executive director

When the Power Goes Out

Losing power, especially when your home’s life-preserving systems are reliant on it, such as heating and cooling, is stressful. Many Virginians lost power during the early January storms – not just for 24 hours, but for multiple days, with near-freezing temperatures adding to the challenge. All of this brings up questions around resiliency and read more...

Keep Cool Like a Wonk

From the Desk of the Executive Director I recently came back from a short trip to the UK (to attend my sister-in-law’s wedding), where the temperatures were much milder. Hot, humid, and uncomfortable late into the day seems to be most days in VA currently and is definitely what hit me as I stepped read more...

Insulation – the unsung hero of energy efficiency. Yes, you probably need more of it!

From the Desk of the Executive Director I spent part of my Memorial Day weekend installing insulation under a mobile home trailer. Even though 90% of LEAP’s work is implementing energy-efficiency measures like installing insulation, and I think about it a lot, I don’t usually spend my free time installing it. Have you ever read more...

Solar, Solar, Solar, but Reduce First!

From the Desk of the Executive Director It is starting to get warmer out, and my rooftop solar production is high! If the warm weather has got you thinking about solar energy too, our Solarize campaign is live in Northern Virginia and around the corner in the Piedmont region. But, this year we are read more...

Let the Household Thermostat Battles Begin!

by Chris Meyer, LEAP Executive Director Twice a year, my lovely wife accuses me of either setting the thermostat too hot or too cold. My response to her is that the cool-looking, digital Nest thermostat has a mind of its own and sets the temperature… Yeah, that doesn’t get me very far, and I read more...

Transitioning from Fuel Oil to Electric Heating – Ensuring Low-Income Households Aren’t Left in the Lurch

by Chris Meyer, LEAP Executive Director The longer I spend in my role at LEAP, the more aware I become that the challenges of switching fuels for residents have become both more apparent and necessary to meet climate change goals. While visiting WA state for a family vacation this summer, I read about the read more...

The Intersection of Affordable Housing and Home Energy Efficiency

by Chris Meyer, LEAP Executive Director I’m now a couple of weeks into my role as the Executive Director at LEAP – diving into the energy efficiency world with gusto. The more I’ve been learning about energy efficiency, the more I’ve seen how it is linked to solving two problems many cities in Virginia read more...