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Island residents
Liza and Bart Smith have achieved nearly a 40 percent reduction
in their electric bill as a result of the free home energy audit
sponsored by Cape Light Compact and funded by NStar.
Last winter, when the Smiths first heard about the offer, they called
to set up an appointment right away. As home-based business owners,
Liza and Bart saw an opportunity to lower their overhead by saving
energy.
Weve been looking for ways to simplify our lives,
says Bart. It occurred to us that if we cut back our kilowatt-hours,
we could cut back the hours we work paying for them. For us, energy
efficiency translated to time off.
Both of them admit that the incentive to consume less energy in
their home also came from a feeling of responsibility to the environment
and from their own love of nature.
I not only wanted to save energy to reduce our bill,
explains Liza. I wanted to support an effort to dramatically
decrease the Islands energy dependence. We know there is a
finite supply of fossil fuel, and we know how much it pollutes our
air. Because of the effects that has on the world, I dont
feel right wasting energy.
Historically, the term conservation has conjured up
an image of deprivation and sacrifice. But by contrast, the new
buzzword efficiency focuses on being smarter, and using
better technology.
The free energy audit gives households a clear direction on where
to shave off kilowatt-hours here and there without giving things
up.
The auditor first does a complete energy inventory in and around
the home. All major appliances, machines and electronic equipment
are metered. An assessment of air current patterns within the house
is conducted to look for energy leaks. After this, the auditor writes
a report and makes some recommendations.
The Smiths learned how much each machine in the house was costing
per year and how to cut those costs. The auditor pointed out areas
where they could redirect the airflow to stop heat from escaping
into the walls, out the windows, or up the flue. The analysis is
comprehensive and offers incentive programs that help cover any
costs involved, by way of discounts on more efficient technology
and by subsidy of labor costs.
Because the Smiths are renting their home, they chose things that
didnt involve construction or buying new appliances. What
surprised them was how much they saved just by being more aware
of watt wastage. They were amazed at how a missing outlet cover
could generate a major current of warm air into the walls and up
to an attic.
An action they took immediately was to replace their light bulbs,
which accounted for $291/year according to the auditor after analyzing
their electric bill. Right on the spot they were given free fluorescent
bulbs that use only a third as much energy. They also learned that
turning lights off more often, and by shutting down computers, monitors,
appliances, the dehumidifier, and their electronics when not in
use made a much bigger difference than they thought. Unexpected
discoveries included how much energy is used by remote sensing devices
that stand ready on demand, and by how little energy a TV really
uses.
At the time of the audit the Smiths were using about 1,200 kilowatt-hours
per month, much to their chagrin. The average house uses closer
to 500. They looked at it as a challenge.
It was fun. Over the next few months we began to look forward
to getting our electric bill to see how our progress was coming,
says Bart.
Four months later they had achieved savings of 40 percent without
spending a dime.
With the Cape Light Compact incentive coupon, they could have saved
another 10 percent by buying a new refrigerator for $600, he added.
That would mean they had doubled their efficiency, cutting their
consumption in half.
The Smiths recall the whole experience as making them feel great
about playing a part in a mission they share with Vineyard Unplugged
to reduce the Islands energy dependency. Many islands
around the world share the same vision, the ultimate achievement
being energy neutral consuming only as much energy as is
produced. Based on the success the Smiths had with so little effort,
that sounds more promising than one might expect.
Free energy audits are available to all households on the Island.
To sign up, call 800- 797-6699. For more information on Island energy
programs and ways to benefit by using renewable energy and energy
efficiency, go to vineyard-unplugged.org.
This series is sponsored by the Vineyard Energy Project, through
a grant from the Department of Energys Million Solar Roofs
program. The Vineyard Energy Project promotes sustainable energy
choices through education, outreach and renewable energy projects
that serve as models for other communities. Martha Shaw is a member
of Vineyard Unplugged, a citizens energy group organized after
the Community Energy Workshop in April 2003. The Times publishes
these columns as a service to its readers.