We’ve all been hearing that we should “electrify” our homes. It seems our homes are already electrified, so what does this mean, and why is it a big deal? Well, here’s a plug for plugging in!
Make a plan to electrify your home
- Make a home “energy inventory”
- Learn about energy efficient equipment and appliances
- Phase out oil and gas powered heating and cooling equipment using incentives and rebates
We know that carbon emissions are wreaking havoc with our climate, and that without making changes in the way we live and do business we are going to run out of time to stabilize it. According to the York Climate Action Plan, “the largest single source of emissions is fuel usage — mostly heating — in single-family homes, accounting for 46% of all of York’s emissions.”
Switching to electric power for our heating, cooling, cooking, hot water and vehicles goes a long way to reducing our individual carbon footprint, because the New England grid is constantly reducing carbon-based power generation and adding more renewable energy sources to generate our electricity.
Also, new electrical equipment and appliances are safer and more energy efficient than older ones. For example, an induction cooktop can save energy and emissions, as well as eliminate harmful pollutants from your home environment.
For more information, peruse the “Rewiring America” guide to carbon-free living or follow “Rewiring America” on social media.
To help with costs, Efficiency Maine offers tax incentives and rebates on the purchase and installation of applicable appliances, insulation and electrical upgrades. More info can be found at Efficiency Maine.
We know that electrifying your home can’t be done all at once, so to help you prioritize, scroll down for a document to help you gather details of your current equipment and appliances. You can use this information to help you determine which equipment you might consider replacing soonest. If you would like to talk to an Energy Coach to help you develop an energy plan, go to the York Ready for Climate Action website to sign up to consult with a coach. You can learn more about the program from this article in the Maine Monitor about our Energy Coach program.
Thank you for being a part of the York EcoHOMES community. Let’s all do our part!
** Home Energy Inventory **
- General Home Information
Approximate year built ___________
Approximate square feet of heated/cooled area ______________
Description and dates of any major home renovations
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
- Non-Electric Heating/Cooling Systems and Fuels
List your non-electric heating and cooling equipment (furnace, boiler, central a/c, wood/pellet stove, open fireplace, fireplace insert, radiant heat, solar), the fuels they use (oil, propane, wood/pellets, solar) and the year installed or approximate age.
Equipment Fuel/Energy Source Year/Age
_________________________________ ____________________ _______
_________________________________ ____________________ _______
_________________________________ ____________________ _______
_________________________________ ____________________ _______
_________________________________ ____________________ _______
- Electric Heating/Cooling Systems
List any electric powered heating cooling equipment (heat pumps, radiant floors, central air conditioners, window air conditioners, whole-house fan, etc).
Equipment Location Year/Age
_________________________________ ____________________ _______
_________________________________ ____________________ _______
_________________________________ ____________________ _______
_________________________________ ____________________ _______
_________________________________ ____________________ _______
- Heating/Cooling Distribution
List all heating and cooling distribution methods (air ductwork for heat/cool air flow, hot water pipes for free-standing radiators or baseboards, etc).
Method Location
_______________________________________ __________________________
_______________________________________ __________________________
_______________________________________ __________________________
_______________________________________ __________________________
- Types of Insulation
List your insulation types (fiberglass batting, loose-fill cellulose, rigid foam, open or closed cell spray foam, other), and dates of installation if different from age of dwelling. Include R-value if you know it.
Attic: __________________________________________________ R-value ______
Basement: ______________________________________________ R-value ______
Walls: __________________________________________________ R-value ______
Ductwork: _______________________________________________ R-value ______
- Hot Water Heater
Capacity ___________ Fuel (if not electric) ________________ Year/Age _______
- Appliances for heating/cooling/cooking/laundry
Identify details and year installed or approximate age.
Refrigerator: Energy Star? Yes / No Year/Age _______
Stovetop: Electric / Propane / Induction Year/Age _______
Oven: Electric / Propane Year/Age _______
Washer: Electric / Propane / Heat Pump Year/Age _______
Dryer: Electric / Propane Year/Age _______
Other:
