Category Archives: Saving Money

Reminder: Light Bulb Swap on Saturday!

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If you are a Cambridge resident, this is a reminder to come swap up to three of your incandescent or CFL light bulbs* for free LED replacements this Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Cambridge Winter Farmer’s Market at 5 Callender St, from 10am-2pm! We will also have a pop-up store with heavily discounted LEDs for all of your other lighting needs.

*The swap is limited to A19 and BR30 bulbs.

This event is part of the City’s 100% LED Campaign that encourages residents to change over their lighting to LEDs, which use six times less energy. Please note that the bulb swap is limited to Cambridge residents and while supplies last.

 

City Offers Limited-Time Incentives to Go 100% LED!

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It’s about to get a whole lot easier to upgrade your lights and save money and energy! The City’s Cambridge Energy Alliance is partnering with Eversource to launch the “100% LED Cambridge” campaign, which offers limited-time specials on LED light bulbs for Cambridge residents. The campaign encourages residents to upgrade 100% of their home lighting to LEDs, which use six times less energy than older bulbs.

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From now until November 26th, residents can go to https://www.techniart.us/Cambridge/ to get special pricing that is available to Cambridge residents only. Customers can also get discounted shipping while supplies last. Not sure what bulb to get? See our guide at CambridgeMA.gov/LED

 

 

The 100% LED campaign is one of the city’s initiatives to win the Georgetown University Energy Prize, a nationwide competition among cities to cut residential energy use through energy efficiency. Residents have until the end of December 2016 to help Cambridge win before the judging period is over. Find out more at www.CambridgeEnergyAlliance.org/WinIt!

Money Saving Light Bulbs

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During the summer of 2014 several high school students interned at the Cambridge Energy Alliance helping with canvassing and outreach across Cambridge. The interns also wrote a few blogs on topics they were interested in related to energy efficiency and solar power. The following is one of their blogs.  

 

Today, unfortunately, money is on the minds of many people. This blog offers a simple and straightforward strategy to save money, and energy, by using different types of light bulbs. Currently in the US most people use incandescent light bulbs in their households. However, slowly the tide has turned to Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) bulbs, which offer greater service and economic satisfaction. But what is it that makes these light bulbs so different? Of course they all have differences in their structure, design and technology, but which one is the best?

Incandescent

These bulbs are definitely not energy efficient since most of their energy is expelled as heat and not light. Today most cities do not accept the recycling of incandescent light bulbs as they have stopped being sold in the United States. Nonetheless, because they do not contain any toxic materials they can simply be thrown away.  Some people choose to re-package their light bulbs to avoid anyone getting hurt in the process of disposing them. Other people choose to reuse their light bulbs if they are not broken as forms of decoration, ornaments, and DIY crafts.

CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamps)

CFLs have become way more popular over the past few years because of their fair prices and energy saving qualities. Unfortunately, a downside they have is that they contain a small amount of mercury, which means one should be particularly careful when recycling these light bulbs. Whether one can recycle or dispose these light bulbs depends on the current state of the bulbs. Nonetheless, it is imperative that CFLs be recycled. CFL light bulbs contain a small amount of mercury so when disposing these light bulbs it’ll be best to not release those chemicals to the environment. Most of the materials used to make CFL light bulbs can be recycled, and in some states and/or local jurisdictions, CFL light bulbs are required to be recycled. CFL light bulbs will not only be more energy efficient for your home, but will also save you money in the long run. Although CFL light bulbs are a bit more expensive than their incandescent counterpart, they last more than 10 times longer and use 4 times less energy while providing equally good quality light. Since CFL’s use much less watts than regular incandescent light bulbs, not only will they last longer but they will also save you money.

LED (Light Emitting Diodes)

LEDs are probably the pinnacle in light bulb technology. Their design and structure has resulted in a more durable, resistant and stylish light bulb. LED light bulbs are slowly being adopted now that their high prices are coming down. Unlike their more primitive counterparts, LEDs contain fewer hazardous materials, and are much more resistant to temperature, humidity and force. LED’s also last roughly 50,000 hours (5.5 years), about 5 times longer than CFLs.

