Beneficial Electrification
Photo by Troy Moon
Beneficial Electrification is a key strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with our existing buildings, which comprise the largest portion of our building stock, and therefore the largest portion of building emissions.
Maine’s electric grid is one of the cleanest in the country and continues getting cleaner each year. Maine’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) says that 80% of our electricity must come from renewable sources by 2030 and 100% by 2050. Additionally, Portland and South Portland have a goal to install 245 MWs of solar within city limits by 2045. Replacing furnaces and appliances that burn fossil fuels with electric heat pumps and heat pump water heaters paired with the decarbonizing grid will dramatically reduce carbon emissions and lower energy costs. This idea is known as beneficial electrification.
Analysis conducted for One Climate Future shows that the majority of single-family homes in Portland and South Portland use fuel oil for heating, and fuel oil makes up almost a quarter of citywide energy use and greenhouse gas emissions for both cities. Swithcing to electric appliances such as heat pimps and heat pumps water heaters will help lower emissions, save residents on their energy costs, and make homes more energy efficient.
In March, the OCF team hosted a Coffee and Climate on beneficial electrification with special guest Joel Rosenberg from Rewiring America. Watch the recording below!
Both Cities run an Electrify Everything! Program designed to help provide residents with rebates on solar, electric vehicles and chargers, lawn equipment, e-bikes, heating & cooling systems, and home weatherization.
These programs are continuously evolving, so be sure to check out the latest version of Electrify Everything! by visiting:
Portland Electrify Everything! webpage
or the
South Portland Electrify Everything! webpage.
The City of Portland partnered with EnergySage to help home owners, renters, and business owners get solar. For residents considering solar energy, the EnergySage Solar Market aims to make the transition easier and more accessible with educational resources, calculators, free custom quotes from vetted installers and expert advice. Explore your options with EnergySage today!
Efficiency Maine Resources and Rebates
The Efficiency Maine Trust is the administrator for programs to improve the efficiency of energy use and reduce greenhouse gases in Maine. Its suite of nationally recognized programs provides consumer information, discounts, rebates, loans and investments for high-efficiency, clean energy equipment and strategies to manage energy demand.
Click below for up-to-date Efficiency Maine offerings:
