CLAREMONT ENERGY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
By Claremont Energy Advisory Committee
This article concludes a four-week wrap up of the “Button Up” workshop that took place in September. The Claremont Energy Advisory Committee felt that this was a powerful workshop for area residents, and we wanted to give more wide-spread exposure to the essential tips relayed by representatives from “New Hampshire Saves,” a collaboration of the state’s electric and natural gas utilities and the Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative.
It is no surprise that heating and cooling are the most significant energy users in a home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, homeowners should “consider replacing existing heating systems under the following conditions:”
It is more than 15 years old.
Repairs would cost more than 50% of the cost of replacement.
The system is very inefficient.
New energy heating or cooling equipment can reduce energy use by 20% or more, and combining new installations with recommended insulation, air sealing, and thermostat settings can cut heating and cooling bills in half.
Heat pumps are another option for both heating and cooling your home by collecting heat from the air, water, or ground and moving that air inside or out as desired. Cold-climate air-source heat pumps are designed specifically for cold climates and can extract heat from -20-degree air. Units can be placed in the wall of your home requiring no ductwork and can heat or cool individual rooms.
Water heating is the second-largest expense in the home. It typically accounts for 13% of energy use. A few options to reduce water heating bills include:
Reduce hot water use, e.g. cold-water clothes washing.
Turn down the thermostat on the water heater.
Insulating water heater and pipes.
Installing low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators.
Consider a temperature-sensitive switch If waiting for shower water to heat is an issue.
Replace an existing water heater with an energy-efficient model. Options include tankless, heat pump, and solar heaters. Heat pump models are more efficient than regular electric.
NHSaves.com is a great resource for incentives details and rebates for the following types of equipment, including mini split cold-climate heat pumps, natural gas boilers, furnaces, hot water heaters, Wi-Fi smart thermostats and heat-pump electric hot water heaters. Home performance energy assessments with prioritized recommendations and low-or no-interest financing options are available to qualified homeowners also. Go to: http://www.NHSaves.com/programs/energy-audits-weatherization to view these options. Income-qualified weatherization and fuel assistance programs are available by contacting your utility, Eversource, N.H. Electric Cooperative or the Community Action Agency in Claremont, SCS, 603-542-9528.
And, do not forget to recycle old refrigerators, freezers, or room A/Cs. NHSaves will pay you $30 per appliance. Call 1-877-889-4763 for a free pick up.
Finally, building contractors and those considering building a new home have energy-savings options and incentives also. NHSaves is conducting a Net Zero Home Building competition with cash prizes for home builders to construct homes that have no net usage of energy! Technical support and incentives are available for a home that is 15% more efficient than state energy code requires. Call 603-369-4834 or email: [email protected].
The “Button Up” workshop may be viewed on CCTV, channel 10. In the search bar enter “NH Saves 2019 Button Up” or go to this link: http://50.241.100.254/CablecastPublicSite/show/10546?channel=2
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.