With increased national focus on adopting cleaner energy sources, a new initiative in Rockbridge will help local homeowners and business owners make the transition to 100% electric practices. Led by decarbonizing coach and local resident Morris Trimmer, the initiative offers residents research-informed “action pathways” for creating a healthier home, and planet.

According to Trimmer, research indicates that going 100% electric brings health and ecological benefits. “Swapping household power sources from fossil fuels to electricity improves the indoor air you breathe, reduces energy bills, and enhances energy security. Energy-efficient electrical appliances and HVAC systems will also decrease the overall household carbon footprint even if some of that electrical power still derives from coal.”

Recently retired from a career in energy conservation, Trimmer and his wife Amy DeHart undertook the decarbonizing process themselves when they fully electrified their existing home in 2021. Professionally, Trimmer was already knowledgeable about many aspects of the work, “but nothing beats learning from the homeowner school of hard knocks!” Knowing others would benefit from his experience Trimmer recently launched a pro-bono consulting service because “I’m ready to pay it forward.” The initiative is offered in affiliation with COREworks, Boxerwood’s homegrown carbon offset marketplace (established 2022) whose goal is to accelerate carbon emission-reducing projects in the Rockbridge area.

“Morris contacted us last fall and right away we saw how our two endeavors could mutually benefit one another” said COREworks Coordinator Ginny Johnson. COREworks enables customers to secure offsets that reduce their own carbon footprint from activities such as travel. Offering decarbonizing coaching gives homeowners an additional way to live lighter on the earth even before securing offsets. “We’re all for it,” said Johnson. She also noted with gratitude that Trimmer plans to ask his clients make a “pay-what-you-will” donation to the COREworks in lieu of payment to him. 100% of these tax-deductible donations in turn fund more carbon emission-reducing projects in Rockbridge County.

Anticipating the coaching process, Trimmer will schedule a home walkthrough with the home owner, discuss homeowner goals and concerns, then review household appliances and utility bills. This analysis will enable Trimmer to identify specific opportunities for transitioning to a low emissions and safer home. The client will then receive a written report that includes evaluation of the household power system(s), suggested retrofits, and associated costs/savings. Trimmer’s report will also include customized recommendations and up-to-date information on tax credits or other financial incentives.  “The next steps [of implementation] will be up to the homeowner,” he explains, “but they’ll be able to proceed with confidence.”

As kick-off to the new initiative, the Trimmers will host a tour of their 100% decarbonized home in Lexington on Saturday, March 16 at 2pm. “Getting a close look at the efficient appliances and systems will help folks get an idea of what they can do for their own households,” said Trimmer. The tour is free but
space is limited, so advance registration is required.

For those interested in attending the open house on March 16, please register HERE as space is limited.

For those interested in receiving the home decarbonization coaching service, please register HERE.

The goal of COREworks is to accelerate the roll-out of local, earth care projects. Part of the strategy is bringing more people into climate conversations, a first step toward action. This month we’ve made COREworks connections with a dozen student leaders at W&L, a roomful of attenders at VMI’s Environment Virginia conference, hundreds of readers of the local paper, and one talented young woman, Bri Mondesir, W&L ‘22 who created this 3 min. COREworks explainer for her environmental studies class.

“Working with COREworks this semester reinforced my dedication to be an engaged, environmental citizen,” said the Connecticut native. “The COREworks mission and values showcased to me that my aware, intentional actions can be enough to further environmental progress. While this video did not directly reduce carbon emissions, I hope that it will inspire someone else to reduce and offset their own emissions.”