In 2017 I went "all in" on a SolarFlair PV installation as well as a high-efficiency ductless split heat pump system with Sensibo smart controllers. To help understand the dynamics of this system I also installed a Sense home energy monitor. Air source heat pumps become less efficient as the outside temperature drops, and it sure did drop this year. I have been able to use data from the Sense to compare the energy consumption of the heat pump to the run time of our aging gas boiler. The next step will be to install wirelessly controlled thermostats for the boiler. With them in place I will be able to automate the boiler setback and turn on the heat pump to maximize efficiency using the IFTTT automation system. This is an ongoing project but we are already seeing benefits, especially as the days grow longer and solar production starts ramping up to offset the cost of running the heat pump. Yes, I am a bit of a geek.

We installed an 48 panel ground mounted array in Wayland. Presently, our carbon footprint for August = 40 lbs. as compared with the Massachusetts average of 573 lbs. of carbon. Our panels produced 9.6 kWh today at 12:30 pm. We give our excess production to Sudbury Valley Trustees and Buddy Dog Humane Society. Life is good!

We installed our home solar PV system in 2012. Our payback was less than 5 years, given the incentives at the time. Some months we produce more energy than we use, resulting in credits on our bills, even with our relatively small system. We were motivated by our desire to take action on climate change and the cost-effectiveness of the system. Both have worked out. And, we love seeing the system on our house! We hope to explore battery storage in the next few years.

Thanks to MassEnergize, I learned that every school in Wayland has a place to recycle textiles. The day after finding this out, I literally drove to Wayland Middle School (the bin is on the right, up by the athletic fields) and made my first textile drop-off. I love that I now have a place to bring items like dirty tablecloths, stuffed animals, worn-out clothes... and that they not only stay out of land-fills but also get a chance at a second life!

I was very happy to hear that Wayland Energize Wayland has partnered with Black Earth Compost to provide weekly curbside compost pickup in our town Wayland. Black Earth is the company I turned to when, in September, I had a family party at my house for approximately 70 people to celebrate my son’s marriage. To be kind to the environment, I could either rent dishes etc. or, per suggestion of a good friend, use compostable plates, cups and flatware, which I didn’t even know existed. I turned to Black Earth Compost for advice and they helped every step of the way. They provided links to places where I could buy the compostable items, arranged a special drop off of large compost bins to collect the food scraps, dinnerware, and paper napkins, it all and picked up all of it after the party. No dishes, and zero waste! I had a lot of questions and they promptly answered them all. I was so pleased that I signed up with them for this new weekly curbside pickup program. They provided a small, manageable rolling bin with compostable liner bags that keep the bin clean, and they also gave us compostable plastic liners for our countertop compost jar, all of this making it easy with no mess. This was our first week and everything was picked up promptly. I couldn’t recommend this service more highly.

Paul at Wired (www.ihiredwired.com/) reviewed all my halogen lighting and found LED replacements. He did a great job identifying LED bulbs for unusual lights. He also put in my Tesla home charger in my garage. He did a great job and is very informed.