welcome

This month, Power Smart month, we’d like to “shed the light” on the lighting that helps protect the climate. As the days get shorter, we’d like to offer you some bright ideas on how to save money and 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 of the month

Homeowners

Lighting can account for up to 20% of your household energy use. Use BC Hydro’s online tool to calculate exactly how much! Aside from making the most of natural daylight and turning lights (and appliances) off when not in use, here are some other ideas to cut your costs:

Install lighting controls
Adjust lighting levels for the job
Use energy efficient bulbs, lamps and fixtures

Multi-unit buildings

Some lighting simply can’t be turned off, but you’d be surprised at the difference efficient lighting can make. Upgrading an entire lighting system can reduce a strata’s electricity bill by 40%. Here are a couple biggies to share with your landlord or strata:

Parkade lighting accounts for approximately 30% of common area electricity costs and if upgraded, could result in approximately $8,000/yr in savings for a 100-unit building -- that is equal to a three-year payback.
LED exit signs can offer lifetime savings of up to $300 per sign in reduced energy and maintenance, compared with standard incandescent models. The good news is that all signs manufactured since November 2004 use LED technology.
Lighting occupancy sensors can save 15-80% of energy use, and it extends the life of the light!

Be sure to visit BC Hydro for related incentives.

spooked

Rid your home of phantoms! Pull your equipment chargers out of the wall socket for all your small and large electronic equipment when not being used. These devices draw energy called a phantom load, even when they're not charging anything.

You can also make this Halloween a little less scary by using rechargeable batteries in your trick-or-treater’s flashlight or inside your frightening jack-o-lantern.

Visit the Recycling Council of BC’s website to find out where to recycle your non-rechargeable and your rechargeable batteries right here in the Lower Mainland.

One Day wonders

This month we’re recognizing our own “bright light”, Monica, for all the work she’s done to help reduce the City’s greenhouse gas emissions. As the City’s Energy Manager, she reviews energy bills, talks to occupants to identify the issues and then sets out to solve them. Working with an energy services contractor, who is paid through the savings they achieve, Monica has been changing boilers, updating lighting and redirecting energy use. Currently Monica’s crew is working on Library Square’s lighting issues by swapping out light bulbs with more efficient ones that reduce eye strain with cooler white light.

You’ll find our next One Day Wonders by simply facing north and noticing something a bit different about your view from Vancouver. An alternative energy initiative, called The Eye of the Wind, is the the newest addition to Grouse Mountain, and it will generate enough electricity to off-set 25 percent of the resort’s operational energy needs when it begins full-operation early in 2010. The tower is also the first in the world to be equipped with an elevator accessing a panoramic viewPod, that will be open for the public to get up close and personal with our region’s latest sustainable energy source! Photo taken by Neil Openshaw.

recycle it

Although compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) only contain small amounts of mercury, they should not be put into the garbage. (Most CFLs contain less than 4mg of mercury – about one-fifth of what’s in an average watch battery and less than one-hundredth of what can be found in a typical amalgam dental filling. There are new bulbs on the market with lower mercury levels, currently as low as 1.4 to 2.5 mg per bulb.) Recycle CFLs. Find a CFL recycler near you.

know someone...

… who gets spooked in the dark? Send them this issue and they might find themselves more terrified by the energy they waste.

New readers, sign-up here.

what's happening

Energy efficiency workshop
Oct. 15, 21 or Nov. 4, 7:30-8:30
Participants will learn about incentives, such as the federal ecoENERGY rebate program. Learn the details of the program, how to access the incentives, and the types of renovations that qualify at this free workshop.

Waste Reduction Week
Oct. 19-25
Waste Reduction Week provides information and ideas on how to reduce waste in all facets of daily living by creating solutions to the many environmental challenges we face including climate change, water pollution and preservation of natural resources.

350 International Day of Climate Action
Oct. 24
Join people all over the world to take a stand for a safe climate future. Put our world on course to get back to a safe amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere (350ppm).

TransportCamp
Oct. 30
Join the Co-operative Auto Network for their sustainable transportation unconference. The forum will explore the question, how can transportation be a catalyst for building more vibrant communities in the Lower Mainland? Cost $25. Register online.

Lighthouse Seminars
Nov. 7 and 14, 2-4pm
Learn from the experts on topics such as rainwater collection, green roofs and living walls at Lighthouse Sustainable Building Centre's speaker series. Cost $5. RSVP to secure your space.

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

did you know...

…that BC Hydro Power Smart is offering in-store instant discounts on ENERGY STAR light fixtures? Visit participating retailers and look for the Power Smart label at shelf level.

in the media

Feature: Sep.30 Mayor outlines ‘Green Capital’ economic strategy for Vancouver
“We’ve got cutting-edge businesses; we have the opportunity to lead the world in green technology research and development; and we have a dynamic, highly educated and creative workforce," said Mayor Robertson. “With the new strategies and programs the City and the VEDC are rolling out, and in particular our business brand of ‘Vancouver, Green Capital,’ we’re saying we’re open for business and the days of Vancouver being seen as a sleepy, laid-back West Coast town are in the past.”

