Homeless Shelter Goes Green To Cut Costs
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/environmental/18024699/detail.html
Simple Steps Can Save Big BucksPOSTED: 12:19 pm EST November 20, 2008
UPDATED: 5:46 pm EST November 20, 2008
BOSTON -- This tough economy is hitting local homeless shelters particularly hard.
Rosies Place is seeing more women come through their doors and NewsCenter 5's David Brown reported that Channel 5 and NSTAR are helping out by giving the shelter an Extreme Makeover the green way.
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/18027240/index.html">VIDEO: Homeless Shelter Goes Green To Cut Costs
At the Mount Vernon Home in Dorchester, which is run by Rosie's Place, 10 women are provided with permanent housing. They are women with severe medical issues.The 100-year-old house is well insulated. It has newer windows and a roof, but Channel 5 and NSTAR have helped to make the home even more energy efficient. Simple steps have been employed to save the nonprofit big bucks.
"So, being able to save money on our light bill, on our gas bill, and making sure that the women that live in this house are still comfortable, is very very important. So it means a huge amount to us," Executive Director Sue Marsh said.
NSTAR dropped off new Energy Star appliances. This is expected to save up to 20 percent on their electric bill each month. Old light bulbs were taken out and compact fluorescents are in.
"On all three levels, we've changed out the light fixtures to put in compact fluorescent light fixtures and changed the bulbs out, and these bulbs will save 75 percent on their electricity bill using cfls on this level," NSTAR's Bill Stack said.
"We've added weather stripping on the exterior doors and this will prevent drafts from coming in. Whenever you feel cold air coming in warm air is going out. It's a lot more comfortable for the women living here, and it's also a lot more energy efficient," Stack added.
Volunteers also painted the rooms with a coat of fresh healthy paint. The colors are low VOC, which means they won't emit harmful toxins and are virtually odorless.
The changes come at a perfect time with the holidays looming.
NSTAR says anyone can go green at their house this holiday season. The Christmas tree at Rosie's Place, for example, is using LED lights. The lights use 90 percent less electricity than traditional Christmas lights. I want to put lights on my balcony. Looked for lights the other day but they were all
clear bulbs. Yuck! I want the multicolored ones and preferably outdoor approved and leds!
Are you decorating for the holidays too and going green?