The case for solar power in Washington

Solar power isn’t exactly the first thing you think of when you think of Western Washington, but the truth is that we receive 70% of the solar energy that the best locations in the United States receive and have a lot of potential to harness solar for our homes and businesses. Due to a policy called net metering, if a building produces more energy than it uses during a long summer day that energy can go into the local grid for other consumers to use. The building owner is credited for the extra energy they generated, which allows them to withdraw an equivalent amount of energy during a cloudy day at no extra charge. Since a large percentage of our solar potential is available in the summer, this policy allows buildings with their own photovoltaic panels to take advantage of the cost savings all year.

On November 17th, over 50 representatives from local businesses gathered at Sustainable Connections for a Solar Power Happy Hour. Attendees learned how the Community Energy Challenge can help them take advantage of current financial incentives and tax credits to buy down the cost of solar projects and representatives from three local installers offered a 5% discount to businesses that attended the event. Current incentives make solar more affordable than it’s ever been and some businesses are finding that adding solar panels offers a good return on their investment.

Everyone at the event enjoyed a selection of beers from North Fork Brewery, a local restaurant that is in the process of installing a solar array with the goal of providing 100% of the establishment’s power.

The CEC is Creating Jobs - We're Hiring!

Energy efficiency is creating and sustaining jobs in an industry that has been hit hard by the recession. The Community Energy Challenge is one of many programs across the country putting the building industry back to work and helping transition into a greener economy. To date, the CEC has been responsible for the creation of more than a dozen full time positions and is helping contractors to gain valuable skills in the field of energy efficiency, which will continue to serve them and our community long after the economy pulls out of this slump.

The Opportunity Council has recently put out a request for qualifications to local contractors interested in joining the team of contractors qualified to carry out work for residential participants in the CEC. If you're a local contractor interested in helping Whatcom residents save money and energy, check out the link to learn how to apply.

October 30th is Weatherization Day!

October is Energy Awareness month and the federal, state, and local governments have been working to highlight the actions that are making our country more energy efficient. To this end, Washington State Governor Christine Gregoir has named October 30^th 2010 as “Weatherization Day” to celebrate and highlight the many successful energy efficiency programs in our state.

Washington’s Weatherization Assistance Program for low-income residents, in place since 1987, has long been considered an important part of our state’s efforts to address poverty issues. Since its inception, over 125,000 homes have received services, reducing energy bills and increasing comfort and safety in those households that are most in need.

Thanks to funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), many government agencies and non-profit organizations have received grants to help make these services affordable to an even larger percentage of the population and to raise awareness about the benefits of energy efficiency for homes and businesses. The Community Energy Challenge is proud to be a part of the effort to make Whatcom County a leader in energy efficiency!

Read the Proclamation here.

October Energy Saving Tip #6: Banish Drafts

Sealing unwanted air leaks and drafts in your house can be the most important first step toward energy efficiency. If you’re cold you would try zipping up your coat before putting on another coat, wouldn’t you? Air sealing can provide significant savings and increased comfort in your home. While a home energy assessment and professional whole-house air sealing done by a contractor are the best way to realize these savings, there are some simple, low-cost actions you can take to greatly reduce drafts in your home.

October Energy Saving Tip #5: Heat Wisely

The number one energy user in most households is the heating system. Although we live in a rather temperate climate, heating our living and work spaces is necessary for much of the year. By following a few simple guidelines you can stay comfortable while reducing your energy use and saving money on your bills.

October Energy Saving Tip #4: Switch to CFLs

Photo by AZAdam

 Switching from incandescent lighting to Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) is one of the simplest and most cost effective ways to save energy in your home. The easiest way to make the change is to start by replacing incandescent bulbs in just the 5 most used fixtures in your home. This will save you $60 on your energy bills each year! As other bulbs burn out, replace them with CFLs as well for even more savings.

Not every CFL is perfect for every fixture, but by putting just a little bit of thought into how you use them and what type you purchase you can avoid the common complaints about CFLs and enjoy high quality lighting at a low cost.

October Energy Saving Tip #3: Hot Water (Part 2)

Because saving hot water is one of the easiest ways to save energy in your home, here are a few more tips for cutting back!

Wash Your Clothes in Cold

Most modern laundry detergents are made to work equally well in warm or cold water, so why not save yourself some money and set your washer to the cold/cold setting? You won’t notice any difference except on your energy bills, which could be as much as $70 lower per year. Save the warm wash for oily or extra stubborn stains and wash the rest in cold.

Take Shorter Showers

Showering can use more hot water than all other residential hot water uses combined and presents a major opportunity for savings. The average 10 minute shower can cost you between $0.60 to $1.50 depending on the heat of your water and the flow rate of your showerhead. That means that by only taking 5 minute showers you can save at least $80 per year.

Look for the ENERGY STAR Label

When you set out to buy a new water heater tank, dishwasher, or washing machine, be sure to pick a unit with the ENERGY STAR label showing that it is an efficient model. ENERGY STAR certified appliances perform just as well as their counterparts, and although they sometimes (though not always) cost a little more up front, over the lifetime of the unit they can save you big time on energy costs. This makes them not only the most sustainable choice, but the most cost effective as well.