Energy

Energy use is one of the areas with the greatest potential to improve one’s ecological footprint and save money.

The Living Green Expo is about making good choices, using less energy, shifting toward renewable sources, and generally reducing the associated environmental impacts to our air, water, and land.

The challenges of energy

Energy use is one of the areas with the greatest potential to improve one’s ecological footprint and save money. This can occur through energy efficiency or using renewable energy.

Energy efficiency means doing better, rather than doing with less – saving your money while making your home healthier and safer. Renewable energy options are available for those that want to do even more – completing your new energy lifestyle. Implementing these actions will mean using less traditional energy fuels (coal, natural gas, and nuclear) and as a result, reducing the associated air, water, and land impacts.

Ten Things You Can Do

1. Prevent lost heat by sealing attic bypasses (300Kb).
2. Install compact fluorescent light bulbs in your most-used lighting fixtures.
3. Have a professional home energy audit and implement the auditor’s recommendations. Contact your electric or natural gas utility, get a list of auditors from the state Office of Energy Security or the Minnesota Building Performance Association.
   
4. When shopping for home appliances and electronics, look for and purchase EnergyStar-labeled equipment.
5. Purchase and install a programmable thermostat.
6. Build your new home or home addition to EnergyStar specifications.
7. At work and home, purchase an LCD computer monitor and/or set your old computer monitor to low-power mode when you are away.
8. Purchase green power from your electric utility or buy renewable energy certificates.
9. Install your own solar hot water system.
10. Make your own solar electricity.
    

More Energy Learning Resources

• Office of Energy Security (Minnesota Department of Commerce)
• NextStep web site: Energy page
• Fresh Energy