 You are not alone.
There are numerous ways you can reduce your energy use as the cooler months arrive. Look for things you can do here as well as the suggestions below that have no costs associated with them.
 We realize it's the summer and ironically we are talking about ice dams. Many of us have unfortunately experienced them, including Teri and Jamie Ebersole here in Wellesley. Over the last several years, they did piecemeal projects to protect themselves from recurring ice dam damage. However the dams highlighted to them the increasing severe weather due to climate change. Thus, when they decided to renovate their kitchen, they took a hard look at the resiliency of their home. In the end, they spent a fair amount of their renovation budget on aspects of their home that will make their family home more resilient.
What does that mean? Climate resilient buildings are built, or retrofitted, to withstand severe storms and natural disasters. The Ebersoles wanted their 1940 colonial – gone farmhouse – home to withstand extreme weather. They interviewed a few architects and builders and went with Wellesley’s Kraus Associates. After much research, and discussions with Abode and other energy efficiency experts, the Ebersoles now have a beautiful renovated, healthy and resilient home they are proud of. This all turned out to be a valuable investment as well. The last 2 months they have only paid $10 a month for all of their electric cooking, heating/cooling, driving, laundry needs! How are they doing this? They moved to electrical, high efficient systems, and fully insulated and weatherized their home:
They still have their gas-fired tankless water heater, since it was newish at the time of renovation, but that is the only gas in their home. They will likely replace it with an electric air-source heat pump water heater at its end of life. Since they have a family member with lung challenges, they are very happy to minimize the amount of unhealthy natural gas in their home. “We love our house and want to stay here a long time, so it made sense to make it healthy, resilient and sustainable for the long-term.” Curious who they used? See below:
 Big News!!
Both Wellesley’s Municipal Light Plant and the state’s MassSave Program have increased the amount of money a homeowner can get for home energy efficiency improvements. MASS SAVE REBATES If you live in a one to four unit home and get a bill from National Grid (for example, if you heat your home with natural gas or you have a gas fireplace or stove), then you are eligible for the larger rebates from MassSave. Before you can qualify for these rebates or incentives, you must schedule and complete a no-cost home energy assessment with an authorized Mass Save® home assessment contractor such as HomeWorks. Special financing options are also available through Mass Save®, including a” HEAT Loan”: 0% financing for qualified individuals. WELLESLEY MUNICIPAL LIGHT PLANT (WMLP) REBATES If you are NOT a National Grid customer, the WMLP’s new rebates are for you. The WMLP also offers a no-cost Home Energy Audit if you heat with oil, electricity or propane. Call 888-772-4242. Read on for specifics. WMLP Insulation and Air-Sealing Incentives - 50%, up to $1,500 max. for contractor installed insulation, following a home energy audit. Only for homes which are converting from oil heat to electric heat pumps. WMLP Heating & Cooling Rebates Air-source heat pumps: Up to $5,000 Only for MLP customers who currently heat with oil,electricity or propane. Contact cleancomfort@wellesleyma.gov for requirements. Pre-approval by Abode required. Integrated controls: $100 per, up to $400 Wireless-enabled thermostats: 50% up to $125 Electric Heat Pump Water Heaters: @ UEF≥ 3.2: $500 WMLP Rebates for EnergyStar® Appliances Dehumidifier $50 Refrigerator $50 Front-loading clothes washer $150 Dishwasher $50 Conversion of range or cooktop: $500 - gas to induction Conversion of range or cooktop: $100 - electric to induction Replace gas clothes dryer - with heat pump clothes dryer $250 Replace electric dryer - with heat pump clothes dryer $100 WMLP Additional Rebates Electric panel upgrade $750 Level 2 Electric Vehicle Smart WiFi charger 50%, up to $350 Electric lawn mower $75 Electric landscaping equipment $25 Guess what, there may be Federal Tax Incentives too for home energy efficiency upgrades.Go to Energy Star for details and availability.  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 info@sustainablewellesley.com 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 cleancomfort@wellesleyma.gov. 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.  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!  There are many ways to reduce the impact of your events this season. Thank you Wellesley Green Schools for this helpful Smart Event Guide!
 Concerned About the Efficiency of Your Water Heater?
Sustainable Wellesley has teamed up with HomeWorks Energy to help spread the word about no-cost virtual Home Energy Assessments and the importance of energy efficiency in all seasons. Water heaters decrease in efficiency as they age. Upgrading an old water heater to a more energy-efficient unit can help save money on energy use and lower your carbon footprint. Schedule a no-cost Home Energy Assessment today to unlock access to professional advice from a Home Energy Specialist about your hot water tank. Ask about the Mass Save® HEAT Loan, a 0% interest rate loan for up to 7 years, that can be used to help finance new heating systems. The sponsors of the Mass Save program also offer generous rebates for qualified water heaters! Schedule your Home Energy Assessment here, and for every performed Assessment, HomeWorks Energy will support Sustainable Wellesley with a donation. Save money and support us at the same time by signing up today!  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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