Clean Power Guide 2023-2024 by Upstate House

ELECTRIFY! 2024 CLEAN POWER GUIDE

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

PREMIER SPONSOR

elcome to the 2023-24 Clean Power Guide. Our theme last year was “The Green Economy Grows Up.” This year, we can only say it’s growing some more. In 2022, nationally, heat pump sales exceeded sales of conventional furnaces. Remember when nobody had heard of them? So our theme this year is timely: Electrify! We tie together heating and cooling, power supply and mobility under that core idea with a powerful reason. You can’t make combustion of liquid fuels clean, period. The shift to renewable energy to power electric lifestyles is the solution, and there are many affordable ways to implement it. In these pages you will learn steps for planning and assessing the upgrades your home needs, and ways to make them affordable by sequencing your steps to start saving at the beginning. You will find abundant information on EVs, solar options, choosing an efficiency contractor, and green jobs. With editorial support from Chrisso Babcock, our outreach coordinator, much of this data has been gathered from expert sources by Sustainable Hudson Valley’s three EnergyCorps interns—Alyssa Rivera, Lizette de Alem, and Joanne LouisPaul—funded by New York State to build the workforce! We do love this partnership. Even if you’re feeling a little jaded or overwhelmed, this promises to be a good year to keep on top of the news. State and federal policy decisions expected in 2024 will dramatically shape your clean energy choices.

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New York’s Public Service Commission will eventually have to review its suspension of the popular “optout community distributed generation”—the policy framework that allows entire communities to opt into renewable energy sources. Right now, a surprise suspension of this guiding policy has left providers of renewable energy to towns hanging, unable to deliver the programs they were founded to offer. The state’s Cap-and-Invest program should launch, making climate polluters pay and channeling even more dollars into clean energy. The Justice40 Technical Assistance Center run by WE-ACT will be up and running to help communities and organizations access federal funding. EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Fund will be directing another $27 billion into the economy, much of it for financial institutions to lend for home energy improvements.

Through the year, we will build on the educational resources in these pages with events, social media, and the fourth annual Hudson Valley Climate Solutions Week, set for September 14– 22, 2024. Please share your stories, questions, and ideas with us on how to make Climate Solutions Week a success. With appreciation, Melissa Everett, PhD, Executive Director, Sustainable Hudson Valley

er w o P n ide NSOR a e u O Cl G IER SP P

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Why Should I Electrify? (And What Do I Do First?) BY MELISSA EVERETT “Why” is the Easy Part The only way to stop generating climate pollution is to stop relying on combustion to heat, cool, and power our lives and help us get around. Both New York and the federal government are driving the infrastructure and policy changes that will make this doable and beneficial by greening the grid and supporting a comprehensive shift to electric power with financial incentives, technology development, training, and education. As Rewiring America, a leading policy organization, notes, “Burning gas in the home is akin to living with a smoker, and is a major factor in childhood asthma.” Electrification means: • Shifting from gas to electric transportation. • Shifting from fossil-powered to renewable electricity.

• Shifting from oil, gas, or propane for home heating to an electric heat pump.

• Transitioning appliances, tools, and other gadgets to the most efficient electric version you can.

A massive undertaking in the big picture, going electric does not need to be daunting for consumers, partly because it does not need to happen all at once. A Logical Sequence In spite of the diversity of homes, there is a logical sequence in the transition to electric. The place to begin is with efficiency. That will lower your requirements for heating, cooling, and power, preventing oversizing and overspending.

A collaboration between SUSTAINABLE HUDSON VALLEY and upstate HOUSE | WINTER 2023/24 •

yourself, a Power Purchase Agreement is a no-cost way to put panels on your roof and just pay for the power they generate. These contracts are typically for 20 years and can be at a fixed or escalating rate. Since Tesla bought Solar City, the behemoth owns panels on many people’s roofs. But small local companies can also provide this service. There are over 70 models on the market. Ranges are expanding, prices are falling. But charging is lagging behind what’s needed. According to 2022 research by Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, there are over 400 public chargers in our region, but 342 were “level 2”—providing around 25 miles of range for every hour of charging. This is changing, as banks of fast-charging stations appear in malls and downtowns as well as on the Thruway. But if your travel patterns are complex and your gas car is already efficient, you might want to watch the rollout of chargers for another year or two while planning for your next car to be an EV.

A home energy audit is a great place to start on the path to a home outfitted with appliances and mechanicals that run on renewable energy.

