PETERBOROUGH RENEWABLE ENERGY PLANNING
PETERBOROUGH RENEWABLE ENERGY PLANNING
As a Community
Attend a PREP Talk
Join us for one of many PREP Talks we'll be scheduling. You'll meet members of the team and be able to share your thoughts about the future of renewable energy in Peterborough.
Volunteer with the PREP Team
Use the contact form to drop us a note and let us know your interests.Support Community Power at Town Meeting in May
Peterborough's Community Power Task Force has developed a plan for collective purchasing of electricity to save us money and facilitate a transition to renewably sourced electricity. The plan was unanimously approved by the Select Board and will be on the Town ballot on May 10. Please support this important step in moving Peterborough to 100% renewable energy. Several other towns in our area have already adopted their own Community Power plans.
As an Individual
Energy Sourcing
GREEN ELECTRICITY — Opt out of using Eversource as your energy supplier and choose a supplier of 100% renewable energy, or check out another option, Arcadia, here. When the town has approved Community Power for all residents, participate in that.
SOLAR OR COMMUNITY SOLAR — If you have a suitable roof and can benefit from the tax credits, home solar is a great investment. If you don’t have a good site for solar panels or if the price is too high for you, advocate for community solar opportunities in Peterborough. If community solar becomes available, signing up for it can save money on your electricity bill with no up-front cost and no termination fee.
Energy Efficiency
ENERGY AUDITS — Find out how you can improve the comfort of your home and save money by doing an energy audit. See NH Saves for more information. For do-it-yourself audit information see the U.S. Department of Energy's information.
BASEMENT AND ATTIC — Where accessible, insulate and air-seal the critical areas like the rim joist around your basement or crawl space and your attic.
OPPORTUNISTIC INSULATION AND AIR SEALING — If you need to replace your roof, add insulation and air sealing under the new (preferably non-fossil based) roofing material, if you cannot add insulation to your attic. When you replace or add siding, add continuous insulation under the siding. Whenever any work is done on an exterior wall of your building, take the opportunity to reduce air leakage and add insulation if possible.
EFFICIENT ELECTRICS — Use efficient LEDs in high-use lighting areas. When buying appliances, look for Energy Star appliances, and compare annual usage between models. If you cook with gas, consider replacing your range with an induction cooktop and electric oven. When you need a new refrigerator, be sure it is HFC-free. See this guide.
Electrification
TRANSPORTATION — When your current vehicle needs to be replaced, plan to purchase an electric vehicle (EV). If new EVs are too expensive for your budget, investigate the purchase of a used EV. If you can’t find an EV that you can afford and that meets your needs, use your old vehicle or purchase a used vehicle until suitable EVs become available. To be EV ready, the next time you have electrical work done, ask the electrician to also install an electric vehicle charger or electric vehicle charger-ready circuit outlet near your parking space(s). Of course, walking and biking do not require fossil fuels and make good alternatives to driving. Electric bicycles are great for those who find New Hampshire hills daunting.
BUILDING HEATING AND COOLING — As your current heating and cooling systems age, plan for 100% renewable replacements. If you need to install or replace an air conditioning unit, do so with a cold climate rated air source heat pump or geothermal heat pump. If you need to replace a boiler or furnace, do so with a cold climate rated air source heat pump, geothermal heat pump, or an EPA rated wood or wood pellet furnace or heater. If you use a fireplace or wood stove more than 10 years old, or a gas fireplace, replace it with an EPA 2020 qualified wood stove or wood pellet stove. If you use wood for heat, store your wood with protection from rain and snow, and obtain wood well in advance so that it has time to dry fully.
HOT WATER — When replacing your water heater, choose a heat pump or hybrid water heater, electric on-demand water heater, solar hot water, electric tank water heater, or an auxiliary heater off a wood or wood pellet furnace.
SMALL TOOLS AND POWER EQUIPMENT —When considering the purchase of fossil fuel powered tools and equipment such as lawnmowers, snowblowers, generators, chainsaws, etc., research and purchase electric (corded or battery powered) options whenever they are available and meet your needs.
HELPING OTHERS — Share what you have learned with friends and neighbors and help them to transition to 100% renewable energy as well.
