RESIDENTIAL: Since lighting accounts for around 12% of an average home’s electricity use, residents can save about $225 in energy costs per year by switching to LEDs. Because the porch is often the entryway into the home, we decided to use this as the first point of contact to reach residents to talk about using less energy. A new initiative is making its way through Montgomery County and it is called Project Porchlight. If you serve on the Board for your Community Association and are interested in this project, email energy@montgomerycountymd.gov 

RESIDENTIAL: On Friday, December 2^nd, the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for technical contractor support and incentive administration for a countywide electrification incentive pilot program for residential properties. The solicitation number for this RFP is #1147188. 

The Contractor must be knowledgeable about residential electrification and fuel-switching projects, be able to support an administrative help-desk to support residents with general questions, perform energy audits, perform direct installations of energy-efficient heat pumps, electric water heaters, induction/electric stoves and cooktops, and electric dryers that are currently heated with natural gas, propane, or other fossil fuels, administer prescribed financial incentives directly to residents (Contractor will recoup incentive costs with monthly invoices to the County), and report out on program performance and metrics. A pre-submission conference will be held on January 5, 2023 via Microsoft Teams.

The RFP closes on January 16, 2023 at 3:00 PM Eastern. The full solicitation can be downloaded HERE.

RESIDENTIAL: Calling all Pepco customers: Subscribe to Community Solar Farms on WMATA stations! Community Solar is a Maryland program that lets residents support clean solar energy -- no rooftop required. There is no cost to join, nothing to install, and subscribers save up to 10% on electricity costs. Enroll at ampion.net/montgomerycounty and receive a $200 Visa gift card, $100 of which you can use to pay for your Home Energy Audit through the EmPOWER Maryland program.

RESIDENTIAL: The price to heat your home will be higher this year. The cost of natural gas is 50% higher this year than last year, and 200% higher than in 2020. If you consider shopping for a retail supplier, make sure you read the contract in full, understand what you are paying now versus what you might pay under the retail supplier's contract, and beware of variable rate contracts. Gas rates change monthly, so pay attention! If you are considering shopping with a retail supplier and want to learn more, check out OPC’s website for information.

RESIDENTIAL: The Consumer Protection Division of the Maryland Attorney General’s Office is warning consumers about home warranty scam letters addressed to homeowners. These letters urge Maryland homeowners to renew a home warranty by claiming the current home warranty “may be expiring or may have already expired.” If you have a home warranty, check with the company through which you already purchased your warranty for expiration and renewal information. If you are interested in purchasing a home warranty with a legitimate company, conduct thorough research about potential businesses by reading reviews, checking with the Better Business Bureau, and contacting the Office of the Attorney General to see if any complaints have been filed against a particular business. As for these scam letters, the Office of the Attorney General recommends that you report them to their office at consumer@oag.state.md.us, and then discard them. Do not call any numbers listed on the solicitation or respond to them in any way.

RESIDENTIAL: By participating in this Energy Escape Room, you will complete tasks that will show you how easy it is to electrify items in your home. These changes will help lower your utility bill costs, keep money in your pocket, and help the County reach our climate goals. If you are a Montgomery County resident, you can choose three amazing energy saving items that will be mailed right to your door when you complete the challenges. 

FAMILY ACTIVITY: Are you dreading the winter break because the kids will be doing circles around the house? Try this “sweet” way to incorporate energy efficiency education with a traditional holiday activity! Let creativity fly with chocolate bars representing solar panels, icing for insulation, peppermint for smart meters, and more! Download this activity.