Energy Savings = Money Savings

Ramona Madhosingh-Hector,    
Urban Sustainability Agent    

Saving money is important to every household and saving energy is easier than you might think. This week, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in collaboration with the University of Florida’s Program for Resource Efficient Communities launched a new tool to help homeowners identify ways to save energy.

The interactive energy tool (www.myfloridahomeenergy.com) allows users to search for and identify energy saving information for different areas of the home e.g. living room, bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. The “Dollars & Sense” Tips provide specific energy saving strategies while the “Financing” and “Incentives” tools allow homeowners to identify and select specific, local information.

For more information on how to save energy and money, join the Pinellas Energy Efficiency Project (PEEP) for the upcoming Pinellas Home Energy Symposium at Pinellas County Extension in Largo. PEEP utilizes information published by the Program for Resource Efficient Communities and the Florida Energy Systems Consortium in its classes. The symposium is scheduled for September 14 and registration for the event is available here – http://pcsymposium13.eventbrite.com

Saving energy saves money and is good for the environment! 


Resources:

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Program for Resource Efficient Communities

Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency

Florida Energy Systems Consortium

Pinellas Energy Efficiency Project

No Fooling! Free Energy Classes and Kits in April!

This PEEP is not a marshmallow bunny. 
It's the Pinellas Energy Efficiency Project!

This Monday, come see Greg Plantamura (Sustainability Educator from Pinellas County Extension) present a free one hour class on lowering your electric bill, at the monthly Seminole Discussion Group on Recycling and Sustainability. 
Click here to pre-register and receive a free energy-saving kit, including an insulated tote bag!

Also at the discussion Group, enjoy an informative presentation by Laney Poire of the Crowley Natural and Cultural History Center from Sarasota.

April 1 at 10 a.m.–Noon
SPC Seminole Community Library Program Room 
9200 113th St. N
Seminole, Florida 33722

PEEP will also be coming to the following locations. Click the dates to register.

• Tuesday April 9, 6:00 p.m.
  Ridgecrest YMCA, Largo
• Wednesday April 10, 2:00 p.m.
  Weedon Island Preserve
• Thursday April 18, 3:00 p.m.
  Aging Well Center at the City of Clearwater Long Center
• Saturday April 20, 1:00 p.m.
  Allendale United Methodist Church, St. Petersburg
• Sunday April 21, Noon
  Lakewood United Church of Christ, St. Petersburg
• Wednesday April 24, 2:00 p.m.
  Extension building, Largo 

For more information call 727-582-2097.

Extension programs are open to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, age, disability, religion or national origin.

Free Energy-Saving Class

Would you like to learn more ways to consume less energy without sacrificing your level of comfort? Pinellas Energy Efficiency Project (PEEP) is offering FREE classes in various area of Pinellas County. You will learn how to reduce your home energy bill and receive free energy saving devices that will help you to save money, including a new LED light bulb. 

Register at www.pinellascountyextension.org

• Tuesday January 15 at 6 p.m.
  at Largo Public Library 
• Saturday February 9 at 10 a.m.
  at Weedon Island Preserve
• Saturday February 16 at 10 a.m.
  at Seminole United Methodist Church 
• Tuesday February 19 at 1 p.m.
  at Pinellas County Extension’s Largo office 
• Tuesday March 5 at 6:30 p.m.
  at St. Petersburg Main Library 
• Thursday March 21 at 6 p.m.
  at Oldsmar Public Library 
• Saturday March 23 at 10 a.m.
  at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve

Pinellas County Extension Shines a Light on Energy Consumption, Saturday January 28 at the Gulfport Library

Through its Pinellas Energy Efficiency Project, Pinellas County Extension is promoting a new gadget that aims to get citizens more energy conscious and eco-friendly.

The Kill-A-Watt™ Energy Monitor is a simple tool used to see how much energy the devices in a home are actually using, whether they are on or off. Users simply plug the monitor into an outlet, plug an appliance into the monitor, follow The Kill-A-Watt’s™ instructions and watch it work. The monitor measures various aspects of electrical consumption, from voltage of an outlet to watts and kilowatt hours. Users can find out exactly how much energy and money is being consumed by most of their household electronics.