Tom Konrad, an energy finance professional and energy coach with New Yorkers for Clean Power, suggests the following sequence as a way to prepare and take small steps, then lean into the bigger investments smartly. 1. Inventory: List all the ways you use fossil fuels. 2. Prioritize: Rank all fossil-fired equipment by expected remaining life, with the ones that need replacement first. 3. Plan: Decide on the best replacements for the equipment at the top of the list. 4. Prepare: Do any preparatory steps for the above replacements as soon as possible (insulation and air sealing for heat pumps, electrical upgrades (if needed) for heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, EV chargers, and induction stoves. 5. Implement your plan as time and money allows, but before you have to do emergency repairs. 6. Don’t waste opportunities. Insulate walls and stop air gaps if open during remodels, add insulation if replacing roof or siding, do all electrical upgrades at the same time. Add solar panels shortly after roof replacement.

Plenty of Choices The home energy audit is a marvelous thing, especially if you prepare by noticing where there are drafts, potential maintenance needs, and old equipment. Make sure your service provider knows what the Building Performance Institute is (and is certified through their training programs). Ask whether they can include infra-red photos of your

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home, which gives you a dramatically clear visual of heat moving through your walls. This is best done in summer or winter when there is a contrast between indoor and outdoor temperature. Your energy pro may actually perform some simple services like sealing air leaks during the visit. During your early planning phases, make sure your electric system is in shape for higher loads. Your breaker box should be able to carry 200 amps (compared to the 60-to-100-amp capacity in some older houses). Your wiring should accommodate 240 Volts if an induction stove, EV charger, heat pump, or heat pump water heater is in your future. Next time you are upgrading lighting or getting anything electrical fixed, talk with your electrician. In terms of major investments, insulation and further air sealing are among the most certain to pay for themselves in a few years. Geothermal or air source heat pumps are another mid-sized investment that make a substantial difference in reducing your energy use because they are so efficient. (Geothermal has the highest efficiency overall, while air source heat pumps generally have lower up-front costs.) All these will affect your demand for electricity, so it’s useful to have them done before you look at solar, in order to size the solar array correctly. Roof orientation doesn’t need to be due south with today’s panels. According to Peter Reynolds of North River Architecture, “Anything on the east-south-west spectrum can work, though you’ll probably need more panels if it’s east- or westfacing. The real site issue is big trees near the house, especially evergreens.” Alternatively, you can keep the trees and buy into a community solar project to get your power from the sun. A simple alternative to owning solar panels

There’s Money, Honey By planning and taking time to research, a person can also watch for deals. There are at least four places to look for financial incentives and bargains: the state, the feds, lenders, and contractors. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) offers generous incentives under multiyear programs that are fairly well established and consistent. The main ones are: Home Energy Efficiency, Clean Heat, and EV Drive Clean Rebate. Find out more at Nyserda.ny.gov. Electric utilities also provide financial incentives for electricity conservation and renewables, with differences from provider to provider. These programs are more likely to change every couple of years or as pools of funds run out, so keep on top of them. As of late 2023:

• Central Hudson offers rebates for heat pumps

and heat pump water heaters plus incentives for cutting power use at peak times and breaks on EV charging at specified times later in the day.

• Orange and Rockland offers rebates for heat

pumps and heat pump water heaters, as well as incentives for “smart thermostat” adjustments that let the utility reduce power when the grid is overloaded.

• Con Edison offers an array of programs for

“smart usage,” geothermal as well as air source heat pumps, and cash incentives for EV charging at off-peak times.

The game-changer is the Inflation Reduction Act, with two kinds of incentives: tax credits (for those who pay taxes) effective starting in 2023; and direct rebates, which are known generally but won’t be operational until program designs are finalized in 2024. The fine points of eligibility are critical—what is a made-in-America EV and how do I know if I’m low to moderate income? Rewiring America (Rewiringamerica.org) is the national impartial go-to source.

The future is electric. Let’s get there together.

RESIDENTIAL

BUSINESSES & MUNICIPALITIES

Enroll in Central Hudson’s Electric Vehicle ChargeSmart Program for a sign-on bonus and additional incentives for charging your vehicle during off-peak hours.

Participate in the Make-Ready Program for up to 100% of electrical infrastructure costs covered when installing chargers. Plus, New York State offers up to $4,000 per charger, while funds last.

Learn more and apply on our website.

CentralHudson.com/EVs

A collaboration between SUSTAINABLE HUDSON VALLEY and upstate HOUSE | WINTER 2023/24 •

