Good Energy Newsletter: January 2015

Energy efficiency tips, news and advice. View as Web page. January 2015 An Advisor's Unusual Attic Find, Plus Winter Warmth Tips Our latest Advisor of the Month shares how he made the leap from technician to advisor, his best winter warmth tips and how our team made a homeowner's day with a sentimental discovery. Read More > Home Automation: The Next Big Thing in Energy Efficiency? The world of home automation systems are making the most out of our addiction to technology. Learn how home automation systems can help keep your energy-efficient habits on autopilot in our latest guest contributor piece. Read More > Four Simple Ways to Avoid the "Flue" Think you've avoided the winter flu? Temper the hot water heater flue with these tips on how to keep flue gases out of your home, courtesy of our Connecticut Team of the Month.   Read More > Homeowner Cuts First Electric Bill in Half After Going Solar Our latest success story proves that a trip to the DMV can be worthwhile. Learn how one homeowner slashed her electricity costs by going solar, plus get a peek at her sleek new rooftop panels.  Read More > Connect with us   Forward email to a friend    Subscribe to Good Energy Please add Email@NextStepLiving.com to your address book to ensure delivery to your inbox. Privacy Policy © 2014 NextStepLiving, Inc., 21 Drydock Avenue, 2nd floor, Boston, MA 02110-2384

Franklin Democratic Town Committee: Clean Air presentation

FRANKLIN DEMOCRATS TO TACKLE CLEAN ENERGY

The wild weather patterns of the last several months will provide a unique backdrop for a presentation on the Massachusetts Clean Energy Plan in Franklin. When the Franklin Democratic Town Committee meets on Monday, September 12 at 7 pm, local physicist Ted McIntyre will give a presentation on the plan which was launched in December 2010. The Franklin Committee welcomes anyone who is interested in this topic to attend the meeting.  

The 136-page Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2020 contains a "portfolio" of established and new measures that reduce energy waste, save money, and stimulate the adoption of clean energy technologies, thereby creating jobs at the same time that they reduce GHG emissions. It is estimated that 42,000 to 48,000 jobs would result from full implementation of the plan in 2020, both jobs that fill every niche in the clean energy supply chain – electricians, installers, researchers, architects, manufacturers, plumbers, energy auditors, technicians, and scientists – and jobs throughout the economy as lower fossil-fuel energy expenses lead to more spending on in-state goods and services. 

"There are many excellent reasons to support the plan, but here is one jaw-dropping reason to back it: $22 billion dollars," noted McIntyre.  "That is how much money leaves Massachusetts each year to pay for the coal, natural gas and petroleum we use." 

McIntyre is the President of the Mass Climate Action Network (MCAN) and presents frequently on the topic.  In addition to his work with MCAN, McIntyre helped establish the Franklin Area Climate Team. As a physicist, McIntyre is currently working to develop advanced equipment for use in the manufacture of computer chips. He holds seven patents and has authored more than twenty technical publications.  

The clean energy plan "lays out an ambitious but practical framework to continue – and accelerate – the Commonwealth's transition to clean energy," said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs-designate Rick Sullivan. "I look forward to maintaining this momentum as our state distinguishes itself as the national leader on clean energy and greenhouse gas emissions reductions." 

The Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA), signed by Governor Deval Patrick in August 2008, mandates the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, and requires the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs to set a legally enforceable GHG emissions limit for 2020 of between 10 percent and 25 percent below 1990 levels by January 1, 2011, and to issue a plan for achieving those reductions while growing the clean energy economy. 

"Massachusetts has already taken great strides in energy innovation, sparking a clean energy revolution in the Commonwealth and getting us two-thirds of the way toward 25 percent lower emissions by 2020," said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles. "I am confident we will meet the 25 percent limit I set today with a portfolio of policies that build on reforms made to date, launch practical new initiatives on a pilot basis, and generate cost savings and jobs." 

In other business, the Franklin Democrats will continue reaching out to Franklin residents who are interested in running for one of the 35 positions on the town committee next March.  Nomination papers will be available for signing at the September 12 meeting.  The committee will also discuss the upcoming Senate race in Massachusetts and the current slate of candidates who are poised to take on Scott Brown in 2012. 

