Every year during the month of October, Montgomery Countyās Department of Environmental Protection (and others) focuses on ENERGY. Why? Because in 1991, the President highlighted energy as a national priority and established October as Energy Awareness Month. Energy keeps our lives moving. In fact, energy helps cook our food, transports that food across the globe, and even refrigerates that food so we donāt get sick. Energy is essential for cleaning our clothes and bodies, which promotes hygiene and prevents disease.Not only that but energy keeps our homes comfortable, our schools and businesses well-lit, and our AI churning out amazing paragraphs like this (ha ha. All kidding aside, this was written by a real person).
So, why not focus on it in October when the temperatures start getting a little chillier? Honestly, we think you should be focusing on it EVERY month but that is not the case. Did you know that 69% of Americans think about electricity usage mainly when paying their monthly electric bill? The way we use electricity impacts us every single day in so many ways. Unfortunately, according to this article, US energy bills are soaring!!
BUT the good news is that YOU get to choose how you use energy. So, this month we want to remind you to use your energy wisely!
Keep your home at the right temperature for the seasonĀ
Did you know that the closer your thermostat is to the outside temperature, the less money you are paying to heat/cool your home? Of course you knew that, but that doesnāt mean that the temperature is comfortable for living. According to utility companies, the recommended temperature is 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the summer.
And did you know that there is also a recommended temperature for when you sleep? We recently took this sleep quiz from the New York Times and were shocked to find out what temperature our bedrooms should be set.
If only there was a device that could help us manage all these recommendations? There is! Itās called a programmable thermostat and you can get one when you schedule a Quick Home Energy Checkup or Home Performance with ENERGY STAR auditā¦itās as easy as reaching out to your utility company:
|
Even when the temperature is right, you may still want to invest in renewable energy
Although it may be too late to receive the tax credit for going solar on your home this year, there is always Community Solar. Community solar projects offer a perfect solution. By subscribing to a larger solar farm in your area, you can still enjoy the same benefits as if you had solar panels on your roof.
Solar farms are connected to the grid by the utility company and then managed by community solar providers. If there's a community solar farm in your utility's service area,Ā it's likely you will qualify to join! The Montgomery Energy Connection website will provide you with additional information on current programs. Ā
|
Maybe renewables arenāt your thing (yet) but you want fossil fuels out of your home.
Well, well, well ā have you hear about Electrify MC yet? It has been around for almost two years, and this program was created for residents who are looking to electrify their homes. The goal was for you to be able to pair this program with federal incentives but those are ending soon, check out this blog post for more details.
In the meantime, you can still participate in our County program, Electrify MC, there are two ways to start this process, either way, an Electrify MC representative will reach out to you within 3-5 business days to help plan for your future and access these incentives!
-
Click hereĀ and Elysian Energy will reach out to you directly.
- Call the program directly,Ā 301-830-5767Ā to leave us your contact information
|
Oh and leave the leaves....
Leaving leaves on your property is great for the environment and your yard!
- Leaves are critical habitat for butterfly and firefly eggs. Birds and other small wildlife also feed on larvae and insects nesting in leaves, while chipmunks, toads, and salamanders rest under leaves for warmth and moisture.
- Decomposing leaves create free, natural fertilizer that enriches the soil by providing nutrients and carbon, leading to a healthier yard and garden. Trees need carbon and nutrients from leaves to grow big and strong and fight disease.
Looking for more information about leaves, visit the DEP website.Ā
š Don't forget that the Green Jobs Board is still up and running on the My Green Montgomery website if you are looking for a new job or just want to see what is out there.Ā
ā”The Maryland Energy Administration announced the opening of the annual application window for the Electrifying Community Buildings Program that improves the energy efficiency, operating costs and emissions levels of commercial buildings whose primary purpose is to serve the public, such as libraries, museums, grocery stores, non-profits, and houses of worship.Ā There is $6.8 million for building electrification upgrades that replace existing fossil fuel-powered equipment with efficient electric alternatives so if this applies to you, make sure you apply today.
š» New Montgomery County Permitting Services Podcast Episode Examines āPros and Cons of Being Your Own General Contractor, āthe latest episode of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) podcast,Ā
āThe Pros and Cons of Being Your Own General Contractor,ā examines the risks and rewards of managing your own home renovation project.Ā
š”Lighting accounts for around 12% of an average homeās electricity use and who wants to keep paying that money? You can save about $225 on energy costs per year by switching to LEDs. The best news is that you donāt even have to buy a light bulb, all you need to do is attend a light bulb exchange. Check out the Illumination Station calendar to see where you can swap out your old bulbs.
š² Wanna supercharge your vibe and get the scoop on the freshest eco-hacks? Slide over to our Insta @mcenergyconnection for a daily blast of inspo, rad tips, and all the green goodness you can handle. Letās rock this planet-saving mission together!
Images in this newsletter came from the following resources.
Thank you for sharing your art and images with the world!Ā
Until next time...Happy Halloween š
|
