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Renewable energy and reduced carbon impact often come with a stigma of being expensive. And this reputation was well-deserved for a time. But with the Inflation Reduction Act, as well as technology developments over the last couple years, there are a handful of ways you can actually save money by making the change. Here are four ways to improve your home and community, without losing out financially.

Convert to solar power: $10,000+

The sticker shock for solar power can be scary, but it’s a long-term investment that pays off. The Inflation Reduction Act will give you back 30% of your costs in tax credits come April, but your property value also increases, your electricity bill sees an immediate reduction, and in many cases you can even sell electricity back to the power company. If you’re even considering what it’d take to change to solar power, check out the 4-year review we put together that calculates savings and provides learnings.

Add insulation to forgotten spaces: $1,000 – $5,000

Smaller home projects make a difference and can again pay for themselves over time. The EPA estimates homeowners reduce about 11% of their energy usage and 15% on heating and cooling costs just by adding insulation to places that aren’t typically covered, like crawl spaces, attics, and basements. Programs like Mass Save, Energize CT, and ​​NYSERDA offer rebates on insulation, in many cases allowing you to double dip when combined with rebates from the Inflation Reduction Act.

Change to smart thermostats: Under $150

Dads everywhere will love this one. With smart thermostats you can monitor the home temperature from your phone, automatically lower the heat or ac when you leave, and even put digital locks on your thermostat if you so desire. Studies suggest average homes reduce energy consumption by 5 – 15%, although of course it depends on your habits and living space.

Join the Citizens’ Climate Lobby: $0

One of the most impactful ways to make a difference is completely free. The Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) has over 420 chapters across the country and advocates for bipartisan solutions to climate policy. Supporters join local chapters to represent concerns for their own community, and the CCL trains and supports these volunteers to work with their officials, the media, and community. It’s worth the time investment — the CCL has helped prop up some of the biggest bills to date, including the Inflation Reduction Act, with members writing over 170,000 emails to congress and making about 55,000 phone calls.

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