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Heat Pump Performance in Cold Climates

In the past, heat pumps were not expected to perform well in colder climates, but as the technology has developed that is no longer the case.  In fact, it is common now to find heat pumps functioning well in very cold climates, such as in Finland and Norway. Shifting...

In 2023, let’s resolve to…

Invest in big changes when the opportunity arises: 📝 Find out where your home energy consumption can be improved. Learn about conducting an energy audit. 🚘 When you’re in the market for a new car, look into electric vehicles. 🏠 When you have to...

Eat Less Meat and Help Heal the Planet

Many actions to address climate change require investments of time and money by government, industry, business, or individuals. Here’s something everyone can do right now that will make a difference immediately: reduce meat consumption. How does meat promote climate...

Consider Induction Cooktops

If it’s time to replace your cooktop or range, it’s a good idea to consider induction models.  Induction models first appeared in stores in the 1980’s and are now the preferred option for many people because of their energy efficiency. They resemble smooth glass-top...

Compost at Home

You may be surprised to learn that many of your Washington Grove neighbors are composting their autumn leaves, yard trim and food scraps. Rather than sending these valuable materials to landfills, they are putting them to much better use — while also helping to reduce...

Convert to Heat Pumps

Heat Pumps in Washington Grove We know a large portion of GHG emissions is attributed to heating and cooling in Montgomery County, primarily due to residential reliance on natural gas furnaces and boilers. In Washington Grove, we rely on fuel oil and propane, which...

Charge Up with Electric Vehicles

On this page: Benefits of Driving an Electric Vehicle Electric Vehicles: Three Main Types Electric Chargers: Three Levels Related Resources Benefits of Driving an Electric Vehicle Reduce Greenhouse Gases. Every gallon of gasoline burned in your internal combustion...

Practices to Use Less Plastic

Easy Take your own bags when you shop. Decline the plastic utensils in your take-out orders. Stop buying plastic bottles of water; use refillable bottles. Avoid using plastic straws.   Change of Habits Rinse, dry, and reuse lightly used plastic bags. Use paper...

Conserve Your Home’s Heat

Here are some actions you can take to help keep your home warm and use less energy: 🏠 Nudge your thermostat down at night and when you’re away from home. 🏠 Drafts cause discomfort and waste energy. Insulate ducts and block air leaks around windows,...

Grasscycle!

When you let grass clippings fall where you cut them, you’re practicing grasscycling—that is, recycling the grass. Because the clipped grass contains nutrients and moisture, it’s good for your lawn. The clippings decompose fast. Here are a few benefits of...

Shrink Your Laundry Energy Use

Want to wring a bit of energy efficiency out of your laundry energy use?  Perhaps some of these ideas will work for you: 🧺 If the temperature of the water in your tank is set at “Scorching,” lower it and save on heating the water. 🧺 Most likely your...

Calculate Your Carbon Footprint

What’s Your Carbon Footprint and Why Does it Matter? Your carbon footprint is your total output of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). When we drive and travel, when we heat our homes with oil or gas (or with electricity generated by fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and...

Schedule a Home Energy Audit

Our homes in the Grove tend to fall into three categories when it comes to energy efficiency.  Those built originally as summer cottages with no insulation, those built with little concern for retaining heat or cooling before energy codes began requiring insulation,...

Switch to Renewable Electricity

Please Note: When this article was posted in June 2021, electricity generated from renewable energy could often be purchased for less than Pepco’s price. That is generally no longer the case. Offers change on a daily basis, and currently (May 2022) most are not to the...

Banish the Vampire in Your Home

Vampire energy is wasted electricity that leaks from appliances that are turned off but still plugged in. The less of these critters the better for energy efficiency. Here are some ideas to banish vampire energy: 🧛‍♂️ When you’re in the...
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