Camphill Village Kimberton Hills Advances Toward a Clean Energy Future

- Kirk Reinbold, CETT member - 02/28/2023

Kimberton Hills recently checked off another box toward a clean energy future by reducing their energy usage and carbon footprint.

Over several days in January, technicians through PECO’s Multifamily Direct Install program replaced hundreds of incandescent bulbs with low-wattage LED bulbs in over 18 residence buildings. In total, 656 incandescent bulbs of various wattages were replaced. In addition to this bulb replacement, they received LED nightlights, power strips, shower heads and faucet aerators.

This service, provided free of charge from PECO, has been estimated to reduce energy costs by approximately $4,100/year over the next 10 years and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 16 tons per year. This emission reduction is equivalent to removing 3 cars from the road, preserving 17 acres of forest or planting 240 trees per year.

Reducing your electricity usage through conservation, such as insulation and weather-stripping, and efficiency, such as LEDs, ENERGY STAR appliances, and electrification, is a major step towards achieving clean energy goals. Other efforts at Kimberton Hills have included an oil furnace-to-heat pump conversion, attic insulation, upgraded electrical panels as well as planning for a 140 kW solar panel array and assessing campus-wide geothermal.

The West Vincent Clean Energy Transition Team looks forward to this on-going partnership. As Kimberton Hills continues to achieve its clean energy goals, they have offered to be a demonstration project, to be an area for exploring and learning about on-going energy projects, and to host informational seminars in the near future.

PECO offers many ways to save energy and money which include tips for your home, home and multi-family energy assessments, energy savings products through their marketplace, rebates, discounts, on-line tools, and information about installing solar panels and electric vehicles. Visit the PECO website or contact the West Vincent Clean Energy Transition Team at WVCETT@gmail.com for more energy savings, events, and programs.