Electrify Asheville-Buncombe Launches!

ASHEVILLE, NC – Electrify Asheville-Buncombe offers a unique new method to help local homeowners learn about and purchase the latest in energy efficiency strategies, including heating and cooling technology.

The innovative program provides support to residents of Asheville and Buncombe County by helping homeowners explore new proven electric technologies, choose participating local contractors, and get help identifying discount purchase incentives and financing alternatives in order to upgrade their home appliances and systems.

“Electrification” is a way to transition from gas, heating oil, or outdated appliances and equipment to high-efficiency electrified alternatives for homes. In particular, the Electrify Asheville-Buncombe program features a free new online marketplace — LetsGoElectric.com — in which area contractors showcase innovative heat pump technologies, energy efficiency systems, and electrical upgrades for purchase and installation in local homes.

Electrify Asheville-Buncombe encourages homeowners to improve their home’s energy efficiency, take energy conservation actions and improve indoor air quality. Ultimately, the program aims to make electrification—and the savings, safety and improved comfort it can bring—easier and more accessible to everyone.

Replacing aging or outdated equipment with heat pumps is one of the most efficient, high-impact ways to improve indoor air quality and comfort plus often lower household energy costs. Heat pumps and other new technologies provide efficient and eco-friendly alternatives for a more sustainable, healthier and comfortable home.

A shared community-wide objective of achieving complete clean energy reliance in the City of Asheville and Buncombe County by 2042 prompted Electrify Asheville-Buncombe’s development and public rollout this month.

"We know that it will take all of us to reach the city's climate goals,” said Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer. “Electrify Asheville-Buncombe is one program that brings together contractors, community-based organizations, lenders, technical expertise and local government to support our residents of all income levels to be a part of our clean energy future."

To activate the local effort, the newly developed “electrify” marketplace – LetsGoElectric.com –  provides tools to map and begin taking climate-positive actions in homes. 

Key Features of Electrify Asheville-Buncombe:

Home Electrification Journey & Solutions:  Answer questions to get your customized electrification journey. Understand where you are in the process and get recommendations on next steps. 

Energy Audits: Connect with expert local professionals who offer personalized home energy audits. These assessments provide insights into your energy consumption and recommend tailored efficiency actions. Up to 40 free or reduced-price audits will also be available to income-qualified citizens.

Local Collaboration: The City of Asheville, Buncombe County, the Blue Horizons Project, and the North Carolina Clean Energy Fund, along with vetted local HVAC installers, are working together to ensure a smooth and locally supported transition to electrified systems.

Access to Incentives and Financing: Ways to access newly offered government and utility incentives for electrification are included in the marketplace. In addition, accessible financing from local community lender Self-Help Credit Union is a key feature of the program. 

“Everyone should have access to the benefits of clean energy technologies, like lower energy bills and a safer, more comfortable home. We’re thrilled to partner with Electrify ABC to provide financing that can make these technologies more affordable for more people in our community,” said Tara J. Brown, Director of Community Engagement for Western NC at Self-Help Credit Union. “With our Energy Saver Loan for Electrify ABC, everyone—including people with lower or limited credit—can finance a new high efficiency heating system with peace of mind.” 

Electrify Asheville-Buncombe is part of a national movement to electrify the built environment.

“Addressing climate change requires a rapid transition from fossil fuels to renewable electricity sources and converting our appliances and vehicles to run on clean electricity,” according to Rewiring America, a national nonprofit organization focused on the value of electrification. 

Electrify Asheville-Buncombe is not just about adopting cutting-edge technologies—it's about making a lasting impact on the environment. By choosing efficient electric technologies for their homes, residents can actively contribute to reducing carbon emissions, help to foster a more resilient community and become involved in pioneering a sustainable future.

Proactive support of the local contractor community is another facet of Electrify Asheville-Buncombe. Local contractors eager to enhance their economic involvement in this rapidly growing market sector can increase their visibility among current and future customers through participation in the program. 

To complement the 24/7 online availability of electrify information and access to contractors, an array of Electrify Asheville-Buncombe community events and engagement activities is planned to enhance awareness at the city, county and neighborhood level. You can learn about these events and activities here. 

Electrify Asheville-Buncombe is an innovative electrification pilot program aimed at enabling active community participation in the City of Asheville and Buncombe County’s ambitious clean-energy goals, reducing household energy bills, and improving both health and home comfort. The program provides support to residents through access to participating local contractors offering efficient technology options, navigation of government purchase incentives, and access to energy audits and inclusive financing.