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Illinois Future of Gas: Electrification Meeting Pt. I – November 4, 2024

Elizabeth — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 16:49:12 +0000

By: Scott Allen, Energy Policy Specialist Today’s Future of Gas workshop began with an announcement: between now and Dec. 6, 2024, the ICC will be accepting decarbonization pilot project ideas from interested stakeholders. It wasn’t immediately clear how these pilots could be put into effect–or indeed if they ever would be– but ICC staff suggested that it could materialize as part of the gas utilities’ long-term infrastructure plans that are due by the summer of 2025. If you’re interested in learning more about the pilot development process or submitting a project idea, visit the ICC’s updated website. The remainder of the workshop focused on electrification as a decarbonization pathway. Iain Walker, from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, spoke about residential electrification and Nik Sawe, from Energy Innovation, covered industrial electrification. Both presentations were thorough, and I would encourage people to watch them. The Lawrence Berkeley slides covered concerns that CUB often hears from homeowners. Residential Electrification In my time at CUB, I’ve seen a lot of visual aids meant to help everyday consumers understand a pathway to a decarbonized, electrified home. Many of the visuals look nice, but often they say either way too much, or not enough. Iain Walker’s visual comes pretty close to being just right, including steps for everybody involved in the home electrification process, from residents to contractors to policymakers. Most of these concepts are as straightforward as they seem. However, I’d like to draw attention to a couple that might require an adjustment in how we choose and use our appliances. The second step of the outline above–”Low power electrification…”–is where Walker asked us to think about power vs. energy. What’s the difference? Power refers to the amount of energy an appliance requires to run, while energy refers to the amount of electricity an appliance uses over time. (We pay for energy on our monthly electric bills.) Now consider power requirements for gas vs. electric appliances. As the graph below shows, electric appliances are less power intensive compared to gas appliances. That is especially true for water- and space-heating appliances. Now think about this: Even though an electric range/oven requires a significant amount of power, it is used for shorter periods of time. On the other hand, space heating/cooling appliances are used for much longer periods of time–but electric versions are far less power intensive. And power intensity is further reduced for heat pump technology (air warming/cooling, water heaters and clothes dryers). These concepts lead to the points Iain made in step 6: “Use integrated appliances,,,: One of the major problems many people encounter is inadequate electric service. Roughly half of the houses in the U.S. have 200 amp service, which is likely enough amperage to accommodate an electrified home plus EV charging. But older homes and/or homes that are also served by gas, may only have 100 amp service, making full electrification difficult. So what can we do about that? Increasing amperage can range from moderately expensive to really expensive (as in, this-job-is-worth-more-than-my-house expensive). It may even require a prohibitively expensive upgrade to the ComEd/Ameren-side of your electric service. Iain offered some alternatives, appliance integration […]

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We asked for your clean energy testimonials and CUB supporters delivered

