Energy & Climate Initiatives

On June 16, 2020 the Meridian Township Board adopted a Climate Emergency Resolution. The resolution stated that on October 8, 2018, the United Nations released a special report that projected that limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius this century will require an unprecedented transformation of every sector of the global economy over the next 12 years. It also mentioned that the U.S. Fourth National Climate Assessment detailed the massive threat that climate change poses to the American economy and underscored the need for emergency climate action at all levels of government. The resolution prioritizes implementing the township operations and community initiatives outlined in the township’s Climate Sustainability Plan.

To address the Climate Emergency, we have to reduce our use of fossil fuels. The electric grid is transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Consumers Energy has a goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. DTE Energy has said it will work to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Since the electric grid will continue to increase its use of renewable energy, many have proposed “electrifying everything” to decrease our use of natural gas and gasoline. Energy efficiency also plays a very large role in reducing carbon emissions.

We can’t wait until 2030 to start eliminating our use of fossil fuels. Many of the decisions we make today, including purchasing vehicles, home appliances, and equipment, will still have an impact for 10, 15, or 20 years from now. It makes sense to switch from gas to electric appliances and heating equipment when a replacement is needed, but frequently, when equipment fails, there is no time to research alternatives. When you’re ready to buy a new vehicle, it makes sense to look at the variety of electric vehicles that are now available. The Citizen’s Climate Commitment asks Meridian Township residents to consider electric alternatives and plan for their future purchases. Citizens are asked to consider replacing the following fossil fuel equipment with electric equipment. Energy Audits can help you figure out what your best options are.

Consumers Energy provides a free Home Energy Analysis: https://www.consumersenergy.com/residential/save-money-and-energy/assessments

Michigan Saves identifies contractors who conduct Energy Audits:
https://michigansaves.org/find-a-contractor/

Choosing an electric vehicle over a gasoline vehicle has many advantages. No matter where you plug in across the country, electric vehicles are cheaper to fuel than their gasoline-powered counterparts. Every electricity provider in the 50 largest US cities offers a rate plan that makes filling up on electricity cheaper than gasoline, adding up to a median yearly savings of over $770.

Electric vehicles can also save you on maintenance costs. Battery EVs have no gasoline engine, they do not need oil changes, spark plugs, or timing belts, and unlike gasoline motors, electric motors require no routine maintenance. These reduced maintenance costs can save an EV owner over $1,500 over the life of the vehicle, compared to a gasoline-powered vehicle. 

An electric engine generates instant torque, which means that electric vehicles zoom off starting lines and provide smooth, responsive acceleration and deceleration. Electric vehicles also have a low center of gravity, which improves handling, responsiveness, and ride comfort and they are quiet.

EVs produce less global warming pollution. The average EV in the US today produces the emissions equivalent of a gasoline car that gets 73 miles per gallon. The emissions performance of EVs is set to only improve as wind and solar power displace coal-fired electricity generation. Many EV owners are also choosing to pair their EV with rooftop solar panels and home energy storage units. When powered exclusively by renewable energy, an EV can operate nearly emissions-free.

Additional Information:

U.S. Department of Energy website on fuel economy: https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/evtech.shtml 

Electric Vehicles: Car and Driver Buying Guide: https://www.caranddriver.com/ev/

Electric stoves are comparable in price to gas stoves, while electric ovens with induction stove tops are more expensive but also more efficient. With induction, the pan is heated directly – rather than the burner first and then the pan. This greatly reduces the risk of burns. It also makes for a faster, more efficient way of cooking. Since induction is based on electromagnetism, pots and pans must be magnetic. If a magnet sticks to it, it’s induction-ready.

Although cooking food on any stove produces particulate pollutants, burning gas produces nitrogen dioxide, or NO2. Brief exposures to air with high concentrations of NO2 can lead to coughing and wheezing for people with asthma or other respiratory issues, and prolonged exposure to the gas can contribute to the development of those conditions, according to the EPA. Homes with gas stoves can contain 50 to 400 percent higher concentrations of NO2 than homes with electric stoves, often resulting in levels of indoor air pollution that would be illegal outdoors, according to a recent report by the Rocky Mountain Institute.

Additional Resources:

Good Housekeeping article on pros and cons of induction cooking: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/appliances/electric-range-reviews/a28435170/induction-stove-cooktop-pros-cons/

A “heat pump” is a device that moves heat from one place to another. A heat pump water heater (HPWH) moves heat from the surrounding space into the hot water tank. Most heat pumps operate as “hybrid” devices – i.e. they use the heat pump whenever possible, but built-in controls switch to conventional resistance heating when there are large hot water needs. A HPWH is an energy efficient water heating option (Energy Factor ratings of greater than 2.0).

