330 Homes Fall 2022

s m a r t t e c h

POWE R SW I T CH Plan to move toward energy efficient appliances, so when something breaks, you already have a more sustainable replacement in mind. Bowie replaced her entire gas furnace with an air source heat pump, which uses existing ductwork for heating and cooling and is three times as efficient as typical electric resistance heat. “You get a lot more heat per kilowatt of electricity,” she says. They also needed a new water heater, so they replaced their gas hot water tank with a heat pump water heater that is 300 times more efficient than a standard resistance coil electric water heater. The only difference you might notice is that the air that comes out of the duct is a bit cooler than a gas furnace, so you might turn the thermostat a bit higher. You can also make a sustainable change in your kitchen. Bowie replaced her gas cooktop with an induction cooktop that has a glass surface. “The induction cooktop is a joy to cook on. [It’s] very safe because the surface of the stove doesn’t heat up itself,” she says. “You can turn the heat off and have the heat totally disappear.” It’s also a healthier way to cook because you are eliminating combustion inside your home.

S OURC E CHANG E By switching her gas appliances to electric, Bowie was able to eliminate the need for a gas hookup. That saves money, but it also greatly improves her home’s air quality. “We don’t have any concerns about carbon monoxide in the house,” says Bowie. “Doing some of these things can help with allergies if you don’t have as much outdoor air coming in.” Getting rid of gas also means that Bowie runs her home on 100 percent renewable energy through the state’s Energy Choice Ohio apples-to-apples program that allows customers to switch to a renewable energy provider. She has black electric solar panels on her roof but is still tied to the grid. The solar panels produce enough to cover her energy costs in the summer, including charging her electric car and using air conditioning. But she doesn’t have to use air conditioning much because the house is well insulated and stays cool. And she doesn’t typically have to pay an electric bill until winter. Bowie urges homeowners to consider these switches and says every sustainable change helps.

To COns i der :

Through the Inflation Reduction Act, you can save thousands of dollars on energy-efficient home improvements, including heat pumps, water heaters and more, in the form of tax credits for the 2022 tax year and beyond, and rebates slated to be available starting in 2023. Talk to your financial adviser to learn more.

“The operation of my home does not create any carbon

emissions,” she says. “Recognize that this is a big opportunity to move away from fossil fuels.”

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