Make Some Of Your Resolutions Green

Connecticut’s Official Climate Change Website reminds us of some of the simpler things we could be doing for a gentler footprint on the planet.  Check out their website at  CTClimateChange for links and more information.

What Can I Do?

There are lots of actions individuals can take to address climate change.  Try some that are listed below.

CUT ENERGY USE AND COSTS AT HOME
CT offers many incentives for reducing energy use at home through the CT Energy Efficiency Fund.

Home Energy Solutions is an energy audit and weather sealing program for CL&P and UI customers who heat with electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, or propane. There is a $75 co-pay to receive this audit. A specialist will come to your home and perform an energy assessment, find and professionally seal critical air leaks, replace incandescent bulbs with compact florescent lamps, provide water conservation devices and more.  Click here for information or an application or call 1-877-WISE-USE.

Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFL) are permanently sales tax exempt in Connecticut. Be sure to follow these guidelines on proper handling and recycling of CFLs. A ll Home Depot stores accept used CFLs for recycling.

Some CT homeowners are eligible for rebates of up to $500 for replacing furnaces with more efficient models. For more info, call the furnace rebate hotline at 1-866-940-4676.

www.ctsavesenergy.org and 877-WISE-USE provide additional information on energy efficiency incentives, including federal tax credits for energy efficient home improvements and incentives for efficient new home construction.

Click here for info on Energy Star retail products and discounted rates.

Click here for more tips on purchasing and using home electronics most efficiently.

SUPPORT CLEAN ENERGY
Customers of CT Light & Power and United Illuminating can choose to support clean energy from wind power and small-scale hydroelectric power. Choose clean energy and you’ll be taking a big step towards cleaner air and healthier communities.
You can also encourage your town, business, faith community, and others to support 20% clean energy by 2010.  Towns participating in CT Clean Energy Communities can earn solar panels.

CLEAN UP YOUR COMMUTE
About 40% of Connecticut’s greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation. Try some cleaner options:

• Bike Everywhere and Bike to Work
• Take the bus, train, or join a vanpool
• Find commuting partners and enjoy commuting incentives through NuRide
• Avoid unnecessary engine idling – If you’re stopped for more than 10 seconds, turn off your engine to save money and energy and leave the air cleaner.
• View the “Waste Busters – Idling Myths” video.

BUY LOCALLY GROWN FOOD
Buy food that is grown locally to support Connecticut’s farmers and reduce food packaging and transportation emissions. You can buy locally grown food at many CT farms and farmers’ markets. Find out what’s in season and where to buy locally grown foods in your community at the BuyCTGrown website.
Schools can also buy local produce directly from farmers through the Farm-to-School program

RECYCLE
Recycling reuses resources, saves energy, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Contact your town public works department or DEP to find out how you can recycle more, compost and prevent waste.  Find our more about how recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

REDUCE SYNTHETIC FERTILIZER USE
A portion of nitrogen applied to soils is released as a greenhouse gas. Reducing the use of synthetic fertilizers also improves water quality and soil health. Adopt some tips from organic land care guidelines or use a certified organic landcare professional.

BUY AN ENERGY EFFICIENT VEHICLE
Any passenger car with an EPA rating of at least 40 mpg is sales tax exempt in CT. There are also federal income tax credits of up to $3,400 for hybrid vehicles.
Before you buy your next car, do some research on “greener” cars. You’ll save money on gas and contribute to cleaner air.

INSTALL CLEAN ENERGY AT YOUR HOME
The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund provides rebates on solar PV installations and a solar leasing program for CT residences.  In addition solar thermal (including passive solar) and hot water systems, and geothermal systems are sales and property tax exempt in CT.