First-Ever Energy Star Label for Clothes Dryers Now Available

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The EPA has announced a brand new energy efficiency certification for clothes dryers under the Energy Star label. As known energy hogs, the potential savings are big: if all residential clothes dryers sold in the U.S. meet these new requirements, the utility cost savings will grow to more than $1.5 billion each year and more than 22 billion pounds of annual greenhouse gas emissions would be prevented.

Over 80% of U.S. homes have a clothes dryer, which on average account for approximately six percent of residential electricity consumption. In order to reduce dryers’ energy use by over 20% of the minimum 2015 standards, Energy Star dryers will incorporate technologies such as:

  • Auto termination sensors
  • Heat pumps to recapture lost hot air
  • Performance data and alerts
  • Smart grid readiness

Explains U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy: “Working with industry on innovative approaches to address our changing climate, we are helping consumers select more energy efficient appliances, save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

Read more about this news from the EPA newsroom.

 

Prepare for Winter in your Rented or Multi-Family Home

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As the weather gets chillier, we all start looking forward to—or dreading—winter. In order to be comfortable while still being energy smart, there are some easy but important steps you can take. There is plenty of information out there on how to weatherize your entire home to keep heating costs down, but many of those actions don’t apply to people who are renting or living in a multi-family condo. Here are some tips that will still insulate your home and lower your heating bill even if you aren’t able to do bigger things like replace your boiler or add insulation in your walls:

  • Place 3M window insulator film on the inside of all of your windows to restrict drafts. It goes on and comes off easily without leaving a mark, and it’s a very cheap solution.
  • Programmable thermostats are inexpensive and need only a screw driver to install, so depending on your heating system type you can install it and then uninstall it when you move out.
  • Open your curtains during the day to take advantage of solar heating and close them at night to keep the heat in.  Some curtains also have insulating properties.
  • If you rent, ask your landlord to take advantage of the free Mass Save Energy Assessments and mention that CEA can help landlords with energy projects.
  • Use draft stoppers underneath doors that lead outside or to an unheated hallway or staircase. They are usually cloth tube-shaped objects filled with foam or pellets (like a bean bag). You can even put them underneath doors for rooms you plan on heating with a space heater to fully block cold drafts coming in from the rest of your space.
  • If you heat with oil, which is notoriously expensive, you can save on your bill by investing in a floor-standing electric space heater to more cheaply heat the room you are currently occupying, while keeping the thermostat low. You can save 3% on your heating bill for every degree that you turn it down.
  • Keep your thermostat very low (but above 50 degrees so your pipes don’t freeze) while no one is home, and put it as low as is comfortable when you are home and awake. Before you go to bed, turn it back down a few degrees. If you have warm blankets and a space heater, you won’t need to heat your whole space any more than that.
  • If your home has radiators, place an insulating panel between it and the wall. Insulating radiator panels reflect heat away from the wall and out into your home, improving radiator efficiency by 10-20%.

With these quick fixes, and perhaps a hot cup of tea each night, you will stay comfortable all winter long without using too much fuel or electricity.

Learn More! Don’t be an Energy Turkey this Thanksgiving.

Wednesday November 14th at 7pm

Cambridge College, 1000 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA

Stay warm and SAVE MONEY through DIY apartment energy efficiency tips

Enjoy free apple cider and snacks
Win great prizes

 

(Cancelled)Join Our Course: The Value of Greening Your Home

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** Check out the Winter Courses at Cambridge Center for Adult Education to sign up for this class when it is offered again**

Many homeowners worry about the value of their home in these times and wonder how to make sensible improvements. Come to learn how to improve the value of your home by increasing energy efficiency and conserving natural resources. We will discuss both small, easy D.I.Y. changes and large capital improvements, from weather stripping to installing geothermal systems. We will present financing options from grants to subsidized loans, and introduce expert contractors who will address your specific question and concerns. Come ready to learn and leave with concrete next steps to improve your home, take care of the planet, and invest in a sustainable future for all. Limited to 16.

5 Mondays, 5:45-7:45 pm. Begins Sep. 24
http://www.ccae.org/catalog/detail.php?id=563066

Report Shows Schools’ Environmental Progress

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Cambridge Public Schools published its 2012 Sustainability Year-In-Review this summer and celebrated several environmental successes. The report outlines the schools’ environmental progress and accomplishments in energy reduction, recycling, eco-friendly products and other green topics.

