• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • Calendar
  • Latest News
  • OUUC Connect/Realm
  • Contact Us

OUUC

Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation

  • Newcomers
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Visitor Card
    • Sign up for Mailing List
    • FAQ
    • How to Become a Member
  • About
    • Who We Are
      • How We Are Organized
    • Our Staff Team
    • Board of Trustees
    • A Brief OUUC History
    • About Unitarian Universalism
    • Bylaws and Policies
    • Contact Us
  • Worship + Music
    • Worship
    • Music Ministry
    • Recent Services
  • Religious Education
    • Children’s Programs
    • Youth Ministry
    • Adult Faith Development Programs
    • Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education Classes
  • Justice – Faith in Action
    • Justice Overview
    • Share the Plate
  • Communications
    • OUUC Weekly Update E-Blast
    • The Spark! Messages of Inspiration from OUUC
  • Getting Connected
    • Making Connections
    • Getting and Giving Help in a Time of Need
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Social Groups
    • OUUC Connect/Realm Tutorials
    • How-Tos / Tutorials
    • Forms
    • Contact Us
  • Giving
    • Stewardship Drive
    • Fundraising Events
    • Capital Campaign
    • Ways to Give
      • Online Donations
    • Endowment
    • eSale Giving
      • OUUC eSale Giving Fundraiser Donation Form
    • Shopping
You are here: Home / Green Sanctuary / Environmental Action Team’s November Challenge is: 68 deg F or below!

Nov 02 2021

Environmental Action Team’s November Challenge is: 68 deg F or below!

As explained in last week’s Update, your OUUC Environmental Action Team has dropped the Environmental Challenge contest. However! We are still going to have monthly challenges for you to consider to reduce your impact on the climate. This month we challenge you to look at home heating!

The generation of electricity is the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the US, primarily from natural gas and coal-fired plants. In Thurston County, Puget Sound Energy gets 60% of its electrical production from these sources. Heating homes is a significant source of greenhouse gases: indirectly with electricity, or directly with natural gas. How can we stay warm and comfortable in the winter without wasting energy, money, and also reduce our contribution to greenhouse gases?

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recommends 68 degrees as the ideal temperature to save energy and still be comfortable and suggests that you should consider “setting it lower while you’re asleep or away from home.” In addition, the DOE says that no matter what temperature you decide on, you can save about 10% a year (up to hundreds of dollars) on your energy bills by dialing the thermostat back 7-10 degrees from its normal setting for eight hours every day (at night or while you’re at work).

Every degree you lower your thermostat saves money on your electric or gas bill. Remember that clothes matter: a thick sweater is the equivalent of 4 degrees of added warmth! If you have thick, cozy blankets, you can lower the thermostat 10 to 15 degrees while you sleep. As an added benefit, cooler nighttime temperatures will help you in more ways than just lowering your utility bill: “cold sleeping” boosts your metabolism and helps you fall asleep faster.

So, check that thermostat! Turn it down at night or when you’re away from home. If you have programmed it, make sure it still matches your daily or weekly cooler weather routine!

The Earth will thank you for it!

Written by Darlene Sarkela · Categorized: Green Sanctuary

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation

2315 Division St NW
Olympia, WA 98502

Phone: (360) 634-2005

  • Calendar
  • Latest News
  • Bylaws and Policies
  • Resources for Leaders

Copyright © 2023 · Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation · Log in