Collage of images with woman powering her electric car, a home with solar panels, and smart home appliances in a kitchen.

Lower Home Energy Bills: How You Can Use the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

If you are a homeowner, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) can help you save money through rebates and tax credits. Energy-efficient upgrades—from heat pumps to solar panels and more—can reduce energy costs, promote sustainable living, and put money in your pocket. 

Want to learn more about long-term financial savings and maximizing home energy use through the IRA? Read on for all the details.

What is the Inflation Reduction Act? 

According to the Office of Energy and Equity, low-income communities pay 30% of their overall earnings towards energy costs. The Inflation Reduction Act aims to ease some burdens by allocating $8.8 billion to home energy rebate programs. For homeowners in the Pacific Northwest, there are plenty of ways to take advantage of these federal rebates and upgrade your home to be more energy efficient.

How to Take Advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act & Save on Energy Costs

The IRA allows for rebates and tax credits through 2032, which gives homeowners plenty of time to make gather paperwork, complete applications, and schedule necessary upgrades.

Home energy savings through the IRA include Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credits and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates. Participating in specific home improvement projects allows you to receive financial benefits and can help lower your energy costs over time.

Tax Credits vs. Rebates 

There are two ways that homeowners can take advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act: tax credits and rebates. Knowing the difference is crucial to ensure you get the most out of your savings.

  • Tax Credits: These credits will be applied when you file your taxes and will reduce the overall amount of taxes due. However, be aware that additional refunds will only be issued if your credits are within the taxes owed.
  • Rebates: Rebates are instant savings and offset the purchase of a particular appliance or equipment. Rebates don’t have any impact on taxes.

Electrical Upgrades for HomesElectrical upgrades help save time and money.

Rebates in Washington and Oregon allow home and property owners the ability to shave upfront costs. 

These are just a few of the many upgrades you can make to start saving money: 

  • Heat Pump Installation: Electrical heat pumps require minimal energy to transfer heat from one place to another. Since they don’t generate heat, they are more eco-friendly. They can replace everything from gas-burning furnaces to air conditioners.
  • Heat Pump Water Heaters: These types of water heaters can be two to three times more energy efficient than other current types. 
  • Electric Stoves: Recently, there has been much discussion about the difference between gas and electric stoves. Older gas stoves have been considered risky due to their benzene and methane emissions. However, beyond that, gas stoves can be half as energy efficient as electric. Switching out a gas stove for an electric one gives homeowners access to rebates. 
  • Solar Panels: Rooftop solar panels can promote energy independence and lower electricity bills. The IRA offers tax credits for residential installation. 
  • Electrical Panel and Wiring Upgrades: An updated breaker and new wiring can significantly improve residential energy efficiency and support modern appliances. 

Do You Qualify for IRA Rebates & Tax Credits? 

You can receive IRA benefits as long as you are aware of a few rules. New equipment installations must adhere to specific efficiency standards. Check with the IRS to ensure your upgrades meet the criteria or visit Energy.gov for more information and resources to get started.  

Find an Electrical Professional for Your Home Improvements 

The Inflation Reduction Act is an excellent opportunity for homeowners to save money and participate in an energy-efficient future. To ensure you are compliant with all your electrical upgrades and installments, it’s essential to seek out skilled electricians and contractors in your area. 

State-managed rebate programs and additional incentives may have limited funding and can run out.

Are you looking for a local electrician or contractor? Check out our list of top electrical professionals in your area.

/by
Exterior of a power facility at night.

Key Trends Electrical Pros Should Know About Microgrid Technology

Microgrid technology is changing the landscape of electrical power systems. These localized energy systems can operate independently or be integrated into larger power grids to supply reliable electrical energy. Microgrids typically come in five different types: commercial, military, campus environment, remote-off grid, and community. For example, Oregon is implementing two large-scale community microgrids: one in Salem and another in Ashland. 

The Salem Smart Power Center stands as a beacon of innovation, encouraging utilities to explore novel methods for energy storage, grid backup, microgrid development, and renewable integration. As part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project, the Center features a 5-megawatt lithium-ion battery and inverter system that can store 1.25 megawatt-hours of energy.

The Ashland microgrid, anticipated to generate 170,000 kWh of electricity annually, will feature a 75-kW dual-axis solar tracking system and lithium battery storage. Located at the City Service Center, this installation will enhance energy resilience for the city’s police and electric departments, as well as the fiber network, in the event of a grid outage.

What Benefits Do Microgrids Promise? During just nine days in 2024, over half a million PGE customers in Oregon were out of power due to winter storms.

These self-contained energy sources have far-reaching benefits for communities and the environment.

  • Reliability During Power Outages: Oregon and Washington are no strangers to power outages. In Washington, one windstorm in 2024 left over 20,000 people without power. During just nine days in 2024, over half a million PGE customers in Oregon were out of power due to winter storms. Microgrids can provide additional energy support during outages and mitigate the frequency and length of outages.
  • Supports Sustainable Efforts: Renewable energy sources can be integrated into microgrids, alleviating the dependence on fossil fuels.
  • Grow with Energy Demands and Needs: Microgrids can easily grow and adjust to fulfill expanding community needs.
  • Cost-Effective to Install: Microgrids are a more affordable option to traditional grid infrastructure due to their small and scalable design.

