Energy efficiency tops High Point's green goals
HIGH POINT — High Point is getting into the act of going green.
The southwest Guilford County city is installing solar panels and buying hybrid vehicles.
Traffic and pedestrian lights are being fitted with LED lights, and incandescent lights at city facilities are being replaced with compact fluorescent light bulbs, which could result in 80 percent energy savings for the city.
The city is even applying for $998,600 in federal stimulus money to make the shift. Fifty percent of that money will be used in retrofitting city facilities to be energy efficient.
The other 50 percent will be used on community needs, such as weatherization projects targeted at homes of low-income wage earners and the elderly, and providing low-interest loans for homeowners to install storm doors and windows or programmable thermostats.
The city also has signed a guaranteed energy savings contract with Johnson Controls in which $1.2 million will be used to replace City Hall’s lights and HVAC system. Savings from those replacements will pay for the improvements, and the city will see savings in energy costs.
High Point also is trying to help its residents and businesses find ways to save water, energy and money through green practices.
New this year, the city and the North Carolina Municipal Power Agency are offering several incentives to encourage energy conservation, such as $400 rebates for installing energy-efficient heat pumps.
Even commercial and industrial businesses can participate. Projects could include the installation of high-efficiency lighting, refrigeration and HVAC systems and energy-management systems.
Residents also can find ways to save money and energy on the city’s Web site using links to energy calculators and an online energy-audit form.
The city also provides a free energy audit. After the inspection, homeowners will receive a report on what they can do to save money and an electricity-efficiency kit with CFL light bulbs, insulation for outlet covers, a low-flow shower head and more. To learn more, visit the city’s Web site at www.high-point.net or Hometown Green at www.ncpublicpower.com.
Contact E.A. Seagraves at 883-4422, Ext. 241, or elizabeth.seagraves@news-record.com
High Point
Incorporated: 1859
Named for: Highest point on the N.C. Railroad between Charlotte and Goldsboro
Government: The City Council meets at 4:45 p.m. the first and third Monday of each month and often meets at 9 a.m. the Thursday after each Monday meeting at City Hall, 211 S. Hamilton St. 883-3111, www.high-point.net
Why High Point is green: High Point has switched to biodiesel, saved more than $30,000 by lowering the number of vehicles taken home at night and installed Cleantechnics oil filtration on five pieces of heavy equipment. In one year, the city has saved $6,800 by using less oil and labor hours for oil changes on that equipment.
Green facts
- North Carolina fills enough trash bins to reach from Greensboro to Greenville every 23 days.
- Volunteers in Guilford County pick up nearly 10 tons of trash each year from roadsides, streams, neighborhoods and public areas.
- Recycling is a growing part of our state’s economy, employing more than 13,000 North Carolinians statewide. Recycling jobs have increased about 48 percent in the past 10 years.
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