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Homeowner's Tips and Information
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In this day and age, every where you look the word “Green” pops out at you. You’ve seen it, heard it, may be living it or need more information on just exactly what it does mean. Maybe you know what it means, but want to know what you can do to be “green.” Hopefully this page of the GBRC website will help answer those questions and assist you in better understanding the options available and the actions that can be taken to improve the energy efficiency in the home. In doing so, you will not only save money, but be contributing to reducing the overall impact on the national energy demand has on our environment.
First though, take a moment to review the chart below. According to U.S. Government data, our homes and buildings consume over 40% of the national energy, 60% of the raw materials in the U.S., 48% of all green house gas emissions and 12% of potable water consumption.
How We Use Energy in Our Homes
Heating accounts for the biggest chunk of a typical utility bill.
Source: 2007 Buildings Energy Data Book, Table 4.2.1., 2005 energy cost data.
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By investing in “greening” your home there stands a benefit by increasing the environmental performance of the home. You will enjoy lower utility bills, better indoor air quality, and an overall healthier and more comfortable living environment.
Below are a few tips from the website www.conservationcenter.org to help you implement energy efficiency means, which will start saving you money immediately. For a more in depth look at tips to save energy and money at home The U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy offers a number of articles and an Energy Savers Booklet for the homeowner for free at http://www.energysavers.gov/.
- Install programmable thermostat and set at lowest comfortable temperature
- Replace filters after a month or two
- Make sure heat vents are clear of drapes and furniture so air flow isn’t blocked
- An energy efficient heat pump reduces electricity use for heating 30 to 40 percent
- Turn off ventilation fans as soon as their job is done. They can pull a houseful of warm air outside in just one hour.
- Use ceiling fans or other fans to help provide additional cooling – they use less electricity than the a/c.
- Set your water heater @120 degrees
- Wrap your water heater with an insulting blanket; it will pay for itself in one year or less
- Turn off the water heater if you will be away for more than 2 days
- Use cold water when washing clothes instead of hot.
- Think about replacing aging appliance with new energy efficient one and if doing so always look for the ENERGY STAR ® label.
- Use energy saving settings on refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines and clothes dryers.
- Turn everything off when not in use.
- Position your refrigerator out of the way of heat sources like ovens, and direct sunlight.
- Keep top of the refrigerator free of items and clean to maintain circulation that’s needed for the compressor to work efficiently.
- When cooking, if you can, use the microwave; it uses 30 percent less energy than a conventional range or stove.
- Dishwashers, in general, are more efficient than handwashing dishes, but make sure your dishwasher is full, not overloaded though, when you run it.
- Wash and dry full loads use cold water as much as possible to reduce water heating.
- A warm dryer uses less energy, so try to wash and dry several loads in succession.
- Set your computer to go to sleep when it is not used for five minutes.
- Unplug electronic devices and chargers when they are not in use.
- Install motion detectors on outdoor lights instead of leaving them on at night.
- For these tips and more visit http://www.conservationcenter.org/assets/docs/EnergyTips.pdf
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In addition, if you are interested in learning about what it takes to test the energy efficiency of your home try out these links to learn the steps to take for a thorough audit, what a HERS rating system means and to calculate your electrical use.
"Going Green" doesn't have to be expensive, difficult, or time consuming. However, what you may need in order to move in the "green" direction is a little help getting started. Below is a link to a website that contains several "how to" demonstration videos on home improvement projects that will save you energy and money. Learn how to change incandescent bulbs to CFL's or install a programmable thermostat. Any of these videos will give you the basics of energy efficient and money saving "green" household projects.
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"Going Green in Culpeper" Topic - Recycling
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Lately, the buzz word we are all hearing is “green.” “Greening” our environment can be as easy as recycling. Have you wanted to start recycling at home and work and not know how to get started? In Culpeper, while it isn’t as easy to do as it is in large cities where the trash collection truck comes to your home and hauls away your recycles and trash in one vehicle to be sorted later, it is quite manageable. Here we have to separate the recyclable items and personally take them to a county owned, recycle drop area or to a privately owned recycle center, but we have several locations to choose from. Were you aware that the county has four recycling drop areas? Well, we do and household items such as aluminum (cans, foil), tin/metal containers, glass (green, brown & clear) and newspapers/magazines may be recycled at all four locations.
Where to Go?
Culpeper has recycling bins for those household items listed above located at the following locations: Laurel Valley Recycling Center off Cherry Hill Road, Floyd T. Binns Middle School on Radio Lane, behind Culpeper Middle School and in Lignum, on Rt. 3 2.4 miles East of Batna Road. The Laurel Valley and Lignum sites also accept Cardboard (single or double layer and cereal type boxes). Other items that can be recycled at the Laurel Valley site include antifreeze, motor oil, household appliances, tires, leaves and brush. To learn the hours of operation and restrictions visit the county website at: www.culpepercounty.gov/countygovernment/environmentalservices/recycling.aspx.
What if I want to use a private service or have items other than household?
There are other options available for recycling items in Culpeper. Several commercial firms in our area also take household items as well as cars, farm equipment, construction debris, tree limbs/stumps, scrap metal, #1-7 plastics and a long list of scrap metals. Wise Services & Recycling, located at the north end of Commerce Street, has a “Community Convenience Center” for household recycling as well as their commercial scrap metal recycling center. They offer a list of pickup/drop off options. For more information, check out their website at www.wiseservicesandrecycling.com.
Culpeper Recycling, located on Brandy Road, also offers commercial recycling for scrap metals, construction waste, concrete/asphalt, as well as a host of other services. For additional info visit their website at www.culpeperrecycling.com.
Efficient Roll Off & Recycling, located on Updike Drive, offers container drop off and pickup for their commercial clients who have a need for large, recycling containers. Call (540) 825-8791 to inquire if this is what you are looking for.
Last but not least, Culpeper residents who reside within the town limits can opt to hire Culpeper Curbside Recycling for household items. Recently, CCR started picking up recycling directly at resident’s homes. Their service is limited to the standard recycled items of aluminum, tin cans, glass and newspaper. For more details call (540) 937-4653 or email woodwardmendy@yahoo.com.
If you have any questions or would like to share information on other recycling opportunities please contact the Green Building Resource Center at (540) 727-3444 x 395 or ask a question on our home page.
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Contact Us
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Hours of Operation
Please contact us to schedule an Appointment.
Bruce Cornwall
Project Manager
540.727.3444 ext. 395
Bob Orr
Building Official
540.727.3444 ext. 184
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