Ask the Energy Coach: How do I balance outage preparation with reducing my carbon footprint? Dear Energy Coach: My New Year’s resolution is to reduce my personal carbon footprint as much as I can within my own power and budget. I am starting with a list of opportunities and obstacles. One major concern I have is that if I rely …
Plug-and-play heat pump water heaters; federal $7,500 point of sale incentives for EVs When you’re thinking about making household upgrades and reducing your fossil fuel footprint, it’s a great idea to call or email Bill Powell, WEC’s Energy Coach. New tech comes along all the time – and so do new incentives. Before you make a big purchase, check with …
Dear Energy Coach: I bought an EV and have been making do with Level 1 charging. According to the load sheet, I need a transformer upgrade, but my EV has a 7.2 kw onboard charger, which isn’t close to the 12 kw load of the Level 2 charger that would overload my transformer. What gives? Why can’t you give me …
Dear Energy Coach: My current car is a gasser, but my next will be electric. My question is, should I buy now or later for the best incentives? You’re in good company. Anecdotally, I know of many WEC members and Vermonters who have decided their current combustion engine vehicle will be their last. There’s more to take into account than …
Dear Energy Coach: I am buying an EV, and I want to know where I can charge it. Can I charge a non-Tesla at a Tesla charging station now? Why isn’t there an industry standard for this stuff? Let’s start now and then look to the future. Yes: an industry standard is emerging, and it looks like it’s the North …
EVs on the market can already charge other devices. Bidirectional charging EVSE will allow EVs to function as full-house battery backup. Bill Powell, WEC’s Energy Coach, doesn’t usually trade in predicting the future. When it comes to making big purchase decisions, though, he knows WEC members like to plan ahead. Members who are still driving combustion engine cars, but are …
15 years ago, here’s what Cabot kids learned about energy During the 2007-2008 school year, Energy Coach Bill Powell visited Cabot fourth-graders to talk about power. What they learned from his presentation was incorporated into “a display we created to share our year-long, whole school focus on energy and sustainability,” said retired teacher and WEC member Mary Ann Tormey. Recently, …
Ask the Energy Coach: When will incentives resume? Dear Energy Coach: I just installed a hot water heat pump and want to take advantage of WEC’s incentives. When will they be available again? You can submit the invoices for any eligible equipment upgrades now – in fact, WEC hopes you will. All eligible equipment upgrades dated from September through December …
WEC asks for patience and communication in a time of high demand and low supply You don’t need a Level 2 charger unless your daily mileage exceeds what a Level 1 can do overnight. – Bill Powell You’ve been on the list for 18 months, and you’re finally about to pick up your electric vehicle. There’s just one hitch. You …
This winter, the price of heating oil spiked. This spring, gasoline topped $5 per gallon in some parts of Vermont. Many of us are feeling the pinch of inflation and cost of living increases. For years, community action agencies have offered income-eligible Vermonters support in managing their finances. Now, a new statewide program ties together financial and energy coaching, making …