Two air sources heat pumps were installed on the exterior of a house. Stocp.adobe.com photo by nimur.
By Ruth N Norton
The author is the President and CEO of Green and Healthy Homes Pahal.
We can all agree that our homes should be safe and healthy, cold in summer and warm in winter. They should all be well untouched and equipped with up-to-date devices and heating systems that do not pollute our indoor or exterior air or damage our health, and ensure that our energy bills are inexpensive.
But very low -income families across Maryland are trapped in unhealthy homes that suffer from extreme heat and excessive cold, with old, disabled, expensive equipment and heating systems. Many people want to take advantage of the state’s and federal government’s efforts to address climate change by switching from gas-or oil-powered equipment to cleaner, safe, more efficient heat pumps and other electric equipment.
Since 2008, Empower Maryland Energy Efficiency Program has helped many families to make their homes more efficient by providing exemption and discounts for efficient equipment. This year the Mahasabha is considering updating the program, and a broad alliance is encouraging changes that will benefit more people, especially low -income Marylanders.
Over the years, the Empower has invested $ 3.5 billion to help people make their homes more energy efficient, resulting in more than $ 12.7 billion in energy savings. Those investments have helped Marylanders receive energy audit, have completed their homes, upgraded to more energy-efficient devices, and saved money. Businesses have also received exemption and encouragement for energy efficient upgradation.
Thanks to the Empower, we have reduced greenhouse gas emissions equal to about 10 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. It is similar to taking 2 million cars from the road for a year.
But now we have to update empowerment through many major ways.
First of all, we should add new incentives to help homes on heating such as electrical appliances and heating systems such as heat pumps. Journal with existing discounts and discounts for energy audit and weather, it will expedite efforts to move away from fossil fuels and reduce energy bills for more people.
Modern heat pumps are suitable for all Maryland climate and two to three times more efficient than fossil fuel burning furnaces. Space heating and cooling accounts for more than half of the household energy use, so switching can help in low energy bills throughout the year.
The ampower must stop providing subsidy for gas equipment and home heating systems. The goals of our energy-defense should be in line with our climate goals. This is the time to pollute gas systems and plan for a universal future in our homes and businesses.
Billions of dollars in federal funding are available to help people to save energy and to help reduce costs at home, but those programs focus on all electrical energy efficiency. Maryland needs to improve a strong program to ensure that we do not leave money on the table. It is also a health imperative. According to a recent report by GHHI, fossil fuels emit more than the HVAC system, as all the power plants in Maryland are jointly added, in which Black Marylanders were exposed to 70% more pollution than fossil fuel heating equipment as white maarylanders.
Electrical equipment reduces indoor air pollution that contributes to many health problems including childhood asthma, with a particularly intense issue in Baltimor city and other areas.
Finally, the Legislature must ensure that strong historically provides more benefits to low -income marlanders in disintegrated communities. Families in communities are worth accessing family and senior -equal resources that others must enable them to reduce their energy bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The involvement of bilingual representatives in community outreach efforts will ensure that more families reach.
As part of the commitment to make the Empower more justify, we should reduce the profits that cut the utilities from the empener, which can help reduce how much the retarders contribute to the program. Some major utilities in Maryland are making three to four times more profits than the energy efficiency programs of other states, which increase the bills. We are relying on the legislature to prioritize profit to the community on shareholder profits.
For more than three decades, the Green and Healthy Homes Initiatives have worked with families and seniors to make their homes healthy, safe and more energy efficient, but there are still lots that we need to serve.
With the correct changes, the ampower program can turbocharge this work, reduce our state’s dependence on polluting fossil fuels, can contribute to the construction of more green, healthy and energy efficient homes, and helps in our efforts to save money and make a clean state to create a clean state.
The hearing on the law to upgrade the state’s strong program is scheduled in the House Economic Matters Committee on February 29 at 1 pm.
Re -published