JUNE 15, 2021

Canton Climate Resiliency @ Home

Climate Proofing Your Home

NOTIFICATION OF RECORDING

This meeting will be recorded and the Town of Canton may choose to retain and distribute the video, still images, audio, and/or the chat transcript. By continuing with this virtual meeting you are consenting to participate in a recorded event. The recordings and chat transcript will be considered a public record. If you do not feel comfortable being recorded, please turn off your camera and/or mute your microphone, or leave the meeting.

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NAVIGATING DURING THE MEETING

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Introductions

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• Listen actively and respectfully

• If you have questions or technical issues, please use the chat for help

• Step up/ step back

• Phone on silent

• Mute unless speaking

• Assume the best intentions

• Challenge ideas, not individuals

• Have fun

GROUP AGREEMENT

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I. Introductions, Icebreaker, and Group Agreement (10 min)

II. Beat the Heat - Climate Proofing Your Home (25 mins)

• Home Energy Efficiency

• Exterior and Interior

- Roof

- Walls and Windows

- Air Sealing

- Landscaping

•Interior

III. Questions and Answers (10 mins)

IV. Closing and Live Owl Program (15 mins)

BEAT THE HEAT AGENDA

IcebreakerTell Us Who You Are In the Chat

• Name

• Affiliations in Town

• Favorite place in Canton to stay cool in the summer

• How do you like to stay cool in the summer?

CLIMATE PROOFING YOUR HOME

Question & Discussion Slide Jamboard #1 What are you most curious to learn about Climate Proofing Your Home?

Home Energy Efficiency

• Home Energy Costs

- Space Heating: ~ 40%

- Air Cooling: ~ 6%

- Water Heating: ~14%

- Appliances & Lighting: ~ 40%

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=10271

Home Energy Efficiency

Household Energy Use Has Declined

• Insulation and building materials have

improved

• More efficient water heaters,

refrigerators, lighting, and appliances

• More efficient heating and air

conditioning systems

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=10271

• Home energy audit from your energy provider (Mass Save)

• Research clean energy sources

• solar

• wind

• tidal energy

• Switch to energy efficient appliances, light bulbs, and a smart thermostat

• Unplug tools, devices, chargers, and power strips when not in use.

Green Energy: Making The Switch

Electrical Modifications

Install a back-up power source, charged by Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels or a gas-fueled generator

Invest in renewable (solar) energy

Make the switch to a smart thermostat, LED lighting, advanced powerstrips

Schedule an in-home energy audit for additional recommendations

These strategies will help you reduce electricity consumption, cut costs, and generate power during outages.

Question & Discussion Slide Jamboard #2What are your concerns about climate proofing your home and beating the heat?

Home Energy Efficiency: Where to Start

Exterior

• Weatherizing

- Moisture Control and

Ventilation

- Air Sealing

- Insulation

• Roofing

• Landscaping

https://yarravalley.vic.edu.au/yvn/course/view.php?id=16

Weatherization Measures

https://www.energy.gov/eere/wap/whole-house-weatherization

Tips & Tricks: Exterior

Consider

- Roofing

- Walls and windows

- Foundation

Modifying the exterior of your home can help you stay cool during peak heat!

Zackariah Cole

Lighter roof colors reflect heat from the sun instead of absorbing it• Reduce local air temperature

- During summer heat waves, lighter colored

surfaces can reduce extreme temperatures by up

to 5 or 8 degrees

Photo here (fill entire white space)

AMIAGA PHOTO, INC.212-213-2392https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/design/energy-efficient-home-design/cool-roofs

Cool Roofs

Shade During the Summer Heat

https://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-saver-101-infographic-landscaping

- Plant deciduous trees to the south

- Allow breezes, while shading 70-90% of

summer sun and allowing winter sun to warm

- Plant ground cover and shrubs to cool air before it reaches your home

- Plant bushes, shrubs, or climbing vines with a trellis to shade a patio

- Landscape for Windbreaks

- Reduce heating cost by lowering wind chill

• Ridge and off-ridge vents in attic

• Air Sealing - cost effective way of

cutting heating and cooling costs

• High efficiency windows

- Can't replace windows?

