Energy Consumption
Building Energy Consumption
The energy we consume in our residential, community, municipal, and other buildings is responsible for 76% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in Amherst.
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are essential to life on Earth. They provide a "blanket" in our atmosphere, trapping heat and regulating the Earth's temperature. However, when we burn fossil fuels to power our homes, businesses, and vehicles, we increase the level of GHGs in the atmosphere, creating a much thicker "blanket" that disrupts the Earth's climate.
We need to be conscious of the amount of energy we use so that we are not adding unnecessary GHGs into our atmosphere, contributing to a changing climate.
We measure GHG emissions using a unit called MTCO2e or Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent.
UNIT | Greenhouse gases (GHGs) have a natural heat trapping capacity which varies by gas. Humans produce more carbon dioxide (CO2) than any other GHG. We count emissions of GHGs based on how each GHG’s heat trapping capacity compares to CO2s. This is called the "CO2 equivalent" (CO2e). We measure GHGs in metric tons of CO2e (MTCO2e). | MTCO2eMetric Tons Carbon Dioxide Equivalent |
| Greenhouse gases (GHGs) have a natural heat trapping capacity which varies by gas. Humans produce more carbon dioxide (CO2) than any other GHG. We count emissions of GHGs based on how each GHG’s heat trapping capacity compares to CO2s. This is called the "CO2 equivalent" (CO2e). We measure GHGs in metric tons of CO2e (MTCO2e). | MTCO2eMetric Tons Carbon Dioxide Equivalent |
Energy Consumption
Federal Tax Incentives for Home Upgrades
One way to reduce our emissions is to address the energy usage in our homes. The Inflation Reduction Act provides tax incentives and cost savings on a number of energy-saving, emission reducing purchases you can make today. These include:
- Weatherization support
- Incentives to purchase an electric vehicle
- Heat Pump upgrade rebates and tax credits
- Support for energy efficient appliances
- and more!
Learn more at the Whitehouse.gov Clean Energy website.
Amherst Buildings
What are High Performance Buildings?
High performance buildings - also called Living Buildings - are designed to be more energy efficient than what is required by code, thus helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Occupants of high performance buildings can enjoy benefits like reduced utility costs, more natural light, and healthier overall living.
In Amherst, there are two high performance buildings.
The Hitchcock Center for the Environment is the 23rd Certified Living Building in the world and the 4th in Massachusetts! The building itself is an impressive example of engineering and architecture that contributes to a better environment. The net zero energy building uses composting toilets, recycles its own water, and was built with nontoxic and responsibly sourced materials.
The Hitchcock Center was founded in 1962 with a goal of developing a community that is connected deeply with the natural world. Learn more about the Hitchcock Center for the Environment's values and mission.
Hampshire College in Amherst is home to the 17th certified Living Building and the largest certified higher education project in the world - the R.W. Kern Center. Students on campus will visit the R.W. Kern Center for admissions, financial aid, the Kern Café, and other classroom spaces.
Photo of the Hitchcock Center in Amherst
Amherst Buildings
The Colleges and Universities of Amherst
The Town of Amherst MA is home to three colleges and universities. Collectively, these institutions account for 47% of Amherst's greenhouse gas emissions town-wide. However, each of these are addressing their emissions through their own Climate Action Plans. With the collective results of each institution's actions and the Town's, we can see significant GHG reductions town-wide.
- Amherst College Climate Action Plan (CAP) - In December 2022, Amherst College updated their Climate Action Plan (CAP). Learn more about this specific update to their CAP.
- Hampshire College - In 2022, Hampshire College reached their impressive goal of carbon neutrality for all campus emissions including electricity, gas heating, and transportation. Visit Sustainable Hampshire to learn more about how Hampshire College achieved this goal.
- UMass Amherst - UMass Carbon Zero seeks "to power the UMass Amherst campus with 100 percent renewable energy. Our pioneering work on this complex, large-scale undertaking will have ramifications far beyond campus. UMass Amherst will be a leader of carbon mitigation efforts in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts while educating the next generation of leaders in sustainability. UMass Carbon Zero will serve as a model for other large research universities as they embark upon their own energy transitions."
What You Can Do
Reducing Energy Consumption
Reducing energy consumption at home is great for the environment and your wallet. Here are some resources to help you save money and reduce your GHG emissions at home!
