Kicking Gas, in partnership with the Sno-Isle Sierra Club and Homes and Hope Community Land Trust, will present a free information session from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 29 about converting from gas, oil or wood for heating and cooking to electric heat pumps and induction stoves.
The information session is taking place at the Village on Casino Road, 14 E. Casino Rd. Everett. It will feature a slide show explaining the Kicking Gas program, as well as information on the importance of electrification, organizers said in a news release.
Gal Zamir from AirGanic Heating and Cooling will talk about heat pumps and the installation process. Erika Lundahl from Salish Sea Cooperative Finance will explore financing options. Attendees will receive guidance, answers to questions and learn about subsidies and financing available to those who make the switch.
Kicking Gas is a grassroots Whidbey Island-based climate justice organization that works to make home electrification measures accessible and affordable to those who need them in the Puget Sound area. The program is coming to Snohomish County after last year converting 117 homes on Whidbey Island to heat pumps, offering a 20% or 50% savings off the project cost to eligible households, up to a $7,500 cap. This year they said they hope to help 150 renters and homeowners with their heating and cooking conversions, including residents of Snohomish County and Whidbey Island.
“We are thrilled to help bring this program to Snohomish County.” said Nancy Johnson, co-chair for Sno-Isle Group of the Sierra Club. “Come join us to learn how you can convert your home appliances to save on utility bills, reduce carbon emissions and increase your indoor air quality. We look forward to meeting you.”
To register for this event, go to www.kickgasnow.org/events/info-session-5/29/24-lbwt2
This “go-all-electric” thing because worse than a fanatics’ cult. Reason and minimum common sense have been thrown out of the window.
Hello Mario,
This is a totally voluntary way for people to reduce their climate impact and improve the health and safety of their homes – especially for children. I see it as a win-win-win situation and a great opportunity.
If you have questions about home electrification, I hope you can put them in the comments and we can discuss.
Nancy
Hi Nancy,
It seems our definitions of “voluntary” differ. In my definition, “voluntary” means optional, at the person’s discretion.
However, since the WA government is mandating new constructions to use all-electric appliances and has been also pushing to phase out non-electric appliances sales in WA, as is has done with gasoline cars, it appears that your “voluntary” is based on the typical totalitarian-regime places (which seem to be Olympia’s role models).
https://electrek.co/2022/11/09/heat-pumps-washington-state/
Have you thought about where all the electricity will come from?
Gosh, I’m close to 100% electric now – cleaner, quieter, cheaper (after installation), low environmental impact – but I didn’t realize I was worse than a fanatic cultist. Is there a rescue program for me?
Congratulations! Electrification provided the same benefits in my home. Had a party when PSE removed the gas meter!
Have you thought where the electricity to power all appliances and cars being electric will come from?
In a comment for a different article I demonstrated how replacing all gas-powered cars by EVs would require at least doubling the current US electric power grid to recharge them. The mandate to forbid sales of gasoline cars is already in place here in WA.
How much do you estimate will be required to power all appliances?
Do not forget a couple recent articles here on MEN saying that the Snohomish PUD doubled its electricity rate raise from the originally projected just because a cold snap showed how bad the grid is and will require several upgrades. Another article showed how the hydro power plants here in WA are reducing their output and the trend is to reduce even more. I’m sure you read the news about California telling EV owners more than once to not charge their cars because there wasn’t enough power in that state’s grid.
Add this on top the already growing consumption: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/arm-ceo-warns-ai-s-power-appetite-could-devour-25-of-us-electricity-by-2030/ar-BB1llBc2
So, where do you think the electricity will come from and how much will cost to upgrade the grid to deal with the extra power to be delivered?
Hello Mario,
The article you referenced https://electrek.co/2022/11/09/heat-pumps-washington-state/ is incorrect.
The new guidelines were updated in November, and took effect March 15. They do not outlaw gas furnaces – but they still do make it much more difficult to install them. See https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/wa-adopts-new-rules-to-phase-out-fossil-fuels-in-new-construction/#:~:text=This%20week%20the%20state%20Building,targets%20without%20installing%20heat%20pumps.
There have been some long overdue updates to antiquated electric grid rules, see at: https://apnews.com/article/renewable-energy-transmission-ferc-biden-climate-50a40b16503647d0ed5c2a90aae9ceb9 which will help us get there. In addition, I recently attended the PUD Energy Block Party, including an EV show. Many of the vehicles displayed featured bidirectional charging, which can greatly reduce pressure on the grid. That is just one example.
As a retired nurse, I am equally concerned about natural gas and its contribution to the climate crisis and to our health (see https://www.lung.org/blog/methane-gas-pollution.
We can all work together to convince decision-makers to build up our electrical grid to ensure we do have enough supply to carry us into the future.
Hi Nancy,
According to the Seattle Times itself, it’s “nearly impossible”, which pretty much bans them. Also from the ST article: ““The Council has merely ‘gamed’ the energy efficiency crediting tables to impose a de facto ban on heating appliances fueled by natural gas or propane,” Gregory Johnson, a senior electrical engineer for Avista, wrote to the Building Code Council.”
Take a look at this article that talks about a new law that forces utilities to shift towards “green energy”. There’s a big concern about the rates. Will those con-artists in Olympia issue more “rebates for the needy” while they line their own pockets? https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2024/03/28/controversial-clean-energy-law-takes-effect-in-washington/
Nature’s physics and thermodynamics do not care about men’s “laws”, only its own Laws, which state that energy cannot be created. As an example, look at Germany, which has been reactivating or building new coal-fired power plants because their “green energy” ones cannot supply the demand.
So far no one answered my question asking where the electricity replacing gasoline, diesel and natural gas will come from. Still waiting.
Also, since you cited your concern about climate and environment, have you read this article by the MIT? https://climate.mit.edu/ask-mit/how-well-can-electric-vehicle-batteries-be-recycled
A recent article here in MEN mentioned how we are exporting used EVs (with end-of-life batteries) to developing countries. Looks the same as mopping the dirt under the rug.
The PUD offered an incentive program years ago for installing heat pumps. My heating bill was huge. I took advantage of the program and really appreciate the air conditioning that the heat pump provides during the summer plus the efficiency and less expense. I assume there are many more households that took advantage of that offer.
Eva Mehaffey