Today's Energy Insight

Today's insight could also be considered food for thought...

Eighteen percent of global greenhouse gas emissions are associated with raising, processing, packaging and shipping meat products for consumption. If every person in the United States substituted a vegetarian dish for a meat dish just once per week, the carbon dioxide reduction would be equivalent to taking more than 500,000 cars off the road.

BIG NEWS!

The quarterly results are in for April - June of 2015 and are you ready for not only BIG NEWS but BIG SAVINGS??? The district had a combined overall reduction in energy consumption of 15% compared to the original baseline which resulted in a cost avoidance/savings of $48,507.00! Wow! Your efforts have paid off in a BIG way! Thank you for all of your efforts because working together you have made a BIG difference!

As we begin another school year, please continue to be a model of energy efficiency for our students!

Green Cars

If you "google" green cars you come up with quite a variety of options, here are just a few fun images. But how about "green" meaning environmentally friendly automobiles? Below is the top 10 list for 2015 from Kelley Blue Book. According to KBB, these models have the best combination of efficiency, value and overall appeal.

1. 2015 BMW i3
2. 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf
3. 2015 Nissan Leaf
4. 2015 Toyota Prius
5. 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid
6. 2015 Tesla Model S
7. 2015 Chevrolet Volt
8. 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid
9. 2015 Ford C-Max Hybrid
10. 2015 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

Today's Energy Insight

Second only to the refrigerator (consuming the most energy of household appliances) which of these then uses the most energy?

A)  Hair dryer

B)  Clothes Dryer

C)  Television

D)  Computer

Scroll down to check your answer...

The correct answer is B.

If you can, try air dry your laundry outdoors on a clothesline or use a drying rack indoors. Not only do you save energy and money but you also reduce your impact on the environment as well. Another option is to only partially dry your clothes in the dryer and then hang them to dry completely or hang them first and finish drying them in the dryer. These two options help with the crunchiness factor when air drying. Air drying helps garments last longer too. Take advantage of the warm summer air while you can!

Today's Energy Insight

What Are You, a Penguin?

Have you ever heard this question as you stand in front of an open refrigerator? The quicker you are in and out of a refrigerator or freezer, the better it is for keeping the temperatures inside from rising. When warm air gets into the cold or frozen compartment, it causes the refrigerator to work harder to maintain optimal temperatures.

So if you have a penguin at home, gently remind them to make up their mind before they open the refrigerator or freezer and then once they do open it, ask them to not dawdle with the door open. The same can be said for leaving a door ajar while you bring in groceries or run out to the mailbox. Keep the hot air out and don't let the cool air escape by keeping doors closed between trips into the house or while you run outside for "just a sec."

Today's Energy Insight

One emphasis in the fourth year of the SEE program is on water conservation. See how you do with today's question about water.

The largest use of household indoor water in the United States is for 

A)  Laundry and cleaning

B)  Toilet flushing

C)  Consumption and cooking

D)  Showering and bathing



Scroll down to check your answer...

If you said D) Showering and bathing, you are correct.
          Check out these insightful water facts:

• A five minute shower uses about 15 – 25 gallons of water. A ten minute shower uses around 40 gallons of water.
• On average, a bathtub requires about 36 gallons of water.
• If your shower can fill a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, you are using too much water and may want to consider replacing the showerhead with a water-efficient showerhead.
• By installing a low flow showerhead can you reduce water consumption by more than 50%.
• If you turn off the water while you brush your teeth, you can save 4 gallons of water a minute. That could be over 200 gallons a week for a family of four.
• Turn the water off while you shampoo and condition your hair, and you could save more than 50 gallons of water a week.