October is Energy Awareness Month. As part of our efforts to improve our environmental impact, we’ve worked to reduce our energy consumption and increase the amount of clean, renewable power we use. Our long-term goal is to reach zero net energy, producing all the energy we need right here at Standing Stone Brewing.

Saving energy and choosing renewable sources benefit both people and planet by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, and avoiding the negative ecological impacts associated with fossil fuels like oil, natural gas and coal, such as mountaintop removal, oil spills and water pollution. Conservation also saves money, and wisely chosen renewable systems can be cost-effective, especially with financial incentives offered by the federal government and many states and utilities.

We’ve taken a number of steps in this direction:

• We’re installing a heat exchange recovery system that will capture heat emitted from operating processes and route it to our water heaters to reduce energy needed to heat water
• There’s a 4.6 kW solar system on our roof, generating about 7,800 kWh of clean electricity while eliminating 10 tons of CO2 emissions each year.
• We have an adjustable, louvered awning on our patio deck which limits our buildings’ heat absorption and reduces our need for air-conditioning.
• We installed an Energy Management System that helps optimize efficiency for heating, cooling and lighting by allowing us to automate some systems and tailor others to seasonal conditions.
• Our kitchen has an energy-saving variable-speed hood control system that has reduced our natural gas and electricity use by 22 percent versus constant fans. It’s also quieter, which makes our kitchen team happier.
• Employees receive free bikes if they agree to commute 45 times annually. We buy local ingredients and supplies as much as possible. These actions save significant fuel, pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and costs while benefiting employee health and our local economy.
• We purchase Renewable Energy Credits to offset a portion of our electricity usage, since we can’t buy green energy directly from our utility provider.
• We compost and recycle as much as possible, reducing the energy needed to create new things and reducing methane emissions generated by landfills.

Here are some simple, cost-effective things you can do to save energy, support renewable power and reduce greenhouse gas emissions:

• Turn off lights in unused rooms and use motion sensor lights outdoors.
• Use compact fluorescent bulbs.
• Turn off unused appliances and electronics.
• Unplug unused appliances, electronics and chargers. Electronics use about 10% of their power in standby mode, representing “phantom power” that’s not necessary.
• Plug your computer and peripherals into a power strip for 1-touch on and off. This is great for your TV and electronics connected to it, and stereo systems.
• Set your thermostat to 68 degrees in winter and 72 in summer.
• Set your water heater to 120 degrees or less.
• Put your water heater on a timer.
• Dress for the weather: Wear a sweater when it’s cold, and t shirts when it’s hot.
• Use a fan instead of air conditioning.
• Insulate and weatherstrip your home. If you’re renting, ask your landlord to do this.
• Choose organic food. Organic soil sequesters more carbon than non-organic soil, and organic farming doesn’t use petroleum-based fertilizers.
• Buy green energy, or renewable energy credits if you can’t buy green energy.
• Carpool.
• Bike.
• Walk.
• Use public transit.
• Buy locally produced goods from local retailers.

Check out more tips from the EPA and get saving!