January 1, 2018

January- Increasing Energy Efficiency

” For as long as I am in the world, there is plenty of light.I am the world’s Light”      

John 9-5

 

January’s ACTION is INCREASING ENERGY EFFICIENCY . Commit to one Action each week this month.  Contact  zerowastechurch@gmail.com  for more information.


Let’s ACT together this year to restore the fullness of God’s earth. 

Jesus tells us not to hide our light under a bushel basket. LED lights use 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs and could save up to 7.8 gigatons of carbon dioxide in households alone if everyone switched. Smart thermostats can save energy savings up to 20%. There are many other ways you can save energy in your home: heat pumps, better insulation and solar panels are also options to increase energy efficiency. Let your love and light shine for love of the earth and love of neighbor by a refocus on your energy usage this month.
 

For more information on increasing energy efficiency, see below!

Are you a Church leader looking to initiate this program as part of a zero waste campaign?  We will have PDF posters from each of our Monthly Actions, that can be downloaded from our “For Leaders” Resource Page. 

Week 1

  •  Request a free Energy Savings Analysis from your electric utility. 

  • Turn down your thermostat—aim for 68◦ day time, 60◦ at night.

 Week 2

  • Buy and install a programmable thermostat and low-flow shower head. 

  • Weatherize your home— insulate hot water heater, increase insulation in attic, etc.

Week 3

  • Switch from incandescent to LED lights; turn off lights when not in use.

  • Wash clothes in cold water; run dishwasher with full load and use air dry.

 Week 4

  • Upgrade to Energy Star appliances.

  • Contact your Representatives and Senators expressing your support for developing renewable energy.

Resources 

Facts about solar power:

https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/various-solar-energy-facts.php

Homeowner’s Guide to going Solar, Solar Energy Technology Office, U.S. Department of Energy:

 http://energy.gov/eere/solar/homeowner-s-guide-going-solar

Energy Saver is the U.S. Department of Energy’s consumer resource on energy saving and using renewable energy technologies at home:

https://energy.gov/eere/efficiency/homes.


The mission of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is to create and sustain American leadership in the transition to a global clean energy economy:


http://energy.gov/eere/about-office-energy-efficiency-and-renewable-energy.

Solar Best Practices for Congregations

www.ncipl.org.

NCIPL’s comprehensive energy program for congregations – emPOWERed – is designed to help  faith communities establish energy use baselines and then provide worship facility workshops to suggest possible ways congregations can save money and energy:

 www.ncipl.com.

 

This is part of our RESTORING GOD’S EARTH, A YEAR OF PERSONAL ACTION program;  A monthly guide to help individuals learn the many ways they can help care for God’s creation.

 

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Filed Under: January, Renewable Energy, Zero Waste Church