The Franklin committee normally meets on the second Monday of the month in the training room on the third floor of the Franklin Municipal Building. For more information on the Democratic Party or any of their meetings, please contact Jeffrey Roy at jroy@ravechroy.com or check out the FDTC website at www.franklindemocrats.com. 

To learn more about the Clean Air plan, go to http://www.mass.gov/green/cleanenergyclimateplan or http://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/.

American consumers ... a 'eureka' moment!

Director of the New America Foundation Energy Policy Initiative, Lisa Margonelli writes about the global culture and economy of energy in this TEDx talk:

So the thing about water oil spills is that they are very politically galvanizing. I mean, these pictures -- this is from the Santa Barbara spill. You have these pictures of birds. They really influence people. When the Santa Barbara spill happened in 1969, it formed the environmental movement in its modern form. It started Earth Day. It also put in place the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act. Everything that we are really stemmed from this period. I think it's important to kind of look at these pictures of the birds and understand what happens to us. He we are normally; we're standing at the gas pump, and we're feeling kind of helpless. We look at these pictures, and we understand, for the first time, our role in this supply chain. We connect the dots in the supply chain. And we have this kind of -- as voters, we have kind of a "eureka!" moment. This is why these moments of these oil spills are so important. But it's also really important that we don't get distracted by the theater or the morals of it. We actually need to go in and work on the roots of the problem.

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the video.

Franklin, MA

wind power

out in Illinois, along i39 and IL ST 30, wind turbines amongst the corn and soybean fields are a glorious sight to see.

  
The turbine at St Mary's Abbey stands alone. These turbines are amongst dozens.

Franklin, MA

Franklin Area Climate Team - active blog

I have been working with the Franklin Area Climate Team to update their blog and enhance the communications around their efforts.

The Franklin Area Climate Team (FACT) is a locally organized group committed to fighting the climate crisis by promoting carbon-reducing practices in our homes and communities. We are an ever-expanding group of citizens from Bellingham, Foxborough, Franklin, Norfolk, Plainville, Wrentham, and other area towns.

Consider visiting the Franklin Area Climate Team site to find information on climate change, energy savings, and more about the world-wide effort to reach 350:

Become a fan and loose weight (CO2 weight)
11 Steps to save money and reduce your energy use
Cutting through the hype (video)
350 is the number!

Consider subscribing to the Franklin Area Climate Team blog to keep up with their activities. You can subscribe to receive updates via email or RSS feed.

Google has a powermeter?

How much does it cost to leave your TV on all day? What about turning your air conditioning 1 degree cooler? Which uses more power every month — your fridge or your dishwasher? Is your household more or less energy efficient than similar homes in your neighborhood?

Our lack of knowledge about our own energy usage is a huge problem, but also a huge opportunity for us all to save money and fight global warming by reducing our power usage. Studies show that access to your household's personal energy information is likely to save you between 5–15% on your monthly bill, and the potential impact of large numbers of people achieving similar efficiencies is even more exciting. For every six households that save 10% on electricity, for instance, we reduce carbon emissions as much as taking one conventional car off the road (see sources and calculation).

Read more on the Google Energy Information site here.

"You don't see the difference"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Feb 21, 2009 @ 11:47 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

On any given day, municipal departments are just beginning, trying to begin, or trying to finish, time-consuming projects on a tight budget.

Today, the School Department can sit back a bit and start adding up all the savings wrought by the completion of 65 energy-saving initiatives, an effort that took 10 years to finish.

Michael D'Angelo, the facilities director for the schools and the town, takes pride in Franklin taking the lead in using technological advances early in the game.

"We were doing it before it was popular," said D'Angelo, who is constantly researching ways to make the schools as energy-efficient as possible - he's currently eyeing the installation of solar panels three years down the road, when he says they will be cost-effective.

"We're almost as technologically advanced as you can be, without getting into solar or wind," D'Angelo said.

