Making Dad Energy Efficient This Father’s Day
Brian Herberger
By Brian Herberger
When my wife gave me my lawnmower for Father’s Day last year, I immediately thought “thanks darling, here’s your vacuum.” But in an effort to preserve marital accord, I decided not to rush to judgment. After all, the box boasted the cyan blue ENERGY STAR mark—the U.S. EPA run program that my wife has devoted a significant part of her career promoting. In short, my wife knows her stuff.
While the lawnmower itself wasn’t labeled, the box said it was “Powered by an ENERGY STAR battery charging system.” You got it—a cordless electric mower. Mine has a 36 Volt system, which for my 5000 square foot lot means I need to charge it about every third mowing. No need to run to the gas station to fill up the canister. And perhaps because the mower isn’t full of liquid, it is very easy to push.
Did I mention that I love the way it starts? You simply turn a switch and pull back the safety bar mounted on the handle. Gone are the days of incessant yanking on a pull cord and all of the gas and exhaust fumes. I am a convert.
Honey if you’re reading this, I noticed there are a host of power tools that also have ENERGY STAR battery chargers. I’ve got my eye on a variable speed, compact drill with a built-in LED light.
About the author: Brian Herberger is a technology specialist for Fairfax County Public Schools (VA) and a father of two. In his spare time he enjoys landscaping and carpentry. His wife works for the U.S. EPA’s ENERGY STAR program.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
NADA launches new Energy Ally program to help dealers complete ENERGY STAR survey
By: Lauren Bailey, National Automobile Dealers Association
The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) is always looking to help owners create a better business. What’s an easy way to do that? Find places to save money without compromising a quality experience for our customers. One place we have found huge potential is in increasing energy efficiency. In view of our longstanding partnership with the U.S. EPA, NADA has launched a new program to help new-car and -truck dealerships reduce their energy consumption through the agency’s ENERGY STAR certification program.
In many other sectors of the commercial buildings market, there are national data sets detailing how buildings use energy. These data enable EPA to develop 1 – 100 ENERGY STAR scores, which rank individual buildings relative to other similar buildings across the country. A score of 50 represents median energy performance, whereas a score of 75 means that a building is more energy efficient than 75 percent of similar buildings nationwide. These scores provide building owners and managers with the critical information they need to assess performance, prioritize investments, and verify improvements over time.
Currently there is no national data set on how new car dealerships use energy. As a result, new car dealerships are not currently able to earn a 1 – 100 ENERGY STAR score on EPA’s online energy benchmarking tool, ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. For this reason, NADA and EPA are encouraging dealerships to complete a brief survey, available at www.nada.org/energystar. By completing a brief survey, we can help establish some guidelines to help dealerships cut energy costs and reduce emissions. The survey asks dealers to share their yearly utility bills, square footage—inside and out—and different types of equipment used at the dealership, among other questions.
We need to be sure the survey process is thorough, so before we can begin the ENERGY STAR certification process, we need to benchmark the energy usage of at least 500 dealerships. To encourage participation, NADA has launched a new program called Energy Ally, which is a way for outside organizations, such as accounting, consulting and energy management firms, to partner with dealers to get the survey completed. Any business that helps five or more dealerships complete the survey earns an NADA Energy Ally designation. You can apply here.
Dealers are already doing many great things to reduce their buildings’ energy use in communities across the country. One such dealer, Shelor Motor Mile in Christiansburg, VA, has made some simple and cost effective fixes, like installing ENERGY STAR certified CFLs and purchasing high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, that will save money and energy. After all, as Shelor Motor Mile’s Energy Manager John Jordan says, “The bottom line is: it’s about the bottom line. And if you save energy, you’re gonna save money.” Learn more about what Shelor Motor Mile is doing to improve energy efficiency by watching the video found here.
Lauren Bailey is an attorney with the National Automobile Dealers Association where she works on environmental and labor issues. She received her law degree from the Catholic University of America and her undergraduate degree from the Pennsylvania State University.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
EPA’s Biggest Energy Loser Wins Big…Can You?
By: Alena Hutchinson
A few weeks ago, EPA announced the winners of its 2012 ENERGY STAR National Building Competition. For the third year in a row, we were blown away by the results. Out of more than 3,000 competitors, all of the top 15 finishers reduced their energy waste by more than 30 percent. In addition, more than 85 buildings in the competition had a 20 percent reduction. Altogether, the competitors saved a combined total of more than 3 billion kBtus of energy and $50 million on utility bills.
Many were winners. Only one was the biggest loser.
