Dominion's Energy Conservation Blog

December 3 New Year’s Resolution Tip #12 of 12 – Outdoor Timers

2009-12-04T08:00:00.001-05:00

Estimated Cost: $10

Ease of Install: Easy

Other Notes: Hopefully you took us up on the January 8th post to buy LED Lights after the holiday season to find great bargains, but if not, the LED lights have come down in price. Use our Holiday Lighting Energy Calculator to determine how much money you will save with LED light strands, over the traditional lights. To maximize energy efficiency, set your lights on a outdoor timer.

LED Lights Can Brighten Your Holidays

2009-11-30T14:45:00.003-05:00

Switching to LED (light-emitting diodes) holiday lights can save quite a bit of money and energy.

Just how much you ask?

Find out by using our Holiday Lighting Energy Calculator that's available on the Dominion website.

The calculator shows that three 100-bulb strings of LED lights cost our customers just a penny a day for electricity to light a home or tree for six hours a day. That compares with 10 cents a day for three 100-bulb strings of incandescent "mini" or "icicle" lights.

The cost to light a holiday tree with LEDs is 13 cents to 17 cents per season, compared to $6 to $10 for incandescent lights, according to the Electric Power Research Institute.

One of the Richmond area's largest holiday light displays, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden's GardenFest of Lights, uses more than 20 miles of LED strands in its 600,000-light display, which runs through January 11, 2010.

For illumination, LEDs use electron movement in tiny semiconductors - miniature versions of the chips that help run computers - instead of filaments like incandescent bulbs. They are manufactured in a variety of traditional shapes, sizes and colors that blink and flicker. Because LEDs are encased in hard plastic instead of fragile glass, they are more durable.

EPRI estimates potential annual electricity cost savings in the nation would exceed $250 million if all seasonal mini-lights were switched to LEDs. This translates into a potential carbon emissions reduction of 400,000 tons per year, the equivalent of removing 65,882 automobiles from roads for one year.

Black Friday

2009-11-23T11:14:00.003-05:00

In a mere 5 days, one of the biggest shopping days of the year will have arrived: Black Friday.

Black Friday, or Blitz Day, is an American tradition of shopping where retail stores across the country slash prices and offer huge discounts for holiday shoppers looking to catch a great bargain.

While I love watching the herds of people running for children’s toys, I wanted to remind you of a couple conservation tips and ideas…

Getting a computer? Consider a laptop. They use significantly less energy than a desktop. Here’s a Buying Guide to help you make a decision.
Consider getting gift certificates to local companies instead of buying goods manufactured and shipped from foreign countries.
Carpool! There’s nothing better than everyone packing into the van for a day of shopping.
Combine all shopping trips into one. Create a map of where you want to go and the most efficient route. Try to make all your gift purchases during this one outing (then enjoy all of the wrapping that comes next!)
Instead of buying new clothes, why not get some “experienced” clothes or other goods like sporting equipment at a local resale store.

JTCC – Green Building

2009-11-20T09:35:00.002-05:00

We often hear about people wanting to “go green,” but when the rubber meets the road, it seems hard for many ideas to get off the ground. This isn’t the case for Richmond based John Tyler Community College. John Tyler is the first in the Virginia Community College System to register a construction project under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System.

Check out some of the building features they mention on their website…

Habitat (Sustainable Sites)

Large open spaces allow storm water to be absorbed into the soil and reduce the heat island effect.
Use of native and adaptable plants requires minimal watering and maintenance from pollution-emitting equipment.
The green roof filters and absorbs rainwater to minimize the run-off that goes into the municipal storm system. It also reduces the heat island effect, insulating the building against extreme temperatures.
Parking lots include spaces reserved for fuel-efficient and low-emissions vehicles and for those who carpool.
Bike racks, showers and changing rooms encourage the use of bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation.

Water (Water Efficiency)

Native plants used in landscaping are adapted to the local environment, minimizing the need for permanent irrigation.

Energy (Energy & Atmosphere)

Exterior solar shading devices shield against solar heating glare without obstructing views.
Mechanical induction units in the Library control thermal conduction through the exterior windows without increasing energy consumption.
Energy-efficient glass helps to maintain a tight building envelope, maximizing visibility and minimizing the negative impact of solar heat on the HVAC system.
Occupancy sensors turn lights on or off depending on whether a space is in use.
To encourage the development of renewable energy technologies, renewable energy credits (RECs) equal to 70% of the annual electrical consumption over a two-year period were purchased.

