Sustainable Living Guide — Winter 2024

SUSTAINABLE LIVING in Princeton W I N T E R Rooftop Solar 101

Cozy Heat Hacks

2 0 2 4 Sustainable Home Expo

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MORE CLIMATE SOLUTIONS IN 2024

It’s 2024, and the need for local climate action is more pressing than ever to avoid the worst effects of climate change. Our team has kept this truth close to heart as we planned events, workshops, and programs to support you, our neighbors, and friends in taking meaningful action in our community this year.

This year, we’re most excited about: sharing the progress report on Princeton’s Climate Action Plan at the Princeton Public Library hosting our first Sustainable Home Expo on March 9th refreshing our S.T.A.R. Neighborhood program launching a brand new sustainable lending library of induction stoves, gardening equipment, sewing kits, event equipment, and so much more offering 2 more workshops in Spanish for local landscapers partnering with the Princeton Environmental Commission to bring back the wildly popular Princeton Green House Tour The actions we take today will be felt for generations, and the time to take bold action is now—more than ever. We hope you’ll join us in taking action to ensure our community’s future.

With hope,

Christine Symington Executive Dircetor

ROOFTOP SOLAR 101 BE YOUR OWN POWER PLANT Did you know that Princeton’s greatest source of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions comes from the energy use in our homes and buildings? Installing solar panels at your home is one of the highest-impact actions you can take to reduce those emissions. Not only does solar energy reduce GHG emissions but it improves air quality and reduces water usage from energy production.

Benefits of home solar include: Reduced carbon footprint Increased resiliency Financial benefits such as lower energy bills, rebates and incentives, and increased home value.

Installing solar also brings you closer to fully electrifying your home!

HOW MUCH DOES SOLAR ACTUALLY COST? Home solar is becoming increasingly more affordable. On average, it takes 8.7 years to earn back the money you spend upfront on installation. Many factors determine the cost of residential solar such as the system size, location, the panel brand, quality and type, roof characteristics, labor, permitting, and interconnection. While that can sound expensive, there are numerous rebates and incentives to reduce these costs and organizations (like Sustainable Princeton) to help you figure out how to navigate these deals. We recommend starting by visiting www.energysage.com/p/sustainable-princeton/ where you can compare multiple quotes from vetted solar professionals, and learn about solar financing, tax incentives, and rebates.

Be aware that Sustainable Princeton does not endorse any solar installers or solar projects. If someone comes to your door asking for credit card information do not give it to them.

HOW TO FIND A RELIABLE INSTALLER 3 STEPS TO FEELING CONFIDENT STEP 1: DO YOUR OWN COST ESTIMATE Find your home on Google’s Project Sunroof.

This tool will help you explore what's possible and give you an initial estimate. Visit sunroof.withgoogle.com STEP 2: COMPARE YOUR OPTIONS Get a list of vetted solar installers and compare quotes for your home in one place on EnergySage.

Visit energysage.com/p/sustainable-princeton/ STEP 3: TALK TO NEIGHBORS The SP team has found that most people in Princeton who have installed solar on their roofs are more than happy to talk about their experience with their installers.

You’ll be able to meet some of these neighbors at the Sustainable Home Expo on March 9th and at the 2024 Green House Tour this Fall.

4 HOME HEAT HACKS Winter may be here, but that doesn’t mean the cold should come inside. Here are four things that can help you save money, stay warm, and help reduce energy consumption.

BLEED RADIATORS (IF YOU CAN)

CLEAN/REPLACE HVAC AIR FILTERS

Not bleeding your radiators leads to cold spots as the air gets trapped. Older models may require a professional.

Clean filters allow the air to pass through easier, making your system more efficient and your air healthier.

GET A HOME ENERGY ASSESSMENT

USE THE HEAT FROM HOT WATER

A certified home energy advisor will find places where your home is losing heat and make personalized recommendations to be more energy efficient (and comfortable).

After boiling pasta or taking a bath, let the water cool down before draining it. It may sound silly but the SP team can vouch that it actually works!

LEARN MORE To learn more about these Home Heat Hacks check out our blog post on our website at: sustainableprinceton.org/home-heating-hacks/

SUSTAINABLE PRINCETON’S

SUSTAINABLE HOME EXPO

CONTRACTORS - WORKSHOPS - EXPERTS

MARCH 9, 2024 10 AM - 4 PM SUZANNE PATTERSON CENTER FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Want to switch to a heat pump or install an EV charger with rooftop solar and battery backup but don’t know where to start? The Sustainable Home Expo is here to help! For one day only, attend free, expert-led workshops and meet local, vetted, sustainablyminded home-improvement professionals all under one roof.

ENERGY

Solar installers

LANDSCAPE

EV charger installers

Landscapers Compost haulers Pervious pavers

Battery storage

Master Gardners

Community Solar

HV/AC

HOME

Heatpump experts

ADU Builders

Energy auditors

Appliance experts

Insulation experts

Green retrofits

FUN THINGS FOR KIDS TOO! This is a family-friendly event! A supervised playroom with sustainable games and crafts will be avaialble for kids while you attend the expo!

RSVP AT SUSTAINABLEPRINCETON.ORG/EVENTS

The “while you’re out” home energy efficiency

CHECKLIST

Regardless of whether you’re going out for the day or traveling for months, before you leave your home complete the checklist to reduce your energy consumption and lower your carbon footprint while you’re gone.

AJUST THE THERMOSTAT When it’s cold out, set the temperature to a lower level (while still ensuring that your home stays above freezing). In warmer weather, raise the temperature so that you’re not wasting air conditioning while you’re away. A smart thermostat can be programmed to do all this for you, and you can control it remotely through your phone. PSE&G offers customers instant rebates when they purchase one through the PSE&G marketplace.

UNPLUG AND SWITCH OFF

ADJUST WATER HEATER TEMPERATURE

Before you leave, switch off all the lights and unplug all non-essential devices such as TVs, chargers, gaming consoles, and kitchen appliances so they don’t consume “vampire energy”.

Turn off the water heater or lower it to to 50º F (or “vacation mode” if available) so it’s not wasting energy and money, by heating water you won’t use while you’re away.

SEAL DOORS & WINDOWS

CLOSE WINDOW SHADES BLINDS AND CURTAINS

Seal or caulk any cracks in doors and windows so you aren’t leaking any heat or air conditioning. This will also help your home be more comfortable (and efficient) when you return.

Keeping your blinds, shades and curtains closed while you’re gone can help prevent energy loss through your windows.

GET INVOLVED

EVENTS, WORKSHOPS & MORE 2/7 — Sustainable Minds: reCAP @ Princeton Public Library (hybrid) 2/21 — Princeton adult school: Electrification 101 (virtual)* 2/28 — Princeton Adult School: Electrifying your home (virtual)* 3/6 — Princeton Adult School: Become your own power plant (virtual)* 3/9 — Sustainable Home Expo @ Suzanne Patterson Center 3/13 — Princeton Adult School: Demystifying electric vehicles class* 4/20 — Earth Day Celebration @ Morven *Register for class through the Princeton Adult School

GET OUR NEWSLETTER CONTACT US SUSTAINABLE PRINCETON. 1 Monument Drive, Princeton, NJ 08540 sustainableprinceton.org @sustainableprinceton