RESIDENTIAL: Check out the infographic created by NEED, they are an educational organization that does a great job creating materials around energy.

As the weather gets colder, do not forget that Montgomery Energy Connection has the Love Where You Live program where we provide residents with Home Comfort Kits to make your home a little more cozy. To help you keep out the cold and lower your heating bill, these are some of the items that you will receive:

• 2 Door Sweeps – 1.5”x36”, trimmable self-stick door sweep to seal gaps between the bottom of the door and the threshold.
• Rope Caulk – pliable caulk roping to peel apart and simply press into place to seal leaky doors and windows.
• 2 Window-Insulation Kits – easy-to-use plastic-shrink film and double-sided tape to insulate average size windows 
• 8 Outlet Safety Plugs – child-proof plastic safety plugs to seal the outlets on exterior-facing walls.

If you would like a kit, please fill out this form and we will mail the kit to you within two weeks! 

RESIDENTIAL: With the success of our Project Porchlight program, we have been visiting hundreds of homes throughout the County and are often asked about the type of lightbulbs we are providing residents. One of our MCPS High School Intern's Vaniala Andriamalala has researched why we should make sure that the lightbulbs we are using on our porches is warm light. If you are interested in having your community participate in Project Porchlight, please email our Energy Inbox.  

RESIDENTIAL: Homeowners are being offered accessible financing for energy-efficient appliances through a targeted, local collaboration between Montgomery County Green Bank (MCGB) and the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC). With funding from the Green Bank, LEDC is offering a new loan, the LEDC Appliance Loan, to help homeowners purchase brand-new, eco-friendly appliances.

A Course That Sparks! Why Electrify is Rewiring America’s new 101 course that breaks down what “electrify everything” means in plain English. In this unique and interactive online course, you’ll learn how electrification helps people save money, builds stronger communities, improves our health, and allows people to take positive, powerful steps to meet our climate goals. If you've heard about “electrify everything” but need more context, or you’re curious to electrify and looking for resources, join us for Why Electrify! Sign me up!

⚡ Learn the “electrify everything” basics

⚡ Boost your confidence talking the electrification talk

⚡ Access the tools you need to act today

RESIDENTIAL: If you are Montgomery County residents, guess what??!!! You don’t have to wait for the Capital Area Solar Switch program in April if you want to go solar before the end of the year. Go Solar with DC Solar Switch! This program, in partnership with Solar United Neighbors, makes it more affordable for homeowners to install solar panels. By joining the program, you can access a group discount that will help you save on a turnkey solar installation.

Solar Switch offers comprehensive consumer protection through its rigorous installer, product, warranty vetting, and qualification processes. This ensures that you will receive a high-quality installation service that you can rely on. The program employs competitive bidding and group buying to get you the best possible discount. In the most recent program, homeowners saved an average of $4,000 on a standard-sized solar installation. Available local and federal incentives can further reduce system costs, making solar energy more accessible than ever before.

Registering comes at no cost, and you're under no obligation to buy solar panels. Take advantage of this opportunity by registering at DC Solar before December 6.

RESIDENTIAL: This past September, the IRS released new guidance on the 45L tax credit to clarify who is eligible to claim the credit, what the energy savings requirements are for each tier of the credit (which range from $500 to $5,000), and what the requirements are for certification and substantiation. Certified Zero Energy Ready single-family homes are eligible for a $5,000 tax credit, as are units in multifamily buildings if the credit’s prevailing wage requirements are met. Homes must be certified to the Zero Energy Ready Home program version in effect based on the project’s Permit Date (or Production Date for Manufactured Homes), as defined in the program requirements document corresponding to the building type. The table below outlines program version effective dates for eligible projects.

COUNTY: County Executive Marc Elrich is committed to representation on all of the County’s boards, committees, and commissions that is reflective of, and responsive to, our County’s residents. Public participation contributes to the work of County government and provides an important service to the community when a variety of issues, concerns, and viewpoints are presented. You may access information regarding boards, committees, and commissions, including application instructions here. Please carefully read application instructions on that page. Then select View and Apply for Vacancies for all currently posted notices. Currently, there is a valuable opportunity to serve on the following: Racial Equity and Social Justice Advisory Committee. The deadline for application is November 24, 2023. 

Maryland Energy Administration has just published a Request for Information to help shape Maryland's application to the US Department of Energy for the following three (3) Inflation Reduction Act programs:

1. Home Efficiency Rebates Program
2. Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program
3. State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grant Program (also known as Training for Residential Energy Contractors Grant Program)

If you have specific questions, email federal.mea@maryland.gov

We love having interns join us for the summer, semester or a year. This year, one of DEP Energy's High School Interns is Vida (see her to the right). 

She has been doing a lot to get the word out about what DEP does around the County including promoting our energy programs. Find out about one project she participated in this month.