QUESTIONS ABOUT ELECTRIC VEHICLES? WE’VE GOT ANSWERS BY CHRISSO BABCOCK, LIZETTE DE ALEM, ALYSSA RIVERA

Q: What is the difference between a battery electric vehicle and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle? A: Battery-electric vehicles, or BEV, are powered entirely by electricity from the battery. Battery electric vehicles currently on the market can be driven between 200 and 330 miles on a full charge. “Refueling” times can vary with 30 minutes for fast charging and four to six hours with Level 2 charging. Plug-in hybrids, or PHEV, are a hybrid between a gas engine and an electric motor. Some plug-in electric hybrids will evenallow you to choose which drive train you want to use. Hybrid vehicles tend to be initially cheaper to purchase or lease than all-electric vehicles. However, EVs don’t require oil changes, and overall maintenance costs are less than a hybrid, meaning that EVs are cheaper in the long run. Q: What are the safety standards of EVs when compared to traditional vehicles? A: Electric vehicles meet the same safety standards as traditional combustion vehicles. That includes safety standards set up by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, as well as electrical and safety standards set by the Society of Automotive Engineers, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Working Council, and many others. Charging equipment is tested independently and certified by safety labs, such as Underwriters Laboratories, CSA international, and Edison Testing Laboratories. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, data collected from insurance claims between the years of 2011 and 2019 shows that injury claims for drivers and

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passengers of electric vehicles were more than 40 percent lower than traditional vehicles. Q: What type of maintenance do EVs require? A: Electric vehicles have far fewer moving parts, so they generally require a lot less maintenance than gas powered vehicles. However, one can expect similar routine maintenance as with any other car, like refilling wiper fluid when it’s low or tire rotations once a year. To sell EVs, a dealership must be certified to repair them, and generally it’s the dealership rather than a private repair shop that will be able to service your EV. Q: How long do EV batteries last before they have to be replaced? A: The average EV battery pack’s lifespan is around 200,000 miles, which is around 17 years of typical use at 12,000 miles per year. Battery warranties are included with an EV purchase. Many manufacturers also reuse or refurbish batteries. Q: Will supply of EVs continue to be erratic due to availability of materials? A: The industry has been sobered by supply chain issues such as shortages of lithium, not to mention human rights issues in some lithium-rich countries, so a major aspect of research and development is finding more reliable alternatives. But in the near term, some uncertainty is likely to continue. Q: Can I buy an EV without breaking the bank? A: EVs are still more expensive upfront than comparable gas-powered vehicles, but prices are falling and some automakers are strategically

making deep cuts (e.g., Tesla in the fall of 2023). However, when you consider the lifetime costs of a vehicle, EVs are already cheaper in the long run, and costs are offset by federal and state rebates. One of the most affordable ways to get an electric vehicle is to buying a used one. Consider the maintenance history of the vehicle, the battery health (you can get a battery health report from a dealer or manufacturer-certified technician), and the battery warranty, which should be transferable. Be aware that EVs that are just a few years old may have a significantly lower range than newer models. Q: What about leasing? A: Recent research by New Energy Innovation found that leasing an EV is actually now the lowest cost option for US drivers—cheaper than leasing a gas vehicle, and cheaper than buying an EV or gas vehicle. These monthly savings can add up quickly, with some leased EV models being between $5,000 and $7,500 cheaper to operate per year than a comparable gas-powered vehicle. Many dealerships have the authority to offer low-cost leases, but fewer make them known unless you ask. Q: What incentives are available? A: Depending on the make and model (and whether it is assembled in the US), you can receive up to a $7,500 tax break through the Inflation Reduction Act tax credit. In New York State, through NYSERDA, you can expect to get up to $2,000, after purchase, through the Drive Clean Rebate Program. Certain states, utility companies, and automakers offer incentives to offset the cost of installing home

chargers. There are also programs that can help with the cost of installing a home charger, depending on where you live. Q: Where can I buy an EV, and what should I look for in a dealership? A: In a 2023 review of Mid-Hudson auto dealerships, the most common EVs were: Jeep/ Dodge/Ram/Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Toyota, and Nissan. Some counties also had more readily available EV stock at dealerships, such as Dutchess, Orange, Ulster, and Westchester, which all have an abundance of both 2023 and 2024 models on numerous lots. Rensselaer, Schenectady, Greene, Columbia, and Sullivan counties had far fewer. When choosing a dealership, consider looking for one that has an abundance of EVs in stock. This suggests interest and trained salespeople. When talking to a salesperson, ask them questions to assess their EV knowledge. For example, you could ask how various EV options on the lot compare. Q: Will charging my EV at home make my monthly electric bill really high? How does EV charging compare to the price of gasoline? A: On average, charging an EV at home will only add $30 to $60 to your monthly electric bill. In fact, charging for electric cars is much cheaper than gasoline; owners can expect to pay between $13.22 and $22 to recharge a fully depleted battery, which will provide 200-300 miles of driving or more. In 2020, for instance, the average vehicle in the United States went about 24.5 miles per gallon of gas, or approximately $50 for 300 miles. The same distance of 300 miles can be achieved by an EV at a charging

