Electrification is a key strategy for reducing emissions and mitigating climate change. However, households may be hesitant to electrify their homes due to concerns about rising energy bills. This is particularly true in cold climates, where home heating is more energy intensive.
This webinar will explore state and utility-level solutions to encourage home heating electrification with heat pumps while ensuring it is affordable and accessible. We will highlight electricity rate structures that help keep post-electrification energy bills down, and behavioral strategies for breaking down non-financial barriers, such as lack of awareness or contractor reluctance.
Join us as we explore a new ACEEE report that addresses these issues and highlights how home heating electrification with heat pumps can affect energy bills in four cold-climate states. Attendees will also hear from external speakers who can shed light on these topics from the perspective of energy utilities and contractors.
Speakers
Matt Malinowski, Director of Buildings Program, American Council for an Energy- Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
Matt Malinowski directs the Buildings Program implementing ACEEE's strategic vision for buildings research and policy activities to create a low-carbon, equitable, and affordable buildings sector in the United States. He joined ACEEE in 2024. Matt earned a Master of Engineering in electrical engineering and computer science and a bachelors of science in electrical science and engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Dimitris Vantzis, Manager for Building Decarbonization Strategy and Planning, Con Edison
Dimitris Vantzis is Con Edison’s department manager for building decarbonization strategy and planning, responsible for the growth and evolution of the New York utility’s energy efficiency and building electrification programs. Dimitris has a master’s degree in engineering management from Dartmouth College, and a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from the National Technical University in Athens, Greece.
Kara Saul Rinaldi, President and CEO, AnnDyl Policy Group
With over 25 years of experience in advocacy strategy, government affairs, and media relations, Kara is a leading energy and climate policy expert. She has directed national policy, communications, and grassroots campaigns aimed at the Administration and Congress on tax, appropriations, and authorization issues for national and international corporations and non-profit organizations. She also serves as the Chief Policy Officer of the Building Performance Association and works closely with home energy contractors. Kara holds a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, San Diego.
Moderator: Reuven Sussman, Director of Behavior, Health and Human Dimensions Program, American Council for an Energy- Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
Reuven directs research on energy efficiency behavior change and health programs. He co-chairs the Behavior, Energy and Climate Change conference (BECC) and has authored academic papers and book chapters on the psychology of climate change, behavioral interventions to encourage energy efficiency, and the psychological determinants of pro-environmental behavior. Reuven is an adjunct professor and member of the Faculty of Graduate Studies at the University of Victoria (Canada) and sits on the editorial board of the Journal of Environmental Psychology and Journal of Social Psychology. Reuven earned a doctor of science in social and environmental psychology from the University of Victoria.
By registering for this event, you are opting to receive future email communication from ACEEE. You may unsubscribe via the link included in all emails.