When Phil Harris began electrifying his home, he had no idea where to begin. His plan was ambitious: to replace all his gas appliances and his vehicle with highly-efficient electric alternatives within five years.
So Phil, a retired teacher who lives in Portland, became a self-taught electrification expert. He devoured YouTube videos, webinars and blog posts from organizations like Electrify Now and Rewiring America. He learned everything he could about the best heat pumps, finding reliable contractors, and tracking down financial incentives. The process was time-intensive and often confusing.
“I just kind of stumbled along,” Phil said.
Phil didn’t yet know that support was available.
Going electric can seem daunting. But people new to electrification don’t have to go through it alone. A few organizations like Electrify Oregon offer coaching to guide individuals through their own electrification journey. Trained coaches are there every step of the way, from formulating a plan to accessing financial incentives — and the coaching is completely free.
Phil’s home was already 100% electric by the time he first heard of Electrify Oregon’s coaching program. It seemed like the perfect use of his own experience: helping others and the planet.
Phil underwent a rigorous four-week training with Rewiring America, attending virtual presentations on the latest technology and local financial incentives. Soon after, he began meeting with clients.
As a coach, Phil’s role is to help the electrification-curious make — and follow through on — a plan that makes sense for them. With each client, Phil begins with a conversation, typically over the phone or video, where they discuss the client’s home, goals, and unique situation. “There are a wide range of motivations and capacities,” Phil says. Some of his coaching clients have the finances to electrify everything, but aren’t sure where to start; Others have an idea of the upgrades they want to make, but don’t know if they can afford them. Some clients are homeowners; others are renters.
Phil meets each homeowner or renter where they are. He might make recommendations for where to begin, answer questions on the appropriate technology for a home, and connect clients to contractors and incentives.
“I really want to focus on their individual goals — and hopefully guide them to potential goals further down the road that they may not have considered,” Phil says.
It doesn’t matter where you are in your electrification journey — whether you’re curious about electrification, ready to make a plan, or already on the path to a 100% electric home, a coach can help, Phil says. And for residents in key locations around the state, that coaching is free: Just sign up through Electrify Oregon for a consultation.
If you already have some experience with electrification, consider paying it forward. Become a coach and start helping others electrify their homes by reaching out to Electrify Oregon to find out how to get started.
“It’s confusing out there,” Phil says, “What coaches do is connect people with the most up-to-date and objective information. That plants a seed for electrification.”
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