose is " to be your gateway to resources that will help you create a greener home through renovations. In particular, we are interested in promoting projects that implement alternative energy sources and/or technologies & strategies that reduce energy usage." It is a work in progress, as they compile information on local contractors, suppliers, or vendors of green technologies, books and websites useful to homeowners looking to reduce their energy usage, and accounts from homeowners who have already installed green features.
This is interesting because "powering down" is a key component of how we get beyond the challenges of peak oil and global climate change. It also makes good personal economic sense.
When we hear of green technologies, we tend to think of energy alternatives like wind and solar, water conservation measures like rainwater collection and low-flush toilets, use of recycled materials or renewable plant materials like bamboo and straw. But there are many more mundane things that each of us can do to reduce our harmful impact on our planet.
Weatherization is the easiest way to cut energy bills (and use) by reducing heat loss through cracks, gaps, and holes in your home. Weatherization includes such things as caulking and weather-stripping around windows and doors, using window film (or adding storm windows and doors, perhaps even going so far as replacing windows and doors with new, energy efficient ones), adding insulation, sealing leaks you might not even think of, around electrical outlets and recessed lighting. Government funding is available for low-income families to receive weatherization services, which save the average family over $300 on energy costs in the first year. Locally, this program is administered by Chautauqua Opportunities.
It's good for folks who don't qualify under "low income" guidelines to do these things too. For a small investment at your local hardware store, and a Saturday afternoon of sweat, you too can enjoy energy savings and be snug as a bug in a rug this winter.
You can still get federal tax credits for installations through the end of 2010 of new energy-efficient doors and windows, storm windows, insulation, heating systems, and biomass fuel stoves with a thermal efficiency rating of 75% or more.
If you don't feel handy enough to do it yourself and can't afford to pay a contractor, here's an interesting idea:
A group of activists in Cambridge, MA formed a non-profit called Home Energy Efficiency Team (HEET). They organize free weatherization parties (which they call "weatherization barn-raisings) to teach volunteers how to lower their energy bills and carbon emissions. The labor is free to the home-owners/tenants. They only pay for materials. It sounds like a good deal. In fact, they give how-to instructions on their website for other interested groups to organize their own HEETs.
As for us, we've always been conservation minded. We received the message that most people ignored back during the 1970's oil embargo. During the cold months, we keep our thermostat low during the day, and lower at night. We like it that way. Sweaters and blankets work remarkably well!
Now we live in a small house. You might even call it tiny. We like the small footprint, but we're finding we may not be quite tiny house people. So we're contemplating adding a second story. In the meantime, we swapped out our monster hot water tank for a tankless model that only heats water on demand. We're replacing all of our windows this month. We compost and recycle. We use compact fluorescent bulbs.
When we need new appliances (which we don't, at the moment) we'll get the most energy efficient ones we can find. The NY Great Appliance Swap Out program for purchasing Energy Star appliances was very popular and funds have been depleted, but you can still apply on their wait list because they anticipate further funding will become available.
Homeowner or renter, there are things everyone can do to live "greener."
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