Energy Efficiency
From Edgewater 2020
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Energy and Money Saving Resources
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Contents |
Category Administration
Chair: Tom Murphy <tjm2040@rcn.com>; Members: Jim Nelson, Stan Bratman, Ernie Constantino, Monica Hammer, Pamela J. Richart.
Definition
• Promote energy efficient and cost efficient upgrades and renovations in existing structures;
• Promote energy saving practices with short-time paybacks by building owners in summer and winter.
• Work with the Chicago Climate Action Plan to cut energy use in buildings and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
• Promote the development of businesses and services in the community easily accessible to Edgewater Community residents.
• Promote the LEED ND certification of all new buildings (collaborate with Planning & Development);
Metrics
Retrieve data for Edgewater by making arrangements with major utilities to monitor total energy consumption in selected neighborhoods.
Assumptions
(What, if any, criteria are fixed/unchangeable or independent from this analysis?)
Current State
(Where do we currently stand in this category/section, in terms of the key defining metrics?)
Available Data Review
Individual Implications:
Low rise residential buildings in Edgewater date predominantly from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s. Typically these buildings were un-insulated, had single pane windows, and burned coal for heat.
The high-rises and 4 + 1 apartment buildings on the east side were constructed mostly in the 1960’s & 1970’s and some are more energy efficient.
While shopping for groceries, pharmaceuticals and many services are available in the neighborhood, much shopping for other consumer items is done at centers outside the community.
The automobile fleet is quite mixed, consisting of all shapes and sizes, but perhaps more moderate sized vehicles than the larger types.
The churches tend to have a very high, expensive to heat ceilings in the church proper.
Metrics: Survey of residences to determine the level of energy efficiency at this time.
Initiate talks with utility companies to get average energy use by different building types.
Additional Data Needs
(What additional data is needed and how will we be able to address them, e.g., through the Loyola student projects?)
Survey of residences by the intern of the State Representative and by Loyola University students to determine the level of energy efficiency for different residence types at this time.
Obtain data from the local utilities on average energy use by different building types in the community.
Future State
(What is our Vision for this category/section? What are our specific goals in terms of key metrics defined above? What implications & benefits will there be at an individual, business, and governmental level?)
Near-term:
30% of neighborhood buildings will have cut their energy use by 30% or more due to building upgrades and behavioral changes.
Lighting will be with CFLs or LEDs.
The average driver will cut their mileage by 20% and have a fuel economy or 35 mpg or greater.
Ideal
(What are the key measures that are relevant to this category? What ‘needles’ are we trying to ‘move’?)
Buildings
Buildings are a major consumer of energy for heating and cooling, and for powering computers, appliances, and media systems. The Chicago Climate Action Plan(CCAP) (2008) estimates that as much as 70% of the energy used in the city and be related to that used in buildings and for its occupants-street lighting, for instance.
According to an important new study by the consulting firm McKinsey the biggest opportunity to improve the nation’s energy situation is a major investment program to make homes and businesses more energy efficient. Its results indicate that an investment of $520 billion in improvements could produce $1.2 trillion in savings on energy bills through 2020 (a decrease of about 23% and cutting GHG emissions by 1.1 gigatons). <Unlocking Energy Efficiency in the US Economy, McKinsey & Company. July,2009 http://www.mckinsey.com/clientservice/electricpowernaturalgas/us_energy_efficiency/> Likewise, a program to decrease energy use in Edgewater should have a heavy emphasis on improving the energy efficiency of its buildings.
Most of the buildings in Edgewater were built before energy efficiency was a factor (single family and smaller apartment buildings; built around 1900-10), before it was important (high-rises; 1960’s and 70’s) or when it was disregarded (four-plus-ones; 1960’s and 70’s). Thus all of these buildings are excellent candidates for energy efficient upgrades.
