Impact Story

New Home, New Efficient Opportunities

Alexis Tressler, a resident of the DMV area for nearly two decades, recently achieved a new milestone with her husband: after six years of living in the District they decided to purchase a new home in Ward 6. 

Once they began the moving process, Alexis proactively sought programs in the District that focused on enhancing their new home’s energy efficiency. Discovering the DCSEU's residential rebate programs, she seized the opportunity to receive rebates and incentives for essential upgrades, including a Google Nest Smart Thermostat and an ENERGY STAR clothes washer.

With a goal to make their home as efficient as possible, Alexis prioritized installing the most energy-efficient products while also emphasizing home automation. She stressed the importance of being mindful of power usage, noting, "You want to be the most efficient with the power use in your home. So we try to have anything we can automated just for ease and efficiency."

A key component in Alexis's journey towards efficiency is the implementation of a smart thermostat. She highlighted the convenience of having a safeguard in place, allowing her to adjust and set the temperature remotely through her phone. This automation contributes to a worry-free approach to energy management, especially when leaving her home. 

Navigating the rebate application process through the DCSEU proved to be a seamless experience for Alexis. Reflecting on the process, she remarked, "The application process was so easy! I just put in my information and attached a receipt, and that was it."

For Alexis, the choice to make energy-efficient decisions aligns with her commitment to reducing emissions. She has consistently taken steps to enhance her energy efficiency and sees it as the preferred choice. "For me, it felt like there wasn’t really another choice I was interested in making."

Encouraging others to consider energy-efficient choices, Alexis views it as the "better choice" that everyone should contemplate. She emphasizes that making better choices, financially feasible and accommodating for one's home, should be the norm.

Looking ahead, Alexis intends to continue her journey towards energy efficiency. “With these houses there are probably endless opportunities of things you can do to make them more energy efficient,” says Alexis. As Alexis and her husband continue to settle into their new home, they’re looking at solar panels as the next step in creating a sustainable and comfortable environment for their family.