The TBE Green Team works to decrease TBE’s carbon footprint and meet the goal of zero emissions by 2040. Over the past decade TBE has instituted a number of energy saving measures that the TBE Green Team recommended. These include tuning the variable speed fans on our HVAC system for optimal comfort while minimizing energy use, upgrading to LED lighting and installing solar panels on our roof.

The solar panels were installed in December 2016. The available roof space limited the number of panels that could be installed. We purchase the electricity generated by the solar panels at a lower rate than that purchased from the Wellesley Municipal Light Plant. Approximately 8% of TBE’s energy needs are met by the solar panels. The savings in the cost of our electricity purchased via the panels during the past five years has totaled about $10,000. At the same time, we have prevented 90 tons of CO2 from being released into our environment.

In mid-2019 the interior lighting, except for the sanctuary, was upgraded to LED. At the same time light switches that sense the presence of people were installed in all classrooms and offices. Since 2019 we have seen a 19% decrease in electric usage, a decrease that we attribute in part to these changes. At the Green Team’s recommendation, TBE is currently seeking proposals to upgrade the sanctuary lighting and exterior lighting to LED. Once implemented, these changes will lead to further decreases in electric consumption.