Behind the wooden gates of a Waban home’s backyard, Newton residents made small talk about the weather, their summer plans, and—clean energy? Green Newton’s neighborly “Summer Pizza Party” event at the home of David Miller, parent of a former Green Newton intern, took place on Monday, August 4. This event aimed to unite attendees through a love of pizza — and open their eyes to the many uses of renewable energy in their homes.
After all guests had grabbed their sparkling water and plates of pizza, Miller spoke about how he made changes to make his home “net-zero.” A net-zero home produces just as much clean, renewable energy as it consumes, making it energy efficient and environmentally neutral. Miller explained that his day job currently consists of investing in climate-change startups, leading him to make educated decisions about cost-efficient, environmentally sustainable technologies.
Many aspects of Miller’s home contribute to its net-zero distinction, but Miller remarked that the most notable feature was highly effective insulation. Miller invested in a company that converted various forms of fiber — including cardboard boxes and plant waste — into better-performing waste insulation. Air-sealing technology was also used to fill the spaces between areas of Miller’s house, connecting gaps and corners. All of this was done with the hope of making his home a “thermal battery” — a device that stores heat energy for later use. Now, 15 years after Miller embarked on his journey to form a net-zero household, his hopes have been realized.
With walls over a foot thick and triple-pane windows to minimize unwanted heat transfer, Miller’s home stays at a comfortable temperature year-round — without the use of appliances reliant on fossil fuels. According to Miller, during hot summer months he often needs to “just run a ceiling fan: that’s all that needs to be done.” Ceiling fans consume significantly less energy than air conditioners, making them a good choice for home owners aiming to conserve energy and reduce their environmental impact as a result. Any other active heating and cooling within Miller’s home is done through the use of an air-source heat pump, a technology that further reduces his home’s carbon footprint.
Miller underscored that finding the optimal way to harness solar energy is crucial for homeowners seeking net-zero energy usage. Being conscious of the seasonal angle of the sun is crucial, especially in determining the best orientation of the house as a whole. More specifically, the placement of windows and solar panels affects the degree to which excess heat is gained and total energy is generated by the home.
After Miller spoke, Green Newton’s President Emerita Marcia Cooper explained the larger impact of providing education for the Newton community on this topic. Cooper referred to students attending the event as “ambassadors,” increasing awareness by informing teachers, family members, and other figures in their lives about the benefits of clean energy usage.
Since joining Green Newton’s board 20 years ago, Cooper has made it her mission to connect with young people in the Newton community and to encourage them to speak out about climate change. Even on a local level, as she emphasizes that, it’s important to know that “everything makes a difference. Everything from the most minute things, like washing your clothes in cold water…it all makes a difference.”
Judy Jacobs, Green Newton’s executive director, shares this same sentiment. Even attending a single event aiming to educate attendees, such as the “Summer Pizza Party,” makes a difference, since guests leave with a greater understanding of how clean energy can improve their daily life and their environment. According to Jacobs, Green Newton is working to “cultivate the next generation of climate leaders.” Outreach to students is a central part of this effort, and events like these “connect students to a great role model in their community that’s doing really interesting, important climate work.”
Chloe Carrano is a Fig City News summer intern and a rising sophomore at Newton South High School.
