RESIDENTIAL: With over 850 people attending different energy focused events this month, we can say that Energy Action Month was a success this year! This year the focus was Electrify Everything and every week, Montgomery Energy Connection highlighted how residents could electrify different things in their lives from their ride, to their home, to their kitchen, and even their lawns. Residents attended light bulb exchanges, cooking demonstrations, and even informational Zoom sessions. In fact, over 250 incandescent bulbs were collected, and 150 compact fluorescent bulbs were recycled right! But the fun doesn’t stop there – you can find ways to electrify things in your life all year long! Remember, you don’t have to do everything at once, start by signing the Electrify Everything pledge and go from there. 

RESIDENTIAL: According to Rewiring America, “Heat Pumps are the most efficient heating source. For households that turn the heat on for just four months of the year (November, December, January, February), that’s 120 days multiplied by $8.44 a day more for fuel oil. So, if you live in one of these six million homes in the United States, you could be saving more than $1,000 each year with a heat pump. The Inflation Reduction Act provides up to $14,000 to low- and middle-income households to buy heat pumps and other appliances upfront. But beyond the purchasing cost discounts, families then get to lock in these lower energy bill savings for the life of their machines. So, the accrued savings are even greater. And with widespread adoption come bigger cost reductions and community benefits. Our Electric Potential map shows just how much every community will gain if we leverage the full opportunity of the IRA. Spoiler alert: a lot.” Check out this Air Source Heat Pump Guide to answers all your questions. Looking to learn more, we recorded our webinar with Jim Conlon from Elysian Energy to talk about the benefits of heat pumps.

RESIDENTIAL: In August 2022, a notable piece of legislation was passed and signed into law by President Biden called the Inflation Reduction Act. But, what does that mean for Montgomery County residents? The Inflation Reduction Act includes funding for multiple tax incentives and rebates that are available to both low-to-moderate income (LMI) and non-LMI households. Find out what is in it for you by clicking this link. 

COMMERCIAL: The Building Energy Use Benchmarking and Performance Standards law, which was passed in May, 2022, requires commercial, multifamily, and common-ownership buildings 25,000 gross square feet and larger to begin benchmarking their energy use data and to eventually meet long-term building energy performance standards. DEP and the Montgomery County Green Bank hosted a webinar on these requirements as well as opportunities for residents in common ownership communities to reduce energy bills in their units and common areas. If your building is subject to the benchmarking requirements or just want to learn more about saving energy in your community, you can view the webinar recording here.

COUNTY: Acronyms abound - GOTB stands for Gift Outside the Box. Did you know that the amount of household waste in the U.S. increases an average of 25% between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day (EPA)? GOTB is one way to rethink how you give gifts this holiday season. Looking for a fun gift?  How about a wall plate thermostat that also tells you the humidity in your room? If you are interested in putting this in your stocking this year, email energy@montgomerycountymd.gov with the subject line WALL PLATE and your address in the body of the email and we will mail one out to you. 

COUNTY: There’s still time to join a WMATA station Community Solar project – but HURRY, there are only about 40 spots remaining! Ampion Community Solar is connecting Montgomery County residents in Pepco service territory to 1 of 4 Community Solar projects on Naylor, Southern Ave, Cheverly, and Anacostia Metro stations. Sign up for shares of clean energy produced by these solar farms, and you’ll save up to 10% on your electric bills. Plus, Ampion is giving away a $200 Visa gift card to new signups, $100 of which you can use towards a home energy audit! If you’re looking to go greener, support local clean energy AND save on your electric bills, Community Solar is the perfect place to start. Sign up for Community Solar today or register for Ampion’s upcoming Community Solar Q&A session on Dec. 7th!

COUNTY: Brookville Bus Depot in Silver Spring, will be home to 70 electric buses by 2026. On Monday, October 31, 2022, elected officials, Montgomery County government staff, and multiple private partners gathered under a score of solar panels as more than a half dozen electric buses were parked alongside a large white tent. During the next 25 years, the power generated by the bus depot is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 160,000 tons, according to the news release.

CONGREGATIONS: Using the Commercial Solar Power Purchase Agreement of Skyview Ventures and the Green Bank, River Road Unitarian Universalist Church is installing 142.7 kW of solar PV energy on the roof, which will produce 149,600 kWh of clean, renewable solar energy throughout the first twelve months of use. And, Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church is installing 97 kW of solar PV energy on the roof that will produce 112,708 kWh of clean, renewable solar energy throughout the first twelve months of use.

EDUCATION: Download the free PDF of NEED’s Cost of a Thanksgiving Meal activity guide. Students will utilize math skills to calculate costs while incorporating energy education! From planning their meal to what appliances are used, natural gas vs. electric appliances, investigating ENERGY STAR® labels and electric nameplates, graphing results, and more!

Energy is all around us and there is a lot happening in the world. We have compiled some interesting stories and articles to share with you. These stories will LINK you to what energy stories are happening in the world.