Ideas & Tips to Save Energy, Money, and the Environment
On a periodic basis, the Energy and Sustainability Committee is sharing tips and ideas for saving money, energy, and the environment. Massachusetts has ranked first in the nation in energy efficiency over the past eight years, and has committed under the state’s Global Warming Solutions Act to reducing greenhouse gas emissions between 10-25% below statewide 1990 levels by 2020 and 80% by 2050.
We in West Newbury can choose to take action at the municipal level and in our own lives. Saving energy and using it wisely pays back in many ways beyond simple dollars and cents.
Household Energy Savings Tips: 25 easy and inexpensive ways to save energy and reduce costs--manage sunlight, use the microwave, and more!
Coping with Energy Price Increases: 4 ideas to manage 2022-23 energy bills--check out National Grid's website, contact Mass Save, consider energy savings tips, look into income-eligible programs
Shave the Peak: When you use energy matters--you can help lower electric costs and help the environment. The Green Energy Consumers Alliance explains, “For a few hours every winter and summer, electricity demand skyrockets to almost twice the normal amount. These ‘peak events’ are accompanied by wholesale electricity prices more than 10 times the average year-round price of electricity. In fact, just 1% of the year accounts for 8% of our energy costs, and 10% of the year accounts for 40% of annual costs.” ISO-NE also has longer term capacity markets designed to ensure enough generators are in place to meet the highest projected peak needs. Again, the peakers drive up costs and cause pollution.
