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And by dogs, we mean the âdog days of summer!â Did you know that the Farmerâs Almanac says August is the hottest month of the year (in the Northern Hemisphere)? Though it may be hot outside, the recommended temperature for your home this time of year is 78 degrees according to people who love sweatingâŠand utility companies. But seriously, the closer your thermostat is to the outside temperature, the less money you are paying to cool your home.
If you just read that and đ rolled đ your eyes, we completely understand, so here are some recommendations to help you stay comfortable this month and you can find more on My Green Montgomery.
Try these low cost/no cost things to help keep you from melting
Make fans your friends â if you have a ceiling fan, make sure it is rotating in the correct direction. Or you can also use box fans, standing fans, or fans in your window to circulate air and create a wind chill effect. The fans will make your body feel cooler without using a ton of electricity, especially if they are ENERGY STAR.
Close the curtains â one way to keep your home cool during the day is to pull down the curtains, close the blinds, put up a sheet over the window â do whatever you can to keep the hot sunlight out of your home. That will help you stay comfortable inside.
Install a programmable thermostat â well, you donât need to install it yourself. You can schedule a Quick Home Energy Checkup (QHEC) through your utility supplier, and they may be able to install one for you at no additional cost. Or you can always go to the Marketplace that is offered by your utility supplier to purchase one at a reduced price.
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Join Switch Together to go solar before the tax credits expire
We are happy to promote another round of Switch Together! This group buying initiative allows residents to go solar at a significant discount, with optional electric vehicle chargers and battery storage. In collaboration with the deeply experienced nonprofit Solar United Neighbors, the program guarantees high-quality solar installations for residents and small businesses.
The current program is expected to save the average household $6,958 on a typical-sized solar installation. The 30% federal tax credit can further reduce your costs, making solar energy more accessible than ever before. New legislation sets a deadline to claim a 30% solar tax credit. Only expenditures made by December 31, 2025 will be eligible under the new law â act this year to secure your tax savings.
Registration is free and thereâs no obligation to proceed with a solar installation. When you register, youâll receive a free solar recommendation from a pre-vetted installer. This proposal is customized to your home and will help you make an informed decision. You will receive your recommendation immediately upon registering. To discover how much you can save by going solar, sign up by September 3, 2025Â using this link.
Donât miss the ONLY Solar 101 Webinar this summer
THIS Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 6:00 PM
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Speaking of tax credits, there is money to help you kick your fossil fuel habit
There have been many changes to tax credits enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA). We put everything in a blog post for you but if youâre thinking about purchasing an electric vehicle or making energy upgrades to your home, you will want to act fast!
Money for Vehicles: There are two federal tax incentives that make it more affordable to purchase electric vehicles: 30D new electric vehicle tax incentive and 25E used electric vehicle tax incentive but these credits expire on September 30, 2025.  And, to make it easier for you, the Montgomery County EV Purchasing Co-op works with local dealerships to highlight incentives and discounts that will save you money when you purchase or lease new and pre-owned electric vehicles.
Money for Homes: The federal tax credit for Heat Pumps ends on December 31, 2025, if youâve been thinking about making the update to your system, start contacting a trusted contractor ASAP! And if youâre not sure where or how to start, call our ElectrifyMC Help Desk at 301-830-5767 or email us at electrifymc@elysianenergy.com.
And remember, ElectrifyMC will still be around after December 31, 2025. We will be here to  provide you with direct incentives for more than just heat pumps and we have a new section on the website that explains how we help you replace different appliances, check it out.  Â
Remember that there are programs to help with utility bills
Limited-time assistance for utility bills: As of July 1st of this year, Maryland launched a $19 million Customer Relief Fund to help low- and middle-income families with rising energy bills. The one-time assistance will be distributed by local nonprofits in BGE, Pepco, and Delmarva Power areas to support those most affected by higher energy costs.
WSSC water bill assistance: WSSC has extended their Get Current water bill assistance program to October 31, 2025. Eligible customers may qualify for a portion of their bill to be forgiven after payment. Click here to learn more.
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The end of summer means back to school and maybe packing lunches???
Lucky for you, Montgomery County Food Council has been working on an amazing tool to show you how to find, afford, grow, and learn about foods that support your health and well-being. Explore the Nutrition Navigator to find out where you can double your SNAP benefits, find nutrition education programs, farmers markets and co-ops that provide local, fresh produce. If you find that there is a resource missing from this tool, please reach out to info@mocofoodcouncil.org to get it on the map.
âïž Donât miss the Solar 101 Webinar this Thursday, August 7th at 6:00 PM
đLooking to electrify your home? Sign up for Why Electrify a free 101 online course offered by Rewiring America that breaks down the basics of going electric
âïž The Maryland Office of People's Counsel hosts live webinars on various topics, sign up on their website to participate
đĄThere will be at least eight opportunities to swap out your incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs this month at different libraries throughout the county. All you have to do is look for Illumination Stations on the community calendar
Images in this newsletter came from the following resources, thank you for sharing your art and images with the world!Â
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