As their name implies, tankless, or on-demand water heaters, don't store water in a tank. Instead they heat water as it passes through the unit, using a heat exchanger to rapidly bring it up to temperature. Heating water only when you need it eliminates the standby energy losses you get with a storage tank. Compared to gas tankless units, electric tankless units tend to be smaller and more limited in terms of flow.

Additional Resources:

Michigan Saves provides financing for contractors: https://michigansaves.org/find-a-contractor/

EPA has information on heat pump water heaters: 
https://www.energystar.gov/productfinder/product/certified-heat-pump-water-heaters/results

EPA has information on on-demand water heaters: 
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/tankless-or-demand-type-water-heaters?nrg_redirect=307962

Consumer Reports has an article on tankless water heaters:
https://www.consumerreports.org/water-heaters/tankless-water-heaters-vs-storage-tank-water-heaters/

Heat pumps, air source or geothermal, can provide both heating and cooling for a home. Heat pumps work by transferring heat rather than burning fossil fuels to create heat. This makes them more efficient. A heat pump system is an all-in-one system that works as an air conditioner in the summer, and works in reverse to heat the home in the winter. To heat the home, it transfers heat from outside to inside while to cool, it transfers heat from inside your home to outside.

Air source heat pumps absorb heat from the outside air to heat your home. They can still extract heat when air temperatures are as low as -15°C. Geothermal heat pumps exchange heat with the earth instead of the outdoor air using loops to get heat from the ground or ground water. Geothermal heat pump systems are more energy efficient operating at between 300 to 600 percent efficiency even in the coldest weather. Air-source heat pumps reach 175 to 300 percent efficiency. The price for an air source heat pump is similar to the price of a high efficiency gas furnace, but a geothermal heat pump is much more expensive. 

Additional Resources:

Michigan Saves provides financing for heat pump systems and maintains lists of geothermal and HVAC contractors: https://michigansaves.org/find-a-contractor/

EPA has information on choosing and installing a geothermal heat pump: 
https://www.energystar.gov/products/geothermal_heat_pumps

EPA has information on air source heat pumps:
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/heat-and-cool/heat-pump-systems/air-source-heat-pumps

A gas clothes dryer typically costs $100 more than a comparable electric model, but it may be less expensive to operate depending on natural gas and electricity prices in the area. ENERGY STAR-certified dryers use about 20% less energy than conventional models without sacrificing features or performance. ENERGY STAR models use innovative energy-saving technologies, such as moisture sensors that detect when clothes are dry and automatically shut the dryer off.

Additional Resources:

Bob Vila – “Choosing a New Appliance: Gas vs. Electric Dryers”:
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/gas-vs-electric-dryers/

EPA has information on dryers: https://www.energystar.gov/products/appliances/clothes_dryers

There are a number of opportunities to switch from gasoline yard equipment to electric models, including lawn mowers, snow blowers, leaf blowers, weed trimmers, outdoor grills, and chain saws. Lawn mowers and snow blowers provide significant opportunities to reduce our use of fossil fuels. 

Gas mowers emit hydrocarbon gases into the air, so you can reduce your carbon footprint by opting for a corded or battery-operated electric mower. Gas-powered mowers make more noise, around 95 decibels, while electric mowers produce between 65 to 75 decibels. Gas mowers require regular maintenance and are pricier. Corded electric mowers are the least expensive because they don’t feature a gas engine or batteries. Battery-operated mowers run in between. Electric mowers cost less to operate, $11 to $22 per year in electricity, while gas mowers cost $20 to $35 per year.

While electric motors are not as powerful as gas engines, an electric snow blower is lighter and is usually more compact than a gas machine. This makes them easier to transport and store. Electric snow blowers aren’t as noisy as their gas counterparts and require very little maintenance. You don’t need to mix gas and oil or pull on a recoil starter every time you want to use the snow blower. An electric snow blower starts instantly, with the touch of a button. A corded electric snow blower will restrict your movement, but is the cheapest of all your options. You can always opt for a battery-powered snow blower which will cost more.

Additional Information:

Bob Vila article “What’s the Difference? Gas vs. Electric Lawn Mowers”:
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/gas-vs-electric-lawn-mowers/