Climate watch: Controlling home electricity use is a journey
My electric bill will go up next year by a couple hundred dollars if I use the same amount as I did this year. I got the notice from my electricity supplier. I expected this. There have been news stories about rising rates due to stagnant energy capacity and higher demand in PJM, the electric grid that serves this area.
So, it’s up to me to control what I can control, and that’s our own household electricity usage. To that end, I plan to attend the meeting, “From Drafts to Dollars, Your Energy Savings Journey” at the State College Borough Municipal Building from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12. It is sponsored by State College Borough and the State College Chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby.
This event will focus on ways to save money on our electric bills while enhancing the comfort and air quality of our homes. Thirty-six percent of the Centre Region’s heat-trapping gas emissions come from residences. Saving energy not only saves money, but it also reduces emissions and improves overall air quality.
Energy efficiency experts describe managing electricity use as a three-step journey: seal, insulate and equip. This sequence matters because many homeowners jump straight to buying new equipment — often larger and more expensive than necessary — without first addressing leaks or inadequate insulation. Air leakage alone can account for 15 to 30% of a home’s heating and cooling energy use.
By air-sealing first, adding insulation second, and upgrading equipment last, homeowners ensure their homes are well-sealed and properly insulated before investing in major purchases such as heat pumps or solar panels. This order not only prevents overspending on equipment, but also reduces energy waste, lowers utility bills, cuts emissions, and creates a more comfortable home.
The “From Drafts to Dollars” event will enable participants to follow this journey from start to finish. Alternatively, if they have already undertaken efficiency steps in their home, they can start at the point in the journey that best fits their needs.
Harry Crissy of Penn State University Extension’s Energy Team is the event’s featured speaker who will present on energy efficiency. Both before and after the presentation, attendees can visit any or all of the five information tables, enjoy refreshments and enter to win a smart thermostat.
Table one will focus on assessing your current energy use and will include information on how to request free energy audits and free energy-efficiency kits from West Penn Power.
Table two will highlight weatherization tips and insulation options.
Induction cooking with a single-burner induction cooktop will be on display at table 3, as well as information on West Penn Power appliance rebates.
Table four will showcase larger equipment: heat pump water heaters and air source heat pumps, along with the monetary incentives offered by West Penn Power for their purchase. Mike Silliman, owner of Electrified HVAC, LLC, will be stationed here.
Solar energy will be the topic at table five. A rooftop solar case study and a small, portable solar-powered backup battery will be explained. Citizens’ Climate Lobby volunteers will facilitate.
The dollars-and-cents reality of rising electricity costs makes it timely to see how we can save money and help the environment, too. “From Drafts to Dollars, Your Energy Saving Journey” is a good starting point for gathering information for our personal energy-efficiency journey. The event is free and registration is required — sign up here: https://bit.ly/47djLM5.
Richard W. Jones is a volunteer with the State College chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby. Reach the chapter at PaStateCollege@citizensclimatelobby.org.