Kim and Charlie’s Net-Zero Journey: Electrifying a Washington DC Home

On a Saturday afternoon in November, more than 35 people gathered in a home in Upper Brightwood to experience the future of sustainable living. Electrify DC’s first Demonstration Site Open House, in collaboration with the District Department of Buildings and the District Department of Energy and Environment, is an innovative way to meet residents where they are (literally) and answer their questions on home decarbonization. Demonstration Sites are a critical element of Electrify DC’s ecosystem of programs to make it easier, faster and more affordable to decarbonize all homes. 

Excited chatter filled the room as neighbors, real estate agents, and curious homeowners and renters toured a fully electrified, net-zero house, marveling at its practical and accessible features complete with affordable renewable energy technologies. Conversations flowed, with visitors exchanging ideas and posing thoughtful questions about the realities of electrification: 

–How can solar panels power an entire home?
–What are the costs of transitioning to heat pumps and induction stoves?
–Can this model work for every DC neighborhood?
–What incentives are available?

Net-Zero homeowners answer questions before touring their fully electrified home in Washington DC.

The open house was more than just a tour – it was  a gathering united by the shared vision of healthier, more comfortable homes and a greener, more resilient future for the District.

Starting the Journey: Setting Goals

Kim and Charlie moved to Washington, DC in 2011 after getting married. Together with their two sons and their dog, they’ve created a home that reflects their commitment to sustainability. Living in the Upper Brightwood neighborhood, they’ve transformed their 1950s ranch-style house into an energy-efficient and fully electrified residence.

For Kim and Charlie, the path to sustainability started with clear communication, planning, and education:

1. Shared Goals: Sustainability was a shared family priority. Their approach involved aligning goals and including their children in the process.

2. Budgeting and Prioritizing: They assessed what they could afford immediately, what needed financing, and what would have to wait.

3. Creating a Flexible Timeline: To manage costs and tax incentives, they spread projects over several years.

4. Learning and Research: Partnering with Electrify DC and learning from others’ experiences was key.

5. Energy Audit: A professional audit helped identify areas for improvement and prioritize projects.

Here’s the Math: Project by Project

Kim and Charlie tackled a series of projects to reach their electrification goals. Here are some highlights:

1. Solar Panels

Installed in 2022, their 40-panel array (16.2kW) generates more electricity than they use annually, making their home net-positive.

• Net Cost: $33,645 (after tax credits).

• Production: In the first year, they generated 5,705 kWh more than they consumed! They estimate that even now that all of their appliances are electric they will still generate more than they use.

2. Attic Insulation

Addressing air leaks and boosting attic insulation improved efficiency and comfort.

• Cost: $2,235 (post-incentives).

• Result: A measurable increase in energy efficiency, reducing air leakage significantly.

3. Crawlspace Encapsulation

Transforming their crawlspace into a conditioned storage area eliminated cold floors and enhanced energy efficiency.

• Result: A 26% reduction in air leakage, making the space more functional.

4. Electrical Upgrades + Induction Cooking

Switching from gas to an induction range modernized their kitchen and eliminated gas utility bills. You read that right: No Gas Bills!

• Cost: $1,740 for electrical work and $2,120 for the range.

• Benefits: Faster cooking and savings on utility bills.

5. Heat Pump Installation

Replacing their gas furnace with a heat pump ensured year-round comfort with exceptional energy efficiency.

• Cost: $14,650 (after tax credits).

• Result: Quiet operation and full capacity even in extreme cold (-13°F).

What’s Next?

Kim and Charlie are committed to continuous improvement. Their plans include:

• Heat Pump Water Heater: Transitioning from a regular electric water heater to a more efficient electric water heater that uses heat pump technology.

• Electric Car Charging: Exploring safe installation options for a Level 2 charging station on the street, as they do not own a garage.

• Battery Storage: Investing in backup power solution sto store the excess energy produced by their solar panels.

• Further Weatherization: Enhancing insulation of the existing addition to their home.

Building Community and Sharing Knowledge

Kim and Charlie’s journey doesn’t stop at their doorstep. By sharing their experience, they hope to inspire others to take steps toward sustainability. Their home serves as a model for how DC residents can electrify their homes and reduce their carbon footprint.