So, who won? Demarest Elementary School in Bloomfield, NJ, emerged victorious by cutting its energy use by more than half and achieving a whopping 52 percent reduction in one year. And they did it mostly through no- and low-cost changes, like turning off and unplugging equipment when it wasn’t in use and practicing “toast and coast” heating — the turning off of boilers once the building had reached outside temperatures on nice days.
While the big savings numbers always get the most attention, perhaps even more impressive is what the average competitor accomplished. Buildings that reduced their consumption during the competition saved an average of nearly $25,000 and reduced their energy use by 8% from the previous year.
Small changes make a big difference.
The results aren’t all that different than what we often see on NBC’s The Biggest Loser, which was the inspiration for this competition. Buildings across the nation compete to work off their energy waste with help from ENERGY STAR. At the end, the building that cuts its energy use the most is declared the winner.
And just like on the TV show, there are ups and downs for every building. Sometimes, drastic measures are needed, but often it just takes small changes everyday that add up to big savings. Just like it’s not always necessary to take extreme measures to lose weight, buildings don’t always need to implement expensive technology upgrades to start cutting energy use. Likewise, adopting small lifestyle changes like eating healthier and exercising can make all the difference. Changing behaviors, whether it’s by turning off lights that aren’t being used, not heating or cooling empty spaces, and unplugging energy-wasting equipment, can make a huge impact when it’s done regularly and becomes a lifestyle.
Step on the scale. Repeat.
Of course, one of the most important steps in an energy waste-loss program is stepping on the scale. For buildings, that means entering monthly energy data in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, EPA’s energy measurement and tracking tool. By continuing to monitor and track the ups and downs of energy use, building owners and managers can find out where they stand…and where they need to go.
Join the fun next year. Sign up by May 31!
So who really won this year? The short answer: we all did. When buildings use less energy, the plants that power them emit fewer greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, resulting in a cleaner, healthier environment for all of us.
Want to be a part of the solution? Ask your management to enter your building in the 2013 competition. The fourth season brings all new twists, including new ways to win and more ways to compete. Perhaps the biggest change this year is that tenants can compete! So whether your organization occupies all of a building or part of one, you can compete to become the next biggest energy loser.
Learn more and register at www.energystar.gov/battleofthebuildings
Alena Hutchinson is a member of the Commercial and Industrial Branch for EPA’s ENERGY STAR program.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Keeping Up with the Joneses
By: Rebecca Hudson
Let’s face it. We’ve all done it. As much as you hate to admit it, you have compared yourself to your neighbors. Whether it was over who has the better television or who makes the best potato salad at the summer BBQ, we all have a little competitive streak inside of us. But have you ever gotten competitive over saving energy? Well, get your competitive juices flowing because EPA recently upgraded its Home Energy Yardstick, and now you can compete with your friends on a whole new level to see who can have the most energy efficient home.
The Yardstick is a free, online tool that allows homeowners to compare their home’s actual energy use to similar homes across the country to see how they measure up. To get started, all you’ll need is your home’s energy bills, square footage, number of people living in your home, and ZIP code. On the Yardstick scale, a home that scores a 10 is a top performer, an “average” home scores a 5, and one that scores below that has lots of room to improve.
EPA’s Yardstick tool was recently revamped and now graphs your monthly energy use to illustrate how it changes over the year — helping you to better pinpoint where you may have opportunities for improvement. It also now includes additional features like Green Button, a White House supported initiative to help homeowners easily access their utility data. If your utility participates, all you have to do is download your Green Button file from your utility’s website and upload it into the Yardstick tool.
So get started today and get your friends and family together to see who can get the lowest Yardstick scores. If your home does not score well, do not worry; ENERGY STAR has a wealth of tips, guidance, and tools to help you to improve your score and get yourself on the path to improving your home’s efficiency–and of course, beating your friends.
Rebecca Hudson works for EPA’s ENERGY STAR program and is focused on developing homeowner tools and supporting multifamily new construction stakeholders. She looks forward to having a friendly family competition for the best Yardstick score over the next year.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Change the World Today!
By: Brittney Gordon
Last week people across the country celebrated the 43rd annual Earth Day. With projects big and small, many took this time to rededicate themselves to factoring in the health of the environment in their everyday activities. But, if you want to make a permanent change in the way that you protect the environment, you may need a little help. If you are looking to energize your quest to save energy, save money and protect the environment, look no further than the Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR campaign and these 3 simple steps:
Step One- Take the ENERGY STAR Pledge
From simple tasks like changing out your incandescent lighting to ENERGY STAR certified light bulbs/fixtures, to whole-home energy-saving renovations, there is a little something for everyone in the ENERGY STAR Pledge. You can take the pledge to make changes big and small, and you can even come back to challenge yourself to new actions in the future. The ENERGY STAR pledge even includes rebates and promotions from your local utility to help you on your energy-saving journey. Take the pledge today and see how easy it is to make a difference!
