welcome

With Valentine’s Day in recent memory, this month we are suggesting that you snuggle or bundle up to save energy!

One Day is a City of Vancouver initiative that encourages residents to take small actions in their daily lives to use less energy at home and on the move, to help protect the climate, and to make Vancouver the cleanest, greenest, healthiest city in the world.

actions this month

Dial it down

One simple way to stop wasting energy and reduce heating costs is to pull on a sweater, some cozy slippers and turn down your thermostat setting. It’s free, and by turning the heat down by just two degrees, you can reduce your home heating costs by 5%!

Manage your thermostat

Another way is to dial-down your thermostat overnight or while you are out. You can do this yourself, or use a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust to preset temperatures at different times of the day.

Programmable thermostats are inexpensive (only $25-100) and can pay for themselves in a matter of months. By programming your thermostat to lower the temperature by five degrees nightly for eight hours, you will save about 10% on your heating bill.

More info.

for homeowners

Houses
By tuning up your heating equipment and giving it regular maintenance, you’ll increase its energy efficiency, cost effectiveness and the comfort it provides. A well-maintained heating system will last longer, provide better circulation, and reduce the risk of fire hazard.

Visit the BC Hydro website to find out what you need to know.

Condos
Does your building have more than 75 suites, over 15 floors, have electric baseboard heating, in-suite gas fireplaces in most suites, a mechanical penthouse, continuous hallway ventilation AND inefficient parkade lighting? If so, it may qualify to participate in a City of Vancouver pilot program aimed at saving your building energy and money. If your building meets this criteria, e-mail us and find out how to get up to $60,000 per building is available in incentives.

One Day wonders

This month’s wonders are the Halls, one of 50 Vancouver families who took advantage of the City’s weatherization pilot project.

On the day they were “weatherized”, Jacquie opened the doors to a team armed with caulking, weather stripping and a blower door kit. The team went to work sealing cracks and leaks in the attic, basement, along windows, ducts and doors. The team used the blower door kit to track the improvement as they worked. The team was able to accomplish a 33% reduction in air leakage!

The Halls have reported that their home is now more warm and cozy.

UPDATE: Luckily, this pilot has now evolved into a full program which offers three different weatherization packages. Contact EMBERS, Eastside Movement for Businesses and Economic Renewal Society, to find out how they can help you.

know someone...

…who you think is HOT? Forward this e-mail, they’ll love One Day.

New readers, sign-up here.

did you know...

… that an older thermostat can contain 2.5 to 10 grams of mercury? It only takes one gram to contaminate an eight-hectare lake to the point where the fish in that lake are inedible. Luckily the Switch-the-Stat Program provides a safe option for the disposal of mercury-containing thermostats while encouraging the use of more energy efficient programmable ones.

local events

Energy Monitoring Workshop
Feb 16
This full-day workshop will show you how to measure and analyze your organization's energy consumption both before and after energy improvements.

WWF’s National Sweater Day
Feb 17
Join Canadians across the country in turning down their thermostats by three degrees. Throw on a fun, quirky sweater to show your support for the planet. BC Hydro Team Power Smart bonus - get 20% off your next sweater purchase at Sears.

Winter Farmers Market
Feb 19, 26
Mar 5, 12
From 10 am to 2 pm check out the new location, east parking lot of Nat Bailey Stadium, to shop local, directly from local farmers.

The Man Who Planted Trees
Mar 7
Check out this Oscar-winning Canadian film that portrays Elzéard Bouffier’s work of transforming barren landscapes into thriving ecosystems brimming with wildlife.

Reminder for six to 24-year-olds: The submission deadline for the Vancouver Foundation’s Generation Green Awards is March 4.

Check out the One Day events calendar for more sustainability related events happening in and around Vancouver.

in the media

Smart meters essential to modernizing BC Hydro's grid
15 places to meet a green hottie
Top 10 reasons Vancouver is a cleantech powerhouse
The City's gone bananas

Check out the One Day media section for more climate change related news.


