SV Clean Energy announces winners of Electric Showcase Awards
Sunnyvale, Calif. – Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) has selected 13 homeowners, an apartment complex, a Reform Synagogue, and a hair salon as the 2023 Electric Showcase Award winners. The Electric Showcase Awards recognize and reward community members that are taking positive actions to reduce local emissions and create safe, healthy buildings in SVCE communities.
Winners include residents and businesses from Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Saratoga, Sunnyvale and Unincorporated Santa Clara County – they represent a wide range of journeys to achieving a clean, gas-free home or business. The winning properties were built between the early 1960s and the 2020s. Some upgrades were based on timing, when old appliances burnt out, while others were carefully mapped out improvements all the way down to capping gas lines.
Some winners are just starting out on their upgrades, leveraging local and federal rebates like Scott, a Sunnyvale resident.
“Our home had an old, inefficient gas furnace which was original to the building – 50 years old! We wanted to upgrade to an electric heat pump for improved safety, efficiency, to reduce our emissions, and to gain cooling in the summer,” said Scott.
Other winners are fully electric and enjoying the improvements the electric technologies have made to their home, like Curt from Gilroy.
“After having a good experience with the water heater, we started looking into replacing our gas furnace with a heat pump and replacing our gas cooktop. We eventually found a very good and affordable contractor to do the furnace/AC replacement. The heat pump and smart thermostat have been a definite step in a positive direction,” said Curt.
William and Lakshmi from Sunnyvale knew how it felt to not have control of the fuel source in their home as renters, so when they had the chance to enjoy the benefits of electric living, they did not pass it up.
“After years of renting, we were thrilled to finally have the chance to move away from natural gas – heat pumps and electric stoves are better for our health and the planet, while saving us money. In addition to upgrading our unit, we also upgraded the other half of our duplex so that our tenants can benefit from lower utility bills and a greener planet,” they said.
“With clean electricity from SVCE, transitioning away from gas-powered appliances to electric technologies in homes or businesses helps residents take their health, safety, and climate action into their own hands,” said George Tyson, SVCE Board Chair and Los Altos Hills Councilmember. “It is inspiring to see so many people in our community already making these upgrades to improve their lives and that of our future generations.”
SVCE received 150 applications for the 2023 Electric Showcase Awards, and in addition to the 16 winners, 105 residents were selected as “Amped Up Honorable Mentions”. To view the winners and read more about their stories please visit: www.svcleanenergy.org/electric-showcase-awards-23.
On Saturday, October 14, over 40 Bay Area homeowners will open their doors to the public and share their experience of going electric. Residents that are looking to hear more about electric technologies, available rebates, the installation process and comfort benefits can hear directly from community members that have already taken these actions during the SVCE-sponsored 2023 Electric Home Tour. Register to explore the homes in your neighborhood at www.electrichometour.org.
Customers interested in making upgrades to efficient electric appliances can take advantage of SVCE rebates, which may be combined with federal tax credits and other state incentives. Learn more: svcleanenergy.org/home-rebates.
###
About Silicon Valley Clean Energy
Silicon Valley Clean Energy is a not-for-profit, community-owned agency providing clean electricity from renewable and carbon-free sources to more than 275,000 residential and commercial customers in 13 Santa Clara County jurisdictions. As a public agency, net revenues are returned to the community to keep rates competitive and promote clean energy programs. Silicon Valley Clean Energy is advancing innovative solutions to fight climate change by decarbonizing the grid, transportation, and buildings. Learn more at SVCleanEnergy.org.
Media Contact
Michaela Pippin | Principal Communications Specialist
Michaela.pippin@svcleanenergy.org
(408) 549-2690
