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1. Use a programmable thermostat with your air conditioner.Or turn up the temperature setting on your standard thermostat while you are gone. Even a few hours can make a difference in your utility bill. |
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2. Replace all your light bulbs with compact fluorescent lighting.If you live in a 2000 sq. ft. home, in a year’s time, you could save 1500 kWh and $200! These bulbs can last 3-5 years! |
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3. Inspect your duct system – cool your home not your attic. Contact your local utility for information about inspection and duct repairs. |
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4. Check your attic insulation.Adding some could help on cooling costs. Also check you door’s weather stripping. |
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5. Turn it off.Whether it’s turning off lights, or shutting down your computer when it’s not in use, over time, these small efforts can save you big energy dollars. |
Author: Sherri Shields
Pinellas County Named State's First Certified Green County
The Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) has recognized Pinellas County’s outstanding environmental stewardship by designating it as the first Certified Green Local Government in Florida.
Developed and administered by researchers at the University of Central Florida’s Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), the Florida Green Local Government Standard focuses on improving local governments’ environmental performance in the areas of energy, water, air, land and waste. The standard examines governments’ internal environmental practices, incentives, ordinances and educational activities that aim to improve the environment.
Several Pinellas County departments developed special programs to move toward being a Green County. In order to obtain the Green Local Government designation, Pinellas County demonstrated that its operations met the Florida Green Building Coalition’s criteria, organized in terms of local government department functions. Some of the outstanding departments and their programs include:
- Utilities – focus on water conservation and their progressive solid waste collection
- Public Works – use of LED traffic signal lights
- Environmental Management & Parks and Recreation – efforts to preserve wildlife habitat and properly care for public lands
- Community Development – use of EnergyStar appliances in affordable housing units
- Fleet Management – use of Biodiesel in the county’s fleet of diesel-powered vehicles
- The Planning Department – integration of green land management policies into the county’s overall plans
Pinellas County Parks and Recreation Department maintains more than 4,100 acres of natural Florida landscapes and beaches. Weedon Island Preserve represents 3,000 acres of specially designated lands, managed by the Department of Environmental Management, which oversees four preserves and eleven management areas, all set aside for environmental preservation and education through passive public uses.
“We are extremely proud to receive this designation and appreciate the recognition of the effort put forth by county departments,” said Mary Campbell, Pinellas County Extension director, who coordinates the program. “Pinellas County has worked diligently for many years to achieve this level of environmental stewardship.”
The Florida Green Local Government Standard designates Green Cities and Green Counties for outstanding environmental stewardship. The program was developed by FSEC under a contract from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Florida Energy Office.
The Florida Green Local Government Standard is similar to other green standards used in Florida and many other states, yet unique since it targets local governments. There are two levels of the Florida Green Local Government Standard. Local governments that have applied for the designation are required to meet specific criteria. Each local government’s unique needs are considered in awarding credit points. When a city or county has met a minimum number of credit points, the local government earns the “registered” designation. If all appropriate credit points have been incorporated, the local government earns the “certified” designation.
The four registered governments, which intend to advance to certified status within three years, are Sarasota and Orange counties and the cities of St. Petersburg and Dunedin.
Since Certified Green Local Governments function in a more efficient manner through better internal communication, dollar savings, and effective risk and asset management, FGBC plans to develop grants and additional funding to encourage all of Florida’s local governments to follow the lead of Pinellas County.
Eric Martin, a senior research engineer at FSEC, spearheaded the development of this standard and served as FSEC’s evaluator for the designation process.
The Florida Solar Energy Center, a research institute of the University of Central Florida, is the largest and most active state-supported energy research center in the country. Current research activities include solar water and pool heating, solar electric and distributed generation systems, energy-efficient buildings, alternative transportation systems, hydrogen fuel, fuel cells and other energy areas. For more information about the center, visit www.fsec.ucf.edu or call the FSEC Public Affairs Office at (321) 638-1015.
FSEC Director to Brief Auto Makers on Fuel Cell Technology
COCOA, Dec. 4, 2006 — Florida Solar Energy Center Director Jim Fenton will discuss fuel cells, a promising technique for future energy-efficient vehicles, with the nations leading automakers during a meeting Wednesday, Dec. 6, in Detroit.
As gas price spikes have hit Americans hard in their pocketbooks, talk is increasing over the need for alternative-fueled vehicles to reduce U.S. dependence on expensive oil. Research and design efforts in recent years have made significant progress toward meeting the performance and cost criteria to make fuel cells practical.
At the request of the U.S. Department of Energy, Fenton will speak to the United States Council of Automotive Research (USCAR), the umbrella organization that coordinates research for DaimlerChrysler, Ford and General Motors. The meeting will focus on technologies and applications for America’s future cars and trucks, and it will help to determine the priorities for Department of Energy research programs for the coming year. Read more
Edgewood Junior-Senior High Fuel Cell Team Successful
Four students from Edgewood Junior-Senior High School in Merritt Island recently represented the United States at the International Youth Fuel Cell Competition in Hawaii. They were one of only two teams representing the United States at the competition, which was held in conjunction with the 30th Anniversary Fuel Cell Seminar.
Florida Solar Energy Center/University of Central Florida (FSEC/UCF) faculty and staff helped to mentor the team, which includes students Michael Granatosky, Melissa Ingram, Martin Moneysmith and Taylor Munsey and instructor Ryan Cilsick.
The team received received the Ovonics Special Award for the Most Insight into the Future of Hydrogen Storage. They were also first-place Winners of the Quiz Bowl and received first place in Car Engineering. They placed second in the Timepiece Artistic competition and were second to the Japanese team in the race of the hydrogen model cars. Read more
Florida Solar Energy Center to Host National Solar Tour – Hydrogen Car to be on Display
The Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa will offer public tours Friday, Oct. 6, as part of the National Solar Tour sponsored by the American Solar Energy Society.
Tours have been scheduled on the hour from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the University of Central Florida research institute at 1679 Clearlake Road. FSEC is on the Cocoacampus that is shared by UCF and Brevard Community College. Read more