Step Two- Attend an ENERGY STARs Across America event
Now that you have taken the pledge, it is time to put your energy saving into action. Attending an ENERGY STARs Across America event is a great way to get started! Just click here to check out EPA’s interactive, online map of events. Each star represents a partner-sponsored event focused on teaching the public about saving energy. With hundreds of events on the map, you are sure to find one in your neck of the woods. Let these ENERGY STAR partners show you how they can help you save energy.
Step Three- Sign your family up for Team ENERGY STAR
If you have young people in your life, sign them up for the team! Team ENERGY STAR is a PTO Today-hosted activity aimed at involving the entire family in the act of protecting the climate. By signing up your kids, you will receive lots of great educational resources to help them learn about saving energy. PTO Today is even working with LG to reward team members who submit the best energy-saving stories in the Team ENERGY STAR Challenge. Click here to join today!
These three simple steps should put you on the right path to becoming more energy-efficient this Earth Week and beyond. Once you get started, be sure to stop by energystar.gov and share your story with EPA!
Brittney Gordon-Williams is a member of the ENERGY STAR communications team. She has worked for EPA since May of 2010.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
The ENERGY STAR Awards
Award Recipient Evergreen Public Schools with EPA's Director of the Climate Protection Partnership Division, Elizabeth Craig
By: Brittney Gordon
From the moment I came to EPA’s ENERGY STAR program, I could tell that the annual announcement of the ENERGY STAR Awards was a BIG deal. Every year EPA honors organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through energy efficiency. ENERGY STAR’s partners in industry work hard all year long to educate consumers about making energy-efficient purchases and decisions, and hundreds of them submit applications to receive a coveted ENERGY STAR award. This year I was chosen to coordinate the ENERGY STAR awards, and after months of reviewing applications and debating their merits, I have definitely learned a few things along the way.
1.) ENERGY STAR partners are truly leading the way in the energy-efficiency movement. Across the country, ENERGY STAR has over 18,000 partners, and this year 119 won an ENERGY STAR award for their efforts in protecting the environment. I work with ENERGY STAR partners every day in my normal capacity, but coordinating the ENERGY STAR awards showed me a totally different side to the work they do. ENERGY STAR may be a government program, but it would not be successful without the daily work put in by partners across the nation. From new home builders and home energy raters to commercial building owners and product manufacturers, our partners are leading the way in helping Americans to protect the climate by becoming more energy efficient. They have invested their time and their resources to put energy efficiency near the top of their priority list, and American consumers—and our environment—are the beneficiaries. After reading about the work done by these organizations, I will look at my next purchase in a totally different way, as I now understand just how much effort it takes for them to help all of us become more energy efficient. This year’s recipient list reads like a “who’s-who” of the business world, and included names like The Home Depot, Hanesbrands, Colgate-Palmolive Company, Food Lion, USAA Real Estate, Samsung, and Toyota.
2.) The ENERGY STAR Awards are REALLY important to businesses across the country. From the moment I took on coordinating the ENERGY STAR awards, it became clear that EPA’s partners hold them in high regard. These organizations put in a lot of effort to make this country more efficient, and they look at these awards as acknowledgement for a job well done. As EPA staff members reached out to partners with the good news of their award, you could literally feel their excitement over the phone. Within days those partners began producing press releases and marketing campaigns to tell the world about this honor. With 85 percent of Americans recognizing the ENERGY STAR label, they know just how powerful that little blue label is, and they want consumers to know that they are being recognized as one of the best-of-the-best when it comes to energy efficiency and protecting the environment. Perhaps even more importantly, winning the award also helps them with internal acknowledgment for their work and can result in greater support for sustainability efforts.
3.) The announcement of the ENERGY STAR Awards is important in the movement to better protect the environment from climate change. Just as I learned that winning an ENERGY STAR award can put a company on cloud nine, I also learned that not winning can inspire other partners to work even harder to help Americans save energy. EPA received hundreds of applications this year and of course, they did not all get selected. But the first thing non-winners do is reach out to EPA to find out what they need to do to become a more powerful contender in 2014. These awards prove to be an incentive for protecting the environment year after year—and that is something to celebrate.
