The V.I. Energy Office and V.I. Water and Power Authority are using the holidays to launch an initiative to keep V.I. residents focused on energy conservation and energy efficiency all year through.
The two agencies and WAPA’s Energy Development in Island Nations (EDIN) partners are urging the territory to “VIenergize (pronounced VY-energize) Your Holidays!” In an announcement this week, WAPA’s Executive Director Hugo Hodge Jr. and Energy Office Director Bevan Smith said the campaign is part of a movement towards energy sustainability and self-sufficiency in the territory.
Hodge and Smith announced earlier this year that their two agencies have joined with the U.S departments of Energy and the Interior, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to meet the territory’s goal of reducing fossil-fuel usage by 60 percent in the electricity and transportation sectors by 2025.
“Urging V.I. residents to VIenergize for the holidays is a great way to continue our message,” Hodge said. “They will enjoy the celebrations knowing they can save money while decorating their homes and businesses with energy-saving LED
Christmas lights and using practical and proven tips for conserving energy during the holiday season.”
Smith agreed, saying, not only can residents save money, but they can also reduce the increased carbon emissions that occur when more people are lighting up their homes, cooking big meals and driving to holiday festivities.
“VIenergizing is the right thing to do for our environment,” said Smith.
Residents are urged to VIenergize their holidays by doing the following:
• Use mini-lights for home and tree decorating, which use up to 70 percent less energy than the larger bulbs and last 65 percent longer. At present WAPA rates, it will cost about $64.80 to burn three strands of the traditional bulbs for six hours a day for 30 days and just $4.22 to burn 150 mini-lights for the same period.
• LED holiday lights are even better. A 150-bulb set of LED bulbs at 2 watts per set consumes 99 percent less energy than a typical bulb set and can last up to 200,000 hours. At today’s WAPA rates, the cost for a month’s usage at
six hours a day will be only 76 cents!
• Battery-operated holiday lights are also a very good energy-saving idea.
• Using timers to reliably turn off holiday lights when no one is around to enjoy them can further reduce energy costs. When retiring for the evening, reduce costs and increase safety by unplugging all lights at the wall outlet.
• For outside lighting, install a motion sensor that turns lights on automatically when somebody walks up, and turns them off automatically after one to five minutes. Use mirrors or tinsel around indoor lights to heighten their effect.
• Always purchase Energy Star-labeled products for holiday decorating and for gift giving.
• When doing holiday cooking use a microwave oven as often as possible. Microwave ovens use up to 75 perent less energy than conventional ovens. When using conventional ovens, don’t open the door to peek at what’s cooking as that lowers the temperature inside, increases cooking time, and wastes energy. Keep refrigerators and freezers well stocked. A full refrigerator or freezer saves energy by reducing the recovery time when the door is opened. If the refrigerator or freezer are only partially full, store one gallon bottles of water to help keep the temperature regulated.
WAPA also encourages its customers to stay safe by not overloading electrical circuits. Only use UL- or FM-labeled extension cords. Do not place outdoor lights near power lines. Never use electric lights on old metal artificial trees and keep all light strings out of the reach of small children. Repair or replace sockets, plugs, or cords that look defective.
In June 2010, the EDIN-USVI collaborative announced the formation of five integrated working groups focused on specific challenges: 1) Renewable Energy, 2) Energy Efficiency, 3) Transportation, 4) Education and Workforce Development, and 5) Policy. Members of each working group represent a broad cross-section of the public and private sectors and meet regularly to discuss and take action on initiatives to meet the mandated goal of reducing fossil fuel usage in the territory by 60 percent by the year 2025.
Further information about the EDIN-USVI energy revolution and how you can be part of the solution can be obtained at www.edin.org.usvi/html.
