October Newsletter—Fall Actions for Home and Community
Summer may be over, but there are still plenty of exciting things happening this year! And as we transition into fall, it’s a great time to reflect and prepare for winter. We have gathered some reminders for you to get ready for the coziest time of the year.
Protect your Investment with Annual Maintenance
If you love your heat pump, repay that love with an annual checkup! Your heat pump needs cleaning and maintenance to stay healthy and keep you warm for years to come. You can clean the air filters yourself, but you need an HVAC technician to handle the inner workings of your system such as the refrigerant loop, the condenser coil, motors, and so forth. Most installers include the first year’s maintenance visit in the installation price, but beyond that, it is up to you to protect the value of your investment. Don’t wait until something goes wrong. Contact your installer today to schedule a check up!
Island Ductless Heat Pumps: 360-321-4252
AirGanic: 206-747-4769
Energywise: 360-661-7191
Home Comfort Alliance: 425-908-0502
Emergency Preparedness for Impending Power Outages
Here on Whidbey Island, we’re no stranger to power outages. It’s best practice to be ready for the inevitable and make sure your emergency stash is refreshed and prepped! Kicking Gas has taken the time to create a Power Outage Preparedness Guide, providing essential tips and recommendations to tackle emergency weather like a pro wherever you live in the Salish Sea region, with some pinpoint advice to those living on South Whidbey. We also recommend checking out Electrify Now’s How to Survive A Power Outage page for more general information.Did you know that clients who were awarded in the past year are eligible to receive a FREE Power Outage Preparedness Kit? The Kicking Gas campaign team is proud to offer distribution of items such as water bricks, Eighth Generation native-designed blankets, AlpenGlow 500 lanterns, and a bar of chocolate (just ‘cause)! If you haven’t received yours yet, please reach out to Derek at derek@kickgasnow.org and we’d be happy to coordinate a pick-up or drop-off time. Energize Langley Community WorkshopsThe first Energize Langley Resilient Microgrids intro workshop was a huge success! Thank you to all who attended and continue to support these feasibility studies focused on clean, localized electric power systems designed to keep residents safe, warm, and connected during emergencies and outages.
The next seminar will be on Wednesday, November 5th from 6:00pm - 7:30pm at The Langley Library, focusing on identifying Langley’s top sites for energy resilience. We welcome you to join in-person or register for a spot on Zoom.
For those of you who don’t live on the island, we encourage you to consider starting your own area study by applying for Clean Energy Grants through The Washington State Department of Commerce. Applications are due by the afternoon of November 4th, 2025. If you need technical support in applying please feel free to reach out to Derek at derek@kickgasnow.org.
Take Advantage of Tax Credits!
If you’ve participated in our Kicking Gas program this year, you’re likely eligible to take advantage of home energy tax credits!If you made qualified energy-efficient improvements to your home, you may qualify for a tax credit up to $3,200. The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit extends until December 31, 2025, and helps lower the cost of energy efficient home upgrades by up to 30%. This includes exterior doors, windows, skylights, insulation materials, central air conditioners, water heaters, furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, biomass stoves, and home energy audits.
In addition, the modified and extended Residential Clean Energy Credit provides homeowners a 30% income tax credit for clean energy equipment, also ending December 31, 2025. This includes rooftop solar, wind & geothermal power generation, solar water heaters, fuel cells, and battery storage.
Please note that due to decision-making by those currently in federal office, this historically long running and popular bipartisan tax credit has been rescinded. Learn more on the EnergyStar and IRS websites.
You’re Invited to our Upcoming Event: “Tending The Grassroots”
Kicking Gas is the star of the second annual signature event hosted by our fiscal sponsor, For The People! Tending the Grassroots: A Climate Action Fundraiser will be held on Saturday, November 22 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Freeland Hall on Whidbey Island (1515 E Shoreview Dr, Freeland, WA 98249).
With your support, the Kicking Gas Campaign has helped over 400 Washingtonians replace harmful and polluting gas systems with safe, affordable electric options and showed what’s possible when we follow the leadership of youth and organize for collective care.
Our work is far from finished. We’re excited to invite you to join us in an opportunity not only to be visible in a vibrant social justice space, but also to invest in relationships by meeting organizers, artists, and neighbors shaping our collective future. Every dollar raised supports community organizers, cultural workers, and climate stewards who are creating accessible, equitable climate solutions from the ground up.
We would love to see you there. Nobody will be turned away for lack of funds. Learn more and buy tickets on the For The People website. Inquire about how else you may participate by reaching out to sylvia@kickgasnow.org.