Shaping the Electrical Future: 4 Crucial Microgrid Trends

The energy landscape is ever-evolving, and microgrids are part of our electrical future. As microgrids continue to develop, the electrical industry can expect to see an increased focus on reliability, innovation, and sustainability. Here are four key trends in microgrid technology to watch in 2024 and beyond.

1) Renewable Energy Source Integration 

Renewable energy source trends are enabling microgrid technology to help combat environmental concerns. Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are being integrated into existing microgrids to boost sustainability efforts and improve energy efficiency.

2) Advanced Energy Storage 

The rise and increased access to battery electric storage systems (BESS) are driving microgrid infrastructure. A BESS can store power over extended periods of time, including wind and solar-based energy. These systems enable users to deploy energy efficiently and on demand, which means a BESS has the potential to cover power outages instantly.

3) Virtual Power Plants

Virtual power plants (VPP) are decentralized energy networks that generate power units via wind farms, solar panels, and battery electric storage systems. Integrating VPPs into microgrid infrastructure can optimize electricity production and distribution. It can also strengthen grid stability and fight load pressures. 

4) Regenerative Buildings 

In recent years, there has been a movement towards regenerative buildings—aka buildings that produce more energy than they consume. Microgrids can support building-to-grid integration, which in turn can help the evolution of regenerative buildings. 

These trends highlight the emerging microgrid technology and the potential for energy sector transformation. As microgrid technologies continue to advance, they will play an increasingly vital role in energy production and distribution. 

NECA–IBEW Local 48: Shaping the Future of Electrical Innovation

Our aim is to set the benchmark in the electrical industry by exemplifying the highest standards of quality, skill, safety, value, and integrity, thus earning the trust and confidence of our customers and the community.

NECA members benefit from state-of-the-art technology training, safety compliance support, essential industry resources, connections with top electricians, employee education credits, and more. IBEW members can advance their careers with continuing education and training opportunities, job placement assistance, career development resources, and additional benefits. Check out our membership page to learn more.

/by
Commercial electrician in hard hat and safety vest checks the performance of a data center's servers.

Data Center Development: Insights for Pacific Northwest Electrical Professionals

Data centers are essential for our digital economy. They house all manner of critical computer systems and store and manage data. The Pacific Northwest is home to 185 data centers and anticipates expanding further. From an electrical professional standpoint, modern data centers in the Pacific Northwest present exciting opportunities. 

Data Centers: Then & Now The Pacific Northwest is home to 185 data centers and growth continues.

Data centers were developed around 1940 but grew with the development of IT in the 1980s. As computer technology and cloud-based services emerged in the 2000s, data centers moved into the large facilities we associate with them today. 

In recent years, data center development has shifted to focus on energy efficiency, carbon footprint reduction, and renewable energy integration. Innovations include water-using glycol cooling technologies and renewable resources for optimized operations to power and cool data centers more sustainably. The future of data centers aims to address both environmental concerns and the increased demand for data processing.

The Future of Data Center Growth in the Pacific Northwest 

According to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, the Pacific Northwest has gained nearly 4 million new residents since 2000. With this population increase, the electricity demand has also grown especially for electric vehicles, computer chip manufacturing, and data centers. 

Data Center Infrastructure in Oregon & Washington

Across Washington and Oregon, data centers are modernizing and expanding. According to a recent report, the Pacific Northwest region is currently valued at 285.52 megawatts (MW) of power capacity. Over the next five years, this market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.5%. By the end of this period, the total power capacity is projected to reach 979.41 MW. The data center market in the Northwest is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing demand for data processing and storage.

Hillsboro’s Data Center Boom 

Hillsboro is home to fifteen major data centers, with potentially ten more on the horizon. Since 2020, the megawatt (MW) inventory load has increased 334% to an impressive 262.4 MW, making it one of the fastest-growing data centers in the U.S., surpassing large cities such as Chicago and Atlanta as well as the Silicon Valley area.

Opportunities in Rural Washington

Reports show that undeveloped areas in rural Washington provide space for technology heavy-hitters to create data center footprints. For example, Sabey Data Center Quincy spans 530,000 square feet across five purpose-built buildings. Their environmental management team leverages affordable hydropower and natural mechanical systems for maximum efficiency.

The Benefits of Data Center Development for PNW Electrical Professionals Data center technician salaries have increased 9% in the last 5 years.

The electricity needed in the Pacific Northwest is anticipated to grow 25% over the next 10 years, largely driven by data centers and semiconductors. The potential growth rate could be unparalleled, leaving data centers searching for electrical professionals trained in the latest sustainable and energy-efficient technology. 

The demand for data center technicians in the Pacific Northwest is on the rise, driven by the region’s growing technology and data center industries. This increase in jobs is fueled by the expansion of data centers, which require skilled technicians to manage and maintain complex systems. Companies are investing heavily in the region, taking advantage of the Pacific Northwest’s robust infrastructure and access to affordable energy sources. As a result, job opportunities for data center technicians are abundant, offering competitive salaries and the chance to work with cutting-edge technology in a rapidly evolving field.

Membership Matters: Take Advantage of Opportunities in a Growing Market

The NECA-IBEW Local 48 partnership provides valuable resources and education for contractors and electricians. NECA provides business owners with technical insights, information on industry best practices, talent recruitment resources, and much more. IBEW supports electricians’ career advancement through education, training, and job placement assistance.

 

Get details on the difference membership makes.

/by