February Newsletter
We’re excited about our days slowly but surely getting longer and are enjoying the bulbs peeking through and birds coming back! This newsletter features some great news about tax credits and PSE’s Bill Discount Program and some not so great news about our climate. Read on to learn more.
Upcoming Info Session: February 28th
One requirement of being part of the Kicking Gas program is attending one of our upcoming in-person or online Info Sessions. At these sessions you will learn more about current heat pump, cooking, and other Kicking Gas programs. Our next Info Session will be on February 28th at 6:00pm, online.
You can register for our upcoming Info Session and any other upcoming Kicking Gas events here.
It’s Tax Time – Look Into Tax Credits You Might Be Able to Claim
If you invested in a new ductless heat pump system in 2023, you may be eligible for a tax credit of 30% of your cost up to $2,000, including the cost of electrical system upgrades needed to make your home heat pump-ready! This is a non-refundable tax credit, which means it can reduce what you owe in taxes if you owe taxes. If you need a copy of your invoice for documentation you can contact your installer.
Learn more about the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit, and let us know if you have questions.
Electrification with Benefits! Check out the new PSE Bill Discount Program
Depending on your household income*, you might be able to save between 5% and 45% on your monthly PSE electric bill. This is an ongoing discount on your electric bill, not just a one time credit to help with winter heating. Click here to see if you qualify.
This new program is thanks to the Washington Climate Commitment Act, which requires utilities to ensure that their services are affordable to everyone. That means, when you electrify your home, you are switching to a cleaner, less expensive source of energy AND you could be eligible for a discount! The sooner you sign up for the PSE Bill Discount Program, and the sooner you switch all your home energy needs to electricity, the more you can save.
*Households making 80% of County area median income, or less, are eligible. For example, a household of 2 in Island County is eligible if they earn $57,100 or less.
The 9th-straight warmest month on record
Did this January feel warm to you too? Well there’s a reason for that.
Early data has come in for January 2024 — it likely set a record for the warmest January. The information from the Japan Meteorological Agency's JRA-55 data set, shows that January now makes nine straight months that set record highs. Early expectations are that 2024 stands a good chance to beat last year’s annual temperature record. Read more from Axios HERE.
As we keep reminding ourselves and others: we are in a climate emergency! This is why we are so grateful for those of you who have taken steps to reduce your carbon footprint and to those who are just getting started. We hope to see you at one of our upcoming events where we will share more ways you can get involved with Kicking Gas, support our work, and be part of the movement to decarbonize our homes!
In community,
Derek Hoshiko and the Kicking Gas Team