Materials (Materials & Resources)

Dedicated recycling centers are found throughout the building.
24% of building materials are from recycled content when measured in cost.
Over 92%, or 1,042 tons, of the construction waste generated during the project was diverted from landfills and sent to recycling centers.
11% of construction materials were extracted, processed and manufactured within 500 miles of campus.

Health (Indoor Environmental Quality)

The use of low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint, carpet, adhesives, sealants and other building materials improves air quality.
Custom millwork and wood doors contain no added urea formaldehyde, a chemical commonly found in wood products that can irritate the eyes and throat.
Motorized light filtering sunshades help control heat and glare from the sun without compromising natural daylight.

Innovation

A green housekeeping program has been established to control the chemical pollutants used in the building.
An integrated pest management program has been developed to minimize toxic chemicals indoors and in the landscape.
A green education program that includes building tours and community partnerships has been developed.
LEED-accredited professionals administered this building project.
The project team reduced paper consumption during construction by going “paperless.”

Cooking Turkey the Conservation Way

2009-11-16T08:49:00.005-05:00

With many kitchens about to fill up with family and laughter, remember some easy ways to conserve and manage the cooking duties of holiday meal preparation:

Place frozen foods in the refrigerator to help reduce cooking times by allowing it to defrost for a while. It can take several days for a frozen turkey to defrost, so plan ahead.
Try to cook more than one thing in the oven. Maybe while the butternut squash is finishing up, you can also cook the strudel dessert.
Or why not just make an extra batch of cookies now instead of later – the oven is already on, and I’m sure if you took them into work your co-workers would love the extra batch of cookies you made.
Try not to peek at the food while it’s cooking. Opening the door lowers the temperature 25°F.
Think about turning the oven off a few minutes before cooking time is complete. Food will continue cooking at the set temperature as long as the oven door is not opened during that time.

Tailgating the Energy Conservation Way

2009-11-09T11:10:00.003-05:00

Football season is still in full swing. Whether you come out on Saturday to cheer on your college team, or Sunday to support your NFL team (or maybe both days), think about what you are packing in that tailgating gear. There are some small ways to help make a difference, even while tailgating.

Instead of the plastic utensils or cups, pack biodegradable.
Set up a garbage bag for just the aluminum cans.
Consider some no bake food items to share with friends.
There are also ways to grill with conservation in mind. We talked about that in an old blog post too.
Carpool with your friends instead of driving multiple cars to the game and take the most fuel efficient car or truck you have.

What ways are you keeping energy conservation in mind when out at the game?

Fun Theory – Piano Steps – MLGW

2009-11-09T10:22:00.007-05:00

Our friends over at Bird on a Wire (Memphis Light, Gas & Water’s blog) have really neat blog posts on a regular basis.

One of the posts they did in the middle of October highlighted a clever way to change behavior called The Fun Theory.

Even though the escalators are still working, it’s a neat video about people choosing a healthier and energy independent option.

Recycle Last Year’s Model Now That You Upgraded

2009-11-05T08:45:00.002-05:00

What to do with that old tube TV now that you upgraded to the efficient flat screen? Or how about recycling old cell phones, printers or even large appliances?

Well across the nation there are many recycling centers set up to help properly dispose of our old gadgets. By properly recycling and disposing of old electronics or appliances, you are helping keep these items out of landfills where they could cause soil, water or air contamination.

In doing some research I just discovered that Best Buy offers electronics recycling. There are some standards they follow and you can check out all their program details here.

My local Waste Management Authority recently sent out an email about their upcoming recycling days. If you are in the Richmond area, you can check out the Central VA Waste Management Authority for more details.

To find other local recycling centers near you, check out Earth 911.

New Year’s Resolution Tip #11 Of 12 – Use An Efficient Dishwasher Instead of Hand Washing Dishes

2009-11-02T09:44:00.004-05:00

Estimated Cost: Depends on model of dishwasher.

Ease of Install: Very Easy

Other Notes: According to EnergyStar.gov, if you still wash your dishes by hand, you’re wasting more than just time.

