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Community Programs

For our healthy energy future

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OPALCO is your go-to source for tools and information on energy efficiency, conservation, reducing carbon impact, and staying up to date on emerging technology and trends.

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Free CFL Recycling

OPALCO participates in the LightRecycle Washington program.  Recycle your compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) free of charge at the recycling stations in our Eastsound, Friday Harbor, and Lopez offices.

We urge members to be mindful about safely disposing of CFLs.  The CFLs we collect are recycled in accordance with EPA standards. The best practice for disposing of spent CFLs is to place the bulbs into a sealable plastic bag and deliver to a collection site.

Get the facts about mercury and CFLs.

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Unoccupied homes

Whether your house in the San Juan Islands is a second or vacation home – or you are just away on vacation – there are some important considerations for keeping your energy bill down, and your home safe in your absence.

Electricity is consumed all the time, whether anyone is home or not. The modern house feature a variety of conveniences that draw power – many of which you don’t think of as being “on.”  Read about the Vampire Electronics feed on your power and can cause your power bill to be higher than expected.

Check out the Vacation/Unoccupied Home Checklist for more information.

Weatherization

Through insulation upgrades, duct sealing, window and/or door replacements, and air sealing you can get your home comfortable, durable, and efficient. Saving you money while keeping you comfortable.

Check out our member profiles

See what your neighbors are doing to maximize efficiency and renewable energy projects.

OPALCO Team in the Community

As your member owned and operated non-profit cooperative, the team at OPALCO are your neighbors and community members. All of us live and work here and most of us give … Read more
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Cultivating Efficiency on the Farm for a More Affordable Future

USDA REAP Grant Covered 25% of Project! Christine Langley is a farmer on Lopez Island who, with her partner, designed and built her own home and has developed their land … Read more
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A whole new view: The Eskridge-Vallery Family gets new windows through OPALCO’s Switch It Up program

Carey Eskridge, his wife Christina Vallery, and their daughter Lola are relative newcomers to Orcas Island, moving here in 2022. Carey and Christina visited Orcas Island before their daughter was … Read more