Energy
Please find the link to the LED Streetlight Replacement Request for Proposal here (31 MB), along with the specs on the desired hardware here (1 MB). Bidders should contact Chris Hebb for additional information, attachments and to answer any questions (Chris.Hebb@gmx.com).
Now through Nov. 28th, earn up to $5,000 of incentives on Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® energy efficiency home improvements.
For a limited time, and while grant funds last, the Town of Thetford will match Efficiency Vermont incentives (up to $2,500 from each).
While Home Performance jobs can vary greatly
depending on problems with the home, a typical job can:
• Cost from $6,000 to $10,000 (before incentives)
• Save 25% – 30% of your home fuel use
This is like earning 10% interest on your investment.
Learn more at www.efficiencyvermont.org/homeperformance
To qualify for the Thetford matching incentive, work needs to be completed
by a participating Home Performance contractor by Nov 28th.
Get started TODAY! Contact Ellen Blumberg (elblumberg@gmail.com,
802-785-9883, PO Box 359, Thetford Center, VT 05075) or go to www.thetfordvermont.us/weatherization-incentives for complete details.
Mission: The Thetford Energy Committee (TEC) works with the Town, its residents and businesses to help reduce energy use, save money and protect the environment.
We hope you find the information and links on this page helpful. If you have questions or suggestions for us, contact us at by email [email address coming soon] or phone at 785.4012.
Initiatives:
State and Local Energy Resources Vermont Residential Energy Building Standard Calculate Your Carbon Footprint |
Save Energy and Save Money! Conserving energy not only saves you money (in lower electricity and fuel bills), but it also reduces your contribution to global climate change. Here are some easy ways to get started: 1. Exchange your incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescent bulbs. 2. Turn off lights and appliances when not in use. Plugging appliances into a power strip, and then turning off the power strip, is an easy way to reduce electrical use by appliances that draw power even when turned off. 3. Make sure your vehicle tires are properly inflated. Click Here. 4. Reduce your unnecessary vehicle idling. Click Here. 5. Make sure your home is properly weatherized.Click Here. 6. Turn down your thermostat a few degrees. 7. Take the bus at least once a week, or carpoolwith a neighbor. 8. Combine your errands and plan your driving route to maximize efficiency and reduce overall driving. |
TEC Events Calendar
If you would like to suggest a future energy-related workshop topic, send us an email [link to email address coming soon].
All events are free and open to the public.
The Thetford Energy Committee sponsors films and discussions during the 2012 winter months. We have shown “Carbon Nation” and “Gasland”. The next movie scheduled is “Sea of Change” at 7pm on Sunday, February 12 at the Thetford Hill Congregational Church.
Tire Inflation
Properly inflating tires can improve gas mileage by up to 5%. The following Thetford stores offer free air for tire inflation: Huggett’s Market and Chuck’s Auto Repair in East Thetford and Thetford Auto Service in Thetford Center.
Vehicle Idling
Reduced idling saves fuel and thus money, reduces pollutants (particularly those that cause respiratory problems like asthma), saves wear and tear on the engine, and reduces your contribution to climate-changing greenhouse gases. One easy way to reduce your vehicle idling is to eliminate unnecessary warmup. Consult your vehicle manual for the manufacturer’s instructions on warmup — vehicles with direct injection engines (produced beginning in the mid-1980s) do not need to be warmed up and excessive warmup can damage the engine, wastes fuel, and increases emissions. Vehicle Idling Q&A pdf (73kb)
Other common situations that lead to unnecessary vehicle idling include dropping off and picking up children at school; stopping at the post office, stores, and recycling; pulling over to talk on cell phones; waiting to pass through roadwork sites or for a freight train to pass; and waiting at drive-thru windows. The EPA recommends parking your car and going into restaurants, banks, and the like instead of idling in drive-up lanes. In most situations, you will save gas by turning the engine off and restarting it again rather than idling the engine.
Weatherization
One of the TEC’s goals is to weatherize a town building, or a building available for public use, each year. Our 2007 weatherization project was the Rice’s Mills Community Center. Heating bills in many older homes can be cut by 30% to 50% by getting an energy audit and effectively weatherizing your home. Households meeting income eligibility guidelines may qualify for free energy audits and retrofits, through the Vermont Weatherization Program. More information about Vermont’s Weatherization Program is available at:http://www.dcf.state.vt.us/oeo/weatherization.
