Summer Newsletter from CEA!
Jesse Gorden
In this edition…
- Summer Energy Saving Tips
- Pick Up Energy Efficiency at Cambridge Farmer’s Markets
- Who likes to Read?
- The Cambridge Energy Alliance is Moving!
- Partnering with Faith Communities
- Environmental Trivia Nights
- Small Business Canvass
- A/C Swap
Summer Energy Saving Tips
It's the dog days of summer, the most important time to be saving energy!
Try
to hold off turning on the air conditioner; instead, use
ceiling fans to keep the air circulating, shut the blinds
and windows tight during the hottest parts of the day, and
open them up at night to let the cool air in.
If you do use the A/C, install an Energy Star rated air conditioner, preferably on the north side of the house or in a shaded spot. Set a programmable thermostat to 78°F when you’re home and warmer when you are out of the house, and you’ll be a champion energy saver.
Another great way to save energy
– grilling! Fire up your outdoor grill on summer afternoons.
It’s a great way to enjoy some family time while keeping
your house cool!
Postpone
laundry and dish washing until nighttime to prevent extra
heat being added to your home. 
Go old-fashioned and try using a
clothesline to dry clothes. The summer sun will dry your
clothes crisp in no time and make you feel good about using
the oldest renewable energy source known to man. Take cooler
showers and reduce the temperature of your water heater
thermostat to 120°F.
Make good use of the warm weather
by walking or biking whenever possible. It’s a great way to
exercise. Use public transportation to travel long distances
so you don’t have to waste time and energy trying to find
parking! If you are heading out on that big road trip, try
to carpool and keep your car running in optimum condition.
Pick Up Energy Efficiency at Cambridge Farmer’s Markets
Keep an eye out for the Cambridge Energy Alliance tables at your local farmer’s market this summer! Farmer’s markets help the environment and boost the local economy, so take the next step and sign up for a free home energy assessment while you’re stocking up on fresh produce.
Who likes to Read?
Does your book club need a fresh
focus? Are you looking for ways to get a group talking about
conservation and other green topics?
Let us know and we’ll get you started with a Cambridge Energy Alliance book club. We’re sponsoring book clubs across the city this summer and fall. Whether you’re environmentally inclined, enjoy the great outdoors, or just enjoy thought-provoking reads, keep your eyes and ears peeled for our upcoming CEA Green Book Clubs.
If you’re interested in hosting your own, email outr...@CambridgeEnergyAlliance.org.
The Cambridge Energy Alliance is Moving!
Starting in July, Cambridge Energy Alliance has a new home at the City of Cambridge. As you may know, CEA was created as a non-profit entity sponsored by the Kendall Foundation and the City of Cambridge in 2007 with the goal of stimulating large-scale energy efficiency and renewable energy activities in all sectors of the community.
Over the past four years CEA has
done a lot of very innovative and important work, especially
in the residential and small commercial sectors, but the
original business model – which would enable CEA to become
economically self-sustaining – has not worked out, in part
due to the global recession limiting lending and financing.
Given the City of Cambridge’s long-standing and strong commitment to energy efficiency and renewable energy, Cambridge Energy Alliance will be continuing our work as part of the Community Development Department at 344 Broadway.
You can still find us at CambridgeEnergyAlliance.org and outr...@CambridgeEnergyAlliance.org.
Our new phone number is 617-349-LEAF.
Partnering with Faith Communities
GIVE (Green Interfaith Volunteer Engagement) has just launched in Cambridge. GIVE’s aim is to foster strong community involvement for all houses of worship and faith centers around environmental stewardship. Energy efficiency and green transportation can save your faith group and its members’ money while improving the environment.
GIVE will connect with a liaison in each congregation to discuss faith groups’ green goals and help carry out community-building activities that promote creation care.
Faith
groups can host a weatherization barn-raising at their house
of worship, leading to reduced energy bills and more
comfortable facilities. 
After working with HEET, a
Cambridge non-profit, St. Bartholomews’ barn-raising will
save the church $486 per year as a result of an NSTAR energy
assessment and energy efficiency improvements made by
volunteers. St. Bartholomew’s is also planning on upgrading
over 100 lights with the assistance of NSTAR rebates. They
will receive a return on their investment the very first
year, with an average savings of $6,000 annually in
electricity costs.
