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4CORE & Partner Events
Energy Literacy Webinar
Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts for Energy Education
Presented by the Dept. of Energy February 6, 2:00 to 3:00 PM
Homebuyers Class
Regional Housing Alliance (RHA)
Febuary 5, 5:30-8:30 PM
February 9, 8:30 AM -1:30 PM
4CORE will present info on how to make improvements and save money on bills.
Call for location and to sign up: 970-259-1418
Green Business Roundtable
Green Buisiness Leadership Award
February 13, 12- 1 PM
Henry Strater Theatre
Free Rider Day on Durango Transit
February 22
Straw Bale, Adobe, Rammed Earth & Other Alternative Construction Methods Fort Lewis College Continuing Education February 20- April 3 Wednesdays, 7:00 - 8:00 PM
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| DIY Home Energy Audit Loan (HEAL) Program
Wendy Rice at the La Plata CSU Extension Office is offering: "Thermal leak detectors, Kill-a-watt power monitors, and 'flicker checkers' in the new Home Energy Audit Loan program kits that can be borrowed for free.
Learn what a flicker checker is here.
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Easy Way to Donate to 4CORE
4CORE is a beneficiary of proceeds from Durango's Alpine Bank Loyalty Check Card for the Environment.
Each time you use your card, Alpine Bank donates 10 cents per transaction to organizations (like 4CORE!!). These special cards are available with no annual fee to individuals with an Alpine Bank checking account.
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 Energy to Evolve
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Energy News you Can Use is published monthly
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Call 4CORE at 970-259-1916 if you have any questions or need assistance.
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Resource News You Can Use
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Easy Tip #1: If your cell phone charger is plugged in without the cell phone attached, it is still drawing power. Unplug when you are not charging, or use a power strip that you can switch off when you take your phone with you.
Read on to learn how "plug load", or electricity used in a regular 120 volt outlet, is on the rise, how you can identify plug loads in your home or office, and what you can do to decrease electricity costs.
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 Plug Loads on the RiseWhat takes so much darn energy? The Energy Information Administration has found that Americans use 60 percent more electricity today than they did 20 years ago. Within that increase, plug loads are fast becoming the leading use of electricity when compared to heating, lighting, and other electricity uses. Why are plug loads increasing? A variety of reasons are compounding the increase. We have more gadgets to plug in and charge (smart phones, game stations, iTunes players). Our appliances are getting larger (light-weight wide screen TVs) and more powerful (computers and laptops). Finally, we are leaving things on longer.
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Home Plug Loads. Source: Ecova |
Some examples of the amount of energy you use and how much it costs are in the following examples:
- iPod Docking Station - Uses three watts charging and five when it's playing music. This costs you a penny a day!
- Big Screen TV - When the TV is on it can use 210 watts, when off 64. Cost per day = 11 cents just to have the TV plugged in at your house.
- Game Systems - Can use 2 watts when the system is off but uses 145 when it's on. Cost per day = 24 cents.
- Digital Video Recorder - Can pull 83 watts just having one plugged in the wall. Cost per day = 15 cents.
Check out this video, which has some great statistics about vampire (phantom) energy:  | | Vampire Energy |
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 3 Ways to Identify Plug Loads You can learn a lot from little lights in the dark So we know that the demand for electricity for all our gadgets is on the rise. How can we pinpoint which ones are using the most juice? - Turn off all your lights at night and go around your house looking for little lights on all your appliances. If they are lit, they are using electricity!
- Analyze your utility bill. Look for trends in different seasons. Are you leaving your snow-melting heat tape on in the summer months? Check out our last newsletter for more tips on analyzing your utility bill.
- Check out a kill-a-watt meter from the Durango Public Library, La Plata Electric Association, or the County Extension office for FREE!
 | | Kill A Watt Meter - AltE Video Tip |
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 Lose the Load
Decrease Standby Energy
You've identified where you are losing energy to standby energy. Now you can take action.
- When you buy a new device or appliance get an energy efficient model when possible. Look for ENERGY STAR certified appliances (with the blue star on the label). If you are looking for a TV, opt for an LED model instead of a plasma screen.
- Use power strips, or better yet, smart strips. Plug your device chargers and computers into one power strip that is programmed to turn on for only a few hours each night. For your entertainment system, program the power strip to be active only during the times you watch TV. For your kitchen appliances, such as the coffee maker, toaster oven, or microwave, program them for morning and evening hours when you prepare meals.
- Use sleep or standby mode on copiers and printers to reduce energy use.
- Personal space heaters, task lighting and coffee makers can waste a substantial amount of energy. Minimize the use of these at home and in the office.
Check out this video about a sassy little girl on an "Energy Vampire" mission.
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To Kill A Watt
by 4CORE Intern Patty Dickinson
I have been interested in finding the kilowatt usage of some of the electrical items in my home. All you need is a "Kill A Watt" meter to do the testing...
I chose to do my experiment on phantom loads so I would know what appliances to leave unplugged unless in use. I thought that would be an easy way to start this experiment... so I can save even more money and be more energy efficient, which is my ultimate goal.
Once I started, I found myself really getting into this. I even had my son stop by to assist with a couple of these just for fun. Here are my results...
Other Energy to Evolve Blogs on this topic:
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Pie Pans, Plastic Cups and Pill Bottles, Oh My!
Single-stream Recycling Debuts in Durango
The City of Durango will be offering single-stream recycling curb-side pickup and drop-off services starting this month. This means you will not have to sort your recycleables anymore and 30% more trash will be diverted from our local landfill!
You can combine all of the following in to your newly-issued recycling can:
- plastics #1-#7
- paperboard (e.g. cereal boxes)
- corrugated cardboard
- paper
- steel and aluminum cans
- aluminum foil and aluminum pie pans
Glass will no longer be picked up curbside, but it will be accepted at a variety of conveniently-located drop off centers around town. Also, items such as plastic wrap, styrofoam, batteries, compostable containers, plastic bags, paper or plastic plates, and waste will NOT be accepted.
For city resident curb-side pick up, you'll need to sign up to receive service and a single-stream recycling can. The $3 per month residential recycling fee will be included as part of your monthly solid waste fees from the City of Durango.
Find more information here
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As always, if you have any feedback or questions about becoming more energy efficient, please contact us. |
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