Pinellas County Extension and the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative have come together to make these Kill-A-Watt™ monitors available for check-out at their libraries to make the assessment of personal energy consumption even easier.

Extension specialists will also be holding upcoming classes at select libraries to further explain how the monitors work and to give easy tips to make a home more energy efficient in their effort to decrease electric bills and increase environmental friendliness.

On Saturday January 28 we will be hosting a class at the Gulfport Public Library. Click here for a map to the library. Participants of the class will receive handouts and worksheets from the University of Florida and take part in an interactive presentation. Door prizes will be awarded.

Sign up today to participate in this class. Visit www.pinellascountyextension.org and click on the 28th on the calendar on the front page. Registration is free and easy.

See you on the 28th!

Pinellas County Extension Shines a Light on Energy Consumption

Through its Pinellas Energy Efficiency Project, Pinellas County Extension is promoting a new gadget that aims to get citizens more energy conscious and eco-friendly. 


The Kill-A-Watt™ Energy Monitor is a simple tool used to see how much energy the devices in a home are actually using, whether they are on or off. Users simply plug the monitor into an outlet, plug an appliance into the monitor, follow The Kill-A-Watt’s™ instructions and watch it work. The monitor measures various aspects of electrical consumption, from voltage of an outlet to watts and kilowatt hours. Users can find out exactly how much energy and money is being consumed by most of their household electronics. 


Pinellas County Extension and the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative have come together to make these Kill-A-Watt™ monitors available for check-out at their libraries to make the assessment of personal energy consumption even easier. 


Extension specialists will also be holding upcoming classes at select libraries to further explain how the monitors work and to give easy tips to make a home more energy efficient in their effort to decrease electric bills and increase environmental friendliness. 


The Kill-A-Watt™ classes will be held according to the following schedule: 


Wednesday, Jan. 11, 3 to 4 p.m. Tarpon Springs Public Library 138 E. Lemon St., Tarpon Springs Phone: (727) 943-4922 www.tarponspringslibrary.org Saturday, Jan. 28, 10 to 11 a.m. Gulfport Public Library 5501 28th Ave. S., Gulfport Phone: (727) 893-1074 www.mygulfport.us 


Saturday, Feb. 18, 11 a.m. to noon Palm Harbor Library 2330 Nebraska Ave., Palm Harbor Phone: (727) 784-3332 www.palmharborlibrary.org 


Tuesday, March 13, 7 to 8 p.m. Dunedin Public Library 223 Douglas Ave., Dunedin Phone: (727) 298-3080 www.dunedingov.com 


Saturday, March 31, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Clearwater East Branch Library 100 N. Osceola Ave., Clearwater Phone: (727) 669-1280 www.myclearwater.com 


Thursday, April 12, 6 to 7 p.m. Safety Harbor Public Library 101 Second St. N., Safety Harbor Phone: (727) 724-1525 www.cityofsafetyharbor.com 


Thursday, April 26, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Oldsmar Public Library 400 St. Petersburg Drive E., Oldsmar Phone: (813) 749-1178 www.oldsmarlibrary.org 


Monday, May 7, 1 to 2 p.m. St. Pete Beach Public Library 365 73rd Ave., St. Pete Beach Phone: (727) 363-9238 www.stpetebeach.org 


It is important to remember that all devices cannot be measured using the Kill-A-Watt™ monitor. For example, air conditioners and electric heaters are not compatible with the monitor.  


Registration for classes is required. For more information on the Kill-A-Watt™ monitor, classes or Pinellas County Extension, visit www.pinellascountyextension.org or call (727) 582-2581. To register, visit the website or stop by the library holding the class you wish to attend.


Pinellas County Extension is a partnership between Pinellas County government and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences as part of a nationwide network of land grant universities. The University of Florida is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. 


The mission of Pinellas County Extension is to provide research-based knowledge and education programs enabling people to make practical decisions to improve their quality of life and the world around them. Education focuses on sustainable living, lawn and garden, families and consumers, and 4-H youth development. 


