Feb. 26, 2009 – Talking about energy efficiency, Patricia Lord, program administrator at the Virgin Islands Energy Office said Thursday evening, “It really works. You just have to make a habit of it.”
She was speaking to more than two dozen people attending a Housing and Finance Authority Home Purchase Education program. It is a nine-week program required by the Authority for people who have applied for housing loans. The Energy Office has been making presentations to this class for 11 years. Besides getting tips on how to keep their utility bills down, the potential new homeowners hear from insurance agents, contractors, and bank loan officers.
Lord's presentation was entitled, “How Energy Efficiency Impacts Your WAPA Bill.”
Her tips ranged from exchanging incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescent bulbs to getting timers for or unplugging water heaters.
She told those buying an existing home who need to get new water heaters to buy solar water heaters.
“You start seeing savings right way,” Lord said.
She stressed that homeowners could take advantage of the Energy Office's rebate when buying solar water heaters. She added that there were rebates available for residents purchasing energy star appliances. She said to call the Energy Office at 773-1082 ext. 2201 for more information about the rebate program.
Most of her hour-long presentation, sponsored by the Housing Finance Authority, however, focused on the small changes that needed little investment but could make a major reduction in a resident's Water and Power Authority bill. These changes included the using the right size air conditioning unit or ceiling fans for rooms, resetting the hot water temperature to 110 degrees and turning off lights, TVs and computers when they are not in use.
“You dictate your electric bill,” Lord told the participants.
She also touched on water conservation methods such as using aerators on kitchen and bathroom faucets, using low-flow shower heads and low-flush toilets, and fixing leaks immediately. She said one drop per second from a leaky faucet could total 2,4000 gallons of lost water per year.
“Controlling your energy usage is about modifying your behavior and how you use energy,” Lord said. “Also take a look at your purchasing habits.”
The Energy Office also has information about its rebate program for energy efficiency products and alternative energy products at its website.
“I learned a lot of energy saving tips,” said Eliza Joshua, a participant in the class. “Some stuff we take for granted like holding the refrigerator door open.”

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