Residential

The Concord Municipal Light Plant offers rebates on new Energy Star appliances including:

• Refrigerators - $100
• Energy Efficient Washing Machines - $50
• Room Air Conditioners - $50
• Dishwashers - $50
• Central Air Conditioners - $150 (SEER rating greater than 14)
• Dehumidifiers - $50

See a summary of the Union of Concerned Scientists report "Automaker Rankings 2007: The Environmental Performance of Car Companies" and a PDF of the full report.

Any existing oil-fired heating system can use biofuel with little or no modification. Test results show that biofuel use results in improved combustion, lower emissions, and reduced soot buildup. Contact Mass Biofuel for more information or to purchase biofuel for your home: http://www.massbiofuel.com/

The construction and maintenance of buildings are responsible for 40% of US energy use and 30% of wood and raw materials use. Source: Green Cross International USA affiliate Global Green (http://www.globalgreen.org/greenbuilding/index.html).

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. Source: US Green Building Council (www.usgbc.org).

Biofuels, or fuels made from plant materials, can help free America from oil dependence and cut global warming pollution. If produced the right way, biofuels can help farmers and offer land use benefits.

For information visit biofuels.
For information on biodiesel suppliers, distributors, and retailers.

Run errands or visit a friend on a bicycle and save the environment while getting healthy and fun exercise. Business owners: Have a 'company bike' that employees can use to run errands. For information on bicycle routes and bicycling in Massachusetts, see: http://www.massbike.org/index.htm

According to Wikipedia, "carbon offsetting is the act of mitigating (offsetting) greenhouse gas emissions. A well-known example is purchasing offsets to compensate for greenhouse gas emissions from personal air travel."

While somewhat controversial, carbon offsets are are one of the easiest ways to combat global warming. For a list of providers visit Green Pages.

See Energyrace.com: http://energyrace.com/ to calculate your carbon footprint, adopt lower impact lifestyle changes and see the results of these changes.

• Turn off your computer at night or when you are not using it for several hours.
• Enable the Power Management feature for your monitor.
• Turn off your computer monitor when you are not using your computer for 15 minutes or longer.
• If you buy a new computer, consider a laptop. Laptops use only 1/4 the energy of a standard desktop.
• If you buy a new monitor, consider a flat screen. Flat screens use only 1/3 the energy of a standard screen.

For additional information, see: http://www.tufts.edu/tie/tci/pdf/Computer%20brochures.PDF

Because dryers are typically the second-highest energy using appliance in the home, you can save energy and money by changing the way you use your dryer. Set up a clothesline or drying rack in your yard or basement to dry clothes without an electric dryer or follow the drying tips at this site:

http://www.worldwise.com/clothesdryers.html

Check at the West Concord Five and Ten for clothesline, clothespins, and drying racks.