Read the full article on how energy efficient Franklin's schools are in the Milford Daily News here

Ideas to save money this winter

A local video show (produced in Arlington, MA) outlines some great ideas for saving money on heat and electricity.


Public Square -- Saving Energy from Josh Lobel on Vimeo.

The new episode of "The Public Square" provides viewers with tangible ways to save energy this winter and throughout the year. You can watch the show on line whenever you like by visiting

http://vimeo.com/3075985.

We interview local residents Ryan Katofsky, Martin Lamonica, Glenn Koenig, and Marc Breslow to learn how they have reduced their carbon footprint and saved money. The interviews take place in each person’s home, giving viewers a first-hand look at the improvements they’ve made. Our guests share some simple, low-cost steps that every family can take to save energy. You'll also hear about ideas that require a larger investment, including installing solar energy systems.

To learn more about "The Public Square," please visit www.publicsquaretv.com.

Do you have something that you are doing that was not covered in this video?

FACT: Green Fair 2/5/09

This Thursday come to a Green Fair to meet local green businesses and learn about how to fight global warming. We will have live music and interesting information.

Check out the details at our new website http://www.franklinareaclimateteam.blogspot.com/ , and follow the link to an article in the Milford Daily news.

Check www.fusf.org for directions.

Failure to pay attention

Pay attention to what you ask?

There were approx. 30 in the Attleboro hall to view the movie “Escape from Suburbia” and the discussion that followed versus millions in front of their TV to watch the Super Bowl.

How much oil/coal was consumed to power the Super Bowl and all the TVs to watch the spectacle?

Oil that a short while ago had risen to historic prices generating lots of talk but now that the prices have returned to lower levels, the issue seems to have passed.

It hasn’t.

What can I do? The problem is so huge.

“Conservation is one answer… conservation is economically more sustainable.”

Reduce your household energy use. Change out regular light bulbs for the energy saving kind. Take one small step at a time but keep at it.

“Action encourages optimism”

Take the 2 Mile Challenge!

Walk or use a bike (in the warmer New England weather) to the store for those small item errands rather than take the family vehicle.

“Community is our solution. We need to help one another.”

Get active in your community. There are a number of groups in the area that are working to address this issue. The Franklin Area Climate Team is one. Check out the sponsor listing for the Green Reel series for other groups in our area.

Talk with your neighbors, share the tips and tricks you pick up with each other.

Do something today!

Note: this was also posted today at Steve's 2 Cents

Note: The quotations in Bold were from the movie "Escape from Suburbia" as I took notes Sunday night.

Energy Sense Series

This is the collection of posts covering the Energy Sense Series sponsored by the Franklin Area Climate Team:

10/06/08 - Meeting Summary
10/06/08 - Presentation
11/13/08 - Sustainable Business Leader Program
12/10/08 - Part 1
12/10/08 - Part 2
01/14/09 - Kilowatt Ours

"reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere"

The Green Energy Fair is a free event that will be held at the First Universalist Society of Franklin, 262 Chestnut St., on Thursday, Feb. 5. It will feature information from a Wrentham organic farmer, vendors selling green products and energy-saving tips.

The Global Warming Cafe will be held Sunday, Feb. 15, at 2:30 p.m., at the First Universalist Church in Franklin. The cafe is open to the public and is an informal gathering to discuss global warming and how to stop it.

For more information about the low-carbon diet, logon to www.350.org.

To sign up for news of future FACT events, e-mail FranklinAreaClimateTeam@yahoogroups.com

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Kilowatt Ours - Impressive

Approx 25-30 people braved the cold to view the documentary "Kilowatt Ours" at the Franklin Library on Wednesday evening. In this photo, Ted McIntyre, Franklin Area Climate Team, provided the opening remarks to the group. Fred Schlicher, Program Manager from the Mass Climate Action Network, gave a brief overview of the film.