Save money - Washing dishes in a new ENERGY STAR qualified machine rather than hand washing can cut your utility bills by more than $40 per year.
Save time - Instead of scrubbing, rinsing, and drying each dish, just load them all in an ENERGY STAR dishwasher and press start. Using an ENERGY STAR qualified dishwasher can save you over 230 hours of personal time over the course of a year. That’s almost 10 days!
Get better cleaning - Many features in an ENERGY STAR qualified dishwasher result in better cleaning. For example, ENERGY STAR qualified dishwashers boost water temperatures to 140 degrees, which allows for improved disinfection compared to hand washing.
Save energy and water - Thought you were efficient? A new ENERGY STAR qualified dishwasher uses less than half as much energy as washing dishes by hand and saves nearly 5,000 gallons of water a year!
Save the environment - Because they use less energy, ENERGY STAR qualified products reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases caused by burning fossil fuels. By reducing water consumption, they also help protect our lakes, streams and oceans.

Halloween

2009-10-29T08:37:00.002-04:00

As the evening approaches for pumpkins, ghosts, and vampires to be knocking on doors, consider some of these tips to help green your Halloween:

Decorate with nature. Visit the local pumpkin patch for fresh gourds, grow mums, or use hay bales. They can all be used as a compost pile after the holiday.
Reuse costumes or pull out materials from the closet or attic.
Hand out organic chocolate treats or at the very least find candy that uses minimal packaging therefore reducing waste.
You can be creative with the treats too – perhaps recycled material to make cards.
Light the walkway to the front door with solar lighting. If the kids need a light in between houses, consider a shakable light.

You can also check out our tips from last year.

Winterize Your Apartment

2009-10-26T10:23:00.002-04:00

As we’re all well aware, it’s getting chilly outside. Being that not everyone lives in single family homes that they own, we want to make sure our apartment and townhome renters are also able to save some green!

One of the best ways to winterize your apartment is to talk to your leasing company. Ask them to make investment measures around your home, insuring they are holding up their end of the lease.

Below are a few ideas to help you save some money:

If you have control of your thermostat, turn it to 68 degrees
Have maintenance check and replace HVAC filters
Install window film
Ask maintenance to replace weather stripping, especially around sliding glass/patio doors
Install outlet and switch insulation gaskets
Minimize the neat to conditioned unused rooms – if you rarely go into the room, close off the vent
Remove air conditioning window units

If you have any other ideas, let us know!

Remove that Roof Rack!

2009-10-22T10:51:00.001-04:00

We all know it’s cool to have a roof rack on your car to show your active lifestyle, but did you know that it’s costing you? Roof racks, bike racks, luggage racks and everything in between, really decrease your car’s aerodynamic shape and fuel efficiency.

In a tip published by Cartalk, they tell us that your roof rack is costing you up to 5% in MPG. Read what they have to say…

You know that Thule roof rack you keep on your car to convince people that you're really outdoorsy? (Even though you drive a Volvo.) It's costing up to 5 percent in MPG. So unless you need the rack to boost your flagging self-esteem, we suggest you pull off the entire rack. That also goes for standard luggage racks, kayak holders, ski racks, Labrador retriever holders and all the cross bars that go with them. Put it in the garage, and toss the rack back on the roof when you really need it. You'll reduce your aerodynamic drag significantly.

Now that you’ve finished with your summer kayaking sessions, why not take the roof rack off and enjoy an increased MPG.

Almanac – Cold Weather

2009-10-19T08:19:00.002-04:00

You guessed it, Old Man Winter is coming in full force this year! After taking a look at the Long Range Forecast on Almanac.com, you might want to start the weatherization process before it gets too cold.

