Case Study 1: What You Can Do to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
CASE STUDY NO. 1: Learn how Lincoln residents Belinda and Paul reduced their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions almost to zero and took advantage of the many tax incentives and rebates available. You can do it too!
We all must work together to reduce and eventually eliminate the use of fossil fuels, the primary cause of global warming and resulting heatwaves, droughts, floods, severe storms, and rising sea levels. This requires working together to change things at the systems level, such as through political involvement. We can also contribute and set a good example by reducing our own “carbon footprint” - and CFREE can help you with that!
No More Electric Bills Thanks to Solar Panels
When Belinda and Paul moved into their 1953 ranch-style home in Lincoln in 2006, one of the first things they wanted to do was install solar photovoltaic panels. When their roof needed replacing, they installed 20 solar panels, which provided twice the capacity they needed. Belinda sent her extra net metering credits to her mother, who lived in town.
The cost of installing the solar panels after applying a 30% federal tax credit, was $15,576. Typical payback of costs through savings is six to ten years in MA, depending on a few factors, such as shading.
Heat Pump Reduces Fossil Fuels for Heating & Cooling
In 2019, after their central A/C failed, they replaced that and most of their oil-fired heating system with a heat pump that cools in the summer and heats in the winter. Earlier generations of heat pumps had a hard time providing adequate heat in New England winters. With cold-climate heat pumps, this is no longer the case.
Upgrading to High-Efficiency Windows
Belinda and Paul upgraded many of their windows to triple-pane in two stages, three in 2009 and seven in 2024. Upgrading to high-efficiency windows helped reduce drafts and further reduce heating and cooling costs.
Additional Steps to Reduce Carbon Emissions
Continuing their quest to reduce their use of fossil fuels and be more energy efficient, Belinda and Paul installed a solar hot water system to provide hot water and replaced their gas stove with an induction stove.
Their efforts to reduce harmful carbon emissions extended beyond their home. They made the jump to electric cars and added ten additional solar panels to cover the extra demand for electricity. State and federal tax deductions and rebates helped to lower the cost of each of these initiatives.
Their Next Step to Completely Eliminate the Use of Fossil Fuels
Their household GHG emissions are almost 90% less than in 2006. Their finished basement – rarely used – is still heated with oil. Their next project is to remove the boiler and replace it with an air-to-water heat pump supplying existing baseboard and radiant heating systems.
This case study was developed by CFREE (Carbon Free Residential - Everything Electric), a subcommittee of the Lincoln Green Energy Committee. CFREE provides guidance on how households can reduce use of fossil fuels and decrease greenhouse gas emissions to help Massachusetts meet statewide emissions limits set for 2030, 2040, and 2050. It also provides information about state and federal incentives that help reduce the cost of such changes. For more information visit: lincolngreenenergy.org.
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