Dudley Greeley says he doesn’t mind doing laundry. He and his wife do not have a drier, preferring instead to sun-dry their clothes in the wooded backyard of their 19th century home in Cumberland. Hanging the laundry in the sun is just fine with Greeley. “I’ll take a sun-dried sheet any day,” he says. “You just can’t beat the smell.”
Greeley, the University of Southern Maine’s Environmental and Economic Sustainability Coordinator, held the second of a year-long series of lectures and workshops on energy efficiency this past Wednesday in room 14 C of the Woodbury Student Center. During the 60-minute presentation Greely described ways people can “get the [electrical] services they want, without spending their son or daughter’s college tuition in the process.” In addition to drying his clothes the old-fashioned way, Greeley uses an energy saving refrigerator from Sears, and makes it a point to use efficient light bulbs. Greeley estimates that his energy savings over the 15 years he has resided in Cumberland paid for his daughter’s first year in college.
“The math is simple,” Greeley says. “My average monthly energy bill is $20. My neighbors average around $100 a month. That’s $80 a month for 15 years.” The $14,000 Greeley estimates he has saved is the direct result of the “basic, common sense measures” he has taken to increase his home’s energy efficiency and reduce his monthly electric bill. “I’m not some fanatic shivering in the dark without amenities”, Greeley says, telling those attending the lecture that simply replacing old-fashioned light bulbs with newer, more efficient and longer lasting bulbs could significantly cut one’s electric bill. “This used to signify a bright idea,” Greeley says, holding up a standard light bulb for the captivated audience. “It was a bright idea in 1879, but not anymore.”
Now, Greeley says, energy efficient technology is available and affordable for the public. “This doesn’t require anything fancy,” he says, pointing toward his meager energy bill. “The technology is available off the shelf.” This is important, Greeley says, because as more people choose to utilize better and more efficient technology, the market will drive the price down, making energy efficiency accessible for a wider percentage of the world’s growing population. This is important for the global climate, Greeley says, noting that the production of one kilowatt hour of electricity generates about 100 pounds of air pollutants.
Greeley emphasized that greater efficiency does not require significant sacrifice to quality of life. “I love my refrigerator, I love hot showers, I’m guilty of the occasional recreational shower,” Greeley says, adding that his energy efficient home features a barn with electric lights, two televisions, two computers, and a full metal workshop. Greely says that simply turning off computer monitors, televisions, lights and other appliances when they are not in use will have a dramatic affect on a household’s energy efficiency.
“If you’re not benefiting from a service, don’t pay for it.”
While most of the energy efficiency tips offered by Greeley pertained to home-owners that can invest in efficient appliances and save money over many years, Greeley did add that “students are instrumental to this issue.” Greeley said the University has begun to recognize that the way in which it presents itself and conducts its business is an important educational tool for students. “People learn by observing,” Greely says, “much more so than they do in classrooms. We need to engage students in what we’re doing, not just what we’re saying.” Greeley noted that the University has taken some steps to increase its energy efficiency and save money. Recently the University removed the light bulbs from all of its food and beverage vending machines. That alone saved the school $7,000, according to Greeley. He says the University must create a “culture of concern” among students and faculty about the issue of energy costs. “We’re not using energy,” he says, “we’re abusing it. Energy is just too cheap. What we’re doing is exporting the cost to future generations and other societies.”
Greeley will hold similar workshops and lectures throughout the year as part of the university’s “Environmental Sustainability” convocation. For information on upcoming convocation events, check the event calendar at http://www.usm.maine.edu/prov/convocation/events.htm
Craig Giammona can be contacted at [email protected]