Rye Turning Green » Reduce Energy Consumption

Reconnecting with Earth Discussion Sessions

susananderson — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:28:57 +0000

Reconnecting with Earth is a discussion session based on a book by the Northwest Earth Institute which explores our personal knowledge of and appreciation for the natural world, from Wild Nature to Ecopsychology. It will be offered on 6 Wednesday nights, February 15-March 28 at the Rye Public Library, 6:30-7:30. For further information contact Susan at sorazi3@comcast.net

Reconnecting with Earth

January 31: Cameron Wake to speak on Climate Change

susananderson — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:47:22 +0000

Cameron Wake will be speaking at the Rye Public Library on Tuesday, January 31* 7:00 – 8:00 PM on Economic Development and Climate Change in New England. What is the forecast? What can we do – or is it just nature? *Snow date Thursday, February 2 .Cam Wake Climate Change Flyer 72

Stay Warm – Save Money: November 8 Home Energy Efficiency Program

susananderson — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:43:25 +0000

The Rye Energy Committee and the Rye Public Library are hosting a program: STAY WARM – SAVE MONEY

Tuesday, November 8, 2011, 6:30-8:00 at the Rye Public Library Meeting Room

Topics will include:

Energy Audits – A PSNH rep will talk about the PSNH Home Performance with Energy Star Program
Case Study – Good Neighbor Farm on Washington Road was just audited by this program – pictures, results, work done or to be done
Updates on renewable energy programs
Q & A – Frequently asked questions about energy efficiency and conservation.
Refreshments will be served!

Climate Summer Sustainability Project

susananderson — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 20:56:02 +0000

Members of Climate Summer, which is made up of 6 groups of bicyclists traveling around New England to connect with communities who are actively addressing environmental issues, visited the Rye Farmers’ Market this past week as part of a summerlong study of sustainability and ways to reduce society’s reliance on fossil fuel. “Farmers’ Markets and local food are a vital way to grow a strong local society,” said Ben Trolio, an Environmental Conservation Studies major at UNH. Other members of his team are from Pennsylvania, Tennessee, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

No Impact Week May 1-7, 2011

susananderson — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 18:48:39 +0000

May 1 – New Hampshire No Impact Week – Wherever you may be, The No Impact Experiment is a one-week carbon cleanse, which was inspired by the book and film and person, No Impact Man, Colin Beavan and his No Impact Project (http://www.noimpactproject.org/) From May 1st to May 8th, you are challenged to lower your impact in a different way (Monday is trash, Tuesday is transportation, etc.) When you register, you will receive an info guide for with tips and goals for your challenge!

No Impact Man

Renewable Energy Program February 1, 2011

susananderson — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 21:23:33 +0000

Rye Turning Green

The Rye Energy Committee will host an informational session describing the latest state and federal incentives for installing renewable energy systems and programs for improving the energy efficiency of your home on Tuesday, Feb 1, 2011, at 6:30 PM at the Rye Public Library. Eric Steltzer of the NH Office of Energy Planning and Rye resident Michele Sopher will give presentations followed by a question-and-answer session. New programs and increased rebates make this a great time to invest in a renewable energy system. Excellent financial incentives currently exist for NH residents or business owners who install solar electric, solar hot water, and central wood pellet boilers. Free and open to the public. Snow date Feb. 22, 2011. For additional information, email Michelle at msmmls79@gmail.com

Honor Your Home – Art Incentive for Rye Homeowners

susananderson — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 18:45:04 +0000

Come to the Gala Opening and Show of “Honor Your Home” on Friday, November 12th from 5 – 8 pm at the Seacoast Science Center.

Enjoy local food, local music and local art. You’ll have a chance to meet the artists and community members who have been part of The Rye Energy Committee’s 2010 art and energy project: Honor Your Home.