cost of roughly $16.50. Should your utility company offer off-peak charging rates, charging at night may allow for additional savings. In other words—the price of fueling your vehicle will most likely be cut by more than half. Q: Is it hard to find public EV charging stations? A: The charging landscape is slowly getting better, but the availability of fast-charging stations needs to improve a lot more. According to Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, in September 2022 there were 400 public charging stations within the nine counties surveyed, 349 were Level 2 Stations, which provide 25 miles of travel for every hour of charge. Most EV navigation systems can guide you to charging stations, and there are also phone apps like PlugShare available to help locate them. This is likely to change in the next one to three years, as fast-charging stations are being installed all around New York by both government (NY Power Authority) and industry (for example, BP is investing $100 million in fast-charging stations at gas stations nationwide). As automakers commit more fully to electrification, the charging landscape will evolve rapidly. Q: Are EVs better for the environment than gaspowered cars? A: Yes, though they are not without their own environmental impacts. EVs produce zero emissions while driving and an average of 60-percent less lifetime emissions than traditional gas-powered vehicles. This includes emissions both during production of the EVs and electricity

to charge the batteries. EVs are also much quieter than traditional vehicles, so they don’t contribute to noise pollution either! Q: I am considering buying an e-bike—what should I be thinking about? A: E-bikes are powerful. You need good cycling skill. They are diverse. Low-price ones are fine for recreation, but you may need a more sturdy and fast one for a regular commute. It is worth studying your community and your route in terms of the streetscape, traffic, and backdrop of safety issues. Many local governments are figuring out rules of the road for e-biking now. It is not a bad idea to study before investing. Q: What are the fine points of eligibility for the IRA tax credit for EVs? A: Vehicles must have undergone final assembly in the United States in order to be eligible for the Clean Vehicle Credit. Consumers can use a vin decoder to determine a vehicle’s build plant and country of manufacturing. The US Department of Energy’s website is a good bet for maintaining this data. Vehicles purchased before August 17, 2022, are not required to have final assembly in North America, and the vehicles are eligible for tax credits. Learn more about EVs via the Clean Power Guide Resources page at Sustainhv.org/cpgresources. Chrisso Babcock is outreach coordinator for Sustainable Hudson Valley. Lizette de Alem and Alyssa Rivera are organizing and outreach interns with Sustainable Hudson Valley.

A collaboration between SUSTAINABLE HUDSON VALLEY and upstate HOUSE | WINTER 2023/24 •

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Installing an array of solar panels is the simplest maintenance-free way to produce your own electrical power.

Does Off-Grid Solar Make Sense? By Richard Miller, AIA

o you ever wonder about the possibility of generating your own power independently for your home or small business? Would you love to take your life off the grid using solar? Let’s talk possibilities. I want to start with the fact that installing an array of photovoltaic (PV) solar electricityproducing panels is the simplest maintenancefree way to produce your own electrical power. Installing PV solar to produce power on site makes sense as a financial investment, in addition to the environmental benefit. (I recommend using the NYSERDA list of PV installers.) The most common PV solar systems are grid connected. This means the power produced feeds into the electrical power grid owned and managed by your local power company. This is an elegant way to produce electricity; you sell electricity to the power company, and they sell it back to you as you need it. My family’s recently installed PV system has dropped our utility payments from bills that averaged $400/month to about $20/month for usage. This includes charging two electric vehicles onsite, equating to an additional $300/month savings in gas. What would be the additional cost for storing my own power on site, to be more self-reliant?

It depends on how much energy you use and how much you are willing to conserve. For those that want to achieve 100 percent energy self-reliant living, an option is to install off-grid solar with battery storage. However, the larger battery bank necessary to be completely off grid at all times is impractical for most people, and New York’s incentives for solar do not apply to off-grid systems. There is a system that is in the sweet spot, between the completely off-grid and the completely grid-tied models, and that uses the benefits of both. This is the grid-dependent hybrid system, which combines solar, battery power, and controls that can flexibly draw the power from the grid or the battery. Today, many companies are producing modular battery power bank backup systems to go along with solar systems. They offer convenient, easy-to-use apps with settings to optimize when to power from your batteries or from the grid to save you money. If a storm is coming, it can top off the battery. When the power grid goes down, these systems automatically kick in, off grid.

house. If the sun is shining and you have a superinsulated Passive House, or a zero-energy house, then definitely the solar with battery backup is an alternative to that generator, and definitely prepare for it. The addition of batteries increases the overall system cost by about 40 percent plus the cost of the small heated and/or insulated space for the batteries. I design innovative, energy-efficient buildings with solar. Here are some basic recommendations on how to make sure your building is green overall.

How many battery units do I need? A larger generator will fully power your house until the propane runs out. By comparison, a 40 kWh battery storage system will get you maybe several days of powering your fridge in a typical leaky

Richard Miller is a New Paltz-based architect specializing in residential and commercial, green architectural design for new construction, renovations, and historic rehabilitation since 1990. Richardmillerarchitect.com.

