PETERBOROUGH RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT
PREP - Leading Peterborough to a 100% Renewable Energy Future
PETERBOROUGH RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT
PREP - Leading Peterborough to a 100% Renewable Energy Future
Energy Efficiency
About Energy Efficiency
The most efficient energy is the energy you don’t use. Make your home or business as energy efficient as possible by conducting an energy audit and fixing problems such as sealing cracks, adding insulation, and replacing bulbs with efficient LEDs in high-use lighting areas.
Whenever any work is done on an exterior wall of your building, or your roof, take the opportunity to reduce air leakage and add insulation if possible. When buying appliances, look for Energy Star appliances, and compare annual energy 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.
(You may be elegible for a free NH Saves energy audit through PREP's collaboration with BlocPower. Apply here to find out!)
What if you are planning to build new? Consider a goal of Net Zero!
As a building owner or renter, making sure your building is energy efficient will save you money! There can be upfront costs for some of the ways you can make your home or business building more energy efficient but there are also Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) rebates and tax credits available to offset some of these changes.
Promoting Energy Efficiency, especially for residential building construction, is one of Peterborough's goals for 2023. Community wide, Peterborough produced 71,606 Metric Tons of greenhouse gases in 2021. The 2030 PREP goal is to improve total Community-wide residential, commercial, educational and industrial building energy efficiency by 15%. Since more than 50% of all the residential and commercial building stock in Peterborough is over 40 years old, a lot of potential renovation can be expected.
Whether you are a home owner, business building owner, a renter or a landlord, below are some ways to make changes to reduce your energy usage, save money in the long run and take advantage of rebates and tax credits to improve the energy efficiency of your home.
New Construction? Aim for Net Zero!
Constructing a Net Zero building involves designing and constructing a structure that produces as much energy as it consumes over the course of a year. Achieving net-zero energy status typically involves implementing energy-efficient design strategies and incorporating renewable energy sources. Below are the key steps to construct a Net Zero building.
Remember that achieving net-zero energy may vary depending on the building's location, climate, and specific design requirements. Engaging the expertise of architects, engineers, energy consultants, and sustainable design professionals can greatly assist in planning and constructing a successful Net Zero building.
