|
For those making sure we are keeping our word, sorry for not sending this out on Monday which was April 13th, but we thought you’d want something a little more fun in your inbox today, of all days, the dreaded TAX DAY 👩🏽⚖️😱👻💀- You’re welcome!!!
Did you know that April is like the Olympics for the environmental community? While it started on April 22, 1970, Earth Day has now turned into a month of celebration for this blue planet we all call home. And speaking of the Blue Marble, can we take a minute to celebrate the images from Artemis II this past week. Can you say breathtaking?
Hopefully, the information we share this month will not take your breath away but will keep some of your hard-earned, taxable income in your pockets.
Record heat expected. Time to make the switch to electric appliances.
Temperatures are expected to remain well above average through Saturday before cooler air returns and we think that this is the perfect time to start thinking about making the switch to electric appliances. This includes heat pumps as well, which can offer immediate cost savings and spare the expense of those winter fuel deliveries. Electrify MC was created to help residents transition from fossil fuels (oil, gas, and propane) in their homes, and we provide you with direct incentives – you could receive up to $2500, depending on what you choose to do in your home.
-
Sign up today and you will receive a phone call and email from the Electrify MC team to talk you through the process.
-
Have questions about what to do to electrify your home? Contact Electrify MC by phone at 301-830-5767 or email them at electrifymc@elysianenergy.com.
-
Already have electric appliances but want to upgrade? Contact Electrify MC to ask them which items may work for you and where you can get those appliances!
Heat can infiltrate your home in unexpected ways
Whether you live in an apartment, condo, townhouse, or single-family home, heat can infiltrate your home in unexpected ways, which is why it is important to check your home for leaks. You can check your home for leaks in the following ways:
-
Borrow a thermal camera from the library and do your own assessment.
- Schedule a Quick Home Energy Checkup which is available to those who pay their own utility bills, regardless of property ownership. This program is offered at no additional cost through the EmPOWER Maryland Program. During the hour-long assessment, a certified contractor will evaluate your home’s energy usage and identify areas for improvement.
-
The Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Audit is available to those who own their home and are looking for a more detailed assessment. This is available to most homes for $100 through the EmPOWER Maryland Program.
Let the sun’s rays power your home
If you are looking to put solar panels on your roof, Montgomery County promotes the Switch Together program to residents. This program offers residents a hassle-free way to install reliable rooftop solar, with optional add-ons including EV chargers and battery storage, for a competitive price. Switch Together through Solar United Neighbors, provides free educational webinars and in-person events to guide you through the process of going solar.
Additionally, you could attend one of these events.
|
Use the sun’s heat to dry your clothes
Did you know that since October 1, 2010, Maryland is among several states, including Colorado, Florida, and California, that have passed legislation to promote energy conservation? Maryland’s "Right-to-Dry" law (SB 224) prohibits homeowner associations (HOAs), condominium associations, and cooperatives from banning clotheslines. While they cannot forbid them, associations may place reasonable restrictions on the dimensions, placement, or appearance of clotheslines to protect aesthetic values or fire safety. And while you’re hanging your clothes outside to dry, don’t forget to wash them in cold water.
If you can’t put panels on your roof, there is another way to use the power of the sun to lower your energy costs
It doesn’t matter if you rent, lease, or own your home. Thanks to community solar, any resident who pays an electric bill can take advantage of local community solar projects and save money every month. By subscribing to a share of a nearby solar farm, you can enjoy credits on your utility bill, which helps lower your electricity costs. Here are some projects currently available to residents:
-
Ampion: When you subscribe and are approved for a Community Solar project in Montgomery County, Ampion will send you a $100 Visa gift card*, which you can use to pay for a Home Energy Audit. Support the generation of solar energy with no panel installations and no sign-up cost. You will even save up to 10% on your electricity costs for as long as you choose to subscribe to a share of a local solar farm’s production.
-
Groundswell: The SharePower™ program allows subscribers to receive clean energy and solar credits, with the added bonus of making a social and environmental impact in their neighborhood.
-
Neighborhood Sun: Neighborhood Sun’s Community Solar subscribers have saved over $10 Million on their electricity bills thanks to the clean, local energy. Subscribers save 10-20% on their electricity costs annually. When you subscribe to community solar, Neighborhood Sun connects you with a local solar farm in your community so you can get a designated share of the clean energy it produces (based on your average monthly energy usage).
Not sure where to start? Solar United Neighbors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building an energy system that works for all, provides unbiased information for residents and has created a directory for available projects in Maryland.
|
If it’s yellow let it mellow, if it keeps leaking contact WSSC
Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland is partnering with WSSC Water to connect income eligible homeowners with assistance through the CAP Leak Repair Program. The program helps address plumbing leaks that can lead to high water bills and potential damage to the home. By supporting needed repairs, the program helps homeowners maintain safe, functional housing and protect the long-term condition of their homes. This partnership ensures residents have access to resources that help keep their homes stable, healthy, and sustainable.
🌎 Did we mention it’s EARTH MONTH? 🌎
👩🏽🍳 And if you can’t make one of these events, we challenge you to make a solar oven and cook something delicious!
💰 Do you work for a nonprofit in Montgomery County? If so, we have money for you!!! A maximum of $1,000,000 in total grant funding will be made available through the Healthy, Efficient, Electrified, Climate-Adapted Pilot (HEECAP) Homes Grants Program. And guess what? The deadline has been extended until...EARTH DAY – April 22, 2026, so now is the time to apply for those funds and help our neighbors make their homes more comfortable.
Images in this newsletter came from the following resources. We do not pay for these or endorse any particular product but we thank you for sharing your art and images with the world, we appreciate it.
🌎 This newsletter is written by real humans and we may make mistakes. If you find a mistake, misspelling, or a link that doesn't work, please let us know.
Email energy@montgomerycountymd.gov. We would like to thank you by sending you something in the mail to help you lower your energy bills. 🌎
|