1. Insulate better than code. 2. Install the most efficient windows. 3. Air seal. 4. Install an energy-recovery ventilator. 5. Address moisture up front. 6. Do not use gas-run equipment. Green design can also mean a better house layout, better light, less toxicity, and, in the end, higher value at resale.

A collaboration between SUSTAINABLE HUDSON VALLEY and upstate HOUSE | WINTER 2023/24 •

Get the Advantages of Geothermal Plus™ from Advanced Radiant Design Most geothermal systems are restricted to forced-hot-air delivery. Unlike those systems, Geothermal Plus uses a water-to-water heat pump, which offers you more heating and cooling options, including the comfort and efficiency of radiant heating.

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The Training of an Energy-Efficiency Contractor (and Tips on Choosing Yours) A CONVERSATION WITH MELINDA McKNIGHT, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, ENERGY CONSERVATION SERVICES

ew York is committed to getting millions of buildings off fossil fuels in the next couple of decades. This will require lots and lots of people doing the hands-on work of improving insulation and air sealing as the first step. What should a customer know about the training of a good energy-efficiency contractor? Melinda McKnight and her husband Bill have been in the business most of their careers, and she shares these thoughts. —Melissa Everett What are the essential skills for an energy auditor, someone who assesses homes for energy-efficiency and recommends upgrades? The foundation is what’s known as building science—how the building works as a system. That includes transfer of heat and moisture, how to measure air leakage, how to look at the building structure and consider where any leakage might be. There are tests for fan pressure, duct pressure, leakage, and combustion analysis for fossil fueled appliances. In certain conditions, condensation can be created if insulation is applied incorrectly, so it’s necessary to understand how to minimize that risk. A useful skill, too, is infrared photography, which detects heat leakage. An infrared camera graphically shows temperature differences between the building and its surroundings. What about skills for a weatherization technician, the person who actually installs the insulation and air-sealing materials? The most important skill is attention to detail, and some understanding of building science basics. The technician needs the eyes to see where problems are likely to occur. If you give an employee prescriptive measures to be done across the board, there will

be some exceptions; the best technician has to see what’s in every part of an attic, even what’s below the insulation. People considering working in this field should consider that they are sometimes going to be uncomfortable doing this work. Every building is different, every week is different. One attic and crawl space might be tight and uncomfortable, the next week might be in a full standup basement. You have to get through each job and know the value of what you are doing. Manual skills can be taught if a person is interested in working with their hands, but the training needs to encompass proper ways of installing a variety of insulation materials and doing it correctly for each specific application. What’s the training like? For energy auditor training, the SUNY community colleges and other training centers have blower doors and duct blasters to learn to use. There is no training available in a classroom environment for a weatherization technician. Certification programs of the Building Performance Institute (BPI) provide the basic understanding through self-study and testing. Otherwise at this point it’s all on-thejob training. What do you view as the minimal credentials for a good contractor? The most important credential is BPI accreditation for the overall company. It’s okay to have certified employees, but accreditation demonstrates a companywide commitment to the craft. Certified means you’ve gone through the coursework and understand concepts. An accredited company means you implement systems that support the work. You commit to upholding the standards of the Building

Performance Institute. You have internal qualityassurance processes. You’re documenting all the way through, you have checks and balances in your systems. It’s also about how you treat your workers, and thereby how you retain them. What are some differences between good and excellent energy-efficiency professionals? There is a judgment that is developed with time. You take the classes, but it’s when the skills are applied that the real learning begins. One of the core skills is attention to detail. Most auditors know how to set up a blower door test, but they don’t necessarily understand the movement of heat and air through interstitial spaces. There are judgments—like whether to include leakage from a basement—that depend on the context. Another point of judgment: How tight is tight enough for building air flow? New York’s code prescribes very tight new construction, which in turn requires mechanical ventilation, which somewhat increases energy use. For retrofits, we encourage it to be just tight enough to be comfortable and efficient without that mechanical ventilation. What are good questions to ask a contractor you are thinking about hiring? Ask them to describe how they would approach assessing your house, and go with the one who can identify and explain details. Really have a conversation about what you want to achieve and what the options are, what materials choices and parts of the building to focus on. You want a contractor who can participate in a dialogue and coherently describe the different options available and their benefits, and of course who will provide well-documented written estimates.

