This document provides information on saving energy and money through reducing household energy use. It discusses how homes use energy, with heating and cooling accounting for over half of energy usage. Recommendations are given for low-cost and no-cost actions like weatherizing homes, using CFL bulbs, adjusting thermostats, and reducing phantom loads from electronics. Resources for assistance with home energy improvements are also listed. The overall message is that small behavioral and basic equipment changes can significantly cut energy use and lower utility bills.
5. Community Energy Programs
• Neighborhood Energy Services-
St. Paul
• Energy Efficiency presentations-
Community Action, Phillips
• Lake Street small business
energy challenge
• ReUse Center workshops
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7. Where does our energy come from?
And what does it lead to?
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8. MN CO2 Emissions by Sector
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9. How your home uses energy
Heating/AC – 55%
Lights, electronics– 20%
Appliances – 15%
Water Heating– 10%
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10. Heating
Turn down your thermostat 1 degree and
save 1% on your heating bill.
Weatherize your home to seal cracks
and holes to reduce heat loss.
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11. Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs)
*Remember to recycle your CFLs after they burn out.
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12. The Truth about CFLs and Mercury
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13. Appliances
How many
appliances do you
have in your home?
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14. Phantom Load
Phantom Load=
Using power when your
electronics are turned off
• Use power strips
• Unplug items when not in use
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15. Phantom Load Costs
Item kWh Used (Annually) Cost ($ Annually)
Plasma TV 1452 $159.76
Computer 311 $34.21
Game Console 234 $25.73
Laptop 145 $15.90
Laser Printer 113 $12.43
VCR 92 $10.12
DVD Player 79 $8.67
Microwave 35 $3.85
Cordless Phone 29 $3.18
LCD Monitor 23 $2.51
Radio 13 $1.44
Rechargeable Toothbrush 12 $1.35
Total 2538 $279.15
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16. No Cost
CO2 Savings $ Savings
Turn off lights and unplug electronics 298 lbs $14
Turn down thermostat two degrees 596 lbs $53
Take five minute showers 261 lbs $24
Wash all clothes in cold water 930 lbs $86
Drive 10 fewer miles per week 458 lbs $87
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18. Resources
Home Energy Squad:
1-866-222-4595
Home visit and installation of energy-
saving materials: CFLs, programmable
thermostat, weatherstripping, low-flow
showerhead and faucet aerator, etc.
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20. Questions & Discussion
What actions are you already taking?
What actions will you take based on
what you just learned?
Tell us at http://stories.mncerts.org!
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21. Contact
Julia Eagles
Metro CERT Organizer
The Green Institute
612-278-7117
jeagles@greeninstitute.org
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