Elizabeth — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 20:24:05 +0000

We asked our e-newsletter recipients for their energy success stories, and we received many great testimonials on how you’re using clean energy to cut costs. Here are a few of our favorites. Derek, Oak Park Using state and federal clean energy rebates, Derek was able to achieve a significant reduction in his home’s carbon footprint by installing solar panels, making energy efficiency upgrades and swapping out gas appliances for electric ones. “As a homeowner, there are significant steps I can take to do my part in eliminating my own personal climate pollution: replace our appliances with electric ones and generate free, clean energy with rooftop solar panels,” he wrote. “We don’t need to wait for some new technology to be invented, or some new program to make this transition. We can start now, and do our part to save the planet, improve our quality of life, and save money in the long run.” Robert, Chicago Robert participates in ComEd’s Hourly Pricing program, which charges an electricity supply rate that can change hourly. (Read CUB’s ComEd Hourly Pricing factsheet and see CUB’s Electric page for more information on utility special pricing programs.) If you can avoid heavy electricity usage during high-priced times, you can save money. In fact, the average customer is saving about 15 percent on the supply portion of their bill. “We shifted our laundry and dishwasher to overnight operation using built-in delay timers in the devices,” he said. “We have saved 25 percent in energy costs since making the switch.” Ed, Carlinville Ed switched out his air conditioner and furnace for an energy-efficient heat pump system. “The great thing about air source heat pumps is that they offer you more bang for your buck by functioning as a heating source in the winter and, using the same technology in reverse, an AC in the summer,” said CUB’s new Carbon Free Buildings Coordinator Joey Lee. Read CUB’s Better Heat Guide and Heat Pump factsheet to learn how you can make the switch too. Kathy, Chicago Kathy has insulated her home, installed solar panels, bought an electric stove and an electric heat pump dryer and installed a heat pump. “I hope to later this year or early next year put in a heat pump water heater at that point I will be 100 percent electric in a 110-year-old house!” she said. Read CUB’s Guide to the Inflation Reduction Act to learn how you can use federal rebates for these electric appliance upgrades and CUB’s Solar Guide for more information about solar energy in Illinois. Michael, Lincolnshire A few years ago, Michael learned about the Community Solar program, which helps participants enjoy the benefits of solar without having to install panels on their property. The program allows consumers to save money on their electric bills from energy produced by large, offsite community solar projects, similar to how you would save on your electric bill if you installed panels on your own property. Michael signed up, and he said: “I started saving money on my electric bills… For the first 2-year contract ending 1/1/23, I have saved $303.26.” Jim, Berwyn Jim installed […]

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Electrifying news: Utilities offer home rebates, discounts for moving from gas to electricity

Elizabeth — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 19:17:37 +0000

By: Kate Shonk CUB Sustainable Communities Liason At almost every outreach event, CUB staff fields questions on electrification. Now more than ever, it’s clear consumers are curious about alternatives to gas, and now more than ever there are financial incentives to help them make that switch. Because electric supply can come from renewable energy sources, electrifying your home can lead to lower emissions and more affordable utility bills. (Read CUB’s blog on “What is Electrification?”) Transitioning away from gas in your own home can seem daunting, but it can start by replacing one outdated, broken or inefficient gas-powered appliance. And on top of the environmental benefits of electrification, there are new financial incentives. We compiled a list of rebates to help you begin the electrification process, but be sure to check out CUB’s Statewide Better Heat Guide for more information on cheaper and cleaner ways to fuel your home. For those in ComEd territory, check out these rebates: Replace your gas-powered clothes dryer with an electric dryer to qualify for a $40 rebate. Buy a heat pump-powered clothes dryer to qualify for a $200 rebate. Purchase an induction cooktop for a $100 rebate. Receive a discount of up to $2,000 on qualifying air source heat pumps, or a $100 discount on air source heat pump tune-ups. Receive a discount of up to a $9,000 on a geothermal (ground source) heat pump system, or a $1,275-$1,800 discount on a geothermal heat pump indoor unit replacement. Receive a discount of up to $1,350 on a mini-split heat pump, a heating and cooling source that does not require ductwork. To get started on the rebate or discount process in ComEd territory: Review the rebate application steps, purchase the appliance, and complete the application online or by email to Rebates@ComEd.com. You can also download and fill out the application. Instant coupons are also available at certain retailers. Download an instant in-store coupon and present it at checkout. For any questions, call 1-855-433-2700. For those in Ameren territory, check out these rebates: Buy an energy-efficient heat pump water heater and receive a $300 rebate. Replace your gas-powered clothes dryer with an electric dryer to receive a $50 rebate. Contact an Ameren Instant Incentives Program Ally Contractor to receive discounts on ducted air source heat pumps, ductless mini-split heat pumps and heat pump water heaters. Amounts may vary. To get started on the rebate or discount process in Ameren territory: View qualifying appliance models for electric dryers. Get an instant coupon to buy a heat pump water heater at qualifying retailers, or apply for an online rebate. For ducted air source heat pumps and ductless mini-split heat pumps, view the instant incentives fact sheet. For any questions, call 1-866-828-6918. About the author: Kate Shonk started at CUB in 2022. She serves as the main contact for grassroots outreach events and works to advocate for Illinois consumers. Kate graduated from the University of Michigan in 2020 with degrees in English and Political Science. Her favorite part about working for CUB is combining her passions for community organizing and environmental policy. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, writing, and […]