Energy $ense Series - Kilowatt Ours

When:
Wednesday, January 14, 2009, 7:00 pm


Where:
Franklin Public Library Community Room
118 Main Street, Lower Level



Moderator:
Ted McIntyre, Ph.D.
Board Member
Massachusetts Climate Action Network


Description:
This film traces the path of the electricity you use in your home from the light switch, through the wires to its source. Along the way you’ll meet power companies, schools, businesses and everyday Americans finding ways to meet our energy needs using conservation and green power. “Kilowatt Ours” will teach you how to dramatically reduce your electric bill and improve the environment at the same time.


Sponsored by:
Franklin Area Climate Team (FACT), Massachusetts Climate Action Network, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, Friends of the Franklin Library

Northborough pursues wind power

"This could cut taxes, eliminate the electric bill of the regional high school, and decrease our dependence on the Middle East," said town resident Bob Giles, a retired engineer who has spearheaded support for the proposal. He said the turbine, once up and running, could save the town up to $600,000 annually.

.....

As Giles and selectmen move ahead with their plans, they are looking to Hull for guidance. Since 2001, the seaside community has set up two wind turbines that provide about 11 percent of Hull's electricity, according to Town Manager Philip Lemnios, and is looking to build four more turbines offshore, which could potentially meet 100 percent of the town's electricity needs.

Read the full article in the Boston Globe West edition here

Can green jobs solve poverty?

There is an interesting conversation about

Can green-collar jobs clean the "dirty-energy economy" and lift people out of poverty?

The discussion revolves around education in California where the drop out rate from public schools is now 25%. 41% for Blacks and 31% for Latinos.

Van Jones and California State Senator Darrell Steinberg discuss a unique solution for our economy and environment. Together they offer a clear vision for green economic development and its potential.

Click through to listen here.

Well worth listening to!

Energy $ense Series - Kilowatt Ours

When:
Wednesday, January 14, 2009, 7:00 pm


Where:
Franklin Public Library Community Room
118 Main Street, Lower Level



Moderator:
Ted McIntyre, Ph.D.
Board Member
Massachusetts Climate Action Network


Description:
This film traces the path of the electricity you use in your home from the light switch, through the wires to its source. Along the way you’ll meet power companies, schools, businesses and everyday Americans finding ways to meet our energy needs using conservation and green power. “Kilowatt Ours” will teach you how to dramatically reduce your electric bill and improve the environment at the same time.


Sponsored by:
Franklin Area Climate Team (FACT), Massachusetts Climate Action Network, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, Friends of the Franklin Library

FM #27 - Solar Energy - Part 2

This podcast for Franklin Matters is Part 2 of the information session on solar and renewable energy sponsored by The Franklin Area Climate Team and held at the Franklin Public Library Wednesday evening, Dec 10, 2008.

In this second part, we will listen to Matt Arner, President of SolarFlair Energy, Inc. which is based nearby in Hopkinton. Matt gets into greater detail about the solar analysis, the process of obtaining permits, of applying for the rebates and actually getting an installation of solar electricity or solar heating for your residence or business.

Time: 44 minutes, 37 seconds



MP3 File

Session Notes:

This podcast for Franklin Matters is Part 2 of the information session on solar and renewable energy sponsored by The Franklin Area Climate Team and held at the Franklin Public Library Wednesday evening, Dec 10, 2008.

The recording of this evening is split into two parts. In the first part, we listened to Tyler Leeds, Project Manager from the Mass Renewable Energy Trust as he provided an overview on the grants and rebates available to MA residences and commercial or industrial operations.

In this second part, we will listen to Matt Arner, President of SolarFlair Energy, Inc. which is based nearby in Hopkinton. Matt gets into greater detail about the solar analysis, the process of obtaining permits, of applying for the rebates and actually getting an installation of solar electricity or solar heating for your residence or business. There is a great opportunity to tap into solar.

Listen, learn, and enjoy!

- insert clip -

Part 1 can be found here

----- -----

This podcast has been a public service provided to my fellow citizens of Franklin, MA

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The musical intro and closing is from the Podsafe Music Network
Jon Schmidt - Powerful Exhilarating Piano Music

FM #26 - Solar Energy - Part 1

This podcast for Franklin Matters captures the information session on solar and renewable energy sponsored by The Franklin Area Climate Team and held at the Franklin Public Library on Wednesday evening, Dec 10, 2008. This evening at the library is one of the Energy $ense series put together by FACT, with the help of Fred Schlicher, Program Manager from the Mass Climate Action Network, and by the Friends of the Library.

