Energy Efficiency is Politically Prudent

By Donovan Grimwood
Environmental Specialist
TDEC Office of Environmental Assistance

Governments of all sizes are responsible for setting an example for the people they serve. After all, if the city leadership is promoting something that it doesn’t even practice, then why should its constituents?

One thing that a local government can practice is conserving energy. A government often has the most facilities in an area, so the city itself may see the greatest benefits from energy efficiency. Moderate energy consumption saves money and prevents pollution because less energy is produced. Additionally, many energy-conservation practices using current technology will improve a facility’s look and feel. Several approaches can reduce energy consumption with a few C often minor C changes.

Make energy-smart purchases

Today’s technology offers a large variety of energy-saving lighting, appliances, and heating/cooling systems for both the home and the workplace. Most manufacturers provide energy-efficiency ratings on these items. The better the energy efficiency, the greater the energy reduction. This boils down to saving money.

AEnergy-smart@ purchases include replacing older fluorescent lights with newer designs. Many facilities are lit with the standard "T12" fluorescent lamp, which often has a strong, blue tint that blankets objects in drabness and colorlessness. These lamps can be gradually replaced by the newer "T8" fluorescent lamps. These are just as bright, last as long, use less energy, and often provide better color accuracy. In addition, many city buildings that still use T12 lamps have the older magnetic ballasts on the fixtures. (A ballast converts the wall current into a form usable by the fluorescent lamp.) Newer electronic ballasts are significantly more efficient and, combined with T8 lamps, can create large energy and financial savings.

For example, consider a facility with 100 four-lamp fixtures using T12 lamps and standard ballasts. Each fixture operates at about 174 watts. Replacing these fixtures with T8 lamps and 75 percent electronic ballasts will use 18,250 fewer kilowatt-hours. Also, about $2,000 will be saved.

Another energy-smart purchase is compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). Though they cost more than standard incandescent lamps, CFLs will typically last 10 times longer and consume just one-third the energy. Admittedly, a standard incandescent lamp will only cost 25 cents to 50 cents, compared with at least $10 for most CFLs. However, the incandescent lamp will eat up more energy and require replacement 10 times or more before a CFL burns out. Over the life of most CFLs, savings total between $20 and $30 when stacked against a standard incandescent lamp. Also, a CFL's longer life eliminates frequent lamp replacement in high, awkward, or hard-to-reach areas.

Changing the type of lights is often the first step in a comprehensive plan for reducing energy costs and becoming a greener government.

Install energy-smart heating/cooling systems

When first planning a new facility or considering a major upgrade such as an HVAC system, decide how to incorporate large-scale, energy-efficient technologies. Geothermal heat pumps are one example of such an approach. They provide heating and cooling while using less energy than conventional systems. Additionally, these pumps often last longer and have fewer maintenance problems than some traditional equipment. Geothermal heat pumps, more correctly known as geo-exchange systems, move heat from the ground to a building or from a building to the ground. Water is piped from the facility into a well and runs back into the building to exchange heat energy. These systems can lower heating and cooling bills anywhere from 30 percent to 60 percent in most cases. The greater consistency of ground temperature vs. outside air accounts for the efficiency. More information on geothermal heat pumps is available from the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium.

Practice energy conservation

Other actions that can reduce energy use include:

• turning down the central-heating thermostats;
• lowering the water heater temperature to about 120 degrees;
• supplementing the water heater with de-superheaters that draw waste heat from the HVAC system;
• insulating the water heater;
• replacing single-pane windows with insulated double-pane or storm windows;
• caulking windows, weather-stripping doors, and insulating attics and crawl spaces;
• cleaning air filters monthly to help HVAC systems function more efficiently; and
• buying electrical products labeled "Energy Star"

Americans spend an estimated $195 billion every year on energy for buildings. Energy efficiency can save money and redirect it into improving communities and operations. Conserving energy has other benefits, also. It stimulates economic growth, creates jobs, and shines the spotlight on government leaders who are bettering their communities and the environment.

For more information on energy-saving appliances and ideas, call the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation at 1-800-734-3691, or visit the Energy Star or Rebuild America pages.