AIR DATE APRIL 7, 2022
Title: Improving Energy Efficiency
Learn how improving your home’s energy efficiency will help save you money and the planet.
Guests and Locations
Climate Reality Project, Mentor Leader – Laura Betts
Solar United Neighbors, Florida Program Director – Heaven Campbell
Exploring Ways to Be Energy Efficient in Central Florida
The quest for efficient energy most often leads to a path of pursuing alternate, greener energy. According to IRENA, renewable energy accounted for 72% of all new power capacity around the globe in 2019. In 2020, nearly half of our global coal fleet became unprofitable.
Needless to say, renewable, clean energy is the future. So, I set out to learn more about energy efficiency and its role in achieving a greener future.
Hear from two influential voices in Florida’s sustainability efforts: Laura Betts, mentor leader for the Climate Reality Project & member of the Orange County Sustainability Board, and Heaven Campbell, Florida Program Director of Solar United Neighbors.
How You Can Become More Energy Efficient
Laura offers a few pieces of advice on how you can become more energy efficient at home,
“They can wash their clothes on cold. They can switch out their light bulbs. Because if you have the old-fashioned kind, those also produce heat. And going to LED, each light bulb you change to LED saves you $12 a year. They can keep their shades closed in the summertime, or hand wash their dishes if they have a dishwasher, or only wash your dishes on full loads.
Look around your windows and your doorways, and close any gaps if you can. If it’s a weather strip or even a rug, keep your inside as sealed as possible because the greatest draw on your energy is going to be your air conditioning. If you can afford to, get one of those programmable thermostats.”
Ceiling fans are also an excellent way to keep your power bill down since they help circulate air.
Regarding adding solar panels, Heaven explains, “Florida’s lucky, and even right here in Central Florida, we are a part of a big Zillow study that found that home prices can increase 15% or 4% per four kilowatts when you add solar to your home. So, it’s locking in your utility pricing for decades to come. You can really start to budget, build wealth, and invest in your home.”
Orange County’s Energy Initiatives
“I’m with a coalition with Jobs for Justice and the Sierra Club, and we’ve produced a video that shares the stories of people affected by high energy bills,” says Laura. She continues explaining how utility companies are putting in funding to help support those affected by high power bills.
She continues, “So we’re working on looking at future heat indexes and how that will affect residents, and improvements that need to be made, and maybe cooling centers in the future.”
If you are a low-income family, you can apply for the Self Program in Orange County to get a loan for AC repair, solar panels, etc.
Heaven suggests checking out Solar United Neighbors to learn more about becoming a solar homeowner and saving money in the process.
Conclusion
Do your part to learn about energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy. “The Climate Reality Project educates people. So, if you sign up, you will be connected. You can sign up for one of their trainings, which goes through everything,” Laura explains.
One of the best ways to get involved in sustainability efforts- outside of education- is to join a group. In Florida, there is the CLEO Institute, IDEAS For Us, Poder Latinx, Sierra Club, Jobs with Justice, and EDF.
Heaven expands, “There’s a federal tax credit that’s been extended [for having solar panels]. There are also energy efficiency rebates offered by individual utilities.” You can visit Energy Star or My Florida Energy for more resources, information, and potential rebates.
