We haven’t paid an electric bill in over two years and are proud of it!

Why? Because we’ve had a credit on our Western Massachusetts Electric Company account since April of 2010 thanks to the energy production of our photovoltaic panels and our careful efforts to minimize our energy usage.

By producing more energy than we use, something many told us we could not do, we not only avoid contributing to the growing demand for energy, we also help WMECO meet the energy needs of others. Our monthly statement, showing growing credit, is the kind of tangible feedback I discuss with my clients because it encourages desired behaviors – the continued efforts to minimize energy usage. Everyone wins when the sun shines and we turn off unnecessary lights and power strips, hang heavy jeans and towels in the sun to dry, and ensure the oven, burners, and other appliances aren’t running hotter and longer than necessary.

At least you would think everyone would win.

Truth be told, that growing credit on our bill provides no financial incentive because WMECO doesn’t ever have to send us a check, no matter how big the number becomes, no matter how many foggy, wintery days worth of consumption our credit would cover, no matter how much of our neighbor’s electricity we are providing while WMECO is billing.

Pride and conscience will continue to motivate us because they always have. However, while WMECO and the rest of the industry spends lots of time and money dreaming up new energy reduction programs, it is pretty ironic that they are actually encouraging us to increase our consumption!