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What is Electrification? A CUB Explainer

Elizabeth — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 15:56:24 +0000

What’s with all the buzz about electrification? CUB has a new “Better Heat” guide that explains this topic in-depth, but here’s a quick CUB explainer to help break it all down. What is electrification? Building electrification is the process of replacing fossil-fueled equipment like furnaces and natural gas stoves with their electric counterparts. Switching to electricity to run your home means that your energy can come from clean and more affordable sources like solar or wind, improve indoor air quality and help protect you from high gas costs. Why does CUB support it? CUB supports the transition to electrification because Illinoisians simply can’t afford not to. Gas is bad for our bottom lines: The volatile gas market subjects customers to recurring price spikes and high charges linked to aggressive utility spending. Currently, Illinois consumers face about $887 million in rate-hike requests by the state’s major gas utilities. These problems are felt statewide but seem to be most severe in Chicago, where about one in five customers are consistently one month or more behind on their gas bills. (Last month, we held a protest at the Peoples Gas Headquarters against their record $402 million rate-hike request.) Gas is bad for our health: There is mounting evidence that gas stoves pollute your home’s air. Sustainability think tank RMI linked the typical use of gas stoves to a 42 percent increase in rates of childhood asthma and additional health problems. Gas is bad for the planet: Heating with gas is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. RMI found that 10 states account for nearly 60 percent of greenhouse gas emissions from buildings — and Illinois ranks third. Natural gas isn’t a sustainable option, either environmentally or financially, in the long run. It’s time for consumers to explore alternatives. How do we electrify? Electrification requires planning–this won’t happen overnight. But there are steps you can take now to get started. Complete your checklist of energy efficiency upgrades. CUB’s Clean Energy page has information on tips and programs to make your home more efficient. A home energy audit can help you make a checklist of improvements. Making your home as efficient as possible maximizes savings before you switch from gas. Plus, it’ll help when the time comes to purchase an electric heat pump (see below) to replace your gas heat: An energy-efficient home may require a smaller, less expensive pump. Manage your energy use. When you use energy is as important as how much you use. You can participate in “demand response” programs in which you can put off the bulk of your electricity usage to times when electricity demand is lower. By reducing peak electricity demand, these programs help make the power grid cleaner and more reliable, and they can help you save money. Consider using more renewable energy– you can do this by subscribing to a community solar offer or installing solar panels on your home. There has never been a better time to go solar. Once you’ve done these, consider switching from gas to electric appliances. Geothermal heat pumps are the most efficient method to heat and cool your homes and […]

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Here’s what Illinois consumers need to know about Inflation Reduction Act clean energy benefits