A collaboration between SUSTAINABLE HUDSON VALLEY and upstate HOUSE | WINTER 2023/24 •

Yes, You Can (Electrify Your House) By Melissa Everett Over three years, Lisa Giannico turned her 1,700-square-foot ranch house, built in the 1960s, into a green energy showcase. It is now 100 percent renewably powered.

isa Giannico is a retired assistant school principal who moved to Stone Ridge in 2021. She bought a 1,700-square-foot ranch house built in the 1960s, turned the basement into an art studio, and followed a thunderous instinct that the whole thing had to be as green as possible. She trained in the Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program and joined the town Environmental Conservation Commission, a ready-made fellowship of knowledgeable people who like to get things done. Three years later, Giannico’s house is 100 percent renewably powered, and the lawn transition to pollinator garden is well underway. It was a steep but enjoyable learning curve. “I was an apartment dweller. I had a big vision but no idea what it would entail,” she says. “By plugging into area nonprofits and local commissions—which anyone can do—I had no idea how much money and support are available. I also learned that I have significantly increased the value of my house.” Taking the First Step When Giannico closed on the house and had an inspection, an electrical issue was discovered. Through her realtor, she found an expert contractor who guided her on what needed to be done quickly and what could be put off. Because Giannico let him know her interest in going solar, she was able to have a full upgrade of her electrical service to prepare for electrification (which older homes may need). Next came a chimney inspection, which uncovered problems with the existing chimney and wood stove, in the middle of the pandemic, leaving

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her without heat for a time and determined never to have that experience again. Fortunately, the repair contractor made Giannico aware of rebates for high-efficiency woodstoves that recycle much of their emissions, and she was able to purchase one of these sooner than expected. “That, too, is a learning curve—what kind of wood to buy, how to use it efficiently, and how to store it properly,” she notes. Giannico’s next project, solar panels, were the original driver of her dream. She has a good flat roof, but its orientation is not ideal, so she ended up with more panels than a south-facing home would need. She found a company that offered zero percent financing, which is not hard to do if you look. The house had a heat pump, but it was placed in a corner where it didn’t do much good, so it was relocated. To keep the cost down, Giannico’s strategy was to install one heat pump at a time, starting in the bedroom, then continuing into the rest of the house. She watched for special deals and zero percent financing here, too. A kitchen remodel came next, with an induction range, which made good use of those wiring upgrades. Giannico left space for one more heat pump if needed, to make it possible to get rid of the oil burner. “Next was an independent home energy audit— which I now understand should have come first!” she says. “My original home inspector said casually, ‘You might want to replace that old insulation at some point.’ The energy auditor said, ‘Your insulation is R7 and we can upgrade it to R51 and your house will be cozy.’ From the audit I learned that attic and basement insulation would make a fundamental

difference in the sizing of my heating and cooling equipment and my solar panels. I insulated the basement rim joists too, which has made it much more comfortable in the studio and when I’m doing yoga in the living room.” The Logical Sequence For every home energy makeover, there is a logical sequence. In Giannico’s case, the attic insulation has had to come after improvements like installing ceiling fans and lighting upgrades, as the insulation restricts access to the attic. “You want to put on those solar panels right away, but in reality, you have to work backwards to make sure your roof and your electrical wiring are ready,” she says. “In hindsight, the audit and insulation should have been done much sooner.” Now, with groundwork done and solar installed, Giannico’s Central Hudson bill is limited to the monthly service charge. What’s next? A heat pump water heater and a few more solar panels, then a home EV charger, and an EV in due time. Giannico’s lifestyle is hyperlocal, with mostly short drives, so this sequence makes sense for her. Doing one thing at a time, and getting it paid off, has been a low-stress financing strategy. What were the main surprises? Except for how little the building inspector knew about energy, the lessons were positive. “People do not realize how much money is available, how many different ways to finance these investments,” Gianicco says. “They don’t realize how much support and information is out there. I get this information in my inbox regularly now, but most people do not. That is what we have to change.”

ot every step toward renewable energy demands a huge leap. For example, nine years ago, as part of a kitchen remodel, we purchased an Electrolux induction stove. (These days all the major brands sell induction stoves.) We had wanted a convection oven, but also favored the high heat that gas burners provide. Our foodie daughter suggested an induction stove with the convection oven instead, listing various celebrity chefs that had adopted the technology. The induction stove top was initially a challenge. Now we wouldn’t ever change. At the top setting, the ‘hottest burners’ on the stove heat liquids in record time or sear meat in my wok. (Like most stoves, I have two large high-heat locations and two smaller simmer spots.) Even better, the stove’s surface doesn’t get red hot—no burned-on carbon debris on the surface. In fact, our stove still looks almost new. Moreover, when you dial down, the heating instantaneously powers down. Settings are numbered: 5 for medium, 3 for simmer, and 10 or Pb (power boil) for insanely rapid heating. Induction stoves are also energy efficient, measuring over 70 percent efficient compared to around 40 percent for gas, according to independent measurements. Downsides: Induction stoves are still more expensive than standard electric or gas stoves. And only certain pots and pans, such as stainless steel or cast iron, work on these stoves. It is easy to check which cookware can be used; if a magnet sticks to the pot, it is good to go. On newer cookware, look for a looped, magnetic field icon on the bottom. Nine years ago, it was impossible to find certain specialty cookware, such as a stove-top espresso maker or hot water canning pot, that worked on an induction stove. Today, we own both items.