Brittney Gordon is a member of the ENERGY STAR communication’s team and this year served as the ENERGY STAR awards coordinator. For a complete listing of winners, click here.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
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- Rendering of a home being built to be ENERGY STAR certified in Joplin, MO
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- Ramona Schwartz
By: Ramona Schwartz
In May 2011, a deadly tornado ripped through the community of Joplin, Missouri, tragically killing 161 people and destroying a third of the city. Thousands of structures were destroyed or damaged, including many homes. Over a year later, the community is still rebuilding. But the people of Joplin have the true American spirit and are determined to rebuild and to rebuild better.
This rebuilding effort includes a project called Building Joplin. Building Joplin is an initiative by natural gas distributor Missouri Gas Energy. Under this initiative, we are working with local home builders, contractors, and major manufacturers to rebuild Joplin’s homes to be ENERGY STAR certified. ENERGY STAR certified homes are more efficient than most other homes, saving owners money on their utility bills, which is something residents of Joplin can really benefit from.
We are committed to training builders and sub-contractors on the best practices contained within ENERGY STAR’s requirements with the goal of rebuilding a more energy efficient and sustainable community. Our first home is under construction and will be completed in early April 2013. We believe that the Building Joplin project will grow public awareness about the importance of energy efficiency in Joplin and beyond.
One of my favorite movie quotes is, “If you build it, they will come.” This quote embodies the spirit behind the Building Joplin project. We believe that once the community sees and lives in ENERGY STAR certified homes, they will understand the efficiency, comfort and durability benefits of these homes, and they’ll want all of Joplin’s homes to be ENERGY STAR homes. For more information on ENERGY STAR certified homes, click here.
About the Author: Ramona Schwartz is a contractor working in support of Missouri Gas Energy’s Building Joplin project. She is very passionate about helping people in need and saving energy.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
The Power of Partnership
Hewan Tomlinson
Photo courtesy of Bernie Gardella, Boston Ballet Company
By: Hewan Tomlinson
Before I worked in energy efficiency, I was a ballet dancer. Like most young dancers, I wanted to have the stage all to myself. I admit I was not all that interested in partnership, unless by that you meant the poor guy standing behind me in the shadows doing the heavy lifting and making everything I did look effortless.
So, I was surprised to find that most of my favorite pieces—to dance and to watch—were the big ensembles. Don’t get me wrong: all any of us wanted was the chance to be alone in the limelight as much as possible! But when we all came together on stage, as partners, we became more than the sum of our parts. We could take an audience of thousands outside their day-to-day lives for a moment, bring them to their feet together, and send them home with an extra spring in their step.
I think ENERGY STAR is like this: our partners strive to be (and are) industry leaders, and they spend a lot of time and effort to get to stand alone up there at the top. But just like dancers, when they come together, they are able to make a great impact. ENERGY STAR partners move in an elaborate dance, bridging many different sectors of the economy. Their collaboration and competition spurs innovation, drives energy efficiency, and helps protect the environment for future generations.
Sure that sounds dramatic, but here are a few facts to back it up:
- Since its inception in 1992, ENERGY STAR has grown to represent products in more than 65 different categories, with more than 5 billion sold over the past 20 years.
- Over 1.3 million new homes and tens of thousands of facilities proudly carry EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification, use dramatically less energy, and are responsible for substantially less greenhouse gas emissions than their peers.
- Families and companies across America are improving the energy efficiency of their homes and businesses with the help of ENERGY STAR in ways that cost less and help the environment. They have saved nearly $230 billion on utility bills and prevented more than 1.7 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions over the past two decades.
Nearly 20,000 ENERGY STAR partners worked together to make this happen during the first two decades of ENERGY STAR, and they are poised to accomplish even more in the future. If they were dancers on a stage, they would be getting a huge standing ovation right about now.
Bravo! That’s one powerful partnership!
Hewan Tomlinson has over 15 years of experience in the energy efficiency and environmental sector. She serves at EPA as a liaison to energy efficiency program sponsors, supporting their ENERGY STAR partnerships, and their collaboration with industry to advance the market for energy efficient technologies and practices. Much earlier, Hewan danced with the Boston Ballet.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Bright Idea for 2013? ENERGY STAR Certified Lighting!
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- Happy New Year!
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- ENERGY STAR certified LED lights for the holidays
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- Monique O’Grady
By: Monique O’Grady, the Alliance to Save Energy
When we popped open the corks at the stroke of midnight at our house to welcome 2013, we did it under ENERGY STAR certified lighting: CFLs in the recessed fixtures, LEDs in the pendants, and LED holiday lights on the mantle.