Elizabeth — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 21:00:03 +0000

Now that the historic Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has been signed into law, many consumers are wondering how they can benefit from the money-saving, clean energy provisions in the bill. The IRA represents much needed relief at a time when 1 in 6 homes in America are behind on their utility payments. Below are the major ways consumers can take advantage of the new legislation: Home Energy Efficiency Tax Credits Each year for the next decade, consumers can claim a tax credit for 30 percent of the cost of qualified projects that make their home less drafty or improve energy efficiency, to an annual limit of $1,200 credit. These incentives include: Up to $600 for highly efficient central air conditioners; electric panel upgrades; and water heaters, furnaces and water boilers that run on natural gas, propane or oil. These products must meet Consortium for Energy Efficiency’s highest efficiency tier. Up to $150 for a home energy audit $600 for new energy-efficient exterior windows or skylights $500 for exterior doors Heat Pumps and wood burning stoves If you purchase an energy-efficient electric or heat pump for space heating and cooling or a heat pump water heater, you qualify for 30 percent tax credits up to $2,000. Tax credits are also available for highly rated stoves and boilers that generate heat from burning wood or other biomass feedstocks. The credits for heat pumps or biomass stoves and boilers don’t count against the $1,200 annual limit for the home energy efficiency tax credit detailed in the previous section. Electrification rebates The Inflation Reduction Act includes $4.5 billion over 10 years for state and tribal programs that discount or fund electrification and efficiency projects or appliances for lower and moderate-income households. The bill defines lower-income households by annual incomes less than 80 percent of the area median income. Moderate income is defined by annual income no greater than 150 percent of the median. (Learn how to find your area median income.) The lowest-income households are eligible for point-of-sale rebates covering the full cost of certain electrical appliances or efficiency projects. Moderate-income individuals and families can get half off. The cumulative rebates available to each household total $14,000. The law sets rebate caps for selected electric product classes. There is up to $8,000 available for purchasing space heating and cooling heat pumps. For heat pump water heaters, the maximum is $1,750. For electric stoves, it’s $840. The high-efficiency electric home rebates should also cover half or all the cost of upgrading electric panels up to a $4,000 limit. Other covered services are electrical work, with a $2,500 maximum, and insulation projects, up to $1,600. Solar, batteries and geothermal Thanks to the new law, the existing 22 percent solar panel tax credit has been immediately bumped to 30 percent for the next decade. This tax credit is available now, so it’s a great time to look into your local solar group-buy programs, like Grow Solar Chicagoland. There’s also a tax credit for home battery units with more than 3 kilowatt-hours of storage capacity, allowing the benefits of solar generation to stretch into shorter winter days. For […]

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Greenflation: Myth vs Fact

Elizabeth — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 16:38:35 +0000

Amid headlines about record inflation, critics of clean energy policy have tried to blame it for the higher heating bills and the general surge in prices–they even use the term “greenflation.” But climate-friendly policy is not the cause of the high prices. The world was already grappling with pandemic-related supply chain and labor shortages that contributed to rising sales prices. Now with the war in Ukraine, sanctions against Russia will likely help keep prices elevated on items connected to top exports – oil, wheat and metals. In the case of natural gas prices, the pandemic disruptions and shortages along with an extreme cold snap last winter and other factors have all contributed to higher heating bills. “Climate policy is not to blame,” clarifies Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency. Experts explain that, if anything, clean energy policies have a deflationary effect, such as subsidies for electric vehicles and decreasing economic dependence on oil. “The result is actually a decrease in [oil] demand; which leads to lower prices,” says Clark Williams-Derry of the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. “A fossil-fuel-based economy is fundamentally driven by volatility.” Illinois consumers have experienced that first hand, as many have seen their natural gas prices double over the past year. The latest in a series of price spikes over the years began in February of 2021. This one was caused by record cold in the Southern United States–the kind of volatile weather that’s becoming more common as climate change gets worse–that disrupted the natural gas distribution system and limited supply across the country just as heating demand shot up. Other factors have helped keep prices painfully high including increased demand as economies worldwide begin to recover from the pandemic; increased Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) exports to other parts of the world, such as Europe, keeping supply lower here; less gas exploration and well construction in recent years; increased use of gas for electricity generation last summer; and decreased gas production in the Gulf of Mexico where federal officials estimate more than 90 percent of gas production was knocked offline from Hurricane Ida last summer. The result has been devastating on our heating bills. The Energy Information Administration predicted the average US household would experience significant bill increases this year on average when compared to last year. The latest EIA statistics predict a 34.6 percent increase in Midwestern natural gas bills this winter (October through March). Other heating sources are also up: While Midwestern homes that heat with electricity are expected to pay about 3 percent more this winter, propane bills are predicted to be up about 46.5 percent and across the country heating oil bills are expected to surge by nearly 55 percent. Natural gas utilities have also played a role in the bill surge. While utility companies aren’t allowed to profit from gas supply rates, they can profit off another part of the bill, delivery rates. And they’ve been finding creative ways to increase that side of bills. For example, CUB has been fighting the Qualified Infrastructure Plant surcharge since it was introduced in 2013 as a way to rake […]

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