Home Energy Efficiency
Conservation and Alternatives
We believe strongly that the most effective remedy to the oil supply-demand problem is to first reduce demand. By reducing demand now, we greatly extend the available supply and give ourselves more time to adapt to its decline. Reducing demand does not mean reducing quality of life - it means living more efficiently. Europeans use half the oil per capita that Americans do, and have just as high a quality of life.
According to US 2000 Census data, 86% of Harvard houses [6] used fuel oil or kerosene as their primary heating fuel. Most home energy audits indicate that significant savings of heating fuel can be achieved by improving insulation in attics, walls and basements, and weather stripping. 47% of homes in Harvard according to Census were built before the 1973 oil crisis, after which builders started to install better insulation. Simply upgrading the insulation in these pre-1973 homes would greatly improve their energy efficiency and save owners money.
Home Energy Audit Sweep. Harvard Local has asked Conservation Services Group (CSG) to conduct a town wide volunteer home energy audit sweep, for all homeowners who wish to have their homes inspected for energy efficiency improvements. CSG has agreed to begin the energy audits in Spring 2006, and provide contractors to do remediation. If you missed the sign-up at Town Meeting, you can request a home energy audit by calling MassSAVE at 1-800-632-8300 or by going to the MassSAVE web site.
As part of the audit, you receive a free supply of compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) which provide the same amount of light as ordinary bulbs using only 25% of the power, and last 7 years.
Renewable Energy Alternatives. We are encouraging home owners to sign up for National Grid's GreenStart program, sponsored by the Mass Energy Consumers Alliance. This program allows you to buy your residential electric power from 100% renewable sources. There is a small (2.4 cents/KWHr) additional charge that supports renewable energy resources. If you missed the sign-up at Town Meeting, you can sign up by going to the Mass Energy Consumers Alliance web site.
One of the benefits of signing up for GreenStart is the payback to the town. The MTC will match every dollar you pay for GreenStart with up to one dollar back to Harvard for clean energy goods and services (such as a town solar PV system or renewable energy education), and up to another dollar for clean energy projects that benefit state low-income residents. As of 12/31/2005, Harvard had $4800 from GreenStart matching funds.
Incentives and Tax Credits. We have put together a table of Incentives and Tax Credits for home renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements, with links to web sites for more information.