Help Us Change a Light: OFFSET NOW!
On September 11, 2007 400 students from UNCA volunteered with the
Asheville Housing Authority switching out inefficient incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent
light bulbs as part of the partnership with Appalachian Offsets. They changed out over 5,000 bulbs in a single day.
This will be part of a larger project to replace 13,000 incandescent light bulbs with compact
fluorescents in the Asheville Housing Authority's low-income rental housing.
By eventually replacing over 13,000
incandescent bulbs, the Housing Authority and its residents will reduce
carbon emissions by more than 3,790 tons and sulphur dioxide by more than
100 tons. Using a single 13-watt compact fluorescent bulb instead of a 60-watt
incandescent bulb saves over 470 kWh of electricity over its lifetime. A
single CFL will save 425 pounds of coal that would release 583
pounds of carbon dioxide and 17 pounds of sulphur dioxide, not to mention
a variety of other harmful pollutants. Participants in this project will be helping clean the air for the
region's children and saving money for themselves and the Housing
Authority.
Example Future Project
We will place a solar water heating system on an affordable housing project in Asheville that will replace an existing or intended electric water heater. A typical residential solar water heater will offset greenhouse gas emissions by about 1,500 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year.
Transparency and Verification
Transparency and Verification are very important to us. Our intention is to serve our community by offsetting carbon emissions locally to combat global climate change. Instead of selling Renewable Energy Credits, we will reduce carbon emissions that would not have been reduced without your participation.
The offsets will be calculated and posted on the website monthly. The Method of Calculations, the source of the values and the projects will be shown on our site and evaluated by a third party, Waste Reduction Partners.
Business and Group Offsets
Businesses or groups (churches, homeowner associations, schools, employees, etc.)interested in Appalachian Offsets can contact the Western North Carolina Green Building Council - info@wncgbc.org for a presenstation to your group or business. We work with Waste Reduction Partners, who can do a free audit of your carbon footprint and suggest reduction possibilities. Once your footprint is assessed we will calculate the per ton cost. You will receive a certificate/decal to advertise your business offset as well as a web listing.
Get started today by filling out the Business Offset Form and sending it in along with proper documentation.
The Carbon Neutral Business Ad Campaign is a loosely knit group of businesses, with leadership provided by Bend of Ivy Lodge and Appalachian Offsets, working to increase public awareness about the importance of carbon neutrality, and supporting environmentally responsible businesses. In the short term, ads donated at cost by local media will increase the visibility and public awareness of local carbon neutral businesses. In the long term, we hope to mobilize market forces to encourage other businesses to become carbon neutral. To participate, or learn more, visit http://bendofivylodge.com/ad.htm
Thanks to the following individuals for their guidance, oversight and help in developing this program:
Boone Guyton, Cady and Guyton Construction
Margie Meares, The Clean Air Community Trust
Jonah Butcher, The Clean Air Community Trust
David Wallace, The State Energy Office
Terry Albrecht, Waste Reduction Partners
More Information
For more information on how you can become a part of the solution, contact:
Western North Carolina Green Building Council
www.WNCGBC.org - 828-254-1995 - info@wncgbc.org
