Highlands eco-gurus advise on national home energy contest
Highlands environmentalists Gord and Ann Baird are going to help six families go on a diet B次元官网网址� the Energy Diet Challenge.
Homeowners across Canada entered the challenge through Canadian Geographic and Shell Canada. They are seeking ways to shrink their household carbon footprints from September until December, and hopefully beyond.
The Bairds, who built an ultra-energy efficient home on their property in Highlands, will mentor the families.
Although the Bairds have been hired on as consultants, initially they wanted to be contestants. The prize, a hybrid car, seemed a good fit.
After interviews with Canadian Geographic and Shell Canada, it became apparent there wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be much of a challenge.
B次元官网网址淚t became clear that we were over qualified,B次元官网网址� Ann said. B次元官网网址淚t wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be fair for the other families.B次元官网网址�
The families selected for the competition are from Nanimo, Northwest Territories, Alberta, Ontario and two families from Quebec. The contest began on Sept. 12 and ends Dec. 8.
The contestants will have their home, water and transportation energy footprint measured. The Bairds will advise families on lifestyle choices and technologies to reduce energy consumption.
The Bairds travelled to Banff to meet the families last month, driving and camping along the way. Other families flew to Alberta, except the family from Calgary. Shell paid for carbon offsets.
At home in Highlands, the BairdsB次元官网网址� unique cob house features composting toilets, solar hot water and solar electric systems, rain water collection and LED lights.
B次元官网网址淭he house is the eye-candy for the message,B次元官网网址� Ann said. B次元官网网址淭he real message is smarten up,B次元官网网址� Gord added.
An interesting twist to the contest is the contestants donB次元官网网址檛 really compete against each other. B次元官网网址淭hey compete against themselves,B次元官网网址� Gord said.
The families record their energy consumption prior to starting the contest and compare after the cut off.
While lowering their energy usage is the main idea, the families will also blog about their experiences. B次元官网网址淧art of it is the interest they gain while telling their story,B次元官网网址� Gord said.
Each blog posted by the families will be read by the Bairds, who will comment on the entries and offer suggestions.
B次元官网网址淧eople donB次元官网网址檛 learn from being told things, but they do learn from telling stories,B次元官网网址� Ann said.
The winning family will be determined by online votes, energy consumption, quality and quantity of blog posts and creativity of lifestyle changes.
While sitting in their home, Gord and Ann explain changes people can make to reduce energy usage, such as switching to solar heated water or installing low flush toilets.
Gord said that other ways to conserve energy is to be organized in terms of using a vehicle and not wasting gas.
B次元官网网址淵ou donB次元官网网址檛 have a chance if you canB次元官网网址檛 organize for the following day,B次元官网网址� Gord said explaining itB次元官网网址檚 best to plan driving routes for errands.
Of the competing six families, five have children. From experience, the Bairds know that many parents often drive kids to and from school, as well as after-school activities.
B次元官网网址淚t took me four years (of parenting) to say, B次元官网网址楴o you canB次元官网网址檛 do that activity,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Gord said. B次元官网网址淭here is intense social pressure for kids to take lessons and to go to birthday parties. You are not going to hurt your kids by (staying home) and harvesting potatoes.B次元官网网址�
Even with the numerous changes the Bairds have made in their lives, they are now just starting to use public transit. They drive from their rural home to a park-and-ride and bus from there.
B次元官网网址淭he kids like the bus because their dad canB次元官网网址檛 rant to them on the bus (how he does in the car),B次元官网网址� Ann joked.
Bairds encourage everyone to sign up on the contest website to track their energy consumption. B次元官网网址淵ou can learn right along with the other families,B次元官网网址� Gord said.
For more information go to energydiet.canadiangeographic.ca. The Bairds and the contest are featured in this monthB次元官网网址檚 Canadian Geographic magazine.
reporter@goldstreamgazette.com