Pinellas County Extension offers programming at the Extension office, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, (727) 582-2100; Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, (727) 453-6800 and at Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg, (727) 453-6500. For more information, visit www.pinellascountyextension.org and find Pinellas Extension on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. 


Pinellas County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this class you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. At least seven days prior to the class, please contact the Office of Human Rights, 400 S. Fort Harrison Ave., Suite 500, Clearwater, FL 33756, (727) 464-4062 (Voice/TDD).

Energy Conservation T-Shirt Contest Winners Announced

In March, over 980 kindergarten through fifth grade students in Pinellas County sent in artwork depicting ways to save energy at home for this contest, themed “The Power Is Yours!”

“It was difficult to choose from so many great submissions,” says James Stevenson, Energy Conservation Specialist at Pinellas County Extension, “We are glad to see that Pinellas County has so many creative youngsters who are learning about the importance of conserving energy.”

The winners are:
Nick Costa, Keswick Christian School
Katllyn DeSantis, Keswick Christian School
Luna Garcia, Cypress Woods Elementary
Morgan Lipkin, Forest Lakes Elementary
Hailey Mahadeen, Westlake Christian School
Nicholas Rinderle, Westlake Christian School
Evie Schulte, Skycrest Christian School
Zachary Schwab, Ridgecrest Elementary
Kate Thorington, Westlake Christian School

The winning entries can be viewed at http://pinellas.ifas.ufl.edu/sustainability/pdf/2011_PEEP_TshirtWinners.pdf.

During the announcements at their school, each winner is being presented with a
shirt and a plaque printed with their design. Their teachers are also receiving a shirt and their classmates get pencil cases, scented highlighters, and magnets. All participating teachers will receive a pencil case with highlighters.

PEEP is working to reduce the carbon footprint of Pinellas County by educating the public about home energy conservation. PEEP is administered by Pinellas County Extension and funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Be a PEEPer!

By: James Stevenson, Extension Specialist

The Pinellas Energy Efficiency Project(PEEP) is in full swing with thousands of citizens receiving energy-saving devices and information on how to save energy and money in the home. Our next class will be held at the Brooker Creek Preserve on Saturday, May 7th from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. All PEEP classes are free and are offered as part of the US Department of Energy’s $3.5 million Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant awarded to Pinellas County late last year. Pinellas County Extension’s application included money to provide education and energy-saving materials to the community at-large.

We are excited to bring the citizens of Pinellas County the tools they need to make significant energy savings in their homes. We have especially been targeting those citizens who would not have ready-access to energy saving information and equipment. The goals of this project include:

• Providing information and equipment to Pinellas County citizens to help reduce energy consumption in the home.



• Promoting a significant and quantifiable reduction in energy consumption in Pinellas County Facilitating a significant and quantifiable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in Pinellas County

Participants in this class will receive a free energy saving kit valued at $200 and will become part of a larger project. Participants will be contacted no more than three times to track the energy-saving measures they have taken.

Click here to register for this class. Remember that space is limited and registration closes 24 hours prior to class.

We hope to see you on Saturday!

2011 Clearwater Greenprint Open House

What if each of us joined the City of Clearwater by saving energy in our homes and businesses? Replacing a worn out appliance with a more efficient one. Combining car trips to reduce miles driven. Planting a kitchen garden. Using energy saving light bulbs. Could we help ensure a future that is green, vibrant and competitive?



A community project is happening right now that explores ways we can all be involved in creating a sustainable community. Join us March 1st from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm at the Ross Norton Recreation Complex (1426 S Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Clearwater)to learn more and share your ideas.

There will be educational exhibits, electric and natural gas car displays, door prizes, give aways, and a raffle for a Pinellas Energy Efficiency Kit.

Can't wait to see you there!

Be a PEEPer!