Here’s what almanac.com says about some our reader’s locations with colder winters…

Richmond, VA - Winter will be colder than normal, on average, primarily due to persistent cold temperatures in January, with only brief thaws. Other cold periods will occur in mid-December and mid-February. Precipitation and snowfall will be below normal. Watch for a snowstorm around Thanksgiving, with other snowy periods in mid- and late December and mid- and late January.
New York, NY - Winter will be colder than normal, on average, especially north of the Chesapeake Bay. The coldest periods will occur in early to mid- and late January and mid-February. While precipitation will be below normal, slightly above-normal snowfall will occur in many parts of the region. Watch for snow around Thanksgiving, with other snowy periods in mid-January and mid- and late February.
Pittsburgh, PA - Winter will bring rapid changes in the weather, from mild to very cold and back to mild again. Temperatures will be slightly below normal, on average, while precipitation will be above normal, with near-normal snowfall. The coldest periods will occur in the second week of December, early to mid-January, mid- to late January, mid- and late February, and early March. The snowiest periods will occur in late January, mid-February, and early March.
Cleveland, OH - Winter will be about a degree colder than normal, on average, despite a number of mild periods. The coldest periods will occur in the second week of December, early to mid-January, mid- to late January, and mid-February. Precipitation and snowfall will be below normal in the east and above normal in the west. Watch for a snowstorm around Thanksgiving, with other snowy periods in early and late December, late January, mid-February, and mid-March.

Stay warm this winter!

Profile Of Blogger In News

2009-10-15T08:55:00.000-04:00

The other week, our very own Energy Conservation Blogger was featured in the online version of the local paper.

The segment included an overview of what Alison does here at Dominion as an Energy Conservation Specialist.

Check out the segment and learn more about Energy Conservation at Dominion.

Number 5 In Our Weekly Series Of Tune-up/ Check-up Tips

2009-10-12T09:27:00.003-04:00

Cleaning your dryer vents and ducts should be done once a year. This will prevent a fire hazard, reduce the time needed to dry your clothes, and save you money on your electric bill. There are two options for getting this done, the first being to call in the professionals. The average professional dryer vent cleaning costs about $150. Or you could do it yourself!

This should be a relatively simple task, requiring only a screwdriver to loosen the dryer clamp, a lint brush or tool to scrape out the lint, and your household vacuum cleaner.

Most of the lint collects within a foot of either end of your dryer duct, so even if it twists and turns or is longer than your vacuum can reach, you will be able to remove most of the problem.

If you want to do a really thorough job and clean the entire vent or you suspect the tube is blocked in the middle, specialized dryer vent cleaning kits and brushes can be purchased online or at your local hardware or home improvement store.

Here's some more detailed instructions.

Don’t forget to empty the lint trap inside your dryer after every load. This will reduce (but not eliminate) the lint buildup in your vents.

National Energy Awareness Month – Video Blog

2009-10-08T11:28:00.002-04:00

We’re in the middle of National Energy Awareness Month and our very own blogger, Tom, sat down to talk a bit about the month, Virginia and North Carolina’s Tax Free Weekend, as well as ideas to prepare your home for the winter.

Some of the links he references are Tax Free Weekend Information, Department of Energy, and EnergyStar.gov.

Weekly Tune-up / Check-up Series - 4th Installement

2009-10-05T11:39:00.002-04:00

Another check on your house includes the drafty windows.

Did you know that a 1/8th of an inch crack all the way around a doorway creates the same air loss as a 6 inch square hole in the middle of your door?

Properly sealing up your windows and doorways using weather-stripping eliminates drafts and keeps the heated or conditioned air you pay for from escaping. There are many options available for homeowners to do this yourself.

Check out the Department of Energy for more information on the different types and materials of weather-stripping.

Here’s a trick to test whether you need to invest in weather-stripping: close a sheet of paper in a door or window. If you can pull it out without ripping the paper, you are losing energy.

New Year’s Resolution Tip #10 of 12 – Window Insulation Kit

2009-10-01T15:33:00.002-04:00

Estimated Cost: $10-20

Ease of Install: Easy

Other Notes: Drafty windows are one of the biggest issues when trying to stay warm in the winter. Window insulation kits are a great solution to fix this problem – the kits usually consist of a thin sheet of plastic and double sided tape. The plastic film is placed on the inside of the window keeping another layer of protection between the warm air inside and the cold air outside, performing like a storm window.

To install:

Clean the frame around the window on the inside of the house.
Measure the window frame you want to insulate.
Cut the film the size of the window, giving about 5 or 6 extra inches on each side.
Measure, cut, and place the double sided tape to the frame of your window.
Place the clear film on the tape, keeping it as taunt as you can.
Take a hair blow dryer and blow hot air at the window film to shrink it and tighten in your window frame.

