Save Energy This Month and Every Month

September 29, 2023September 29, 2023 Christy Nealey

October is National Energy Awareness Month, and with energy prices at all-time highs, there has never been a better time to think about saving energy. Remember, the easiest way to save energy is through conservation – turning off, unplugging, or setting back energy-using systems when they’re not needed. It’s estimated that energy bills can be reduced by up to 20% with simple behavior changes.

Here are a few everyday conservation tips to practice at home and work:

Program your computer to go into standby mode when idle;
Unplug chargers and small appliances when not in use;
Turn off lights that aren’t needed.

The Henrico Environmental Action Resource Team has a subcommittee focused on energy and resource conservation. On the H.E.A.R.T. website, you can find a dashboard displaying the actual energy use of County facilities and schools, information on County efficiency and renewable energy efforts, and resources for home and business owners in Henrico. Check it out at https://henrico.us/heart/energy-and-resource-conservation/.

We’ll be celebrating Energy Month at the Fall Energy Fair on Friday, October 13th, from 11:30-1:00 in the courtyard of the Administration Building. Learn about current Henrico energy and solar projects, home energy and solar resources, recycling, and more. L.E.D. light bulbs (for the first 150 visitors) and other fun giveaways will be available. Food trucks will also be set up nearby between the Administration Building and the parking deck. The fair is rain or shine, barring inclement weather.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Henrico’s Energy Manager, Carrie Webster at 804-501-5763 or [email protected].

Fall Energy Fair

October is energy awareness month! Join us for Henrico County’s annual Fall Energy Fair. The Fair brings energy and sustainability information to the residents, employees, and business owners of Henrico and the surrounding areas. Come learn about current Henrico energy and solar projects, LED lighting, solar power, electric vehicles, recycling, and more.

This event is free and open to the public and will be held rain or shine. The fair will be held in the fountain courtyard of the Western Government Center Administration Building. Food trucks will be on site. Participating vendors include:

Capital Electric
Capital Trees
Creative Conservation
CVWMA
Dominion Energy
Drive Electric RVA
Henrico Public Works
Henrico Environmental Action Resource Team (H.E.A.R.T)
Henrico Libraries
Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District
Honeywell
Keep Henrico Beautiful
Richmond Gas Works
Richmond Gas Safety
Richmond Window
Ride Finders
Sierra Club
Solar United Neighbors
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Viridiant

If you have any questions, contact Henrico County Energy Manager Carrie Webster at 804-501-5763 or [email protected]

Earth Day Festival

Henrico Recreation & Parks and Keep Henrico Beautiful will host a festival celebrating Earth Day on Saturday April 22nd from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Deep Run Park. There will be live music, activities for all ages, and food truck refreshments available for purchase. Activities include face painting, seed planting, inflatables, and a sensory-friendly activity tent. Learn about sustainability initiatives and resources available in Henrico County such as energy efficiency, residential solar, electric vehicles, recycling, preserving green space, air quality, and more.

Tech For Troops will be collecting retired technology and refurbishing it to help veterans in need. A list of equipment they accept can be found at https://techfortroops.org/support/equipment-donations/. Go green by recycling your old technology to help a veteran.

This event is family-friendly and is free and open to the public.

Now’s the Time to Conserve Energy

October 31, 2022October 31, 2022 Christy Nealey

As we approach heating season and electricity and natural gas prices increase, there is no better time to practice energy conservation and efficiency at home and work. According to Dominion Energy, the average home energy bill will increase by $12-$20 per month due to rate increases approved by the State Corporation Commission in September. Richmond Gas Works also notified its customers in July of price increases that will add, on average, $38 to the monthly bill for homes that use gas heat.

Here are some cold-weather energy tips to consider:

Keep your thermostat set at 68 degrees or below, per the US Department of Energy heating recommendations.
Open blinds and curtains that let in sunlight during the day, and close the blinds and curtains at night to keep heat inside the building.
Look for gaps and cracks around doors and windows that can be sealed with weatherization products such as caulk or foam.
Replace HVAC filters. Dirty filters reduce efficiency and make forced air systems work harder. Check filters monthly and replace them as needed (at least every three months is recommended).
Change incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs to LED for energy savings, longer lamp life, and better light quality in any season.
Change the ceiling fan direction to clockwise to push air up and redistribute stratified warm air.
Conserve energy by doing the following:

- Turn off lights, computers, and devices you aren’t using.
- Unplug chargers and seldom-used equipment between uses.
- Keep doors and windows closed when it’s colder outside than inside.

For more information about saving energy at your home, there are two local non-profit organizations that offer energy education, energy audits, efficiency measures, weatherization, and guidance to go solar. Find resources from Viridiant at https://www.viridiant.org/ and the Local Energy Alliance Program at https://leap-va.org/.

To learn more about what Henrico County is doing for energy, sustainability, and the environment, go to https://henrico.us/go-green/. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Henrico’s Energy Manager, Carrie Webster, at 804-501-5763 or [email protected].