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Going Green is as easy
as 1,2,3!
1. SAVE SOME GREEN – The first step toward
creating a sustainable lifestyle can save you money and
help protect the environment at the same time. According
to the US Department of Energy “Making sure there
is enough insulation in the walls, foundation, and roof
-is one of the most important ways to make a home energy
efficient.” Simple and affordable weatherization
like calking around windows and doors reduces heat gain
or loss and shaves dollars off your monthly energy bill.
CHOOSE ENERGY STAR rated appliances and Compact Fluorescent
light bulbs (CFLs) that will save you money (on energy
costs) through the life of the product. Energy Star’s
Change a Light campaign received pledges from Americans
to switch 4 million light bulbs to CFLs – this commitment
could save $100 million in energy costs and prevent 1.5
billion pounds of CO2 emissions. Americans are already
on their way toward achieving this goal - the EPA estimates
that CFL sales almost doubled from 2006-2007.
2. SUPPORT LOCAL SOLUTIONS – Finding local
solutions to decrease your carbon footprint preserves
good health and economic strength in your community. Sage
Homebuilders, a local leader in certified green homes,
calls it “enlightened living”. They explain
that “Enlightened Living starts with the realization
that a home can have a far-reaching effect on a person's
way of life; shaping us, as much as we shape it”.
Enlightened living includes the type of energy you use
at home, and there are a variety of renewable energy options
that protect local air quality.
SOLAR, GEOTHERMAL, WIND – Traditionally, homeowners
haven’t been able to choose where to get their energy,
but that is no longer the case. Solar thermal technology
and geothermal pumps are smart choices for homeowners
because these onsite solutions require less initial investment
and take less time to recoup costs. Photovoltaic panels
produce significant amounts of renewable electricity but
may be cost-prohibitive. Luckily, most local utility companies
now offer green pricing programs that enable homeowners
to pay a small premium for renewable energy. Essentially,
you get to choose whether to support clean energy or a
traditional mix.
3. BE A GREEN CHAMPION – The easiest
way to go green without refurbishing your home is to sign-up
for PURE POWER. Pure Power monitors your home’s
energy usage and supports an equivalent amount of local
wind power - www.ameren.com/purepower,
1-866-665-PURE. VOTE. Most importantly, we need your vote
to support a national energy policy that provides tax
credits/incentives for developing renewable and energy-efficient
technologies. These industries will help lessen our dependence
on foreign oil, help solve the climate crisis, and create
new growth industries to boost our economy. Vote, speak
out, and support candidates who are trying to BE GREEN
CHAMPIONS.
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