3 Questions With ElectrifyPDX

Shannon Wilson, program manager for the nonprofit initiative ElectrifyPDX, leads an effort to get Portland homeowners to change their sources of power for cooking, heat, and hot water to clean electricity instead of gas and other fossil fuels.

Why should homeowners want to use clean energy instead of, say, gas?

“Scientists agree that we need to stop emitting carbon emissions by 2050 in order to keep our planet livable. And so it's the biggest impact that you can make on the climate.

“You get better indoor air quality when you get rid of your gas stove. Oftentimes, people say that when they have heat pumps, they're getting both heat and cooling. And you also often get lower utility bills.”

How much does it cost?

“It depends on how much you're going have to replace. But the great news is that the Inflation Reduction Act is providing the average homeowner about $10,000 worth of rebates and incentives for that transition. Usually, the savings of actually operating an efficient all-electric home are $1,000 to $2,000 per year.”

Is there one of those changes that is the biggest energy saver among what you've listed?

“The heat pump water heater has been identified as the most efficient appliance. On average, about 18% of the home's energy use is to heat water.”