The film Kilowatt Ours shows the city of Austin as they built what they call an “energy conservation power plant.” Rather than build a new coal-fired power plant, the community decided it was a priority to advocate aggressive energy conservation efforts instead. After 20 years, Austin now saves more than 600 megawatts of electricity every day — one power plant worth of electricity, generated strictly from energy savings. Here is a link to watch a short clip from Kilowatt Ours, featuring this initiative.
Austin offers a catchy and doable vision that can be achieved on any scale, in any community in America that makes this a priority, beginning today. An individual homeowner or apartment dweller can build a tiny conservation power plant in their abode by changing light bulbs and cutting usage by several kilowatt hours per month. A business, school, or institution can do the same on a larger scale by investing in a performance contract. An entire city or municipal utility can go even further and commit to a program on the scale of Austin.
Here are the steps you can take to help build a conservation power plant in your home, business, organization, or community.
- Watch the film. If you have not seen the film, click here to check if there is a screening in your area. If the film is not showing on public television or at a community screening, you can receive a free DVD with a donation of $25. Click here for details.
- Visit the Kilowatt Ours website. Now that you are here on the website be sure to visit our Community Page and Forums for resources to help you begin saving energy and begin building a Conservation Power Plant.
- Take the pledge. Make a commitment to save energy and Join the Kilowatt Ours community. Our online pledge is coming soon.
- Conduct an Energy Audit. Conducting a home energy audit is an important step, allowing you to get statistics and data about your energy use and the energy efficiency of your home so you know what improvements you can make to save energy. This “do-it-yourself” online energy audit will provide basic information about your energy consumption. A professional audit will provide more accurate information about your energy use and may reveal information such as sealing/air leaks and areas where insulation is missing or can be improved. Check with your local utility provider to see if they offer free or reduced pricing on home energy audits for their customers. If your local utility does not offer this service, there are many businesses that can be found through an online search.
- Record your Progress. The Kilowatt Counter is a tool that allows you to report your energy savings and check back from month to month to track your energy bills and record your progress. Note when you click on the link above you will be directed to create a user profile and once you’ve created this, the Kilowatt Counter will ask a series of questions that will help identify your energy savings.
- Enlist your community. You can enlist others to join your efforts by sharing the film through a home or community screening, and asking them to join our 6-Step Conservation Power Plant initiative. We encourage you to reach out to: family & friends, schools, your work or place of business, organizations to which you belong including congregations, and your community including local, city and state government organizations.