Weekly Tune-up/Check-up Series - Fridge

2009-09-28T10:59:00.003-04:00

Here's our 3rd installment:

Did you know that your fridge accounts for 15% of your home’s total power? Performing a simple task yourself will make your fridge much more energy efficient and reduce your electricity bill.

The optimal temperature for your fridge is between 36 and 39° F. Adjusting the thermostat to this range reduces the energy used to power your fridge, while still keeping your food cold enough.

Once or twice a year, you should clean the coils of your refrigerator, which get covered in dust, preventing them from working properly. Cleaning them is a simple process that should only take 10-15 minutes. Directions how can be found here.

For more tips to keep your refrigerator operating efficiently, check out these from Green Daily.

Eco Friendly Car Wash

2009-09-22T14:01:00.002-04:00

If you enjoy washing your car at home, consider these environmentally friendly tips:

Choose a biodegradable soap.
Swap out the paper towels and use re-useable microfiber towels.
Make sure your hose has an automatic shut off valve so you are not wasting water. Better yet, try the waterless car wash spray.
Wash your car on the lawn instead of driveway, that way you are watering lawn and preventing runoff water from entering storm drain.
Wash during the morning or evening, avoid the direct sunlight so you don’t get water spots and prevents evaporation.

Check-up for Water Heater

2009-09-21T08:22:00.000-04:00

Our second post in our 5 week series on check-ups for home appliances is for the water heater.

Most people don’t realize that their hot water heater requires regular maintenance. Ideally, you should give your hot water heater a quick check-up every month, checking the exterior for leaks and signs of rust. Make sure the thermostat is set at 120 degrees. This will prevent scalding and save energy.

Consider adding insulation around your hot water heater, which will reduce the amount of energy required to keep the temperature hot. This can be done as a DIY project one weekend.

Visit our New Year’s Resolution #1 to watch me talk you through it.

Insulate Money Savings

2009-09-17T10:54:00.001-04:00

You can reduce your utility bill by ensuring your home is properly insulated and that conditioned air isn’t escaping.

You need insulation in your home to provide resistance to heat flow. Heat flows usually occur from warmer to cooler space.

To decide how to insulate and determine what insulation is right for which crawl space, check out the Department of Energy for more information.

Check-up Report

2009-09-14T09:08:00.003-04:00

We will be starting a 5 part series weekly series in which we will inform you about what you can do around the house to improve efficiency by simply doing a check-up on equipment.

This week’s check-up in about your Heat Pump.

It is recommend that at least once a year you have a professional HVAC technician come out and perform a Heat Pump tune-up. The technician will perform duties such as:

Check refrigerant pressure and inspect tubing
Clean and lubricate the indoor blower unit
Clean inside and outside coils
Check thermostat, wiring, and all associated electrical parts
Check / replace air filters

Tuning up your heat pump ensures it is running at efficient levels and identifies problem areas before they turn major.

Terracycle.net – The Cool Place to Shop!

2009-09-10T08:00:00.001-04:00

People love to shop, especially my co-worker Alison, who told me about a cool site she loves going to: Terracycle.net. They’re a company started by two guys who wanted to create a really neat green business selling green products.

Their product list is full of creative and innovative products:

A bag…made entirely from old plastic bags
A bookbag and lunchbox… made from waste drink pouch material
A corkboard…made from old wine bottle corks
A recycling bin… made from 100% e-waste (such as crushed computers and fax machines)

You can learn all about their story at terracycle.net or you can buy some of their swanky green products at www.shoponlygreen.com.

Drive Smart, Keep Energy Conservation in Mind

2009-09-07T08:00:00.001-04:00

Simple ways to increase your fuel mileage and be more energy-efficient while driving:

Avoid hard acceleration. Instead of braking or accelerating aggressively, try to coast as much as possible – this can increase your fuel mileage by as much as 30 percent!
Park in the shade
Use Cruise control on the highway
Perform regular vehicle maintenance: check your air filter, align your tires, and make sure your gas cap is tightly closed (otherwise gas will evaporate), and maintain proper air pressure in your tires
Avoid idling
Lastly, Drive Less! Consolidate your trips, carpool with a friend or co-worker, or ride your bike (like the electric bike!)