Transportation
The CCAP reports that 21% of the energy used in Chicago is directly related to transportation. A recent report by the National Research Council (2008)(3) estimates that a combination of improved gas mileage, fuel from biomass, & the introduction of electric vehicles could cut gasoline consumption by one-third by 2035, while accommodating the expected increase in miles traveled.
- The best way to decrease fuel consumption by vehicles is to travel less. Thus an important goal for energy efficiency for transportation is to encourage residents to shop locally, on foot or bicycle when possible, and to minimize other driving.
- To promote the development of the variety of businesses and services that is needed in the Edgewater community.
- To drive energy efficient and alternative energy fueled vehicles. Target 2020 Goal 50% participation.
- Promote the availability of locally produced and recycled products in neighborhood markets.
- Promote walk-to-work programs.
Minimum / First Steps
The Edgewater Community (EC) will become a partner in the Chicago Climate Action Plan.
Promote user-friendly energy upgrades: plugging drafts; installing programmable thermostats; using attic and ceiling fans; closing-off rooms and radiators; smartly manage solar input; using Energy Star or better appliances and CFL or LED lighting. Goal; 70% participation.
Promote the LEED rating system for Neighborhood Development to guide energy efficient upgrades when doing major renovations. Goal 40% incorporation.
Make arrangements with local banks to structure loans to EC residence owners to fund major energy efficiency upgrades.
Minimize driving and drive energy efficient vehicles; shop locally and on foot or bicycle when possible. Goal 70% participation.
Promote the availability of locally produced and recycled products in neighborhood markets.
Promote participation with the Center of Neighborhood Technology’s Energy Saver Program for upgrades of rental units with five or more units. Goal: 40% participation.
Promote city, county, state and federal incentives and financing to facilitate and encourage efficient energy use and the increased use of renewable energy in the EC.
Metrics: The change in energy use in renovated buildings will be documented.
Changes in the overall energy use by segments of the community will be followed with the use of aggregate data from the utilities.
Gaps
(Given available data & analysis, how far apart are key the elements (metrics) of our Current & Future States?)
Resources
(What kind of resources – time, money, people, agreements/support/relationships – are needed to address each of the gaps described above?)
- Providing credible information to residents and owners of commercial establishments on cost vs. savings to install energy efficiency changes
- Grants and funding to provide low cost loans or pilot programs for weatherization or transportation alternatives to reduce energy consumption in the community
- legislative and zoning adjustments that would encourage sustainable practices relating to energy efficiency
Priorities
(Given the potential impact & benefit and the related costs (resources) required, in what order should we attempt to address/resolve the gaps?)
- Promote energy and cost efficient upgrades and renovations in existing structures;
- Promote energy saving practices with short-time paybacks to building owners in summer and winter.
- Work with the Chicago Climate Action Plan to cut energy use in buildings, and with transportation to decrease greenhouse gas emissions
Implementation Plan
(What are the first/next steps required to address the priority gap areas, secure the required resources, etc.? How will the implementation of priorities in this area be balanced against those of others?)
- Provide information in public meetings & on our website, on programs, techniques & equipment that owners can use to increase energy efficiency in buildings. Target: 2009-2020
- Promote user-friendly energy upgrades: plugging drafts; installing programmable thermostats; using attic and ceiling fans; closing-off rooms and radiators; smartly manage solar input; using Energy Star or better appliances and CFL or LED lighting. Target 2020 Goal: 70% participation.
- Make energy monitoring (Watt meters) and infrared temperature sensors available on loan through the ECC for residents to determine where significant energy usage is occurring. Target 2009 and onward
- Promote the LEED rating system for Neighborhood Development to guide energy efficient upgrades when doing major renovations. Target 2020 Goal 40% incorporation.
- Promote participation with the Center of Neighborhood Technology’s Energy Saver Program for upgrades of rental units with five or more units. Target 2020 Goal: 40% participation.
- Make arrangements with local banks to structure loans to Edgewater residence owners to fund major energy efficiency upgrades. Target: 2010-2020
