Energy Conservation
Wind, Solar, and Geothermal Energy
Renewable energy options can help homeowners save money and protect the environment. To learn more about your options for renewable energy at home please explore the links below.
Wind Energy
American Wind Energy Association Blue Sky Wind, Solar & Home
www.blueskywindandsolar.com
920 Massachusetts Street, Suite 1A
Lawrence, Kansas 66044
(785) 856-2583
www.smalleyenergy.com
6849 NW Rochester Road
Topeka, Kansas 66617
(785) 246-2327
www.theenergysavingsstore.com
8201 Rosewood Drive
Prairie Village, KS 66208
(913) 221-6253
Solar Energy
American Solar Energy Society (ASES) Blue Sky Wind, Solar & Homewww.blueskywindandsolar.com
920 Massachusetts Street, Suite 1A
Lawrence, Kansas 66044
(785) 856-2583
www.geocites.com/solar_electric_cooperatives
Smalley Heating & Coolingwww.smalleyenergy.com
6849 NW Rochester Road
Topeka, Kansas 66617
(785) 246-2327
www.theenergysavingsstore.com
8201 Rosewood Drive
Prairie Village, KS 66208
(913) 221-6253
Geothermal Energy
EERE Consumer's Guide: Geothermal Heat Pumpswww.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12640
Scott Temperature Equipmentwww.Scott-Temperature.com
1815 Bullene Street
Lawrence, KS 66044
(785) 843-2244
www.groundsourceinc.com
216 E 5th Street
Holton, KS 66436
(785) 364-2514
Commercial Energy Providers & Energy Conservation
Aquilawww.aquila.com/customers/savings/
110 E 9th Street
Lawrence, KS 66044
(800) 303-0752
www.bowersockpower.com/green.html
PO Box 66
Lawrence, KS 66044
(785) 843-1385
www.westarenergy.com/corp_com/contentmgt.nsf/publishedpages/energy%20efficiency%20home
PO Box 758500
Topeka, KS 66675
(800) 383-1183
Heat Smartly with ENERGY STAR @ home
The average family spends $1,900 a year on energy bills, much of which goes to heating and cooling.
This winter, you can use less energy in your home and save money on energy bills. Saving energy also means you're doing your
part to protect the environment and reduce the risks of global climate change.
ENERGY STAR advises homeowners to “H.E.A.T.” efficiently with these four easy to remember tips: 1) H is for “Home Sealing,” 2) E is for “Equipment Maintenance,” 3) A is for “Ask for ENERGY STAR,” and 4) T is for “Thermostat Use.” Find out more about Energy Star's HEAT Campaign and download their ENERGY STAR @ home interactive tool by going to
www.energystar.gov and clicking on 'Stay Warm with ENERGY STAR @ home'.
Compact fluorescent light bulbs
The City of Lawrence Waste Reduction and Recycling Division encourages you to "make the switch" to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). CFLs can replace practically any incandescent (Thomas Edison-style) bulb in your home and bring you these benefits:
- Use 66% less energy
- Last 6-10 times longer
- Will not flicker and hum like older fluorescent bulbs.
What is a compact fluorescent bulb?
If you have seen a bulb shaped like a spiral or perhaps a tight "U" before, that is a compact fluorescent. With constant improvements in CFL technology, these bulbs now come in a variety of shapes and sizes and even colored "bug lights." What classifies them as fluorescent is their manner of operation, which involves interior gas vapors, rather than inefficient burning of filament.
Are the bulbs hazardous?
All fluorescent bulbs, from tubes to compacts, contain a small amount of mercury vapor to create the light. Intact bulbs are not considered hazardous, but when thrown away, the bulbs get crushed and the mercury is released. Though it is a small amount of mercury that would not harm you on an occasional basis, please help protect your trash collectors by simply bringing your spent fluorescent bulbs to the City of Lawrence/Douglas County Household Hazardous Waste Facility. We are now open year round- please call 832-3030 to make an appointment. Businesses with fluorescents may call us or refer to Business Recycling for proper disposal/recycling opportunities.
Electrically, compact fluorescents are just as safe as incandescents. They also "shine" in fire safety by being cooler (an incandescent wastes 90% of its energy as heat!) and personal safety by needing to change hard-to-reach bulbs less often. Some folk claim they break less easily, as well, though we don't encourage you to try.
What does the Energy Star logo mean?
The Energy Star program is a partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. Products bearing the Energy Star logo have undergone stringent tests to ensure that they are the most energy-efficient, and also perform with the best. Look for the Star in all your electronic and appliance purchases to ensure you are choosing a product that is the best for your wallet and the environment in the long run. See www.energystar.gov for details on Energy Star and compact fluorescents.
2007 Home Energy Conservation Fair and Sustainable Homes Tour a Success!
Lawrence's seventh annual Home Energy Conservation Fair was held on Saturday, October 13th at Free State High School and coordinated by Waste Reduction and Recycling Division staff. Speakers and workshops scheduled throughout the day provided over 500 citizens with information on weatherizing to keep home heating costs low; and energy efficient new home construction, remodeling, and related topics. Alternatively fueled vehicles, heating and cooling vendors, wind and solar power experts, engineers, architects, and natural home product vendors were among the exhibitors. Approximately 100 people attended The Douglas County Sustainable Homes Tour, which left Free State High School to tour local, efficiently designed or retrofitted homes.
To see pictures, click here!
Home Energy Conservation Fair 2007 
PDF 540K | Requires Acrobat Reader
Click here for Sponsor and Exhibitor Information
PDF 95K
To see pictures of the 2006 Fair, click here!
Home Energy Conservation Fair 2006
PDF 364K | Requires Acrobat Reader
