Energy
What is This Indicator?
Lifetime MWh (megawatt-hours) Saved From Home Energy Efficiency Measures 2000-2008
(sources: Efficiency Vermont, Burlington Electric Dept.)
The amount of lifetime mWh savings has increased due to targeted residential energy efficiency initiatives.
Lifetime MWh are determined by multiplying the energy savings generated by a specific energy efficiency measure during a year by the average lifespan of the particular measure. For example, a measure that saved 20 kwh per year and on average lasted 10-years would produce a lifetime savings of 200 kwh.
The total lifetime savings generated by the Burlington Electric Department and Efficiency Vermont for each year (and depicted in the graph) represent the cumulative impacts of all of the residential measures installed in a given year over the efficiency measure's entire lifetime. In 2008, this totaled 170,124 MWh of lifetime savings, which is equivalent to the annual electrical consumption of 24,443 Vermont homes.
Why is it Important?
Energy efficiency costs ratepayers less than purchasing comparable electricity supply. For example, Efficiency Vermont's 2007 Annual Report shows the levelized cost of its total expenditures was approximately 2.7 cents per kWh for energy efficiency. To supply the same energy and capacity over the average 10-year life of the efficiency measures installed in 2007, Vermont utilities would have to spend, based on current values of avoided costs, 10.7 cents per kWh. Efficiency Vermont's 2008 Preliminary Savings Claim report indicates Vermont offset load growth in 2007 and 2008.
Efficiency Vermont, Burlington Electric Department and other electric utilities have partnered with builders, contractors and retailers to improve energy efficiency in both existing and new homes.
What is This Indicator?
Vehicle Miles Traveled
(source: Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization)
While VMT has dropped slightly over time due to a number of factors, per capita annual VMT remains high.
Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) is a measure of how much the highways in a community are being used. One unit of VMT is equal to one vehicle traveling 1 mile on a highway. Factors that impact VMT include the location of your home and job, road conditions and congestion, gas prices, and access to alternative transportation options such as transit, car-pooling, biking or walking. 
Drivers can accumulate high numbers of miles traveled depending on the choices they make. The chart above shows recent per capita VMT estimates for residents of Chittenden County. The chart indicates a slight drop in VMT over time, which is consistent with other parts of Vermont and the rest of the nation. This is likely a result of several factors including high gas prices, decreased economic activity due to the current recession, and efforts already being undertaken by people to use alternatives to single occupancy vehicle travel.
Currently 30-40% of the VMT for Chittenden County is made up of trips originating outside of Chittenden County in the adjacent regions; these trips are primarily commuter trips related to work and commerce.
Why is it Important?
Driving uses significant amounts of energy and in a rural state like Vermont. Thirty-one percent (31%) of statewide energy use is in the transportation sector in Vermont compared to 25% nationwide. Also as the chart below shows, more than 70% of people are driving to work alone, which increases vehicles miles traveled, consumption of gas and carbon emissions.
Within Chittenden County there are a variety of opportunities for residents to reduce the number of vehicle miles they travel each day. Through choices on where they live, work, and shop as well as the use of alternatives to driving alone, such as car-pooling, ride sharing, walking, biking, taking the bus, telecommuting, and combining trips to cut down on travel, area residents can reduce their miles traveled annually, thus reducing energy consumption in our region.
What is This Indicator?
231 Button Up Workshop Participants in Chittenden County (2008)
(source: Central Vermont Community Action Council)
Participation data for 2009 Button Up workshops will be added in March 2010. Workshops were first offered in 2008.
In the fall 2008, Central Vermont Community Action Council (CVCAC), in partnership with the Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network (VECAN) and Efficiency Vermont (EVT), implemented an intensive public education program on home energy savings called Button Up Vermont. Button Up worked with local town energy committees, educational centers, and other community groups to conduct two-hour workshops on the fundamentals of building heat loss and opportunities for saving energy.
Why is it Important?
Vermont's housing stock is comparatively older than other states, with more than a third built 60 years ago. People living in these homes face a number of heating and weatherization challenges. Also, more than half of Vermonters use oil as their heating fuel for their homes, and are particularly vulnerable to price increases. In Chittenden County, Vermont Gas Systems has switched many residential customers from more expensive fuels to natural gas, lowering their heating costs. While fuel prices have fallen from last year's spike, Vermonters are looking for ways to cut their heating bills.
Weatherizing your home is an important first step to reduce the amount of energy you use for heating. This can include installing insulation in attics and walls, and sealing up cracks and crevices that allow cold air to seep into your home. The Button Up project provides people with easy-to-understand weatherization advice and tips they need to reduce their home heating bills.
