Just by swapping in LED bulbs to the Shedd’s massive foyer chandeliers, the institution is saving $7,000 more a year in energy costs. Photo: Kristin Resurreccion/Flickr

It’s easy enough for we normal folk to buy LED lights, re-seal our windows or use the cold cycle in the wash to save some energy. But how do you make substantial energy cuts if you house hundreds of marine creatures?

That’s what the Shedd Aquarium’s Vice President of Facilities Robert Wengel is tackling. Over the next seven years, the Shedd will be attempting to cut their annual electricity use in half, making it the first smart-powered cultural institution in the country. We caught up with Wengel to talk about the challenges of greening an aquarium and how the average Joe or Jane can take some simple steps to green their home.