by The Falls Church Climate Action Network (FCCAN)

Across the world, the “electrify everything” movement is growing and you’re invited to join.

Electrify everything efforts focus on rapidly installing clean, efficient electric home appliances and vehicles — and moving away from inefficient, polluting machinery that burns planet-warming fossil fuels.

The “electrify everything” movement has gained momentum in Falls Church as residents and businesses invest in a cleaner, more sustainable future.

The Broad and Washington project, the West Falls senior building, and Founder’s Row II are being built with all-electric appliances for residents.

Last year, the City committed to cutting our carbon footprint in half by 2030 to help keep global warming below 2°C and avoid locking in climate change’s worst effects. To achieve this goal, we need all residents — that includes you — to take steps toward sustainability.

That could mean researching heat pumps now to be prepared when you need to replace your AC system or trying out induction cooking to consider it for your next kitchen upgrade.

That’s why we created the Electrify Falls Church Open House: to offer everyone hands-on interactions with electric appliances and vehicles, plus electric lawn care service and rooftop solar. Hear neighbors’ tips and lessons learned from replacing fossil fuel devices with clean electric ones. Also, enjoy free Ben & Jerry’s ice cream starting around 11:30 a.m. while supplies last.

Here are seven ideas to start your path toward electrifying everything:

1. Schedule a Home Energy Audit
   An energy auditor will use tools to pinpoint where your home loses energy and create a project list to help you save money and make your home more comfortable year-round. Sealing air leaks and adding insulation are the main things to address before updating your HVAC system.
2. Breaker, Breaker: Check Your Electrical Panel
   Have an electrician check if your electrical panel (a.k.a. breaker box) can add more electric devices such as a vehicle, induction range, and solar panels. Older homes might need an upgraded panel.
3. Get Yourself a Clean, Green Comfort Machine (a Heat Pump)
   Ever hear about a magical device that cools you in the summer, warms you in the winter, and puts out “three to four times as much energy in the form of heat as they’re using in electricity,” according to the MIT Technology Review? It exists! Super-efficient heat pumps can be both a furnace and A/C, transferring heat in and out of buildings instead of burning fossil fuels or using less-efficient electric resistance. If your energy audit prescribed plugging air leaks and adding insulation, complete those projects first to get a heat pump sized to meet your home’s needs.
4. Heat Pumps Work Wonders on Water, Too
   “Heat pumps work like a refrigerator in reverse,” according to Energy.gov. “While a refrigerator pulls heat from inside a box and sends it into the surrounding room, a stand-alone air-source heat pump water heater pulls heat from the surrounding air and transfers it — at a higher temperature — to heat water in a storage tank.”
5. Introduce Yourself to Induction Cooking
   Do electric stoves make you think of slow-heating coils? Today’s induction cooktops use magnetic fields that boil water 20 to 40 percent faster than gas, according to Consumer Reports tests. Cleaning is a breeze with no grates or burners. For renters or anyone interested, portable induction burners cost as little as $50. All-electric homes enjoy better indoor air quality with lower risks of asthma, carbon monoxide poisoning, and fires.
6. Electrify Your Rides
   If you’ve never experienced the thrill of an electric car or e-bike ride, schedule a test drive at a local dealer or bike shop such as Conte’s and Bikenetic. If you’re ready to switch to an electric car, determine if public chargers will meet your needs or whether you’ll want a level 2 charger at home.
7. Get Powered by the Sun
   If your home has a relatively new and sunny roof, you might be a good candidate for rooftop solar. Review your electric usage and consider what appliances and vehicles you may add, then contact solar companies (ask neighbors with panels for recommendations) or check out Solarize NOVA. To compare solar companies’ quotes, look at the proposed kilowatt-production capacity and divide the total cost by that.