Residential

Find out about solar energy and how you can use the sun to reduce your fuel bills and impact on the planet. See: http://www.eere.energy.gov/states/alternatives/resources_ma.cfm Also see: http://findsolar.com/index.php

Those interested in a solar option may qualify for rebates of up to $1,000 per kilowatt of installed capacity for solar photovoltaic (PV) projects with a payback to the Town of less than 10 years based on the Light Plant's estimated avoided capacity costs. Read More »

To find out about solar hot water systems for your home, see:

• Solar hot water systems and how to build them
• Solar Hot Water Systems

Donate unused items during Concord's Drop Off Swap Off or to a local charity. Goodwill accepts donations during business hours at the trailer in the Crosby's parking lot. See: Buy Used or Secondhand See: Drop Off Swap Off See: Consignment: Clothing and Household

Programmable thermostats allow you to set your heating and air conditioning levels according to your household or business needs over the course of a day or a week. Try lowering heat to 62 (or lower) at night, and increasing the setting on your air conditioner to 75 (or higher) during hot days.

"This statute, enacted in 1979, provides a 15% credit against the state income tax for the cost of a renewable-energy system (including installation) installed on an individual’s primary residence." -DSIRE site

Click Personal Tax Creditfor more information.

Before leaving home, check that all appliances and heating or air conditioning systems are set to use the least energy while you're away (i.e., turn off/down appliances, turn down heat, turn off air conditioning).

For a primer on telecommuting, see Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecommuting Read "The Ten Advantages of Telecommuting": http://www.gilgordon.com/telecommutesafe/telebenefits.html Read about telecommuting trends and how you can telecommute (and join the American Telecommuting Association for $10) at: http://www.yourata.com/index.html

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, livestock farming contributes more to global warming than total worldwide transportation. To reduce your carbon/environmental footprint, consider reducing the meat in your diet, or becoming a vegetarian. For information about the benefits of being a vegetarian, and becoming a vegetarian gradually: http://vegetarian.lifetips.com/cat/62069/benefits-of-a-vegetarian-diet/

For 100 ways to conserve water, see: http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/ For information on water use and conservation in Massachusetts, see the state Department of Environmental Protection: http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking.htm