If you do not meet the low income eligibility criteria, visit www.efficiencyvermont.org and serach for Home Performance with Energy Star contractors.
Local Foods Initiative
Eating locally produced foods not only supports neighboring farmers, it can reduce the energy impact of the food you eat. The Thetford Energy Committee is working with various groups, including
Vital Communities www.vitalcommunities.org/,
Cedar Circle Farm www.cedarcirclefarm.org/,
Crossroad Farm www.crossroadfarm.com/,
Willing Hands www.willinghandsinc.org/, and the
Thetford Recreation Department to increase awareness of and access to local food options. Consult ourEvents Calendar for a list of educational events on raising your own foods at home. Check out the Thetford Food and Farm Guide for 2008. ThetfordFoodandFarmGuide.pdf(122kb)
Compact Fluorescent Bulbs at the Thetford Foodshelf
The Thetford Food Shelf now carries a supply of CFLs donated by SERG and town residents. If you are a food shelf patron, please take advantage of these free bulbs to lower your electric bills. If you are a town resident and would like to donate energy-efficient bulbs to the food shelf, you can contact the Energy Committee by email at [coming soon] or by phone at 785.4012.
Transportation Options
Take advantage of ride sharing and public transportation options available in the Upper Valley:
There is a commuter parking lot for carpooling and public transit on Rt. 113 just east of the I-91 Thetford exit.
Stagecoach bus service picks up riders there for trips into the Hanover, Lebanon, White River area, Monday through Friday at 6:55AM and 10AM and drops off back at the Thetford Park and Ride at 1:30PM and 5PM. Riders with medical issues, disabilities or over 60 years of age can call for special individual pickups. For fares, complete schedules or to schedule pickups, contact Stagecoach at 802-728-3773, scoach1@sover.net orwww.stagecoach-rides.org.
Advance Transit provides free bus service between the core Upper Valley towns: 802-295-1824,info@advancetransit.com, schedules online at www.Advancetransit.com.
Vital Communities provides a comprehensive map showing all Upper Valley bus routes atwww.vitalcommunities.org/Transport/transportmap.htm.
Upper Valley Rideshare provides free carpool matching services for commuters in VT and NH, with FREE Emergency Ride Home benefit for all registered carpoolers. ERH also available to regular transit riders, bicyclists and walkers who work in the Upper Valley BEST Workplaces for Commuters District. See website for details. Broker for Vermont RideShare. 802-295-1824 x21, info@uppervalleyrideshare.com,www.uppervalleyrideshare.com and www.vermontrideshare.org.
State and Local Energy Resources
The State has launched the Vermont Fuel and Food Partnership to help Vermonters address increasing home heating, gasoline, and food costs. The initiative includes links to weatherization, heating assistance, and more at www.helpforvt.org.
Energy Reference Section in Latham Library To learn more about reducing your energy consumption and the effects of energy’s overuse, you can borrow books and DVDs from the Energy Reference Section at Latham Library on Thetford Hill. Also on loan is a Watt meter – just plug in your home appliances to measure how much energy they use. A PDF copy of the Watt meter instructions is available online. Killawatt instructions 07307.pdf(29kb). For Library Hours call 802-785-4361.
Efficiency Vermont helps Vermonters reduce energy use in their homes, farms and businesses through a variety of services. These services include technical assistance, education and financial incentives for the purchase of energy-efficient products; EnergySmart home energy analysis CD’s and on-line, a list of certified Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractors and weatherization contractors and more, 888-921-5990,www.efficiencyvermont.com.
Vermont Department of Public Service maintains a webpage of information on energy efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy. http://publicservice.vermont.gov/energy-efficiency/energy-efficiency.html
Sustainable Energy Resource Group – SERG is a nonprofit organization, located in Thetford, that works with towns and individuals to promote energy conservation, efficiency and renewables. SERG forms and consults with town energy committees, sells compact fluorescent bulbs, conducts home energy audits, and serves as an information and referral agency on energy related issues. Contact SERG at 802-785-4126, SERG@valley.netor www.SERG-info.org .
You can also get information on energy efficient appliances and other advice for saving energy in your home from the federal government at www.energystar.gov .
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