The Building Electrification Committee (BEC) of the NJ Chapter of the Sierra Club conducts monthly webinars about home electrification and also fields questions from residents. Electrification is the replacement of gas- and oil-burning home appliances. It also includes the installation of solar panels and batteries.
Some BEC members are certified as electrification coaches through Rewiring America and have joined with other certified coaches to form a new, independent organization called The Electrification Coaches Network. This offers free electrification coaching to homeowners and renters. The coaches are experienced with electrification and want to share that knowledge with readers like yourself.
What can an electrification coach help you with? Coaches can clarify:
Your reasons for wanting to take on one or more projects. Are you replacing worn out equipment and want to take advantage of tax credits and rebates? Do you want healthier air or more even heating/cooling of your home? Do you want to reduce your energy usage? Do you want to save money on monthly utility bills?
The types of projects available to you. Do you want to replace your total HVAC system or your water heater? Do you want to replace appliances such as your gas stove with an induction range, or your gas or electric clothes dryer with a heat pump dryer? Perhaps you’d like to install solar panels or an EV charger?
What will be the approximate cost of your project? How much are you likely to save annually on operation? What other benefits will there be?
What tax credits, rebates, and zero-interest loans are available to you and in what timeframe? Tax credits can be carried over from year to year, so spacing out your projects might be advantageous, depending on your income and tax liability.
Is there a recommended order for your projects? For example, if you want to upgrade your HVAC system, you should weatherize your home first. Or, it may be advisable to upgrade your electrical panel before you begin electrification projects.
How do you find qualified contractors? What questions should you ask the contractor to evaluate the quality of the quote?
Part of the problem with the rapid pace of electrification is that contractors are also struggling to educate themselves and to obtain experience in various types of installations, especially cold-climate heat pumps. Some states oversee the training and qualifying of contractors, and they aid their residents in finding and vetting contractors, and sometimes in connecting with coaches.
For example, Massachusetts has Mass Save and New York has NYS Clean Heat. Massachusetts has a large network of trained, volunteer heat pump coaches (organized by the HeatSmart Alliance) who provide free advice and guidance to homeowners. Some towns also offer free expert reviews of quotes. Wellesley MA is a good example of a town with such supports.
The BEC is currently advocating that New Jersey supply the same kinds of assistance. Meanwhile, the independent Electrification Coaches Network volunteers are available. To sign up, click here (link is also listed below) and fill out the form. A coach will contact you.
First, though, we recommend you start a personalized electrification plan using an online tool provided by Rewiring America. Filling out the planner helps you organize your thoughts. There is a lot of information presented to you about the projects you choose, including costs, financial incentives and available contractors.
Coaches will chat with you about your residence and may ask for pictures or details about your electrical panel, your heating and cooling bills, and the age of your equipment, as well as special restrictions on your site.
In most cases, getting an energy audit is the first step, and weatherizing your home is the second step, which is why it’s a good idea to start your electrification journey before an emergency replacement is required.
Coaches can also suggest other systematic approaches. For example, there may be ways to avoid installing 240-volt circuits or to share circuits in your home so that a panel upgrade is not needed. Coaches may be able to connect you with others who have already installed similar equipment.
Here in New Jersey, residential energy use was responsible for 15% of the greenhouse gas emissions in 2021. Through home electrification, you can help make sure that our state’s energy efficiency and emissions reduction goals are met!
Resources
Independent Electrification Coaches Signup: https://shorturl.at/WLUeg
Rewiring America Personal Planner: https://shorturl.at/vXI13
New Jersey Emissions Report: https://shorturl.at/ZwYOR