Earth
Day is April 22nd
Each year, Earth Day is celebrated on
April 22nd and recognized by celebrations across the country from our nation’s
largest cities to smallest towns. There are rallies, concerts and environmental
fairs, just to name a few. The message is the same at all the events – the
Earth is precious and perishable, and everyone needs to do their part to take
care of it.
Electric cooperatives find Earth Day a
time to showcase cooperatives’ environmental stewardship and community
commitment. Here at your electric cooperative, we are involved in a number of
activities to celebrate Earth Day not just on April 22nd but every day. In
conjunction with TVA our power supplier, we bring the In Concert With The
Environment program to our middle schools to teach good energy conservation
habits to our young people at an impressionable age, offer free home energy
survey year round and make “environmentally friendly” Green Power available
to both our residential and commercial customers who what to show their
commitment to making our Tennessee Valley a cleaner and greener place to live.
There are also some things you can do at
home to celebrate Earth Day and conserve the earth’s resources every day:
·
Do a home energy audit. Find out where your energy and your money
are going. The
Home e-Valuation survey from SVEC and TVA is free. It takes only a few
minutes of your time and will give you a chart showing where your energy dollars
are going and suggestions on how to save money and conserve energy and our
natural resources. Call your local SVEC office to have one mailed to you or go
online at www.energydepot.com/energyright/pd.asp?pd=354
to complete the survey online and get your results immediately.
·
Check the settings on your refrigerator. The fridge should be
between 38 and 42 degrees Fahrenheit, and the freezer should be between 0 and 5
degrees. Also check the seals for cracks and dried-on food. Keep the condenser
coils underneath the fridge clean. Vacuuming them each year when the time
changes is a good way to remember– change the battery in your smoke detector
too.
·
Adjust the hot water temperature. Try setting it at “low” about
120 degrees Fahrenheit.
·
Are you heating the outside of your house? Heat can disappear
through cracks and un-insulated spaces in your home. Caulking and weather
stripping are good starts. Insulating attic, walls, and crawlspace will also
make a huge difference.
·
Look for the Energy Star label on home appliances, office
equipment, and other items. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the
Department of Energy award the Energy Star label to products that are ahead of
the curve on energy efficiency -- everything from windows to dishwashers to new
homes.
·
Like to sing in the shower? How about, "We're in the
Money"? One recent study found that using a low-flow, energy-efficient
showerhead saved 27 cents a day on water and 51 cents on electricity. At that
rate, the showerhead paid for itself in just two months and then kept on saving
money.
·
Contact your local County Mayor’s office or your County UT
Extension office to find out how to dispose of nasty chemicals. Paints,
solvents, pesticides, wood finishers, and non-biodegradable household cleaners
are chemicals that many people have around their homes. If disposed of
improperly, they can seep into the ground or enter the water supply.
·
Help save the earth in your own backyard. Use biodegradable
products on your garden or yard to be more eco-friendly.