Congregation members can challenge themselves to make their own home more efficient through no-cost home energy audits and generous utility rebates by working with the Cambridge Energy Alliance.
Lastly, during “Walk/Ride Days,” the last Sunday of each month, patrons are encouraged to walk, bike, and carpool to services.
If you are part of any type of faith organization and would like to learn more about GIVE, please email outr...@CambridgeEnergyAlliance.org today with the subject line “GIVE.”
Environmental Trivia Nights
Who discovered the Greenhouse
Effect? Which animals are the biggest methane gas emitters?
CFL’s use how much less energy than regular light bulbs?
The Cambridge Energy Alliance is working to set up environmental trivia nights at local restaurants in Cambridge! Environmental trivia nights will feature a variety of questions concerning topics like recycling, energy efficiency, and famous environmentalists. You will be invited, but first we would love to know about some of your favorite places to do trivia.
Please send suggestions to Melissa at melissa...@gmail.com.
Small Business Canvass
The
Cambridge Energy Alliance kicked off the summer with a
canvass targeting small businesses in the city. With the
help of a dedicated group of volunteers, we scheduled
appointments with business owners to let them know about
various energy- and money-saving programs.
First and foremost we spread the word out about how CEA can help businesses by making them aware of energy efficiency programs and assisting in navigating them. In addition, we promoted NSTAR’s Direct Install Small Business Program, as well as partnerships with other sustainability and efficiency-related organizations.
Throughout the canvass we introduced CEA as a resource for any business energy efficiency needs. Whether it was questions on efficiency-related events and programs, guidance through the process of financing efficiency upgrades, how to connect to other environmental organizations in the Boston area, general questions about efficiency, or how to sign up for a free audit; our staff is happy to assist.
NSTAR’s Program offers a NO COST energy assessment from Prism Energy Services. The assessment points out mechanical fixes that businesses may invest in to save 15%–25% on monthly utility bills, improving the air quality and comfort of the business, taking part in a city-wide initiative to reduce overall energy demand, and position a business as environmentally conscious.
Are you a business owner who’d like help being more sustainable? Do you shop in Cambridge and know a business we should reach out to?
Email outr...@cambridgeenergyalliance.org and put “Cambridge Business” in the subject line, and we’ll get in touch.
A/C Swap
During the months of May through July, CEA’s Air Conditioner Swap program offered Cambridge residents $125 towards a new Energy Star rated A/C unit when an old, non-Energy Star unit was picked up by the Department of Public Works (DPW) and recycled in a responsible way.
We are happy to announce that, as
of the publishing of this newsletter, approximately 450
residents have received rebate vouchers through the program,
with several more expected!
If you didn’t get the chance to participate in our A/C Swap, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has recently launched a new state-wide energy efficiency program. Households can receive a $150 rebate towards an eligible refrigerator replacement and a $50 rebate towards an air conditioner replacement. For more information, see the program website at http://massenergyrebates.com/.
Have a great August, stay cool, and stay hydrated!
City Manager Robert W.
Healy
Deputy City Manager Richard
C. Rossi
City Council
Mayor David P. Maher
Vice Mayor Henrietta Davis
Councillor Leland Cheung
Councillor Marjorie C. Decker
Councillor Craig A. Kelley
Councillor Kenneth E. Reeves
Councillor Sam Seidel
Councillor E. Denise Simmons
Councillor Timothy J. Toomey, Jr.
Learn more: 
Learn more: 
Learn more: From Energy 2.0…
- Implementing a Deep Green Tenant Program August 1, 2011
- Castle Square apartments: a pioneer in energy efficiency July 29, 2011
- Meet the Interns, pt. 1: Ilona and Ben July 21, 2011
Noteworthy
Summer 2011 Newsletter
August 2, 2011State announces energy efficient appliance rebate program
July 20, 2011Check out CEA's new public service announcement!
June 30, 2011 –A/C Swap: Trade in your old air conditioner for $125 towards a new Energy Star unit
April 29, 2011Site updated: August 2, 2011 Page updated: August 2, 2011
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http://www.CambridgeEnergyAlliance.org
617-349-LEAF (5323)