Thermal Infrared Imaging Camera

On the right are two infrared images of the same window, the bright red color indicates heat loss. In one image the window is not covered, in the other, an insulating drapery has been installed. The images make it clear and easy to see heat being lost where there is not sufficient insulation. During cold weather months, 40% of heat in the average home escapes through under insulated windows.

This winter, Schools for Energy Efficiency® (SEE) has provided our district with a thermal infrared imaging camera for checking building envelopes and locating the source of any heat loss in our facilities. The camera can also be used as a great visual activity for students. If you would like to check out this tool in your building or have the Energy Efficiency Coordinator visit your classroom, please contact me via email sheri_brunner@rdale.org or at ext. 8104.

Green Gift Giving

The Green Holiday theme continues...

Looking for the perfect eco-friendly gift? Click here for a link to Earth 911 and their Eco Holiday Gift Guide. There is a great list of ideas and if you click on an item it takes you to the Earth 911 on-line store so shopping could not be easier.

Dreaming of a Green Christmas?

Want to give a green gift this year? And here green is not referring to, as Lucy from the Peanuts says, cold hard cash, but green in the environmentally friendly sense. Check out this cool link: click here for the Holiday Gift Guide from Green America. There are several fun categories with all sorts of ideas for unique, green gifts.

Wishing you green and groovy Holidays!

Today's Energy Insight

If you are trying to decide about switching to LED (light emitting diode) lights for decorating at this time of year, here are a few points to keep in mind.

• New LED lights can last up to 20 years, do not contain any mercury and consume very low amounts of energy.
• Older non-LED lights used 6 hours per day can cost about $30 per month in electricity while LED lights will cost about 50 cents for the same amount of time, quite a savings comparatively.
• Additionally, LED lights do not generate heat and remain cool to the touch making them much safer than the traditional strands of lights that can get hot and become a fire hazard.

For the most efficient decorative lighting, have you seen the solar powered holiday lights now available? These turn on automatically at sunset, have all the adjustable options like twinkling and flashing, and best of all, use no electricity.

So here's to a merry, bright and efficient Holiday Season!