February 2011 Hello! welcome With Valentine’s Day in recent memory, this month we are suggesting that you snuggle or bundle up to save energy! One Day is a City of Vancouver initiative that encourages residents to take small actions in their daily lives to use less energy at home and on the move, to help protect the climate, and to make Vancouver the cleanest, greenest, healthiest city in the world. actions this month Dial it down One simple way to stop wasting energy and reduce heating costs is to pull on a sweater, some cozy slippers and turn down your thermostat setting. It’s free, and by turning the heat down by just two degrees, you can reduce your home heating costs by 5%! Manage your thermostat Another way is to dial-down your thermostat overnight or while you are out. You can do this yourself, or use a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust to preset temperatures at different times of the day. Programmable thermostats are inexpensive (only $25-100) and can pay for themselves in a matter of months. By programming your thermostat to lower the temperature by five degrees nightly for eight hours, you will save about 10% on your heating bill. More info. for homeowners Houses By tuning up your heating equipment and giving it regular maintenance, you’ll increase its energy efficiency, cost effectiveness and the comfort it provides. A well-maintained heating system will last longer, provide better circulation, and reduce the risk of fire hazard. Visit the BC Hydro website to find out what you need to know. Condos Does your building have more than 75 suites, over 15 floors, have electric baseboard heating, in-suite gas fireplaces in most suites, a mechanical penthouse, continuous hallway ventilation AND inefficient parkade lighting? If so, it may qualify to participate in a City of Vancouver pilot program aimed at saving your building energy and money. If your building meets this criteria, e-mail us and find out how to get up to $60,000 per building is available in incentives. One Day wonders This month’s wonders are the Halls, one of 50 Vancouver families who took advantage of the City’s weatherization pilot project. On the day they were “weatherized”, Jacquie opened the doors to a team armed with caulking, weather stripping and a blower door kit. The team went to work sealing cracks and leaks in the attic, basement, along windows, ducts and doors. The team used the blower door kit to track the improvement as they worked. The team was able to accomplish a 33% reduction in air leakage! The Halls have reported that their home is now more warm and cozy. UPDATE: Luckily, this pilot has now evolved into a full program which offers three different weatherization packages. Contact EMBERS, Eastside Movement for Businesses and Economic Renewal Society, to find out how they can help you.	know someone... …who you think is HOT? Forward this e-mail, they’ll love One Day. New readers, sign-up here. did you know... … that an older thermostat can contain 2.5 to 10 grams of mercury? It only takes one gram to contaminate an eight-hectare lake to the point where the fish in that lake are inedible. Luckily the Switch-the-Stat Program provides a safe option for the disposal of mercury-containing thermostats while encouraging the use of more energy efficient programmable ones. local events Energy Monitoring Workshop Feb 16 This full-day workshop will show you how to measure and analyze your organization's energy consumption both before and after energy improvements. WWF’s National Sweater Day Feb 17 Join Canadians across the country in turning down their thermostats by three degrees. Throw on a fun, quirky sweater to show your support for the planet. BC Hydro Team Power Smart bonus - get 20% off your next sweater purchase at Sears. Winter Farmers Market Feb 19, 26 Mar 5, 12 From 10 am to 2 pm check out the new location, east parking lot of Nat Bailey Stadium, to shop local, directly from local farmers. The Man Who Planted Trees Mar 7 Check out this Oscar-winning Canadian film that portrays Elzéard Bouffier’s work of transforming barren landscapes into thriving ecosystems brimming with wildlife. Reminder for six to 24-year-olds: The submission deadline for the Vancouver Foundation’s Generation Green Awards is March 4. Check out the One Day events calendar for more sustainability related events happening in and around Vancouver. in the media Smart meters essential to modernizing BC Hydro's grid 15 places to meet a green hottie Top 10 reasons Vancouver is a cleantech powerhouse The City's gone bananas Check out the One Day media section for more climate change related news.