Brentwood offers free home energy toolkit for residents to borrow

A presenter for the City of Brentwood introduced a free Energy Saving and Sustainability Toolkit that residents can borrow from the Brentwood Community Center at 2505 South Brentwood Boulevard.

The presenter said the toolkit is "designed to help you get started, offering practical resources and guidance to support your journey toward a more energy efficient and sustainable household." The kit includes a kilowatt meter to measure appliance energy use, an infrared laser thermometer to find drafts, a carbon monoxide alarm, a refrigerator thermometer, a digital thermometer for hot water, pliers for small fixture work, a water pressure gauge, a drip gauge, and a flow-rate bag.

City staff demonstrated how to use several tools and what to look for. For example, the presenter recommended placing the carbon monoxide alarm centrally and near sleeping areas because carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless and can be produced by furnaces, water heaters and gas stoves. For insulation checks, the presenter advised pointing the infrared thermometer at windows, doors and walls to spot temperature differences. To measure appliance draw, residents were told to plug devices into the kilowatt meter to read energy use in kilowatt-hours and to watch for "phantom" loads from devices that draw power even when turned off.

The presenter gave specific guidance for common household checks: place the refrigerator thermometer inside the fridge and expect temperatures around 37 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit; measure hot water by running the faucet nearest the water heater and testing a sample with the digital thermometer; and use the water pressure gauge on an outdoor faucet to check that pressure generally falls between 40 and 60 PSI, with pressures above 80 PSI considered too high.

The presenter also described simple repairs residents can attempt: use the included pliers to remove and replace faucet aerators or install water-efficient shower heads, and use the drip gauge and flow-rate bag to quantify leaks and flow rates so residents can prioritize fixes.

To borrow a kit, the presenter said, "To check out the Energy Saving and Sustainability Toolkit, visit us at the Brentwood Community Center located at 2505 South Brentwood Boulevard. Talk to a member of our staff and we'll help you get checked out." Kits may be borrowed for up to three weeks before they must be returned for other residents to use.

The City framed the program as a way for households to find small, practical opportunities for savings and reduced environmental impact. The presentation closed by encouraging residents to "start with one tool, explore your home and build from there," stressing that incremental changes can add up for both household costs and community sustainability.