Today's Energy Insight

Each year in the United States, how much money is spent by schools on energy?

A)  $87 million

B)  $300 million

C)  $1 billion

D)  $8 billion

Scroll down to check your answer...

Second only to salaries and more than is spent on books and computers combined, schools in the U.S. spend a whopping $8 billion annually on energy.

Change a Lightbulb...

Change the World!

According to Energy Star, if all of the households in Minnesota changed just one incandescent light bulb to an Energy Star qualified bulb, the combined individual efforts could save up to 106 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. This is enough energy to light all the households in St. Paul for nearly 180 days. Based on the average electrical rate in Minnesota, the amount of energy saved would reduce household electrical bills by a combined total of $9 million a year. AND, this simple change would prevent nearly 163 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions each year which is the equivalent to removing the annual emissions of 14 thousand cars from Minnesota roadways.

Today's Energy Insight

A photo copy machine when left on overnight consumes enough energy to generate:

A)  150 copies

B)  500 copies

C)  1,000 copies

D)  1,500 copies


Scroll down to check your answer...

The correct answer is 1,500 copies. Yikes, that's three reams of paper!

If you are the last one in your office or area, please be sure to power down the copier before you head out the door. One push of a button at the end of every work day can really add up over time. Thanks for doing your part! 

Today's Energy Insight

You can save energy and money with your car by applying these two simple maintenance strategies.
By regularly checking and replacing the air filter you can save $130 per year and by keeping the tires properly inflated you can experience an annual savings of $840.
Just another fun fact courtesy of SEE®.

Today's Energy Insight

Today's Energy Insight is courtesy of the Vote Solar Initiative. Above is a one of their billboards with a fun message. To find out more about this organization click here to go their website.

So enjoy some solar energy and have a really nice day.

Congrats Grads!

CONGRATULATIONS to the class of 2012 at both Armstrong High School and Cooper High School whose commencement ceremonies took place yesterday in the Robbinsdale Area School District. Hat's off to you!

Best wishes Class of 2012!

Cool Savings

It's all about AC today. It seems hot weather is here to stay, for this week anyway. So here are just a few tips to keep in mind when it comes to operating your air conditioner more efficiently:

• Get a tune up. Have your AC tuned up by a qualified heating contractor every other year. This will help it operate more efficiently and may prevent failures in the middle of peak cooling season. 
• Keep the condenser and filter clean. Keep leaves, grass and other debris away from the outside condenser. Also, clean the filter monthly and replace it as needed. A clean condenser and filter help the unit run more efficiently.
• Keep vents clear. Make sure furniture and drapes are not blocking air vents. This allows the cool air to move out into the rooms and keeps your air conditioner from running more than necessary.
• Turn up the thermostat setting. When home, set it a couple of degrees higher. Before you head out, move the setting even higher, about 78 to 80 degrees. Cooling the house back down a few degrees when you return costs less than keeping it cool while you are gone.
• Keep thermostats clear of heat. Don’t place heat-producing devices such as computers or TVs near your thermostat. Heat from these could cause the thermostat to read a higher temp leading to excessive cooling and wasted energy.

Stay cool everybody!