Over the past two years, multiple energy-efficiency projects have been implemented. The result is a net projected annual savings of $295,738 for the whole school district; 618,313 kWh of electricity savings; and 29,863 therms. Projects included:

  • the installation of a high-efficiency condensing boiler at the Longfellow School Building
  • high-efficiency lighting and occupancy sensors at the Peabody School, Kennedy-Longfellow School, Baldwin School, Haggerty School, Morse School, Solomon Garage, and High School Field House
  • the installation of Direct Digital Control systems at nine schools
  • additional energy upgrades

But energy isn’t the only area of improvement. Custodians now use metered green cleaning supplies, and six schools are now composting their lunch leftovers. From March 2009 through April 2012 the King Open School alone composted nearly 20 tons of food scraps. The school’s food waste is picked up and taken to a farming facility in Massachusetts for composting as part of the “Food to Flowers” program. The Cambridge Green Schools Initiative also partners with local organizations such as “Walk-Ride Days” and the Cambridge Health Alliance to promote sustainable and healthy modes of transportation.

NSTAR has approved an extension to the Early Boiler Replacement Rebate Pilot

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Have you been thinking of replacing your 30+ year old boiler?

Now, only through the end of September 2012, the Mass Save® Home Energy Services Program is providing a temporary increased rebate for replacing 30+ year old boilers.  The rebate ranges from $1,750 to $4,000 for new efficient boilers using the same fuel and installed by October 31, 2012.  This is a large increase from the normal $400 to $1,500 in existing rebates.  A no-cost Mass Save home energy assessment is required by September 30, 2012 to determine if your boiler qualifies.

Not sure what a boiler is or if you have one?

Schedule your no-cost Mass Save home energy assessment and your home energy advisor will let you know if you have a boiler and he/she will also collect the information needed for the rebate.  Boilers heat your home with hot water or steam.

Want to make your boiler upgrade even more energy efficient and save more –  consider installing solar hot water?

Heating water accounts for 20% of household energy consumption, even more with a boiler fed hot water or steam heating system. Solar water heating displaces 50-80% of the energy used to make hot water in a household. While you’re upgrading your boiler think about adding solar hot water to help you save more and become even more energy efficient.  Right now, Cambridge Energy Alliance has a solar hot water grant that rebates 50% of your out-of-pocket costs, up to $2000. Essentially you can install a solar hot water system for almost 75% off when you apply our rebate with the other state and federal incentives. You can also use a 0% interest HEAT loan to install solar hot water systems with no up-front cash. The grant will only continue through November so act quickly!

Schedule your no-cost Mass Save home energy assessment by calling Next Step Living at 866-867-8729.

NSTAR Customers: Summer Insulation Bonus…up to $100 VISA Gift Card

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Residents that sign their Mass Save insulation contract by August 31, 2012 and have the insulation work completed within 60 days of signing the contract, will receive a VISA Gift Card from NSTAR.  The VISA Gift Card value will match their out-of-pocket cost of the insulation work, up to $100!

You must be an NSTAR Gas heating customer or an NSTAR Electric customer that heats with a primary fuel other than natural gas.

2011 Intern Dana Rubin to Travel the U.S. in Search of Practical Environmentalism

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2011 summer intern Dana Rubin will be traveling around the country starting on September 1st, 2012 to seek out the practical and economical environmental projects that are occurring all across the nation.

Dana, and her partner-in-crime Hannah Blackmer, want to take the fear out of climate change and make it a more positive transition. There are so many projects that individuals and small businesses can conveniently do to build up a better resilience to save money and help the environment.  Their voyage is The Search for Convenient Resilience and they will be seeking out projects that range from homesteading, rooftop gardens, personal alternative energies and upcycling projects.

Dana and Hannah, recent graduates of Mount Holyoke College, really need your help to raise enough funding to make the endeavor possible. The duo is looking to raise about $15,000.

Have some cool projects they should check out? Want to follow their blog? Care to donate to their cause? Check out their website at: www.convenientresilience.com, like them on Facebook, or send them an e-mail at littlegreenthings.dh at gmail.com.