Clean Energy and Home Electrification “Helpers” (explanation here)

Since this is still an emerging area, there’s a lot of geographic variability in resources you may be able to tap into for guidance and support on home electrification, and unfortunately still a lot of gaps. (Note that I’m not including programs with restricted eligibility based on income/home affordability, although those way well be available through your utility or relevant government agencies.) Please let me know if you’re aware of any options that should be added to this list!

National or Multi-State (at least theoretically, check individual websites for availability in your region)

Amply Energy https://www.amply.energy

The Amply team provides a holistic plan to identify and prioritize opportunities that align with your home energy goals, including carbon reduction, and partners with vetted local installers for implementation.

BlocPower https://www.blocpower.io

BlocPower uses proprietary technology to analyze, finance and upgrade homes and buildings with the latest in energy-efficient, electric technology and appliances, providing a “one-stop shop” for electrification.

Energy Sage https://heatpumps.energysage.com

A longstanding platform for getting information about home solar along with quotes from vetted installers, Energy Sage is now entering into the world of heat pumps.

Gridly https://www.gogridly.com

The Gridly algorithm analyzes various attributes of your home - size, location, climate zone, heating type - to identify market-leading technologies, products and services for your net-zero plan. The company will provide market pricing estimates, apply relevant rebates and tax incentives, calculate projected annual savings and carbon impact, and lay out the buy vs. finance options. 

Helio Home https://www.heliohome.io

Helio offers an integrated and streamlined home electrification process based on comprehensive net-zero plans covering insulation, air sealing, ventilation, solar panels, heat pumps, induction stoves, EV charging, battery storage and more.

Sealed https://sealed.com

Sealed works with certified local contractors to provide custom heating and cooling plans covering weatherization upgrades along with HVAC system design, then coordinates the implementation work. Their model provides financing with repayment based on measured monthly energy savings rather than customers paying for installation up-front.

Zero Homes https://www.zerohomes.io

Using a virtual assessment process, Zero provides customized, holistic home improvement plans that homeowners can use to identify and prioritize which retrofits related to electrification, energy efficiency, and renewables are most important to them.

California

Quit Carbon https://www.quitcarbon.com

This company provides a free personalized plan for home electrification and clean energy upgrades, then connects you with vetted contractors.

Colorado

Elephant Energy https://elephantenergy.com

Currently serving the Front Range of Colorado (and greater Boston area, see below), Elephant Energy advisors will provide you with a custom proposal tailored to making your home more comfortable and environmentally friendly, then manage the installation process.

Go Electric Colorado https://goelectriccolorado.org

Go Electric Colorado’s mission is to protect people and their planet by transitioning our homes and commutes to cleaner, more economical electric appliances and vehicles. The organization’s volunteer Neighborhood Advisors will meet with you to answer your questions and put together a plan to electrify your home and commute.

Illinois

Oak Park Climate Action Network https://opcan.org

Oak Park Climate Action Network (OPCAN) is a volunteer group of Oak Park, Illinois, residents working to eliminate our community’s contribution to the global climate crisis through equitable policies and practices.

Massachusetts

Elephant Energy https://elephantenergy.com

Currently serving the Front Range of Colorado and greater Boston area, Elephant Energy advisors will provide you with a custom proposal tailored to making your home more comfortable and environmentally friendly, then manage the installation process.

Heat Smart Alliance https://heatsmartalliance.org

This volunteer group promotes adoption of low-emissions heating, cooling and related technology in local communities through providing free advice from trained coaches.

New York

New Yorkers for Clean Power https://nyforcleanpower.org/cleanenergycoaching

This group offers free virtual appointments with volunteer clean energy coaches to provide advice on issues including weatherization, HVAC, electric vehicles, and more.

Wild Grid https://www.wildgridhome.com

Wild Grid will provide a step-by-step plan for you covering recommended options for solar, heat pumps, insulation, induction stoves, and more, along with rebate information.

Ohio

All Phase Foundation https://www.allphasefdn.org

The All Phase Foundation seeks to promote social & environmental  justice, while advancing community learning opportunities, transforming workplace environments, and electrification adoption. The project aims to convert low-income black and brown communities in Cleveland, Ohio, from unnatural gas appliances to electric appliances. The project will be executed through community listening sessions and dialogues explaining the positive health outcomes of switching from unnatural gas to electric.

Electrify Central Ohio https://www.electrifycentralohio.org

Okay, this one is me. I’m working with other volunteers in central Ohio to provide free support for anyone interested in their clean energy and home electrification options. What could be more fun?

Oregon

Electrify Now https://electrifynow.net/take-action

This organization provides resources, recommendations, and some discounts (although not personalized support) on several fronts such as solar, heat pumps, induction cooking, electric fireplaces, and electric mowers.

Electrify PDX https://electrifypdx.org

Electrify PDX offers help in planning and implementing home electrification and clean energy projects for Portland households, up to and including yard signs to show where they are on their journey. (Plus a permanent aluminum certification sign for homes that have gone all-electric and switched to carbon-free energy!)

Texas

Kelvin Homes https://kelvin.homes

This company uses an online assessment followed by an in-home visit to provide a tailored heat pump installation quote from a vetted local contractor partner.

Washington

Zwell https://zwellhome.com

Zwell uses a “DIY” home energy audit process to provide you with a customized analysis of high-impact actions you can take to reduce your carbon footprint. The company does not currently include contractor recommendations or project management services.

Clean energy consumer information

U.S. Department of Energy: https://www.energy.gov/save

This federal government resource offers an information hub covering a wide range of resources regarding clean energy and energy efficient consumer choices.

