Green Building Revolution Goes Local: Homeowners Take the Lead on Electrification and Efficiency

Green buildings have been the focus of attention at Climate Week in New York City, where they account for about 39% of total US energy consumption and 40% of carbon emissions. Despite the advancements in retrofitting iconic skyscrapers and transforming policy across 80 cities and counties, the green building revolution is rapidly going local. Spurred by fresh incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), homeowners nationwide are pushing ahead with efforts to deploy fixes to their own properties that will cut energy consumption, boost indoor air quality, cut carbon emissions, and save money.

Key Takeaways:

• Homeowners can take the lead on electrification and efficiency by following five initial steps: setting goals, conducting home energy assessments, finding reliable contractors, exploring financing options, and taking action.
• Local and regional programs offer assistance to homeowners in completing energy assessments, identifying opportunities, and benefits specific to their home.
• Reliable, reputable contractors who are excited about electrification can be found through local or regional energy programs, vetted contractor lists, or state-sponsored networks.
• Financing options include incentives, rebates, and climate loan programs with low interest rates, such as the White House toolkit, the IRA calculator, and low-interest financing from local credit unions and banks.
• US families need the tools and pathways to future-proof their homes, with the recent government investment of $50 billion in clean energy technologies and improvements for building emission reduction.
• Homeowners can begin their journey with a first step today, taking inspiration from RMI's green home pioneers.

Statistics:

• Buildings account for about 39% of total US energy consumption.
• Buildings account for 40% of carbon emissions.
• The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provides new incentives for homeowners to deploy fixes to their own properties.
• Goal setting is an essential first step for homeowners to conduct energy assessments, implement improvements, and save money.
• Local and regional programs offer assistance to homeowners in completing energy assessments and identifying opportunities and benefits specific to their home.
• Reliable, reputable contractors can be found through local or regional energy programs, vetted contractor lists, or state-sponsored networks.
• Financing options include incentives, rebates, and climate loan programs with low interest rates, such as the White House toolkit, the IRA calculator, and low-interest financing from local credit unions and banks.

Sources:

• Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI)
• Department of Energy's (DOE) Better Buildings Residential Network
• Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency