Your Home
Homes vary in style and age and it is important to understand how your home was constructed and any remedial action you need to take to make you home more energy efficient, and transition to and all electric house.
Homes built before 1977 may have no, or very little insulation in the walls and the roof.
More than percent of Carlisle Homes are mid-century and many of these homes have uninsulated overhangs on the first or second floor.
Homes built in Carlisle after 2012 will have been constructed to the then Stretch code and are 30% more energy efficient than older homes.
Have you carried out improvements and alterations to your home in Carlisle? Are you willing to share your story on our webpage?
Homes built before 1977 may have no, or very little insulation in the walls and the roof.
More than percent of Carlisle Homes are mid-century and many of these homes have uninsulated overhangs on the first or second floor.
Homes built in Carlisle after 2012 will have been constructed to the then Stretch code and are 30% more energy efficient than older homes.
Have you carried out improvements and alterations to your home in Carlisle? Are you willing to share your story on our webpage?
HOME ENERGY ASSESSMENTS No-cost Mass Save ® home energy assessments: Carlisle has partnered with HomeWorks Energy, a leading Home Performance Contractor for the Mass Save program, to conduct no-cost home energy assessments. Sign up today!* *Carlisle residents are free to choose any qualified contractor for their no-cost home energy assessments. See Mass Save for details. |
HEAT PUMPS ESC Committee MemberBob Zogg is one of the founders of the non profit group Heatsmart Alliance that advises homeowners on the process involved in changing your home over to electric Heat Pumps. Watch a recent presentation that Bob gave on Geothermal and Air Source Heat pumps Carlisle Resident Jennifer Roberts discussed her experience and what she learned in converting her home to geothermal heat pumps. |
ELECTRIFY YOUR HOME
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center: MassCEC Great resource for learning what and how individuals can update to clean, efficient, electric appliances and vehicles in Massachusetts. cleanenergy.gov Learn about federal incentives/timelines for rebates/tax credits when you go electric in your home and cars! Rewiring America home page Everything you need to know regarding why and how to electrify! Rewiring America federal incentives/tax credits A great resource for calculating the federal incentives you qualify for when you electrify appliances and vehicles based on your specific location and needs! |
INDUCTION COOKTOPS
Induction stoves work by creating a magnetic field under your pan. Water boils in half the time, and the stove is cool to touch. Mass CEC have a checklist on what to consider when changing you stove top. Induction ovens are a healthier option for cooking compared to a gas stove, which emits toxic fumes into your home. If you want to check out an induction stove before you buy, borrow one from the Gleason Public Library. |
HEAT PUMP WATER HEATERS
Hot water is the second largest energy consuming end use in homes. Heat pump water heaters are up to 3 times more efficient than conventional electric water heaters. A fan unit at the top draws in air warming the refrigerant filled tubes. Watch " This Old House video explaining more about the replacement process. 'Rebates are available from MassSave. |
NEW BUILDING CODES;
The Building Codes were improved on January 1 2023, focusing on creating healthy energy efficient buildings that are ready for the transition to renewable electrical power. There is more information on the Building Codes on the municipal page. |
WINDOWS
Not every window needs to be replaced, sometimes their performance can be improved with draught stripping or adding storm windows in the winter. The National Trust for Historic Preservation illustrates the different options you have to improve your windows energy performance. SOLAR PANELS
The US Department of Energy has a great web page on what to consider before going solar. If you decide you want rooftop solar panels then you should use this calculator. Keep in mind that even for a residential solar system, there are economies of scale. So you want to install the largest system you can physically fit on your residential property. Remember that everything is going electric. Induction cooktops, heat pump water heaters, heat pumps for home heating and air conditioning, electric cars. So you want to make sure you install enough capacity for the electrification of our world. |
LED LIGHTING
LED lights use 75% less energy and last 25times longer than their incandescent lights. They generally have a whiter light than previous light bulbs but you can pick one with a low Kelvin score to create a warmer light. Where should you insulate your home?
Learn more about eco friendly insulation Air Sealing : filling any gaps in the walls, and sealing around pipe penetrations is key to reducing energy use in your home. Don't forget to add weatherstripping around windows and doors. Mid Century Modern houses often have uninsulated overhangs. Some suggestions on how to insulate roofs and overhangs from DeckHouse. |
REMODELING ?
Donate or use second hand Massachusetts construction and demolition land fills are full. If you are remodeling you should ensure as much of the building materials can be reused. Eco Building Bargain , Boston Building Resources and Restore will come and collect your old kitchen, bathroom, lighting, windows etc, for free. Smaller household items can be donated to Household Goods in Acton. Tax deductions may be available for donated goods. Likewise you can purchase surplus or recycled building materials from several locations including Eco Building Bargains. Check out architectural salvage stores, Restore, the Habitat for Humanity store in N. Billerica, and Boston Building Resources |
Your Garden
Carlisle has two excellent non profit community groups, the Carlisle Garden Club, and Center Park where you can learn about how to have a more sustainable garden. Center Park also offers free gardening lessons
ELECTRIFY YOUR GARDEN EQUIPMENT
Gas powered equipment emit carbon into the atmosphere at a higher rate than a car. They also pollute the atmosphere and your lungs, due to the toxic substances. Mass Save offers incentives to purchase electric garden tools. |
NO MOW MAY
Dandelions, clover and other weeds provide an early source of food and fuel for pollinators emerging from their winter hibernations. Not cutting the lawn allows them to thrive and you can make lots of delicious infused tipples using dandelion and violet flowers. |
REDUCE YOUR LAWN SIZE
Reduce the stress in your life and dig up the lawn. Lawns came into favor with that landed gentry because it illustrated that they had so much wealth they did not need to farm the land. Lawns do not provide healthy habitats for our animals and the chemicals used to keep them weed free harm the environment. |
PLANT NATIVE PLANTS
Planting Massachusetts Native Plants is important to maintain our native insects and pollinators. Check out the MA Native Plant Trust REMOVE INVASIVE PLANTS Non native plants are often invasive and kill off native plants that support our invertebrates. |
INVERTEBRATES
Learn more about invertebrates and how important looking after their habitats can be.. Leave the leaves on your planting beds over the winter is one of the easiest ways of ensuring invertebrates have a place to hibernate through the cold months. |
Diet and Food Waste
Changing the what we eat to a more plant based diet and reducing food waste are two of the easiest ways of reducing your carbon footprint.
Carlisle resident and Harvard professor Naomi Oreskes wrote in Scientific American "that according to a recent study if every person in the US cut their meat consumption by 25%, it would reduced annual greenhouse gas emissions by 1 %."
Carlisle resident and Harvard professor Naomi Oreskes wrote in Scientific American "that according to a recent study if every person in the US cut their meat consumption by 25%, it would reduced annual greenhouse gas emissions by 1 %."
EAT: Lancet Commission.
This global health organization researched into how the world needs to change food production, and what we eat to ensure that we all have enough food in the future. The Carbon Footprint of a Cup of Tea. Have you ever wondered what the carbon footprint is of what you eat and drink. Circular Ecology analyzed a cup of tea, and what makes a difference is what type of milk you add. |
Use a Food Waste Reduction App.
The ESC does not endorse these applications but we are aware that they reduced food waste. Too Good To Go. Local restaurants and shops sell a mystery bag of food at the end of the day to reduce food waste. Buy Nothing Concord Carlisle Facebook page, (you have to ask to join the group). Residents often post food for free pick up that they have bought, but did not open. Composting and reducing solid waste.
Committee member Dan Cook explains why it is important to compost your food waste rather than throwing it in the trash. Composted food waste is also great for your garden. |