Newton Climate Team

06/18/2026

😎 Keeping your cool this summer?

Heat pumps aren't just for winter ❄️

Many homeowners use them year-round for:

☀️ Summer cooling
🔥 Winter heating
⚡ Energy efficiency

One system. Four seasons. 🏡

👉 Did you know heat pumps provide cooling too?

Learn more: bit.ly/mass-heat-pump-guide and newtonma.gov/energycoach.

06/17/2026

06/16/2026

⛽ Gas prices got you thinking about an EV?

Charging an electric vehicle at home can cost significantly less than filling up at the pump, and EVs typically require less maintenance than gas-powered vehicles.

Curious what it's really like to own one?

Join us on June 17, 7–8 PM for EV 101, part of the PlugIn program from MassEnergize. We'll be joined by a guest speaker from the Green Energy Consumers Alliance, along with local EV drivers who will share their real-world experiences.

Learn about:
🔌 Charging at home and on the road
💰 Costs and available incentives
🚗 Everyday EV ownership
❓ Answers to your EV questions

A relaxed, no-pressure opportunity to explore whether an EV might be right for you.

👉 Register: www.bit.ly/EV-101

06/11/2026

☀️ Could solar one day be as simple as plugging it in?

Balcony solar systems are small plug-in solar panels designed for apartments and renters—offering a potential new way for more households to access clean energy.

While the technology is still emerging in the U.S. and isn’t currently available in Massachusetts, it’s an interesting idea that could expand clean energy access in the future.

👉 Would you consider using balcony solar if it became available?

Learn more: bit.ly/balcony-solar.

06/09/2026

☀️ Hot weather doesn’t have to mean higher energy use.

Simple changes—like closing blinds during the hottest part of the day, creating a cross-breeze, and using fans strategically — can help keep your home more comfortable this summer without additional costs.
Small adjustments can make a surprisingly big difference.

👉 Let us know in the comments: What’s your go-to trick for staying cool during summer?

Find more cooling tips here: bit.ly/energy-saver-cooling

06/08/2026

☀️Explore our three new public dashboards with real-time updates and information on recently completed solar arrays at Peirce, Lincoln-Eliot, and Mason Rice Elementary Schools!

💡Together, these solar projects will generate 548,000 kWh annually, comparable to about 70 Massachusetts households’ annual electric consumption!

Read more and find the dashboard links in our June newsletter, linked in our bio. Or, check out our stories!

📍newtonma.gov/climate —> newsletter archive

06/05/2026

Drop by our June office hours and get energy support!

06/04/2026

⚡ Watt’s up with phantom energy?

Some electronics—like TVs, gaming consoles, chargers, and coffee makers—can keep using electricity even when turned off.

A plug-in kilowatt meter can help uncover hidden energy use around your home and show which devices are drawing power in real time.

📚 Want to try one before buying? The Newton Free Library has a Kill-A-Watt electricity monitor available for loan, which you can check out just like a book.

👉 What’s one device in your home that’s almost always plugged in?

Learn more here: bit.ly/energy-use-help.

06/02/2026

💡 Summer energy bills can add up quickly—but help may be available.

Massachusetts utility customers may qualify for discount rates and energy assistance programs based on household income. Some eligible households can receive significant monthly discounts on their utility bills.

Get one-on-one help at our Energy Help Office Hours on Tuesday, June 9th from 3-5pm at the Newton Free Library and Tuesday, June 16th from 11am-1pm at the Cooper Center.

👉 Learn more about eligibility and available programs:
bit.ly/utility-bill-help.

05/28/2026

Considering an EV but unsure about charging? You’re not alone. It’s more accessible than you might think.

Many drivers charge at home, and public charging is growing too. The U.S. now has over 77,000 stations and 219,000 ports, with up to $7.5 billion in federal investment expanding access nationwide. Newton has 25 EV publicly available charging stations, each with two ports, located on City property.

📍 Check out an interactive map of these chargers on Newton's Climate Dashboard (Transportation page), linked in our bio.

🔌 Find your closest charging station here:
bit.ly/EV-Station-Finder.