Energy Conservation Kits
Conserve the Light Effort Promotes Power Savings for First Nations
Dec 11, 2007
A unique partnership has made a positive effort to reduce the energy use of Ontario First Nations households through distribution of energy efficiency or conservation kits. Mana-cha-toon Wash-ti-ni-gun, the Conserve the Light Project arranged for 25,000 of these kits to be delivered through the summer and fall of 2007 by students and volunteers to more than a hundred different Ontario First Nation communities. Energy efficiency is important to rural residents who often pay higher rates for their electricity and heating fuel. Recent sharp spikes in the price of crude oil have only aggravated the problem. Use of these kits can make a remarkable difference in the energy consumed by a typical home.
Project Sponsors - The Conserve the Light Program is being managed by Charles Fox Consulting of Thunder Bay and receives funding from the Ontario Power Authority. This energy savings program is part of Ontario's Energy Efficiency & Conservation Measures for Aboriginal Communities (EEMAC) initiative.
Kit Distribution - Kits have been delivered in a number of different ways. In the Six Nations territory, kits were distributed as part of Gil & Essie Marin's Walk with Me for Diabetes event. Consultant Charles Fox in a press release for the project states, "The kits are resulting in energy savings, but more importantly, there is now a much higher level of activity and interest in energy conservation in First Nations communities. We need to revitalize our conservation culture, a culture that is based on our traditional teachings…Kits have been delivered from as far north as the coast of James Bay, and south to locations on the coast of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. We have used planes from native owned Wasaya Airlines in the far north, as well as trucks, trains, cars, boats, and now the volunteers from Gil and Essie Martin's Walk with Me for Diabetes team."
What's in the Kits? - Each energy efficiency kit contains these items and a complete product guide (PDF file) that describes each component and how to install it:
- Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) - These bulbs use a fourth of the energy required of an incandescent bulb with the same light output
- Fridge/Freezer Thermometer - Running a refrigerator or freezer at an excessively low temperatures wastes energy
- Pipe Wrap - Foam insulation wrapped around hot water pipes reduces heat loss
- Faucet Aerator - This device adds air to the faucet water stream and helps reduce water consumption and energy used to heat water
- Low Flow Showerhead - Reducing water flow saves energy used to provide and heat water needed for a shower
- Water Flow Measuring Bag - Measuring the water flow of faucets and showerheads helps determine if those in use are efficient and conserve water
- Outdoor Heavy-Duty Timer - Using a timer to switch power to lights or engine heaters reduces overall energy use
- Electrical Outlet and Switch Gaskets - These foam gaskets fit behind electrical covers and shut out cold air drafts. Reducing the flow of cold air into a home saves heating energy
- Weather Stripping - This material reduces the leakage of cold air around doors and windows
- Storm Window Kits - These plastic sheets fit over existing windows and reduce their heat loss. Conserving heat reducing energy costs
Additional Conservation Efforts in Ontario - Working with Enbridge Gas Distribution, the Ontario Association of Food Banks and Friends of the Earth delivered 25,000 energy conservation kits as part of the Energy GreenBox™ Program to low-income families through the Ontario food bank system. These kits are similar to those provided through the Save the Light Project. Program sponsors note that energy costs represent six times the proportion of household income for their food bank customers compared higher wage earners.
Information concerning the Save the Light Project can be found online at a comprehensive website that describes the effort, products provided and installation instructions. Numerous links are provided to other online resources. Information on the Energy GreenBox™ Program can be found at the Project Porchlight website.
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