Case Study: DC Department of Energy and Environment advances beneficial home electrification with VEIC

What does it take to deliver beneficial electrification to income-qualified households

The DC Department of Energy and Environment faced the challenge of electrifying its aging, predominantly low-income residential housing stock to meet its ambitious climate goals. The department partnered with VEIC to design and implement a beneficial electrification pilot program, which tested comprehensive approaches for converting homes from fossil fuel systems to high-efficiency electric ones.

VEIC implemented a pilot that included installing heat pumps, performing weatherization and electrical upgrades, and adding solar generation for ten income-qualified households. The results were successful, reducing annual greenhouse gas emissions by 31.9 metric tons and providing residents with greater comfort and lower bills. The insights gained from VEIC's work are now being used to refine and improve the ongoing delivery of beneficial electrification programs in the District and can serve as a roadmap for similar initiatives nationwide.

DC Department of Energy and Environment

Lance Loncke

Senior Economist