Spring Break
Mansfield Residents Meet To Simplify Energy Conservation
Kate King
Issue date: 1/24/08 Section: News
About 40 people gathered at Mansfield Town Hall Wednesday night to learn how to conserve energy and cut down on electricity and heating costs. Roger Smith, coordinator of the Connecticut Climate Coalition, spoke about ways to conserve energy at home and state efforts to promote efficient energy.
Smith, who is also the campaign director for the nonprofit organization Clean Water Action, offered the audience several tips on how to save money on their heating and electricity bills. For example, he said attaching a door sweep to the bottom of the doors in your house can block drafts. Smith also showed the audience foam tape, which can be put around doors or windows to reduce drafts, and compact fluorescent light bulbs, which are more energy-efficient than regular bulbs.
These weatherizing products are given sales tax exemptions, Smith said. This means that the items, which can be found at normal hardware stores, often cost less than $10. Smith said installing weatherizing products is an inexpensive and easy way to conserve energy, which can dramatically reduce home heating bills.
Smith also advised the audience to look for ways to cut down on electricity use. For example, homeowners can conserve energy and lower their monthly bills if they hang clothes out to dry rather than using the dryer, Smith said. Also, avoiding electricity use on hot days is another way to conserve energy.
"Don't use washing machines and other major appliances during the day on hot summer days," Smith said.
D.J. Manfre, a 6th-semester natural resources major, found Smith's suggestions very helpful. They are small changes that everyone can make at home to conserve energy, she said.
Smith also discussed the energy bill Public Acts 07-242, passed in 2007, that aims to create more efficient energy and reduce carbon emissions.
One of the things the bill promotes is building efficiency, according to Smith. Under the legislation all municipal facilities are required to be green, meaning that they are environmentally friendly. This means making sure that carpeting doesn't give off harmful chemicals and that the lawn and plants aren't treated with chemicals, Smith said. Buildings with white roofs - rather than black roofs - also conserve energy, according to Smith. This is because black roofs soak in heat from the sun which causes the air conditioning to work harder and uses more electricity.
The reduction of carbon dioxide is the next big step for energy conservation advocates, according to Smith, who supports the idea of a state and national cap on carbon emissions.
"We need to send a message to everybody that carbon dioxide is limited … and that there's going to be a cost associated with how much carbon you burn," Smith said.
Stephanie Maychek, a 6th-semester History major, said she enjoyed Smith's presentation, describing energy conservation as "something I should probably learn more about."
Contact Kate King at
Katherine.King@UConn.edu
Smith, who is also the campaign director for the nonprofit organization Clean Water Action, offered the audience several tips on how to save money on their heating and electricity bills. For example, he said attaching a door sweep to the bottom of the doors in your house can block drafts. Smith also showed the audience foam tape, which can be put around doors or windows to reduce drafts, and compact fluorescent light bulbs, which are more energy-efficient than regular bulbs.
These weatherizing products are given sales tax exemptions, Smith said. This means that the items, which can be found at normal hardware stores, often cost less than $10. Smith said installing weatherizing products is an inexpensive and easy way to conserve energy, which can dramatically reduce home heating bills.
Smith also advised the audience to look for ways to cut down on electricity use. For example, homeowners can conserve energy and lower their monthly bills if they hang clothes out to dry rather than using the dryer, Smith said. Also, avoiding electricity use on hot days is another way to conserve energy.
"Don't use washing machines and other major appliances during the day on hot summer days," Smith said.
D.J. Manfre, a 6th-semester natural resources major, found Smith's suggestions very helpful. They are small changes that everyone can make at home to conserve energy, she said.
Smith also discussed the energy bill Public Acts 07-242, passed in 2007, that aims to create more efficient energy and reduce carbon emissions.
One of the things the bill promotes is building efficiency, according to Smith. Under the legislation all municipal facilities are required to be green, meaning that they are environmentally friendly. This means making sure that carpeting doesn't give off harmful chemicals and that the lawn and plants aren't treated with chemicals, Smith said. Buildings with white roofs - rather than black roofs - also conserve energy, according to Smith. This is because black roofs soak in heat from the sun which causes the air conditioning to work harder and uses more electricity.
The reduction of carbon dioxide is the next big step for energy conservation advocates, according to Smith, who supports the idea of a state and national cap on carbon emissions.
"We need to send a message to everybody that carbon dioxide is limited … and that there's going to be a cost associated with how much carbon you burn," Smith said.
Stephanie Maychek, a 6th-semester History major, said she enjoyed Smith's presentation, describing energy conservation as "something I should probably learn more about."
Contact Kate King at
Katherine.King@UConn.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
batticdoor
Mark Tyrol
posted 1/26/08 @ 9:51 AM EST
How To Reduce Your Heating Bills This Winter / Energy Conservation Begins at Home
Imagine leaving a window open all winter long -- the heat loss, cold drafts and wasted energy! If your home has a folding attic stair, a whole house fan or AC Return, a fireplace or a clothes dryer, that may be just what is occurring in your home every day. (Continued…)
Thanks for the conservation tips
posted 9/03/08 @ 7:03 PM EST
I didn't realize that there were state tax exemptions for taking steps to conserve energy... I learned something today!
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