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Are your home heating bills skyrocketing as temperatures plunge outdoors? Consider tapping into resources available at the Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library to save money while reducing your energy usage.

Beginning in January, the library is partnering with Guilford Solar Communities to offer a series of programs on local energy. At 10 a.m. Jan. 9, Guilford Solar will offer “An Introduction to Local Energy,” which will highlight local energy sources for biodiesel, landfill gas as a fuel, solar, combining heat and power (CHP) and other types of energy recycling.

At 9:30 a.m. Feb. 13 Dr. Ghasem Shahbazi, director of bioengineering at N.C. A&T, will present “Prospects for Biofuels Production in the Piedmont.” This program will focus on the Biofuels Center of North Carolina and biofuels businesses.

At 9:30 a.m. March 13, Phil Strouth of FLS Energy will present “Varieties of Solar Energy and Use.” Learn about the use of solar energy to provide domestic hot water heating and electric power production. Following Strouth’s presentation, Otto Afanador will discuss the application of solar energy to space heating and cooling.
The culmination of this series will be “The Net-Zero Energy Residence” — 10 a.m. May 8. Facilitator Michiel Van der Sommen will examine various techniques for meeting the net-zero energy objective, including passive solar design; the use of orientation, construction and landscaping techniques for maximizing energy efficiency; and the application of energy production technologies that are appropriate for individual residences and residential communities.

In addition to these informative programs, you can check out a variety of books and videos about energy savings, green building and remodeling from the Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Library. The DVD “Powershift,” narrated by Cameron Diaz, is a great introduction to a variety of energy sources and highlighted personal action steps to live a greener lifestyle.

Another excellent DVD is “Kilowatt Ours,” which demonstrates practical and affordable steps for homeowners to use less energy and save hundreds of dollars in energy costs. Step-by-step ideas in the video utilize materials that are readily available on the shelves of home improvement stores.

Homeowners looking for more energy savings through remodeling should check out these books: “Green Building and Remodeling for Dummies” and “Natural Remodeling for the Not-So-Green House.”
With the focus on going green and buying local, residents of Greensboro are beginning to have more options for local energy.

These books can help you explore alternative energy: “Power with Nature: Alternative Energy Solutions for Homeowners” and “The Homeowner’s Guide to Energy Independence.”

With the money that you save on energy costs, you can reinvest that amount in renewable energy choices to have a cleaner, greener Greensboro.

Melanie Buckingham is the environmental resources librarian for the Kathleen Clay Edwards Library. Contact her at Melanie. buckingham@greensboro-nc.gov