Have questions on what renters can do to reduce climate pollution? We’ve got answers!
Transitioning our homes and vehicles away from oil and gas is one of the most powerful ways that individuals can help stop climate change. An estimated 13% of Ashland’s carbon emissions come from residential energy, while another 17% percent comes from transportation. And it’s never been more affordable to make this switch, thanks to rebates and other incentives offered by state and local governments. (Federal incentives are available too, but only through the end of the year.)
But “electrification,” the process of transitioning to clean electricity, can seem daunting if you are a renter. After all, it doesn’t make much financial sense to replace your landlord’s gas stove with an electric one, or their gas furnace with a heat pump.
However, there are changes you can make that meaningfully reduce climate pollution. Here’s where to start.
Electrify your vehicle
Electric vehicles emit dramatically less climate pollution compared to their gas-powered counterparts. Over its lifetime, including manufacturing, the average EV produces emissions equivalent to a gasoline vehicle that gets 91 miles per gallon, according to the Union for Concerned Scientists. In Ashland, where most of our electricity comes from hydroelectric power, the lifetime climate pollution of an EV is even lower.
As a renter, there’s the question of charging your electric vehicle. Installing a charger at home can be complicated when you don’t own your property and it may not be possible or live in an apartment building without a garage. However, depending on your vehicle and driving habits, there are easy and inexpensive workarounds.
If you rent a house with a garage or driveway, you may be able to charge your car at home. Simply plug a charger, which usually comes with the vehicle, into a regular 120V power outlet. These outlets provide “level 1” charging, which is slow — you’ll get around 5 miles of range per hour of charging, and it’ll take 40-50 hours to charge your EV from empty to 80 percent. But that should be plenty for short trips around the Medford-Ashland area, or if you drive only occasionally. (A lot of people charge their cars overnight.)
There are also free “level 2” charging stations — which take between four and 10 hours to charge a vehicle to 80 percent — located at the Hargadine Parking Garage, The Grove, and the parking lot on Pioneer Street and Lithia Way (check out Free Public Charging on the City of Ashland website. Consider topping up your vehicle while you’re at work, walking in the park, or running errands. Finally, there are DC fast charging stations — which typically take under an hour — located near I-5. However, this option is more expensive, and won’t save you as much money on gas.
Electrify your kitchen
There are plenty of ways to cook without firing up a gas stove. Portable induction cooktops, which sell for under $100, offer precise temperature control and can boil water in just a couple of minutes. Air fryers—essentially compact convection ovens—make crispy fries or fajitas with minimal effort, while Instant Pots can turn out beans or hearty stews in under an hour.
Using these electric cooking methods isn’t a perfect solution to climate pollution from your kitchen — gas stoves continue to leak methane even when turned off. However, by leaving your gas stove alone, you can cut its methane emissions—a powerful climate pollutant—by about 25 percent. The bigger benefit is to your health: burning natural gas releases nitrogen dioxide and benzene, which are linked to higher risks of asthma, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.
Want to try an induction cooktop before buying one? Check one out from the Library of Things.
Electrify your heating and cooling
Purchasing a portable heat pump is one way that renters can cut down on heating and cooling costs, while also slashing your home’s climate pollution. Commonly referred to as “air conditioning units with heat”, portable heat pumps cost between $500 to $700. These ultra-efficient appliances work by sucking the heat from outside air (even when it’s cold outside) and pumping it into your home. In the summer, they do the opposite, cooling your home in the process. (But watch out — some “air conditioning units with heat” aren’t actually heat pumps and instead use inefficient resistance heating. Make sure to check product specs before purchasing.)
Portable heat pumps are designed to heat a large room or a small studio apartment. The Midea Duo 12000 Btu model, for example, heats up to 550 square feet. It’s possible to rely primarily on these devices for your heating and cooling, but it might be necessary to purchase multiple units if you live in a larger space. Alternatively, you can use just one unit in addition to central heat — you’ll still cut down on costs and pollution.
Note that some portable heat pumps tend to collect a lot of condensation, a major downside. Fortunately, Whynter, Frigidaire, LG, and Midea all sell portable heat pump models that include a condensation pump, helping them collect water more efficiently than other models.
Before springing for a portable heat pump, make sure to check the capacity of your home’s electrical outlets, said Ashland Climate Collaborative board member Candace Turtle, who is also a volunteer for Electrify Ashland Now. “You may want to buy a 120 volt unit versus a 220 volt one,” Turtle said.
Electrification non-profit Electrify Now gave a thorough rundown on these appliances in a recent webinar. Check out the chart below for their recommendations!
Rebates and Incentives
There are rebate and tax incentive programs designed specifically to help landlords upgrade to more efficient equipment. Some are worth thousands of dollars. If you have older gas appliances, baseboard heating, or feel you could benefit from improved insulation/weatherization – and you have a good a good relationship with your landlord you could mention this, and refer your landlord to Electrify Ashland Now. Our volunteer home energy coaches are a good source of information. Email info@AshlandClimate.org to start the conversation.
Still have questions about getting started? Ashland Climate Collaborative and Electrify Ashland Now are here to help. Fill out a quick form on our website for a free consultation. We’re excited to help you on your journey!