Town of Nantucket Energy Office: A Better Energy Future for Nantucket

To: Bluedot Living
From: The Town of Nantucket Energy Office
Subject: A Better Energy Future for Nantucket Begins With You!

Beat the Peak

Help Nantucket to “Beat the Peak” this summer by reducing energy use between the hours of 5 to 10 pm in July and August, when electric demand peaks. By making these small changes during periods of high energy demand, you can do your part to sustain Nantucket by helping to defer costly grid upgrades, such as a third undersea delivery cable to Nantucket:

1. Pre-cooling: Focus your AC usage on a couple of rooms and get them nice and cool before 5 pm. Then, turn the AC up a few degrees (warmer), or turn it off if you can handle it. If you have a programmable thermostat, this is a great time to program warmer setpoints from 5 to 10 pm.
2. Avoid doing the laundry. When you do, wash in cold water.
3. Wait to run the dishwasher. 
4. If you have an electric vehicle, schedule your charging session for off-peak hours (after 10 pm until 4 pm).  
5. Enroll your wifi thermostat or battery energy storage system in National Grid’s Connected Solutions program and earn money for reducing energy during peak times. 

Greening the Gray Lady: Let’s Celebrate Earth Day Every Day

Save green by going green with these energy-saving tips and opportunities! Explore ways to use more energy efficiently and with cleaner power sources.

Tips for Summer Saving

1. Upgrade to a smart programmable thermostat: A wireless-enabled thermostat allows you to control your temperature remotely from your computer, tablet, or smartphone, and some even have sensors to know when you’re home, so it adjusts your temperature automatically. Receive alerts by text or email if your heating or cooling system isn’t functioning. 
   
2. Replace your old air conditioning unit with a high-efficiency model. If your central air conditioner is more than12 years old, or you are using a window AC that is not Energy Star rated, it’s likely time to upgrade your unit for better comfort and savings. Visit MassSave.com to take advantage of rebates and incentives for efficient cooling systems. 

3. Open windows to enjoy a cool island breeze. Opening windows creates a cross breeze, allowing you to naturally cool your home without switching on air conditioners. But be sure that windows stay closed when the AC is on.
   
4. Use ceiling fans. Cooling your home with ceiling fans will allow you to raise your thermostat four degrees. This can help lower your electricity bills without sacrificing overall comfort.
   
5. Cook outside. Keep the heat out of your home by using an outdoor grill instead of indoor ovens and ranges.
   
6. Install window treatments.  During summer months, be sure to close drapes and shades to keep out unwanted heat and sun. In the winter, do the opposite by keeping shade and drapes open and allowing natural sunlight to warm your rooms. On a cloudy day, keep them closed to prevent heat loss
   
7. Bring in sunlight. During daylight hours, switch off all the lights when they’re not essential or when you leave a room.
   
8. Keep “energy vampires” from bleeding your wallet. Unplug electronics and devices that use standby power when not in use, such as chargers, electronics, hair dryers, and small kitchen appliances. A smart power strip can help you by cutting power to appliances and electronics when not in use.
   
9. Weatherize your home. Air loss through ducts can lead to high electricity costs, accounting for nearly 30 percent of a cooling system’s energy consumption. Properly air-sealing and insulating can go a long way toward lowering your electricity bills.  Qualify for free air-sealing, and 75-100 percent off insulation services for your home through Mass Save.

Year-Round Efficiency

Get a free home energy assessment through Mass Save to find ways to save money and energy in your home. Visit ngrid.com/nantucket or call 1-844-615-8316.
Reach out to the Town of Nantucket’s Energy Office if you need (free!) advice on improving energy efficiency in your home, getting a heat pump, installing solar panels, EV Charging, and more: (508) 325-5379.

Solar Success

Install solar energy on your primary Nantucket home and qualify for a local solar rebate of up to $6,000 from the Town of Nantucket in addition to other federal and state incentives.

Since launching the program in 2018, the Town of Nantucket’s Energy Office has awarded over $575,000 in residential solar rebates to support the cumulative development of 1120 kilowatts of solar power at island homes! The Town’s Local Solar Rebate program helps make renewable energy more affordable for islanders and is funded through the Nantucket PowerChoice municipal electric aggregation program. Unable to install solar, but still want to power your home or business with 100 percent renewable energy? The Town of Nantucket is proud to offer our community an affordable and consumer-friendly option for purchasing 100 percent green power through Nantucket PowerChoice, a municipal electric aggregation program.  To learn more about greening your power supply with clean power, please visit their website.

EV Charging Stations

The Town of Nantucket is proud to provide EV charging stations for public use in support of its environmental sustainability commitment to its residents, seasonal guests, and tourists, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets established by Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Decarbonization Roadmap and Clean Energy and Climate Plans. 

By the summer of 2024, public EV Charging Stations will be open to the public at seven municipal properties throughout the island, including:

• Jetties Beach tennis courts
• Surfside Beach
• Nobadeer Farm Rd. Playing Fields
• Washington Street Public Parking Lot
• Nantucket Memorial Airport Terminal Parking Lot
• Public Safety Facility (4 Fairgrounds Rd.)
• Nantucket Health & Natural Resources Department (131 Pleasant Street)

Find a map of all EV-charging stations and view rates by visiting Charge Point.

For more information, see Field Note: Electric Power on Nantucket.