Inflation Reduction Act Information:

https://www.energystar.gov/about/federal_tax_credits

https://www.energy.gov/scep/home-energy-rebate-programs

https://www.irs.gov/inflation-reduction-act-of-2022

https://www.rewiringamerica.org/IRAguide

Now that Congress has passed actual federal climate legislation (hooray!), there’s a new world of tax credits and rebates out there available (or soon to be) for most of the Steps described here. I couldn’t resist doing a blog post on the basics, but the official folks at various federal agencies have started to roll out information on tax credits for items such as home efficiency improvements and residential clean energy investments, as well as initial details on forthcoming rebate programs. Last but certainly not least, the electrification gurus at Rewiring America have an guide that pulls together various tools for understanding how you can leverage the IRA in support of your clean energy goals.

Energy Star Rebate Finder: https://www.energystar.gov/rebate-finder

Local information on incentives available for purchasing ENERGY STAR-certified products – i.e., products that have been evaluated and tested by experts to make sure they deliver energy savings that are worth your up-front investment in the long run.

Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE): https://www.dsireusa.org/

 A comprehensive, regularly updated database of federal, state, local, and utility incentives and policies that support renewable energy and energy efficiency in the U.S. It’s not 100% foolproof, but if you want a one-stop shop to see how you might be able to get help investing in clean energy for your home, this is about the best there is. I will warn you, it’s a lot of information without a ton of context as to how it might apply to you – so you’ll probably have to do some follow-up research to see if what you want to do is actually eligible for support through listed items like tax incentives or rebate programs.

Your utility’s website and/or customer service call center

Although I can’t say communicating with your utility will always be easy or pleasant, this is something of a must since their programs and offerings change periodically and those changes aren’t always captured in other resources like DSIRE. Also, when it comes to figuring out what options are available for Step Three, your utility will be the place to start as you look for rates and programs that will let you reduce your bills and/or your climate footprint with tools like smart thermostats and smart appliances. There may also be private companies with these types of offerings depending on where you live – such as OhmConnect, David Energy, and Octopus Energy – but utility programs can provide a good comparison point to assess the pros and cons of everything else that’s out there.

State energy organizations and utility regulators: https://www.energy.gov/eere/femp/state-energy-offices-and-organizations and https://www.naruc.org/about-naruc/regulatory-commissions/

 You’re paying these folks’ salaries with your tax dollars, which means they (ostensibly) work for you. Take advantage of that by asking them for help if you need it. Most of these agencies don’t have the resources or mandate to provide full-service consumer guidance on clean energy options, but they may at least be able to give you some pointers on where to look and answer basic questions about your local energy markets and offerings.

State consumer advocates: https://www.nasuca.org/members/

 This list covers most of the state-level organizations (sometimes they’re official government agencies) that aim to represent the interests of you, the residential consumer, on utility issues. There may be other groups as well – examples in include Citizens’ Utility Boards in several states (such as Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio), The Utility Reform Network in California, and the Citizens Action Coalition in Indiana – and they can have a range of views on energy policy issues. But they all tend to be well-informed on what’s going on in your state when it comes to consumer clean energy options, and will hopefully be able to help you identify where you can look for help on your path to reducing your climate footprint.Energy Sage: https://www.energysage.com

 For a long time, Energy Sage has been one of the go-to resources out there for people looking for information and price quotes on home solar. Over the last several years, they’ve expanded to include detailed resources on everything from energy efficiency to renewable energy to home electrification to electric vehicles. As you’re heading out into the clean energy marketplace, this is a great place to start for objective and up-to-date information.

Carbon Switch: https://carbonswitch.com/

 If you’re around my age or older, you probably grew up with Consumer Reports as the first stop before any major purchase. (I’m not sure whether that reference will mean as much to those of you in the millennial/Gen Z crowd, but think Wirecutter.)  If you’re wondering why something like that doesn’t exist for clean energy, the founder of Carbon Switch had the same question – and decided to fill that gap by starting a website with product reviews and guides for consumers looking to live more sustainably. Their library is still growing, and currently focuses on retail products rather than some of the home contractor and utility rate issues you may run into during some of the Climate Smart Handbook steps, but I recommend checking them out for resources that may be a big help on your clean energy journey.

Home electrification

Rewiring America “Electrify Everything in Your Home” guide: https://www.rewiringamerica.org/electrify-home-guide

Redwood Energy Pocket Guide: https://redwoodenergy.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Pocket-Guide-to-All-Electric-Retrofits-of-Single-Family-Homes.pdf

 If you have read Step Two, you won’t be surprised to see these listed as two great references as you dive into the nitty gritty work of home electrification. Hopefully this website has helped in starting to pique your interest – but Rewiring America and Redwood Energy can provide the detailed content you’re looking for to stop burning fossil fuels at home.

Electric vehicles

U.S. Department of Energy Vehicle Cost Calculator: https://afdc.energy.gov/calc/

For many Americans, the single biggest thing you can do to cut your personal climate footprint is switch to electric transportation. This calculator can help you do a detailed comparison of the actual costs of ownership for specific EV models compared to traditional gas-powered options.

U.S. Department of Energy Public EV Charging Station Map: https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity_locations.html#/find/nearest?fuel=ELEC, route planner at https://afdc.energy.gov/stations/#/find/route

Want an up-to-date look at the publicly available charging network in your area, or for an EV road trip? This is an easy place to look.

PlugShare: https://www.plugshare.com

PlugShare offers an online map and trip planner similar to the U.S. Department of Energy, but also an app version for iOS and Android. This tool includes crowd-sourced reviews and feedback about individual charging stations from users actually on the ground across the country.

EV purchases and general information: https://myev.com and https://plugstar.com

Although mainstream auto industry websites are starting to include more comprehensive coverage of EVs, MyEV.com and PlugStar provide specialized information and shopping resources focused exclusively on EVs.