Actions Around the Home
The Frog will explore The Climate Action Handbook: A Visual Guide to 100 Climate Solutions by Heidi Roop in the first 100 days of 2024
In the first `100 days of 2024 we will explore 100 climate solutions that may “empower you to evaluate, engage, and act” to address on-going climate change as an individual on your terms.
The GHG emissions from heating and cooling our houses in the US is equivalent to the total emissions from all of Brazil. This represents 20 percent of all the emissions from the US. Tackling energy efficiency in our homes can have a major impact on climate change mitigation.
Your utility may have a service to analyze the current energy state of your home and recommend an upgrades that could save energy and money. For instance, Xcel Energy’s Home Energy Squad are energy experts that can inspect and assess “how your home uses energy and offer ways to create a more energy efficient home”. They will also, for a small fee, install energy-saving solutions including LED lightbulbs, weather stripping and a programmable thermostat.
Energy efficiency equates to emissions reductions. We recently swapped out a 20+ year old air conditioner and gas furnace for an integrated heat pump and furnace system. For cooling in the summer, simply replacing the old equipment with a more energy efficient model represents a savings. And more importantly, we now heat our home with electricity on most days (especially during this mild winter we are having). Given that more and more of Xcel Energy’s electricity is from renewable sources, this represents a significant reduction in emissions from managing the temperature in our home.
As always it pays to do research. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 provided for federal tax credits and deductions that will help reduce energy costs. This includes the $2000 tax rebate on my heat pump system that will be applied to my 2023 taxes. These rebates are funded through 2032, and include federal income tax credits that will allow up to $3,200 annually to lower the cost of energy efficient home upgrades by up to 30 percent. Check your state government sites to see what incentives are available: for instance, at some point Minnesota will implement a residential heat pump rebate program.
It is a compelling action to take – reduce overall energy use, lower your emissions and save money. And yes, heat pumps make sense for Minnesota!
Next Up: Climate Action in 2024 – Day 55: Electrify Your Home, From Cooktop to Rooftop
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