 Thanks to the design and construction skills of Olin College of Engineering students Suki Sacks and Daniel Jaramillo, Sustainable Wellesley’s tiny high performing house took home the Chairman’s Award at the Town of Wellesley’s 54th Annual Veterans Parade on Sunday, May 22, 2022. In March, Suki and Daniel met with us to scope out the building project. The first year Electrical Engineering major and first year Mechanical Engineering major went on to plan and build the home at Olin’s campus with tools on loan from the library and school machine shop with funds donated to support Sustainable Wellesley's efforts. Once the house was built, the Sustainable Wellesley team added some home-like touches and signage. Since 63% of Wellesley's emissions come from buildings, this project aimed to educate and encourage residents to take actions that will make their homes more comfortable, less expensive to heat and cool, while helping the Town of Wellesley meet its goal to become Net Zero by 2050. Although Suki had returned home to visit family before beginning her internship at VEIR, Daniel was in town for his internship at BAE Systems and decided to join in the parade. “Helping Wellesley’s citizens understand the urgency of climate action within their own homes seemed even more pressing with temperatures in the high 90s during the parade,” said Daniel Jaramillo. “The worsening climate affects everyone’s health, resulting in dehydration, heat stroke, asthma, heart disease, Lyme disease, longer allergy seasons, eco anxiety, and much more,” Jaramillo said. “We took on this project for the design challenge but also the concern for significant extreme weather impacts that communities face, including wildfires, droughts, floods and more intense hurricane seasons. Creating this house to educate the local community was one way we felt like we could ‘do something’, and we had a lot of fun working on it together!” said Sacks. The Olin students generously volunteered their time during finals, amid COVID challenges and during dorm move out. This successful student/community collaboration earned the float the “Chairman's Award” during the Veterans Parade that honored Wellesley residents who are recipients of the Purple Heart.   2022 is here and you want to know what little old you can do for the climate.
Good news! There is so much YOU can do. Click here for ideas. Email us at [email protected] with stories of your successes, tips and tricks and more. Interested in Cost and Energy Savings on Heating and Cooling? Hear from Experts Dec. 9th 7pm11/30/2021
 Due to broad interest, Wellesley’s Municipal Light Plant has extended its pilot “Clean Comfort” program through June 30, 2022. Wellesley residents have been taking advantage of this program which offers personal, expert coaching as well as financial rebates to move to air source heat pumps. To learn more about this program and air source heat pumps, join a discussion with experts and users on December 9th at 7pm.
Register here for this 1 hour Zoom meeting to learn how you can save money and lower your carbon footprint. “The no cost coaching offered by the Town’s consultants Abode Energy Management, in combination with the incentives, made this transition easy,” said a Wellesley resident. If you are considering replacing oil furnaces or air conditioners, you may be particularly interested in this program. For those that have air source heat pumps, learn how to use them to their full capacity as well. View the Air Source Heat Pump Rebate Program Requirements. Can't make this event? You can watch the May 19th webinar here or the November 9th here. Have questions? Call 781-235-7600 or email [email protected]. Sustainable Wellesley is hosting this free webinar. The Town of Wellesley has a goal to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050, and buildings play a big part in reaching that goal as they emit 56% of our greenhouse gas emissions (58% of that comes from the residential sector). Learn how you can help Wellesley reach its goal, while lowering your heating and cooling costs and be more comfortable.  Keep hearing about Electrification? Want to know how it affects our future and how you can do it?
There are 3 events that can help clarify. Thursday, November 4 from 7-8:30pm How To Electrify Homes - Are you considering new construction, renovations, replacing your HVAC or wanting to learn more about new technology in hot water and cooking? Register for this event for lots of insights. Thank you to Newton’s Climate and Sustainability Team for organizing this event. Register here. Tuesday, November 9th 7-7.30PM Winter Heating - Experts share information on:
This event is presented by Abode Energy Management in partnership with Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP). Tuesday, November 23, 7:00 PM 8:00 PM Mechanical Systems Ready to heat with electricity instead of fossil fuels? Learn about different types of heat pumps available (air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, ducted and wall mounted) and their best applications. Experts will review hybrid systems which pair heat pumps with existing heating systems as a transition strategy. The presentation will also cover operating costs of electric systems vs. fossil fuels. Presenters: Travis Anderson, Placetailor and Nick Falkoff, Auburndale Builders. Register here.  Join the Zoom TONIGHT at 7.30pm to hear one woman's story how she walked away from tailpipe emissions and is loving her electric car. Its a great way you can take real action.
Register here. Sharon Kirby, a member of Sustainable Wellesley, generally tries to “do the right thing.” When it was time to buy a new car, she did her homework, ultimately choosing an Electric Vehicle (EV). She is so thrilled with her choice that she offered to share her research with us in this simple half-hour presentation. She has some surprising discoveries about Electric Vehicles and Hybrids. There will be plenty of time for questions afterward. For car lovers, prepare to get excited and know you will be defending the planet as well. Believe it or not, 43% of Wellesley’s carbon emissions are due to the use of gas and diesel vehicles that rely on internal combustion engines. In other words, transportation in and around Wellesley is one of the single largest cause of greenhouse gases in our town. So when you drive; drive electric. There are a variety of mobility options in and around Wellesley. If you are in the market for a car- new or pre-owned - small or large - join the conversation tonight and/or head over to the parking lot next to the library to see a variety of electric and hybrid cars this Saturday, October 2nd from 1-4pm. See and talk to owners of Polestar 2 Mustang Mach-E Tesla Model Y Audi e-tron SUV MINI Countryman Plug-In Hyundai KONA Chevrolet Bolt Chevrolet Volt Toyota Prius Prime Tesla Model 3 Volkswagen ID.4 Nissan LEAF Chrysler Pacifica Register here or just come on by. Both events are free and open to all. Ask about incentives on electric vehicles!  Sustainable Wellesley has teamed up with HomeWorks Energy to help spread the word about no-cost virtual Home Energy Assessments. Eligible Massachusetts residents who sign up for a Home Energy Assessment get a custom home energy report and access to the Mass Save® HEAT Loan, 100% off air sealing, and 75-100% off approved insulation. Your home may qualify for same-day instant savings measures like:
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