 |
 |
|
|
|||||||||||
To reduce our consumption of energy in our Welcoming Center, we focused on both sustainable energy alternatives and on energy saving measures. It was important to not simply focus on obtaining our electricity from alternative means, but to also work on reducing the amount of energy we use in the first place. We are proud to say that our building uses 47% less energy than California Title 24 2001 Energy Code. We have three types of solar energy collection at the Welcoming Center to supplement the electricity we buy from the grid, to supply the building with hot water, and to heat the building in the winter, drastically lowering energy consumption during the cold months:
The biggest energy saving feature of the building is the lack of air conditioning. There is absolutely no AC system in the Welcoming Center, and yet it is one of coolest buildings on the property. AC systems use large amounts of energy and are one of the major draws on the grid during the warm months. To learn more about how we avoided the need for air conditioning, click here. Energy saving measures also include simple things like using fluorescent lighting throughout the building and making sure the kitchen appliances are the most efficient available.
List of Energy Efficient Measures:
|
Energy Conservation in Detail
|
||||||||||
In addition to the on-site solar energy collection, we also wanted to
help promote green power ingeneral.
As part of the Welcoming Center project, we purchased 223,580 kWh of clean,
renewable off-site wind energy, in
the form of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). This prevents 311,223 pounds
of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere, and supports
the movement towards a sustainable, clean energy solution.