Friday Updates from the Energy Committee

Friday Updates from the Energy Committee

Date  
   
   
11/15/2024  
11/8/2024

THE SWITCH IS ON: Visualizing Greenhouse Gases

The greenhouse gases that we produce by burning fossil fuels are warming our earth at an alarming rate. But we keep burning more. Why? 

One reason might be that unlike other forms of pollution, greenhouse gases are invisible to us. If dark clouds instead of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions came from our exhaust pipes and chimneys, people would probably go right to work cutting back. 

This month, the Energy Committee is focusing on a few ways to visualize the greenhouse gases that we send into the atmosphere.

 

Burning a gallon of gasoline produces 20 pounds of CO2. The volume of that gas is 171 cubic feet, about the same volume of 40 garbage cans.

A round trip to Portsmouth in a standard size gas powered car uses about a gallon and a half of fuel, so that one trip produces enough CO2 to fill 58 garbage cans. Stacked on top of each other, those containers would reach the roof of an 11-story building, taller than two Thompson Hall clock towers.

Here are some ways to reduce that carbon dioxide cloud:

Drive less. Consider combining tasks to take fewer trips. Try carpooling, biking, walking, or using mass transit when possible.

Avoid idling.  Idling an average SUV for just 1 minute produces a volume of CO2 equal to 4 one-gallon jugs. 

Lower your highway speed. You use 14% more fuel traveling at 70 mph than traveling at 60 mph. Shrink your carbon cloud!

Check tire pressure. Under inflated tires produce more friction. That requires more gas to move your car. Properly inflated tires can improve gas mileage by 0.6% on average. In a year, if you drive 15,000 miles, having properly inflated tires avoids producing a cloud of CO2 with the volume of 141 garbage cans.

When the time comes to replace your car, consider used or new electric cars. https://pluginamerica.org/learn/guide/

11/1/2024

THE SWITCH IS ON - GENERATOR OR HOME BATTERY?

Learn before you buy! There’s a 30% tax credit for home batteries, which work without needing solar or an EV. Batteries alone can power your home for up to 48 hrs, and with solar, they can power your home indefinitely. Prices start at $1200 plus installation.

Check out FAQs and a webinar HERE from the Clean Energy Group to learn more. Questions? dec@ci.durham.nh.us

10/25/2024

The Switch Is On -- Durham Edges Into First Place in Seacoast Energy Challenge !

The Energy Committees from Durham, Portsmouth, Dover, Newmarket, and Exeter have challenged each other to show their communities can lead the pack in choosing Greener Electricity through Community Power Coalition of NH. Each town tracks how many residents have “Opted-up” to a Greener Power plan than their community default – for Durham that means either the Clean 50 or Clean 100 plans. As of October 1, Durham has moved into a slight lead !  

Can Durham hold on to our slim lead through the end of the rate period in January 2025? Will another Seacoast community rally and come from behind? There is still time for residents to Opt-up to greener power --  opting-up to Clean 50 will cost the average household only $5 a month, and will save 1.2 tons of CO2 per year! Check out all the details, cost comparisons, and how to do it on the Energy Committee web page https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/boc_energy/opt-climate-impact .  And show everyone that It’s Easy To Be Green !

10/18/24

The Switch Is On (Low Interest Financing for Home, Car & Bike!)

Low-interest financing for all your home energy projects & transportation! The Clean Energy Credit Union offers NH residents 4.75%+ APR loans and help for poor credit on e-bikes, EVs, solar, geothermal, and weatherization https://www.cleanenergycu.org/. NH Saves partners with seven different local banks to offer 2% interest rate loans https://nhsaves.com/residential/weatherization/. Eversource clients can finance additional home energy improvements at low rates https://www.neifund.org/residential-program-pages/.  Questions? Email dec@ci.durham.nh.us   

Twitter version:

The Switch Is On (Low Financing for Home, Car & Bike) 4.75% loans & help w/ poor credit for NH residents for ebikes, EVs, solar, geothermal & weatherization, also 2% loans, & more low rates

10/11/2024

THE SWITCH IS ON - Durham Tied for Second Place in Seacoast Energy Challenge! 

The Energy Committees from Durham, Portsmouth, Dover, Newmarket, and Exeter have challenged each other to see which of their communities can lead the pack in choosing Greener Electricity through Community Power Coalition of NH. Each town tracks how many residents have “Opted-up” to a Greener Power plan than their community default – for Durham that means either the Clean 50 or Clean 100 plans. As of September 1, the standings were:

The contest will continue through the current rate period, ending in January 2025, so Durham still has time to take the lead and hold to the finish! Opting-up to Clean 50 will cost the average household only $5 a month and will save 1.2 tons of CO2 per year! Check out all the details, cost comparisons, and how to opt-up on the Energy Committee web page 

https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/boc_energy/opt-climate-impact

 Let's show everyone that It’s Easy To Be Green!

Questions? Email dec@ci.durham.nh.us  

10/4/24

THE SWITCH IS ON - For 75% off Energy Audits for Small Businesses and Farms

Durham small businesses and agricultural producers are eligible for 75% off a comprehensive energy audit. These help your business identify cost-saving opportunities by reviewing insulation, lighting, HVAC, refrigeration, equipment, etc. Contact Scott Maslansky of the NH Community Development Finance Authority at (603) 717-9123 or smaslansky@nhcdfa.org

Questions? Email dec@ci.durham.nh.us