Watching the iconic ball drop over Times Square on TV is a New Year’s Eve tradition at the O’Grady’s that was made even more special a year ago when I had an opportunity to look at the energy-saving wonder up close. I accompanied the President of the Alliance to Save Energy, Kateri Callahan, and Philips Lighting’s Ed Crawford, as they were interviewed about the 32,000 LEDs in the world-famous ball and the benefits of switching to energy-saving lighting. The cutting-edge technology shone brightly under pristine crystal, while saving about 80% of the energy used by the original globe’s incandescents. The result? The 12-foot globe that now ushers in the New Year with a colorful light show uses only the energy of two wall ovens.
But you don’t have to be in Times Square during the extravaganza that rings in the New Year to know that saving energy can also work on a smaller scale.
Buying Bulbs, Saving for Our Future
This year’s holiday electric bill will probably be a belated gift. This Department of Energy stat shows why: the estimated electricity cost to light a 6-foot tree with C-9 incandescent light strands will add $10.00 to an energy bill during a 40-day holiday season. But, by using C-9 LED strands, the cost is just 27 cents. I used three LED strands on my tree, but I also changed out an additional seven strands for other decorating needs. That should make a noticeable difference.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), if every decorative light string purchased in the United States this year earned the ENERGY STAR, we would:
- Prevent 900 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year, equivalent to the emissions from about 80,000 cars.
- Save more than 600 million kWh of electricity.
- Save about $65 million in annual energy costs.
A recent estimate by the Department of Energy shows that by 2030, the energy savings from increased use of LED lights will reach $30 billion a year. In 2013 we expect to see more LED options on the market and prices continuing to drop. And 2013 also promises some of the first 100-watt LED equivalents – another gift that keeps on giving! Look for the ENERGY STAR on these bulbs to ensure they have passed all the rigorous tests required by the EPA’s strict ENERGY STAR requirements.
Initially these 100-watt LED equivalents will be pricy — about $50 a bulb — but one manufacturer estimates each bulb will save $220 in energy costs over its 25,000-hour lifespan (or more than 20 years). If you want to learn more about energy-saving light bulbs go to ENERGYSTAR.gov. You can also check the Alliance to Save Energy YouTube series for ways to be energy efficient all year long. Here is your first tip–start by looking for the ENERGY STAR label!
Monique O’Grady is the Vice President of Communications for the Alliance to Save Energy and helps chair the mass media subcommittee of the LUMEN Coalition, an ad-hoc group of organizations and professionals united to educate consumers about energy-efficient lighting choices. Monique also hosts an Alliance to Save Energy video series on energy efficiency tips, including six videos on energy-efficient lighting.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
This Holiday Season, it Pays to be Power-Wise
By Samantha Nevels, CEA
Looking for new ways to save money on your energy bill? You’re not alone. A consumer survey conducted by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) ® found that 60 percent of consumers are concerned about their electricity bills. The good news is that consumer electronics products account for only 12 to 15 percent of an average home’s energy use. Nevertheless, every little bit of unused energy saves you money and reduces energy demand.
The first step in cutting energy costs is understanding your energy usage. CEA has made this easy through a new, interactive Consumer Electronics Energy Calculator available at GreenerGadgets.org. With a few simple steps, this calculator will estimate the amount of energy used by your consumer electronics devices. All you have to do is select which electronics devices you own and estimate how many hours per day you use them. The calculator will then determine your energy cost per month and per year, and compare your energy use to that of the average U.S. household.
Below are a few quick and easy tips that will make a difference this holiday season:
- Give the gift that gives back. Electronics are a popular gift for the holidays, and now you can give a great gift that also gives back. Look for the ENERGY STAR if you are purchasing electronics this holiday season. EPA’s ENERGY STAR program recognizes energy efficient products that will save you money on your electricity bill and help protect the climate. You can find more information on ENERGY STAR certified products at www.energystar.gov.
- New electronics gift? Recycle the old one. Whether you get or give an electronics gift, be sure to reuse or recycle the old one, enabling the valuable materials to be used again in new products while helping to save natural resources. Check out EPA’s e-Cycling guidance for more information. CEA also offers a recycling site locator at GreenerGadgets.org.
- Pay attention to the plug. Plug electronic devices, such as televisions, DVD players, game consoles and audio systems, into eco-friendly power strips, or unplug devices altogether when they are not in use.
- Read the fine print. Check your electronics owners’ manuals to make sure you are taking full advantage of any energy-conservation capabilities that your devices may have.
With these quick and easy tips you’ll be on your way to having more money in your pocket and contributing to a better, more sustainable environment.
About the Author: Samantha Nevels is the coordinator of Policy Communications for the Consumer Electronics Association.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
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