Neighborhood Conservation Clubs

Everybody can agree that saving resources makes good sense, especially as we witness record breaking gasoline and diesel prices, winter heating costs that will never go down, and a record drought in Montana. Of course part of the reason to conserve energy is to avert climate change; scientific consensus points undeniably to our energy consuming habits as the primary cause of global climate change. In Montana, climate change means more drought, more wildfires, and more beetle infestations.

With our neighbors, we can solve it.

What's a Neighborhood Conservation Club?
Beginning in the spring of 2008 AERO is conducting a pilot Neighborhood Conservation Club project in Helena. Working in groups of five to ten households, neighbors will join forces to conserve energy in their homes, travel habits and purchasing patterns. Neighborhood Conservation Clubs (NCCs) are a forum to take action and conserve resources by working within small neighborhood groups. The NCCs will be guided with resources and suggestions from the NCC organizers who include home energy efficiency specialists, transportation experts, landscape designers and building contractors.

The NCCs will be expected to: 1) complete an Energy Assessment unit; 2) set a joint NCC energy conservation target; 3) hold meetings and work parties to do conservation projects; 4) track their energy conservation projects; and 5) share their projects with other NCCs through our website and in cross-town meetings.

For example, a segment on landscaping for energy and water efficiency might include activities such as: collectively buying a shared push lawn mower, helping your neighbors build a laundry line in their yard, planting a shade tree on the south side of your home, or "xeriscaping" your lawn by replacing water intensive plants with native plants and shrubs.

An important reason for working in small groups is to hold each other accountable. Frankly, a little peer pressure and a little friendly competition among and between clubs will go a long way towards helping all of our participants be more efficient energy users.Neighbors will be able to take advantage of each other's expertise, tools and knowledge.

Getting Started
If you live in Helena and would like to get involved with an existing NCC or start your own, call Ben at 443-7272. Download the Getting Started guide to learn more. Download the Energy Assessment Unit for help calculating how much energy you currently use.

Getting Started with a Neighborhood Conservation Club

Analyzing Your Energy Consumption

Conservation Tip Sheets
These tip sheets focus on the most critical resource-saving changes you can make in your home or lifestyle. You'll find easy to follow suggestions and credible information.

Improving Your Water Heating Efficiency

Improving Your Lighting Efficiency

Who's Involved?
The Helena Neighborhood Conservation Club pilot project is a joint effort of AERO, The S.A.V.E. Foundation (www.savemobile.org) and Saturn Resource Management (www.srmi.biz).