Invite friends and family. The more the merrier. This is a time to honor what you and your fellow Rye residents have done to reduce our carbon footprint and to view some beautiful art! Twenty-five homeowners have signed up to take at least three actions to reduce their energy use by improving their home’s energy efficiency. Actions range from replacing bulbs with compact florescent bulbs to insulating attics and lowering thermostats. The culmination of these efforts was having local artists create paintings of various Rye homes and gardens. The Honor Your Home Art Exhibit will take place on November 12 at the Seacoast Science Center, Odiorne Park where the paintings can be viewed and purchased. All the art will be for sale with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the artists, the Seacoast Science Center, and the Rye Energy Committee.

You can take part in reducing your carbon footprint as well! It’s easy. Here is a list of actions you can take in your home:

Install insulated shades
Wash clothes in cold water
Use dishwasher only when full
Turn off lights when you leave the room
Don’t run water when you are brushing your teeth
Get a rain barrel
Insulate water pipes
Clean furnace annually
Install sweeps at exterior doors
Take the NECC
Shop at the Rye Farmer’s Market
There are so many ways we can reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Join in the efforts to reduce our town’s carbon footprint and save money!

Ten+Things to do to Honor Your Home

susananderson — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 22:11:52 +0000

The first ten things to do are listed by the Environment Defense Fund, the rest of the list are actions taken by local people. Take or pledge to take only THREE actions and an area artist will paint a lovely painting of your home or whatever part you may want, e.g. an arbor, a shed, a deck. It’s that simple. The art work will be exhibited at the Seacoast Science Center gala opening November 12.

Contact Mimi White, mimiwhite@earthlink.net, 964-6586 for more information and to sign up.

You can also attend the Green Saturday morning programs at the Seacoast Science Center and learn more about how you can tighten up your home. Details are in the Events Calendar on this site.

TEN+ ACTIONS:

1. Recycle and buy minimally packaged goods as much as possible.

2. Wash clothes in cold water. (Ed. – It works as well as warm, really!)

3. Install low-flow shower heads to use less water. (Ed. Feels the same as full-flow)

4. Run the dishwasher only when it is full and don’t use the heat to dry dishes.

5. Replace standard light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. (Ed. They come in all shapes and sizes now, some dimmable and instant-on)

6. Plug air leaks in windows and doors to increase energy efficiency.

7. Replace old appliances with energy efficient models.

8. Walk, bike, carpool or use public transportation whenever possible.

9. Adjust your thermostat – lower in winter, higher in summer.

10. Share these simple steps with family and friends and increase awareness!

Other steps that have been taken:

Put up a clothesline or wooden rack.

Wrap hot water pipes.

Insulate attic and cellar.

Reglaze, recaulk and tighten old windows.

Use cloth draft-prevention “snakes” at bottom of doors and windows.

Have a home energy audit. Call your energy provider – they may do this for free or a very reasonable rate.

Program thermostats.

Compost waste.

Plant a vegetable garden.

Buy local at the Rye Farmers’ Market

Honor Your Home Project

susananderson — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 19:23:15 +0000

The Rye Energy Committee has partnered with the Seacoast Science Center and

Clean Air Cool Planet to develop their 2010 Honor Your Home project.

To take part in this initiative, you must be a resident of Rye and commit to taking three or more actions to lessen your carbon footprint. Once committed, participants will be “honored” by having an artist paint a picture of their home.

The artwork will be on exhibit at the Center from November 12-December 16. Proceeds from the sale of the artwork support the Rye Energy Committee, the Seacoast Science Center and local artists.

Learn about several actions that you can take to lower your carbon footprint by attending the “Green Saturday Morning Programs” at the Seacoast Science Center, May 1, June 5, July 10, August 7, and September 11. This is free for all Rye residents. All area residents are welcome to learn more about increasing your energy efficiency.

Think Outside the Bottle

susananderson — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 04:00:24 +0000

Lower your carbon footprint and help the environment by using reusable water containers. Watch Think Outside the Bottle by Annie Leonard, author of The Story of Stuff.