⌚ Time to ELECTRIFY EVERYTHING!! 🔌

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Electrify Everything


🔌 SPECIAL EDITION 🔌

Tuesday, October 4, 2022 | Montgomery Energy Connection

Are you ready to ELECTRIFY EVERYTHING??

Ever since October 1992, the country has been celebrating Energy Action Month – this year we are focusing all of our efforts on ELECTRIFY EVERYTHING!

Montgomery County has been a national leader in responding to the challenge of climate change. Setting aggressive GHG emissions reduction targets, the County aims to reduce GHG emissions 80% by 2027 and 100% by 2035. The only way to tackle the impacts of climate change is to: ELECTRIFY EVERYTHING!

Once you electrify:

  • your home will be more comfortable,
  • your indoor and outdoor air quality will be healthier,
  • your monthly bills will be lower.

The Department of Environmental Protection's Residential Energy Program Manager, Larissa Johnson, was interviewed for 50+ in Montgomery County to discuss Energy Action Month and tips to help you ELECTRIFY EVERYTHING!
Hear all about what we have planned for you by clicking the image below 🔽.

50 plus


What other ELECTRIFYING treats do we have for you this month?

Don't be a ghoul 👻. Click below to find out:


Electrify Your Ride: October 3 - 9

EV

Most of us use some form of transportation to get around each day, whether it’s riding a bike, taking the bus, or driving a car. This week, we’re highlighting the importance of electrifying you ride by making the switch from a combustion, gas-powered car to an electric vehicle (EV). EVs are the future of transportation, providing drivers with an emissions-free form of transportation and the ability to charge at home or a public-charging station, instead of worrying about fluctuating prices at the gas pump. 

Visit the webpages on EVs and charging stations to learn more and determine if an EV is right for you. If you haven’t done so already, be sure to take Montgomery County’s EV Pledge to show your support for the Montgomery County EV Purchasing Cooperative and commit to making your next vehicle electric! 

Stop by one of the locations with an EV charger listed under ELECTRIFYING EVENTS to hear more from Brian Booher, the new Zero-Emissions Vehicle Senior Planning Specialist!


Electrify Your Home: October 10 - 16

heat pump split

During the second week of Energy Action Month, the spotlight is on your home. A key way to help the County meet its climate goals is by electrifying home appliances/systems by replacing fossil fuel-powered systems with electric alternatives. Heat pumps are an ideal, energy-efficient alternative to furnaces, boilers, and air conditioners. Efficient electric water heaters are also an option worth exploring.  

If you’re interested in switching out a gas or fossil fuel-powered system with an electric alternative, take Montgomery County’s Electrify Everything pledge today. 

Get your questions answered by an EXPERT on Saturday, October 15th at 11:00 am from the comfort of your home!  


Electrify Your Kitchen: October 17 - 23

Photo by cottonbro: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-girl-cooking-eggs-in-the-kitchen-5894548/

One of the ways you can reduce your home’s carbon footprint and help the County meet its climate goals is to switch to induction cooking in your kitchen. Compared to a traditional natural gas stove, induction cooking appliances are better for the environment, use less energy, are fast and efficient, and a safer alternative. The New York Times has an article to answer all of your induction cooking questions. 

Don't miss our food demonstration on October 19th at Crossroads Farmers' Market, more details in the ELECTRIFYING EVENTS section. 


Electrify Your Lawn: October 24 - 31

leaf blower

As we close out Energy Action Month, the focus is on electrifying your lawn. Beyond the loud noises they generate, did you know that using a gas-powered leaf blower for an hour emits as much carbon monoxide as a car engine idling more than eight hours? Making the switch to electric leaf blowers is easy: they’re clean, emit less noise, and require less maintenance than gas-powered models.  

Mark your calendars for Monday, October 24th at 6:30 pm. Jamie Banks, PhD, MSc, Founder and President of Quiet Communities will speak to us about the environmental and health impacts of gas powered yard care equipment, and how switching to electric yard care equipment saves money and supports the wellbeing of our communities.


Electrifying Events!

This month, we will be visiting various locations to help people ELECTRIFY EVERYTHING in their homes and most importantly switch to LED lightbulbs. Come check out one of these events: 

💡 Wednesday, October 5, 2022, from 12:00 - 2:00 PM
Maggie Nightingale Library, 19633 Fisher Ave, Poolesville
Active Aging Week Pop Up Event with Lightbulb Exchange and EV Charging Station    

💡 Thursday, October 6, 2022, from 3:00 - 6:00 PM
Wheaton Library, 11701 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring
Active Aging Week Pop Up Event with Lightbulb Exchange and EV Charging Station    

Thursday, October 6, 2022, from 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Electrify Everything Webinar

💡 Friday, October 7, 2022, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Benjamin Gaither Center, 80-A Bureau Dr, Gaithersburg
Active Aging Week Pop Up Event with Lightbulb Exchange and EV Charging Station    

💡 Friday, October 7, 2022, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Griffith Park/City Hall, 29 S Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg
Mujer Fuerza y Coraje Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration with Lightbulb Exchange

💡 Saturday, October 8, 2022, from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Lawton Center, 4301 Willow Lane Chevy Chase
Town of Chevy Chase Trash and Treasure Event with Lightbulb Exchange

💡 Sunday, October 9, 2022, from 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Kentlands Market Square, 40 Market St, Gaithersburg
Oktoberfest with Lightbulb Exchange  

Saturday, October 15, 2022, from 11:00 – 12:00 PM
ONLINE: Electrify Your Home: Heat Pump 101 with an Expert from Elysian Energy

💡 Saturday, October 15, 2022, from 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Hughes United Methodist Church at 10700 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring
IMPACT Silver Spring Festival familiar de otono with Lightbulb exchange

💡 Wednesday, October 19, 2022, from 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Crossroads Farmers’ Market, Anne St. @, University Blvd E, Takoma Park
Electrify Your Kitchen: Food Demonstration with Lightbulb Exchange

Monday, October 24, 2022 from 6:30 - 7:30 PM 
ONLINE: Electrify Your Yard with Jamie Banks, PhD, MSc from Quiet Communities

💡 Friday, October 28, 2022, from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Aspen Hill Library, 4407 Aspen Hill Rd, Rockville
Outdoor Baby Story Time and Lightbulb Exchange  

💡Saturday, October 29, 2022, from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Quince Orchard Library, 15831 Quince Orchard Rd, Gaithersburg
Halloween Story Time and Lightbulb Exchange

Sunday, October 30, 2022, from 12:00 – 4:00 PM
Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center, 1000 Forest Glen Rd, Silver Spring
Beacon 50 + Expo 2022 with Montgomery Energy Connection Information Table

💡 Monday, October 31, 2022, from 3:00 – 6:00 PM
Davis Library, 6400 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda
Halloween STEM Storytime is from 4:00 - 5:00 but the Lightbulb Exchange will be there during the entire 3:00 - 6:00 PM timeframe. 


🎃 PUMPKIN POWER ACTIVITY 🎃

pumpkin

ELECTRIFYING ACTIVITY: With Halloween just around the corner, pumpkin-based science can be a fun way to get hands-on during science class or at home. This activity is fun for scientists of all ages (those under 18 should have adult supervision for this one!)  To conduct your own Pumpkin Power experiment, NEED, National Energy Education Development Project, has shared an amazing activity called PUMPKIN POWER. Click this link to get to the activity.