By: James Stevenson, Extension Specialist

The Pinellas Energy Efficiency Project is in full swing with thousands of citizens receiving energy-saving devices and information on how to save energy and money in the home. Our next class will be held at the Largo Library on Wednesday, October 20th from 6:30-7:30 p.m. All of the classes are free and are offered as part of the US Department of Energy’s $3.5 million Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant awarded to Pinellas County late last year. Pinellas County Extension’s application included money to provide education and energy-saving materials to the community at-large.

We are excited to bring the citizens of Pinellas County the tools they need to make significant energy savings in their homes. We have especially been targeting those citizens who would not have ready-access to energy saving information and equipment. The goals of this project include:

• Providing information and equipment to Pinellas County citizens to help reduce energy consumption in the home.


• Promoting a significant and quantifiable reduction in energy consumption in Pinellas County Facilitating a significant and quantifiable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in Pinellas County

Participants in this class will receive a free energy saving kit valued at $200 and will become part of a larger project. Participants will be contacted no more than three times to track the energy-saving measures they have taken.

Click here to register for this class. Remember that space is limited and registration closes 24 hours prior to class.

We hope to see you on October 20th!

Pinellas County Extension Launches New Energy Conservation Web Pages

By: James Stevenson, Extension Specialist

Pinellas County Extension has just launched an interactive energy conservation web page for our citizens. There you will find information on how to make the best choices to improve your home’s energy efficiency, reduce your power bill and help protect the environment without sacrificing your comfort or lifestyle.

Get started by using interactive EnergyStar® calculators, including a customized EnergyStar® Home Advisor. Then explore the many University of Florida fact sheets on a range of topics. Looking for a new water heater? Want to make the most of your A/C dollars? Want to learn some easy and inexpensive ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency? Use these resources to help you make the best decisions.

Finally, take part in Pinellas County Extension’s new Energy Efficiency Project and receive energy-saving materials that can save you hundreds of dollars a year on your energy costs. The Power is Yours; you CAN make a difference!

Be a PEEPer!

The Pinellas Energy Efficiency Project (PEEP) is in full swing with thousands of citizens receiving energy-saving light bulbs and information on how to save energy and money in the home. Our next class will be held at the Clearwater Library Main Branch on Saturday, July 17th from 1:30-2:30 p.m. All of the classes are free and are offered as part of the US Department of Energy’s $3.5 million Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant awarded to Pinellas County late last year. Pinellas County Extension’s application included money to provide education and energy-saving materials to the community at-large.

We are excited to bring the citizens of Pinellas County the tools they need to make significant energy savings in their homes. We have especially been targeting those citizens who would not have ready-access to energy saving information and equipment. The goals of this project include:

• Providing information and equipment to Pinellas County citizens to help reduce energy consumption in the home.


• Promoting a significant and quantifiable reduction in energy consumption in Pinellas County


• Facilitating a significant and quantifiable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in Pinellas County

Participants in this class will become part of a larger project, and will be contacted no more than three times to track the energy-saving measures they have taken.

Click here to register for this class. Remember that space is limited and registration closes 24 hours prior to class. We hope to see you on July 17th!

Be a PEEPer!

The Pinellas Energy Efficiency Project kicked-off on April 24th with a dozen citizens receiving energy-saving light bulbs and information on how to save energy and money in the home. Our next class will be held at Seminole Community Library on Saturday, June 19th from 10:30-11:30 a.m. All of the classes are free and are offered as part of the US Department of Energy’s $3.5 million Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant awarded to Pinellas County late last year. Pinellas County Extension’s application included money to provide education and energy-saving materials to the community at-large.

We are excited to bring the citizens of Pinellas County the tools they need to make significant energy savings in their homes. We have especially been targeting those citizens who would not have ready-access to energy saving information and equipment. The goals of this project include:

• Providing information and equipment to Pinellas County citizens to help reduce energy consumption in the home.


• Promoting a significant and quantifiable reduction in energy consumption in Pinellas County Facilitating a significant and quantifiable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in Pinellas County.

Participants in this class will become part of a larger project, and will be contacted no more than three times to track the energy-saving measures they have taken.
Click here to register for this class. Remember that space is limited and registration closes 24 hours prior to class.

We hope to see you on June 19th!