Plastic wrap insulation!

Walls and Windows

https://basc.pnnl.gov/resource-guides/air-sealing-window-and-door-rough-openings#edit-group-training

• Caulk and weatherstrip doors and windows

• Caulk and seal air leaks at wall, floor, and ceiling

openings

• plumbing

• ducting

• electrical wiring

• Install foam gaskets at outlets and switch plates

• Use storm windows with single-pane windows

• Replace with efficient double-pane windows

• Use foam sealant on gaps around windows and

baseboards

Air Sealing Tips

https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/door-weather-stripping/

Question & Discussion Slide Jamboard #3What are things you’ve done to climate proof your home that you would like to share?

Insulation & Radiant Barriers

masssave.com/save/insulation

Foundation

- Control interior moisture sources

- Remove or ventilate

- Insulate basement walls

- Correct outside grading, gutter, and downspouts for proper drainage

- Don’t ventilate with outside air in summer (will

cause condensation)

- Interior and exterior drainage system

- Dehumidifier reduces symptoms

https://extension.umn.edu/moisture-and-mold-indoors/moisture-basements-causes-and-solutions

Green Energy In Canton

• Learn what Canton already has implemented or in progress

• Advocate to your elected officials about increasing those clean energy sources.

• Explore State Programs: solar, window efficiency, other energy resources

Beating the heat inside your home

- Install white window shades, drapes, or blinds: reflect heat away from the house

- Apply a low-e film on the inside of window

- Install a ceiling fan or use a regular fan

- LED light bulbs are cooler

- Use a programmable thermostat to set air-conditioning or practice “Texas cool”

- Install blackout curtains and shades

- Improve insulation and lower energy

consumption

Beating the heat inside your home

- Insulate your water heater and lower water heater temperature

- Insulate hot water pipes

- raise water temperature and reduce

superficial heat loss

- Create an insulated cover for your attic stairs

Beating the humidity inside your home

- Check that your clothes dryer is properly vented

- Vent stove and bathroom fans outside

- Seal air leaks

- Monitor drainage around your home

- Rainwater and runoff can flow toward your foundation,

increasing water and humidity levels

https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/articles/5-ways-keep-your-home-comfortable-humid-climate

https://www.aerosealcorp.com/window-condensation-top-causes-and-quick-fixes/

Plumbing Tips- Protect your home and hot water access in extreme

cold weather, monitor moisture levels during summer months, and mitigate potential flooding.

- Insulate water pipes

- Reduces condensation on cold water pipes and heat loss

on hot water pipes

- Raise water temperature and reduce superficial heat

loss

- Renovate backwater valve if using municipal sewer

system

- Ensure clear and visible basement floor drains

- Install moisture and water level alarms and a sump

pump

Tips For Staying Cool

- Cooling bandanas for all ages

- Get creative: Water play for kids

- For pets: Cooling jackets, bandanas, or

cooling beds

- Cook smart (no oven, wait till cooler hours)

- Consider long term: Drought-

resistant landscaping and shady trees in

your yard and community

When your home is just too hot

• Elderly are especially at risk during heat waves

• Canton has two cooling centers at the Council on Aging, and the Canton Public Library.

• Swimming/wading/boating in local lakes and pools to cool off (Earl Newhouse Waterfront, Lake Massapoag, Aquatic Center when open)

Question & Discussion Slide Jamboard #4What is one take away you had from today? What surprised you? What else should the Canton be thinking about?

Future Workshops

• Farmers Market: June 13-October 24 outside the Rodman Parking Lot every Sunday.

Check out the Library and Town websites to view the event calendars.

Check out Mass Audubon Programs

Give Away for a Rain Barrel and $100 Ace Gift Card

Contact us:climatechange@massaudubon.org

lsmead@town.canton.ma.us

More information:massaudubon.org/climate

www.town.canton.ma.us/845/Sustainability-Initiatives

Monthly E-newsletter: Climate Connectionmassaudubon.org/enews

(Make sure to click the box next to "Climate Connection").