Earth Day 2016: Simple Steps toward a Greener Planet

The purpose of Earth Day is to celebrate our planet—and what better way to do that than by taking care of it? You may think that one person can’t make a difference in protecting our Earth, but by taking steps to be more energy-efficient, you really can have a positive effect on the planet.

Any effort to promote energy efficiency, no matter how small, can reduce your carbon footprint and help create a happier, healthier planet. The Alliance to Save Energy offers up some great tips on how to reduce energy consumption in your home. As an added bonus, going green can help you save green—taking steps to be more energy-efficient can lead to significant savings on your home heating and cooling bills. Something as simple as washing your clothes in cold water can save you $63 a year, and properly insulating your home can lower your energy bills by as much as 20 percent.

Massachusetts residents can look to MassCEC for help with reducing energy consumption, too! Our suite of Residential Clean Heating & Cooling programs offers rebates for the installation of cost-effective, environmentally-friendly renewable heating, hot water and cooling technologies at homes across the Commonwealth. If you’re ready to take the leap and install solar panels on your home, you can apply for a low-interest loan through the Mass Solar Loan program or find out if you live in a Solarize Mass community. Finally, we offer rebates if you replace your non-EPA-certified woodstove with a newer, more efficient model.

There you have it: going green is a lot easier than you might’ve thought. From lowering your thermostat to switching out your inefficient lightbulbs to installing a home solar system, no measure is too small to make an impact. This Earth Day, remember that any step is a step in the right direction—toward a greener, safer planet.