Towns Participate In 'Energy Smackdown'
Competition Helps Families Go Green, Save Green
POSTED: 9:03 pm EDT October 20,
2008
UPDATED: 5:29 pm EDT October 21,
2008
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BOSTON -- A friendly competition is under way in the Bay State, pitting families against each other. It is called the "Energy Smackdown."Breakfast isn't the only item on the agenda for the Hunt family. The Medford family of four is hunting for savings. Every day Alicia and Jonathan Hunt, along with their 3-year-old twins, search for ways they can save energy.
Towns Participate In 'Energy Smackdown'They are one of a handful of local families taking part in a program called the Energy Smackdown. It's a good-natured competition pitting families against each other in the hopes of reducing each family member's carbon footprint."Just trying to do better for the environment-- save some money here and there, reduce our energy use, reduce the money we are paying out every month to the electric utility gas company," Jonathan Hunt said. With the help of a local nonprofit, the Hunts have learned simple steps to save big. They've swapped out every light bulb for CFL bulbs. They use Energy Star appliances. They've installed programmable thermostats. They time and record each shower, with none taking longer than five minutes. They unplug electronics that aren't being used."While it's a lifestyle, it's not a change in our quality of life. And we try to maintain the same lifestyle we had before. We actually have a little extra money," Alicia Hunt said.Since starting the project 18 months ago, the Hunts have reduced their energy use by 30 percent. They said that they are saving hundreds of dollars by making small changes.The savings continue outside, as well. The Hunts compost all their food waste. They also collect rainwater that they use to water their garden.For more information: Energy Smackdown
Towns Participate In 'Energy Smackdown'They are one of a handful of local families taking part in a program called the Energy Smackdown. It's a good-natured competition pitting families against each other in the hopes of reducing each family member's carbon footprint."Just trying to do better for the environment-- save some money here and there, reduce our energy use, reduce the money we are paying out every month to the electric utility gas company," Jonathan Hunt said. With the help of a local nonprofit, the Hunts have learned simple steps to save big. They've swapped out every light bulb for CFL bulbs. They use Energy Star appliances. They've installed programmable thermostats. They time and record each shower, with none taking longer than five minutes. They unplug electronics that aren't being used."While it's a lifestyle, it's not a change in our quality of life. And we try to maintain the same lifestyle we had before. We actually have a little extra money," Alicia Hunt said.Since starting the project 18 months ago, the Hunts have reduced their energy use by 30 percent. They said that they are saving hundreds of dollars by making small changes.The savings continue outside, as well. The Hunts compost all their food waste. They also collect rainwater that they use to water their garden.For more information: Energy SmackdownCopyright 2009 by TheBostonChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