Part 1 of 2

Time: 48 minutes, 59 seconds



MP3 File

Session Notes:

This podcast for Franklin Matters captures the information session on solar and renewable energy sponsored by The Franklin Area Climate Team and held at the Franklin Public Library on Wednesday evening, Dec 10, 2008.

This evening at the library is one of the Energy $ense series put together by FACT, with the help of Fred Schlicher, Program Manager from the Mass Climate Action Network, and by the Friends of the Library. One more evening in January is scheduled. Details on that session can be found on Franklin Matters or the town website.

The recording of the talk this evening will be split into two parts. In the first part, we will listen as Ted McIntyre introduces Fred who in turn introduces Tyler Leeds, Project Manager from the Mass Renewable Energy Trust.

The segment we are about to begin runs about 45 minutes. This is longer than I would normally make available but there is not a natural break until Tyler finishes. You can of course, listen to as much as you can, mark your spot and return. As you listen, you’ll recognize that the presentation by Tyler is well done, the questions are generally distinctly heard and the overall conversation is very informative.

Listen, learn and enjoy!

- insert clip -

In the second part, we will listen to Matt Arner, President of SolarFlair Energy based in Hopkinton. Matt will get into more details about the analysis and process of obtaining permits, applying for the rebates and actually getting an installation of solar electricity or solar heating for your residence or business. There is a great opportunity to tap into solar.

----- -----

This podcast has been a public service provided to my fellow citizens of Franklin, MA

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The musical intro and closing is from the Podsafe Music Network
Jon Schmidt - Powerful Exhilarating Piano Music

Live reporting - Energy $ense - Part 2

Part 1 can be found here

The audio version of this section can be found here

brief interlude for the presentation switch

Fred introduces Matt

Matt Arner
SolarFlair Energy, Inc.
Hopkinton, MA

• Solar electricity
• solar hot water (mostly for domestic hot water use)

How does the system work?

1. The solar grid feeds the inverter (the brains of the system)
2. The inverter is tied to the breaker panel, just like another breaker with the exception that it provides power into the breaker panel (not drawing from like the normal breakers).
3. If you are generating more power than you need to use, you send the extra back out through the meter to the power company. Effectively turning back the meter.
4. Matt's home system is generating enough that it pays for 90% of the electricity they use.
   

How did Matt do it?

1. Bought and converted to energy efficiency appliances
2. converted more appliances
3. then installed hot water system
4. then installed solar system
5. almost 100% solar powered but over time, a five year plan

Matt's company uses local products (Marlboro and Lawrence)

How much does it cost?

• Payback: approx 7-8 years
• System life: 25 years

They partner with a local bank to provide no upfront cost (outside of the grants and tax credits).
So you could effectively pay the same amount for green solar as you would for your normal electrical monthly bill.

expecting to see an 8% increase in electric rates

For commercial installations

• Payback: 5 years
• Return on Investment: 14%

for solar electric you need a minimum of 4 hours of real direct sun daily
solar hot water becomes a good alternative if you don't have the south facing roof

They make the process easy. The permitting process can take up to 3 months, the actual installation takes 2-3 days.

For more information on SolarFlair Energy, Inc. please click through to their web site. It has additional information on the solar water heating, solar electricity and several photos of residential and commercial installations.

If you want to examine the potential for solar for your home, you can follow the steps to start here.

For commercial installations, you can follow the steps to start here.

Renewable Energy Installers

Solar Energy Business Association of New England (SEBANE) North East Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) Directory Information on Installers, Costs, and Locations Other Solar Resources

Disclaimer: The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) has not investigated, and expressly disclaims any duty to investigate, any company, product, service, process, procedure, design, or the like which may be presented on the aforementioned websites. The presentation of these website links does not constitute endorsement, warranty, or guaranty by MTC of any company, product, service, process, procedure, design, or the like. The entire risk of any information presented is assumed by the user.