Use Less Energy in Vermont
There are two main reasons to use less energy.
Lower Bills
The only sure way to cut our energy bills is to use less energy. It's that simple. Regardless of whether oil prices are going up or down, making our homes more energy efficient is a smart investment. An energy audit from Building Energy is an excellent place to start. And if your heating system is more than fifteen or twenty years old, you should consider replacing it with a new, efficient oil-fired furnace or boiler. Solar hot water systems are now a very attractive investment and the fuel is free! Many Co-op members have installed pellet stoves to reduce oil use and heat their homes with a renewable source of energy.
Climate Change
Each gallon of heating oil or kerosene that we burn to warm our homes produces about 22 lbs. of carbon dioxide - the main greenhouse gas. The best way to reduce these emissions is to use less energy. In Vermont, greenhouse gases could be reduced by more than 1,800,000 tons and energy bills lowered by $1.5 billion by the year 2017 under the new state-wide program established under the Vermont Energy Efficiency and Affordability Act in 2007. In addition to the economic benefits, all Vermonters - both ourselves and future generations - would benefit from cleaner air and a stable climate. The cleanest energy source is the energy we don't use.