Fraser Basin Council awards Vancouver and Delta Canada’s first-ever gold ratings for fleet excellence
Food giants hop ‘buy local' bandwagon
CFL sales are plummeting
Countdown to Copenhagen


October 2009 Hello %%firstname%%! welcome This month, Power Smart month, we’d like to “shed the light” on the lighting that helps protect the climate. As the days get shorter, we’d like to offer you some bright ideas on how to save money and 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 of the month Homeowners Lighting can account for up to 20% of your household energy use. Use BC Hydro’s online tool to calculate exactly how much! Aside from making the most of natural daylight and turning lights (and appliances) off when not in use, here are some other ideas to cut your costs: Install lighting controls Adjust lighting levels for the job Use energy efficient bulbs, lamps and fixtures Multi-unit buildings Some lighting simply can’t be turned off, but you’d be surprised at the difference efficient lighting can make. Upgrading an entire lighting system can reduce a strata’s electricity bill by 40%. Here are a couple biggies to share with your landlord or strata: Parkade lighting accounts for approximately 30% of common area electricity costs and if upgraded, could result in approximately $8,000/yr in savings for a 100-unit building -- that is equal to a three-year payback. LED exit signs can offer lifetime savings of up to $300 per sign in reduced energy and maintenance, compared with standard incandescent models. The good news is that all signs manufactured since November 2004 use LED technology. Lighting occupancy sensors can save 15-80% of energy use, and it extends the life of the light! Be sure to visit BC Hydro for related incentives. spooked Rid your home of phantoms! Pull your equipment chargers out of the wall socket for all your small and large electronic equipment when not being used. These devices draw energy called a phantom load, even when they're not charging anything. You can also make this Halloween a little less scary by using rechargeable batteries in your trick-or-treater’s flashlight or inside your frightening jack-o-lantern. Visit the Recycling Council of BC’s website to find out where to recycle your non-rechargeable and your rechargeable batteries right here in the Lower Mainland. One Day wonders This month we’re recognizing our own “bright light”, Monica, for all the work she’s done to help reduce the City’s greenhouse gas emissions. As the City’s Energy Manager, she reviews energy bills, talks to occupants to identify the issues and then sets out to solve them. Working with an energy services contractor, who is paid through the savings they achieve, Monica has been changing boilers, updating lighting and redirecting energy use. Currently Monica’s crew is working on Library Square’s lighting issues by swapping out light bulbs with more efficient ones that reduce eye strain with cooler white light. You’ll find our next One Day Wonders by simply facing north and noticing something a bit different about your view from Vancouver. An alternative energy initiative, called The Eye of the Wind, is the the newest addition to Grouse Mountain, and it will generate enough electricity to off-set 25 percent of the resort’s operational energy needs when it begins full-operation early in 2010. The tower is also the first in the world to be equipped with an elevator accessing a panoramic viewPod, that will be open for the public to get up close and personal with our region’s latest sustainable energy source! Photo taken by Neil Openshaw. recycle it Although compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) only contain small amounts of mercury, they should not be put into the garbage. (Most CFLs contain less than 4mg of mercury – about one-fifth of what’s in an average watch battery and less than one-hundredth of what can be found in a typical amalgam dental filling. There are new bulbs on the market with lower mercury levels, currently as low as 1.4 to 2.5 mg per bulb.) Recycle CFLs. Find a CFL recycler near you.	know someone... … who gets spooked in the dark? Send them this issue and they might find themselves more terrified by the energy they waste. New readers, sign-up here. what's happening Energy efficiency workshop Oct. 15, 21 or Nov. 4, 7:30-8:30 Participants will learn about incentives, such as the federal ecoENERGY rebate program. Learn the details of the program, how to access the incentives, and the types of renovations that qualify at this free workshop. Waste Reduction Week Oct. 19-25 Waste Reduction Week provides information and ideas on how to reduce waste in all facets of daily living by creating solutions to the many environmental challenges we face including climate change, water pollution and preservation of natural resources. 350 International Day of Climate Action Oct. 24 Join people all over the world to take a stand for a safe climate future. Put our world on course to get back to a safe amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere (350ppm). TransportCamp Oct. 30 Join the Co-operative Auto Network for their sustainable transportation unconference. The forum will explore the question, how can transportation be a catalyst for building more vibrant communities in the Lower Mainland? Cost $25. Register online. Lighthouse Seminars Nov. 7 and 14, 2-4pm Learn from the experts on topics such as rainwater collection, green roofs and living walls at Lighthouse Sustainable Building Centre's speaker series. Cost $5. RSVP to secure your space. Check out the One Day events calendar for more sustainability related events happening in and around Vancouver. did you know... …that BC Hydro Power Smart is offering in-store instant discounts on ENERGY STAR light fixtures? Visit participating retailers and look for the Power Smart label at shelf level. in the media Feature: Sep.30 Mayor outlines ‘Green Capital’ economic strategy for Vancouver “We’ve got cutting-edge businesses; we have the opportunity to lead the world in green technology research and development; and we have a dynamic, highly educated and creative workforce," said Mayor Robertson. “With the new strategies and programs the City and the VEDC are rolling out, and in particular our business brand of ‘Vancouver, Green Capital,’ we’re saying we’re open for business and the days of Vancouver being seen as a sleepy, laid-back West Coast town are in the past.” Fraser Basin Council awards Vancouver and Delta Canada’s first-ever gold ratings for fleet excellence Food giants hop ‘buy local' bandwagon CFL sales are plummeting Countdown to Copenhagen