Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
When does the HEC take place?
The Home Energy Challenge takes place once a year over the course of 6 months. Typically, the Challenge begins in January and ends in June. However, communications surrounding climate action and the Home Energy Challenge takes place year-round. Please contact andrea@cvilleclimate.org to find out more and/or subscribe to the mailing list.
What is the time commitment for the HEC?
As much or as little as you choose. They typical trajectory of the Home Energy Challenge is as follows: Find and/or create a team, attend and/or host a Power Party, create an online profile, and start taking actions. We try to make engagement fun and filled with community so it is a worthy time investment, not a commitment. Additionally, you can take action in a myriad of ways. Pick 4 things and knock them out during month one. Pick one action every month, or even every week. Choose your own adventure!
Does it cost anything to participate?
The Charlottesville Community Collaborative is a 501(c)(3) funded by grants, foundations, and private donors. We do not use the Home Energy Challenge as a revenue generator (unless you would like to sponsor) and there are no costs associated with participation. Additionally, there are many actions you can take to reduce your carbon footprint that have no upfront costs and can actually save you money.
What is the goal for the HEC?
The goal for the Charlottesville Climate Collaborative is to both introduce households to conversation around climate action and to encourage those already reducing their carbon footprint to engage others and increase their circle of influence. We want to create community around climate action in order to harness the power of our collective progress and inspire others to join in. By the numbers, we encourage each household participating in the Challenge to reduce their GHG emissions by 5,000 lb CO2 and to keep making reductions after the Challenge has ended.
Do I have to join a team or can I compete as an individual?
You do not have to join a team to participate in the Challenge but we recommend team participation as the preferable option. Being part of a team is fun, motivating, and informative! You can share your experiences and knowledge with team members and learn something from them in return. We can help you find and/or form your own team. Alternatively, if you do wish to participate as an individual, you will have several chances (via happy hours, instructional meetups, etc.) to meet other participants. We’re also considering a competitive challenge that is specific to individuals.
Can I participate in the Challenge even if I don’t own a home?
Yes! Some actions only work for homeowners, but the majority of suggested actions also work for renters. We’re also working on resources and strategies to help renters work with landlords on energy efficiencies for their rentals.
What are the benefits of participating in (and perhaps winning) the Challenge?
The prize is our eternal gratitude! Seriously though, the benefits of the Challenge are the support we provide during the Challenge to organize and incentivize your path towards climate action. The Challenge is also a way to connect with people who have similar goals and values. We’ll hold several events over the course of the Challenge, culminating in a celebration at the end of the Challenge to acknowledge everyone’s accomplishments. Plus, you’ll get one of these great looking t-shirts if you can reduce your carbon footprint by 5,000 lb CO2!
9. How can I sponsor the challenge?
Sponsors of the Home Energy Challenge will receive exposure over an extended period of time (6-9 months), not only to a targeted group of engaged households, but also to local businesses and potential customers. Challenge Sponsors will have networking opportunities with others in the local climate action community and an audience of potential customers/clients. Sponsorship opportunities range in cost from $500 to $1,500 with increasing levels of engagement and exposure. Please contact andrea@cvilleclimate.org for a sponsorship packet with more detail.
10. What impact does the HEC have on local greenhouse gas emissions reduction?
According to 2016 GHG emissions inventory data from the City of Charlottesville, almost 60% of local carbon emissions can be attributed to homes and lifestyles. The challenge aims to decrease this category of emissions by giving people the tools and motivation to make their homes and lifestyles more energy efficient.
Platform Questions:
How do I start a team?
C3 is here to help! We have several recruitment templates that we can provide for you to share with friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Additionally, if you’re willing, we can connect you with individual participants who may be looking for a team. Once you have a few households who have shown interest, let’s schedule a Power Party to get folks excited about the Challenge.
2. How do I use the platform?
The platform has a multitude of information, but the most useful aspects of the website are (1) the ability to enter basic household information to create an energy profile that estimates your energy consumption by sector (home heating, transportation, food & waste, etc.) (2) identify actions that you can take to reduce your baseline carbon footprint, as calculated in your energy profile.
3. Will my information be safe?
Yes. Be sure to read the terms of use on the platform. C3 is allowed access to only a portion of the data you submit and must have your permission. We don’t even have access to your email unless you check the permission box when creating your account. Additionally, C3 does not share your data with third parties.
4. How do I convert my natural gas bill to complete the energy profile?
When completing the energy profile, it is important to note that the reporting units for natural gas consumption are therms. If you are a Charlottesville Gas customer, your gas bill will be reported in cubic feet (ft3). The conversion rate for completing your energy profile is ft3/96.7 = therms.
5. How do I enter my electricity usage if I have solar panels?
If you have solar panels, you will need to manually enter your utility data. This will require two data points for each month for the last 12 months of energy usage. The first entry point is “Solar Generation” and is equal to the amount of energy generated by the solar panels. This information is typically provided on a website or app by the solar installation company. The second entry point is “ Utility Energy” which is the net energy usage for the household. Net energy usage is the difference between the energy generated and the energy delivered so could even be a negative number (especially in the summer).
6. When do I mark a behavioral action complete?
There are many actions on the platform that are continuous in nature - composting, recycling, taking shorter showers, etc.. These actions can be marked complete when you commit to taking the action.
7. Why don’t my points show up when I complete an action?
When you look at your personal dashboard, you should be able to view information about your energy profile, completed actions, and planned actions. If you don’t see this information, it is likely that you have not completed your energy profile.