Thanksgiving is right around the corner and between the cooking, cleaning, watching parades and rooting for your favorite football teams, you are likely going to use a lot more energy this month. The good news is that Montgomery Energy Connection is a resource available to you year-round that can help you lower your bills and keep money in your pocket.
Additionally, this monthly newsletter is carefully curated to link you to all the savings and energy programs that are available not only in our County but also in the state and across the country.
As you sit around the dinner table, remember that the month of November encourages us to celebrate not only family and friends, but it is also National Gratitude Month. That is why we are focusing this issue on things that we are grateful for this year.
People are electrifying their homes with a little help from the County
The Electrify MC Pilot Program was created to help residents transition from fossil fuels (oil, gas, and propane) in their homes. This one-stop option includes an Electrification Help Desk to answer residentsā questions. Easy access to an electrification general contractor to perform electrification work: HVAC, water heaters, stoves, clothes dryers. And, issues direct incentivesānot rebatesāfor fuel-switching in existing homes which complements the Home PerformanceĀ with ENERGY STAR program.
Over 400 residents have signed up for the program and 83% of those who responded to the survey said they "would recommend this program to friends and family." We are grateful to all of those who have taken the steps to electrify their homes and look forward to providing more people with money to help them make the switch.
Participating in the program is as easy as 1-2-3.Ā
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Sign up.Ā Sign up todayĀ and you will receive a phone call and email from the Electrify MC team to talk you through the process.
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Have questions about what to do to electrify your home?Ā Contact Electrify MC by phone at 301-830-5767 or email them atĀ electrifymc@elysianenergy.com.
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Already have electric appliances but want to upgrade?Ā Contact Electrify MC to ask them which items may work for you and where you can get those appliances!
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203 More Montgomery County Residents now have solar panelsĀ
Thanks to the Capital Area Solar Switch program, more than 1,800 people registered for the program, attended informational sessions, and received offers from installers! And now there are 200 more roofs in our County adorned with solar panels with more to come.
If you are reading this thinking, āDang, I wish I had signed up for this program!ā, there's still time! Virginia has a program open until Friday, November 22nd (yes tomorrow) that anyone in the DC area can join. So, if you want to try to get those federal tax incentives, now is the time to sign up and get in line.Ā
Why join the solar switch program instead of going on your own? Solar Switch offers you a hassle-free way to begin powering your home through renewable energy. This process organizes a group purchase of residential solar panels to help homeowners receive a significantly discounted price for a solar panel installation.Ā
Still not sold? This process results in offers that are 12-20% lower than the market average. In addition to the group discount, you may also qualify for the 30% federal tax credit. Not only that but rooftop solar is also a good investment if you ever decide to sell your home. Research by Zillow shows a solar system will increase the value of your home by an average of 4.1%.
Hurry up, don't miss the last chance in 2024 to join Capital Area Solar Switch.Ā
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OPC is showing out!
Not only are they celebrating 100 years of protecting Maryland residential utility customers from unfair sales practices and unreasonable rates for services, but in the last year, the Maryland Office of People's Counsel has been putting out amazing newsletters and hosting LIVE virtual sessions to answer questions like "Can My Utility Do That?" Unfortunately, since it is the end of the year, they don't have any more events scheduled BUT their previous sessions were recorded! If you have questions, they may be answered by watching these videos.Ā
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Montgomery County's OCP has the inside scoop for home improvements...
The Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) released the latest episode of its podcast, āConsumer Connection,ā titled "Home Sweet Home." The episode provides valuable advice on the often-confusing process of hiring home builders and home improvement contractors and can help residents make informed decisions when buying or renovating a home.
In the podcast, OCP Investigator Michelle Escobar, who hosts the podcast, is joined by OCP Investigations Administrator Patty Vitale and OCP Business Education and Registration Unit Manager Shaun Carew. They break down the key differences between new home builders and home improvement contractors, offering practical tips to protect consumers from fraud, poor workmanship and other risks associated with unlicensed work.Ā
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On Sunday, October 13, 2024, over 100 people from various congregations around the County came together to gain insights into five critical areas where the County is advancing climate-smart programs and funding opportunities, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
There was an awards ceremony and video that highlighted congregations that have already made strides toward climate solutions. There was a panel discussion on lessons learned, sessions from County subject matter experts, and, of course, delicious food!
NOTE FOR CONGREGATIONS!! Has your congregation gone solar, but now you aren't sure how to read your electric bill or can't tell how your house of worship is benefitting or how much money you're saving? Join Interfaith Power and Light on Sunday, November 25, 2024 at 7:00 PMĀ to learn how to read your solar congregation's electric bill, understand what your electric bill doesn't tell you, and how to determine what your savings and what your house of worship would be paying for energy without your solar panels.Ā
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Oh wow, you just skipped everything else - all those hours we toiled to put this together and you just skipped it?
We hope you actually read the interesting information above but if not, we hope to see you at an upcoming event!
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- Want to swap out those bulbs? Look for the š”on the calendarĀ to find out where we will be next.
- Looking for a new job or change of career, we have GREEN JOBS listed on our My Green Montgomery website.Ā
- Are you thinking about switching to an induction cooktop but unsure about the benefits? The Help Desk can help answer those questions and if they can't convince you, check out these soup recipes you can easily make on an induction cooktop with those leftovers from Thanksgiving.Ā Ā
- Did we miss something? Let us know, we want to make sure these newsletters are jampacked with helpful information about what we are doing and how we can best serve you. Have a question, comment, concern? Email us at energy@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov
Well hello there - thank you for reading to the end! We hope this provided you with information that was relevant and more importantly HELPFUL and if you have more questions, visit the website.
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