Join the Journey
Explore more about sustainable home electrification on ElectrifyDC.org. Let Kim and Charlie’s story spark your path toward a greener future!

SEE THE LATEST IN RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY AT THE 2025 HEALTHY HOMES FAIR.

Transforming a 1950s Ranch: A Journey to Net-Zero Living

In the heart of the Brightwood neighborhood of the District of Columbia, a humble 1950s ranch house has undergone an extraordinary transformation. What began as a desire to live more sustainably resulted in achieving net-zero residential energy consumption. With the help of Electrify DC and District agencies, the homeowners, Kim and Charlie, took this remarkable journey to reduce their environmental footprint and to create a model for practical, eco-friendly living. “We composted, used public transportation, and purchased a hybrid car.  We did all the little things, living minimally and involving our kids. Now it was time for bigger projects,” said Kim. Their plan would cut down on dirty fossil fuels, taking advantage of tax incentives.

Solar Panels on the roof provide enough energy for residents needs.

Starting the Transformation

Kim and Charlie purchased their home six years ago. Although the property had been renovated by a developer, they saw it as a canvas for their sustainable lifestyle. Notably, two major appliances were already electric: their water heater and clothes dryer. Their commitment to climate justice and sustainable living drove them to make green upgrades to their home. 

After receiving several mailers from solar energy companies, Kim and Charlie began investigating solar. “Because of the style of our house, we have a lot of roof to work with and installed a total of 40 panels on the north and south facing roofs,” said Charlie. The SRECs (Solar Renewable Energy Certificates) and tax incentives from their solar array went a long way to fund what came next.

Building on Success

With the solar panels up and running, the next step was continuing to improve the home's energy efficiency using the income from the energy they were producing. Their focus shifted to enhancing their home’s envelope. They hired a home energy auditor who created a checklist of priorities identifying areas where their home was drafty and not properly insulated creating wasted energy. They undertook several key projects:

1. Attic and Crawl Space Insulation: Kim and Charlie assessed their home’s building envelope and energy use and discovered significant inefficiencies. They upgraded insulation in the attic and crawl space, sealing gaps and enhancing the overall thermal envelope of the house. This work was crucial in reducing heating and cooling demands, paving the way for future electrification efforts.

2. Heat Pump Installation: Kim and Charlie installed a heat pump, updating their HVAC and eliminating gas usage. They worked closely with their electrician to ensure their home was ready with new circuitry, and avoiding the need to upgrade their entire panel. By August 2024, their new heat pump was up and running, replacing an aging natural gas furnace and air conditioning unit that they were able to pass along were able to donate to their neighbor.

3. Electrifying the Kitchen: Alongside the heat pump installation, they electrified their gas kitchen to an induction stove and oven they just purchased at Costco during the Labor day sales!

Lessons Learned and Future Plans

Throughout their journey, Kim and Charlie learned valuable lessons about managing costs, working with contractors, and strategically using incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act and the DC Department of Buildings, straddling calendar years to avoid caps and working within their household cash flow. They also realized that maintaining flexibility and not rushing decisions leads to better outcomes. Charlie said, “It makes sense to talk with two or three contractors for each project. They looked at the job, met with both of us, and followed up with their proposals. The extra time saved us money and headaches.”

With this patient mindset, Kim and Charlie’s efforts have paid off. Over the last year, they sold 15 SRECs for approximately $400 each. The electricity produced by their solar panels effectively covers their energy needs, and they no longer receive a gas bill. Their home is significantly more energy-efficient, and of course, no longer burning dirty pollutants which improves the indoor air quality and safety for them, their children, and their dog.

Community Impact and Inspiration

Kim and Charlie’s story is resonating beyond their immediate circle. Their experience serves as a textbook of how a family can transition to sustainable living in a manageable and financially viable way.

Their commitment to sustainability extends beyond their home; it’s a family value that they’re passing on to their children. By integrating these practices into their daily lives and sharing their story, Kim and Charlie are contributing to a larger movement towards using our homes to fight climate change and demonstrating that substantial change is possible with careful planning and dedication.

Interested in Learning more?

Kim and Charlie’s net-zero home is the first of several of Electrify DC’s demonstration sites to showcase the possibilities of sustainable living. Book your free ticket to visit Kim and Charlie’s house here.