Another step forward occurred just over a year ago, when our dryer’s drum went out of alignment, creating an awful racket. The dryer and washing machine were old when we bought the house in 2012 and had served their time. We chose a Miele stacking washer and dryer as a replacement, not fully appreciating that we now owned a heat pump dryer. Our old dryer heated the house in the winter (nice) and turned the place into a sauna in the summer (not nice). The new dryer is also a lot quieter and saves us money since heat pumps are incredibly efficient. You don’t need an expert to prove that; all that heat radiating from the old dryer was clearly lost energy. I faced another challenge a few years back when my beloved, 20-year-old Stihl chainsaw acted up. I had previously owned a corded electric lawn mower from EGO. I liked the mower but hated finagling and sometimes running over the long extension cord. I took a chance on an EGO battery-powered chain saw, not expecting it to be as powerful as the Stihl. In fact, the EGO has tackled all kinds of wood, including rock-hard black locust. While it still uses chain oil, I am glad to be rid of the oilmixed gasoline and its heavy exhaust. The EGO is also radically quieter. So much so that I no longer wear ear protectors. My chain saw also doesn’t get blisteringly hot. I still always wear eye protection. The chainsaw is wonderfully light if I snap in a 2.5-Ah battery (Ah stands for ampere hour, which correlates to how long a battery will last). However, that battery’s runtime is not as long as a tank full of gas. No problem—I purchased a second, heavier, and longer-running 5-Ah battery. I stick the depleted battery on the charger and swap in the fresh battery, and I am back in business. Charging is fast, so I can keep cutting wood until I run out of steam.

Tools, Appliances & Gadgets Smaller Ways to go Renewable By Alan Newman Again, the downside is the upfront costs: chainsaw, batteries, and battery charger. What makes sense is to evolve more of my outdoor tools to electric, which use the same batteries and charger. (I had learned my lesson with portable tools, owning three different brands with incompatible batteries.) Currently, I own an EGO battery-powered weed wacker and hedge trimmer. I am eyeing other EGO products, such as their snow blower, which has great reviews, as does their leaf blower. EGO battery sizes run up to 10 Ah; they are quite heavy but fine for a wheeled snow blower or lawn mower. Battery-powered outdoor tools are found in most hardware stores, some at discount prices. You too can take small steps like these, in your own way. Alan Newman is a member of the Marbletown Environmental Conservation Commission and an avid gardener.

An induction stove is a good place to start when upgrading your appliances to run on renewables.

A collaboration between SUSTAINABLE HUDSON VALLEY and upstate HOUSE | WINTER 2023/24 •

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It’s Go Time for Green Careers By Melissa Everett

hinking about a clean energy job? You have landed in the right decade. As New York implements the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, a 2022 NYSERDA jobs study projected a whopping 189,000 net increase in clean energy jobs by 2030. Expanding Fields First up are existing skills that are needed in dramatically increasing numbers. Electricians will be needed to upgrade wiring and circuitry as all those buildings are electrified—and to keep EV chargers in good working order. Automotive News reviewed national data in October 2023 and concluded that over 4,000—or six percent of public charging stations are out of service at a given time. Altogether, the study projects a need for 142,000 more electricians to complete the national electrification push. Demand is also growing for installers of insulation and efficient appliances, not only for homes but for commercial and institutional customers with large facilities. Solar panel installation is no longer an emerging field but an expanding and diversifying one. US News and World Report’s Best Jobs site rates it number 16 in the Best Jobs Without a College Degree category, although average compensation hovers around $23 an hour. Emerging Fields Heat pump installation and service, both air-source and ground-source (geothermal), are growth opportunities. Old-fashioned oil and propane dealers are keeping themselves current by adding especially air source heat pump service and installation. Geothermal drilling, system design, installation, and maintenance is a fast-growing field in New York, with online and in-person training from the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association designed for people with some mechanical, plumbing, or construction skill. Wind power is now the largest source of renewable energy in the United States. Jobs are growing in manufacture of components, design and construction, and operations. For offshore wind, there is even a need for crews for more than 25 types of vessels that are used in construction and operations.

