When we conserve energy, everyone wins. The environment benefits from lower greenhouse gas emissions and less pollution. The community enjoys the health benefits of cleaner air and water. And homeowners see lower monthly costs to heat and light their homes.
Read on for some simple ways to promote energy conservation in your community—from offering discounts and coupons to hosting energy challenges and contests. Spoiler alert: We include promotional giveaway ideas to encourage participation and drum up excitement.
Encourage alternate modes of transportation
Public modes of transportation, like buses, trains or ridesharing, reduce the number of cars on the road, which in turn decreases smog and its associated health risks. Biking or walking to work has all the same benefits plus personal health paybacks, like a lowered risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and certain types of cancer. Promote public transportation by offering a discount or free ride for new passengers. Encourage walking and biking to work by posting the benefits on your social pages. Come up with a clever hashtag and invite community members to share photos of their trek. Enter those who do into a prize draw for a promotional giveaway, like a sport bottle or laptop backpack.
Promote energy efficiency in the home
Homes are responsible for about one-fifth of all greenhouse gas emissions. Simple changes, like installing programmable thermostats and low-flow shower heads—or using energy-efficient light bulbs—can have a big impact. Partner with your local hardware or home improvement store to provide a how-to installation demonstration. Or hold a take-back event where community members can trade in their traditional incandescent lights for new, energy-efficient bulbs. Hand out these magnets, imprinted with additional energy saving tips, to thank and inspire everyone who attends your event.
Host an energy-saving challenge
Small changes, especially when made by a number of people, can make a big difference. For instance, simply turning off the lights when you leave a room for 15 minutes or more can reduce electricity consumption and extend the life of your light bulbs. And turning down the water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (about 50 degrees Celsius) can reduce hot water heating costs by 6-10%. Post these and other energy-saving facts on your social pages and ask followers to make their own conservation pledge. Reward those who share their efforts by entering them into a draw for a promotional giveaway. These Wi-Fi light bulb sockets and smart plugs make great prizes.
These tips and promotional giveaway ideas can get your community engaged in and excited about energy conservation. Remember, even the smallest changes can make a big difference.