Transforming Fields Every field of work that connects with the built environment, or energy, or transportation, is evolving with the realities of state policy, innovation, and increasing market interest: architecture and construction, engineering, building code enforcement. Heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration companies have a major need to re-skill to install heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, washers and dryers, and to deal with new, climate-safer refrigeration equipment. In the world of hydropower, a profound shift has occurred with recognition of the environmental destructiveness of dams on fish habitat and their greenhouse gas emissions from decaying plants underwater. In some parts of the world, there is a growth in lower-impact approaches to micro-hydro that doesn’t require dams and may use prefabricated small systems. Auto repair is changing in the electrifying world, but it’s certainly not going away. Automakers with commitments to EV have begun to run training programs for licensed auto mechanics on electric drive trains, battery packs, and other EV elements. For example, Tesla has established EV mechanic training programs as add-ons for six existing automotive tech programs nationwide, including Suffolk Community College on Long Island. Design and production of low-carbon building materials is a fast-growing arena of innovation that has lots of room for small businesses. Timber frames, hempcrete, and low carbon concrete are examples of emerging opportunities. As all these fields grow, they will all need talent in management, marketing and sales, communications, finance, law, information technology, and all the other core functions that make a business work. There is truly room for everyone. Finding Your Way In Cal Trumann, a green jobs specialist for New Yorkers for Clean Power, has worked in various sectors across the green energy economy. Trumann’s been a solar installer, cool roof technician, field naturalist, and more, and Trumann has seen the growth of the green energy workforce. “A decade ago, a lot of the work was seasonal from the spring to

the fall, and you might be re-hired into a completely different role,” Trumann says. “There is more stability now, especially working with technology like solar and heat pumps, but it’s still important to be adaptable. The technology is constantly evolving. Faking it does not cut it in these industries. Be realistic and ask questions, or you could cause serious and potentially dangerous issues. Now, with the new incentive money available, all the solar and heat pump shops are hiring like crazy to keep up with demand, but there isn’t a line out the door of potential new hires the way there is in regular construction. You have some leverage to shop around for an employer. Company practices vary a lot and not every ‘green’ job is a good job (at least not yet), so make sure you do your research.” New York is investing heavily, and working seriously, to prepare the industries that are building clean energy and transportation infrastructure. In the core industries such as renewable energy, green building and sustainable transportation, there is generous funding for learning and experience. •

If you are a student in any New York college or university, you can apply for a paid Clean Energy Internship and earn up to $17 per hour for up to 480 hours. Nonprofits as well as energy businesses can be approved workplaces.

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If you are starting a new job, your employer may well be eligible for on the job training funds for an initial period.

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If you are switching careers and want to access training in advance of a job search, numerous programs are out there with funding from New York, the federal government, and industry.

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If you are part of a “priority population” under the climate law—a person of color, a veteran, or a single parent, for example—you are eligible for NYSERDA’s Climate Justice Fellows program. This is a full year’s subsidized (entry level) salary for learning and professional development at any approved workplace that will cost-share by providing full health insurance.

This review is far from exhaustive. Follow your intuition—and the links on the Clean Power Guide Resources page at Sustainhv.org.

A collaboration between SUSTAINABLE HUDSON VALLEY and upstate HOUSE | WINTER 2023/24 •

Agrivoltaics GAME CHANGER FOR HUDSON VALLEY FARMERS By Chuck Schwartz

grivoltaics is a new and innovative farming practice that combines agriculture and solar power generation. By installing solar panels over crops, farmers can produce both food and energy on the same land. This has the potential to revolutionize farming in the Hudson Valley, with several benefits:

• Reduces water use by providing shade for crops.

• Studies have shown that crops grown under solar panels can have higher yields than crops grown in full sun. • Agrivoltaics can also help to improve the quality of crops. Crops grown under solar panels tend to have less sunburn, other heat-related damage and lower impacts from spring and fall frost events. Agrivoltaics is a climate resiliency technology. At the same time, agrivoltaics can help farmers increase their income and lower operational costs. Solar panels generate electricity that can offset

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electricity use on farm or be sold to the grid, providing farmers with a steady source of revenue. Although relatively new in the US, there is over a decade of success from agrivoltaic installations in Europe, Israel, and parts of Asia. When done properly, with attention to site-specific environmental impacts, it has the potential to revolutionize farming in the Hudson Valley. By providing these benefits, agrivoltaics can help farmers to increase their income, reduce their costs, improve the quality of their crops, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Under development currently is a 300 Kw agrivoltaics system at Cornell University’s Hudson Valley Laboratory in Highland. This system will research the impacts for solar over apple orchards and be a demonstration site for the Hudson Valley farming community and New York State. Chuck Schwartz is director of commercial sales and agrivoltaics for New York State Solar Farm.

DON’T MISS THE CLEAN POWER EXPO + INFO SESSION FOR HOME ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS January 25, 2024, 5:30–7:30pm The Fuller Building, 45 Pine Grove Avenue, Kingston As always, we launch the year’s programming with a festive, informationfilled Clean Power Expo in Kingston on January 25, 2024. Our theme is “Electrify Your New Year’s Resolutions.” A panel of home energy experts will be there to help, even with your most complicated and thorny questions. So will all the businesses that generously sponsor the Clean Power Guide.