Erica Bouldin, Engagement Coordinator at the Michigan Climate Action Network, recently sat down with Debra Rienstra, A professor at Calvin University and a resident of Grand Rapids, to discuss her family’s inspiring transition to clean energy. Debra shared her personal journey of transforming her home to clean energy. Starting with the installation of solar panels and later upgrading to a heat pump for both heating and cooling, she reveals the challenges, rewards, and key incentives that made this transition a reality. Along the way, she uncovers how simple, smart decisions can make a big difference in reducing energy costs, minimizing environmental impact, and leading by example in the community.
The Motivation Behind the Transition to Clean Energy
Debra reflects on the start of her energy transition in 2019, when a Federal Tax Credit for solar panels and clean energy became available to Michigan residents. The journey progressed when the solar installer on their home suggested getting a 240 volt charging port into their garage for Electric Vehicles (EVs). Knowing they would soon make that transition, the decision to invest in clean energy came naturally, and marked the beginning of their energy transition.
Pictured: Debra Rienstra
“One of the reasons we did it was to model, we wanted to be early adopters-—early-ish adopters-—and model this and show that it's not kooky. And I think the solar panels look fine on the roof. I think they're quite elegant, actually.”
Playing it Smart
Originally, Debra’s family didn’t have plans to upgrade to a heat pump but were incentivized by the tax credits, rebates and end of the year specials. “For us, it’s been a pretty easy transition because we had those tax credits in both cases. The most recent one, [the heat pump], was the IRA tax credit, and that’s just a great incentive. The contractor we used had a lot of rebates, and the manufacturer of the heat pump equipment was offering rebates at the end of the year. So that was also very incentivizing. Of course, in both cases, the contractors were great. They knew what they were doing, and they were very skilled. It was minimally disruptive, I would say. And we’ve just really been pleased with the results.”
It was the perfect time for the upgrade. Thanks to their solar power and heat pump, Debra’s cooling bill now peaks at a high of $15 in the summer! While they use a gas furnace backup in the winter, it’s rarely cold enough to require it. Future upgrades to their home will be completed in stages, with their next step being switching to an induction stove. Debra explained that they plan to make the transition efficiently, replacing their old stove only when necessary. They also plan to get battery storage for their solar panel generation, ensuring that if the grid loses power, they will not be left in the dark and will rely even less on their gas furnace backup.
The Ripple Effect
When asked about how the transition to sustainable energy impacted Debra’s life, community, or environment, she first discussed the immediate benefits, including noticing significantly lower electricity bills. She shared a bill with us that she recently received from DTE: “We are 72% lower than the ‘Efficiency Zones’ upper limit. In other words: we hardly use any gas compared to similar homes.”
In addition to significantly lower energy bills, Debra and her family now enjoy a more seamless and efficient temperature control system. Their heat pump automatically adjusts to maintain the perfect balance from heating to cooling. Debra expressed joy in knowing her actions are directly improving the air quality both outside and inside, with less irritation due to seasonal allergies and a healthier living environment for her family, thanks to the heat pump.
While she is leading by example, Debra recognizes the importance of keeping the incentives in place so others can also make the transition. “We've had curiosity. Our immediate neighbor has actually pursued maybe doing it, and for various reasons, they haven't yet. But you know, another reason why these incentives have to stay in place is so that people with more stress on their income can still manage to do it. There's kind of a justice and accessibility issue there, so I think it's really important that we keep those incentives in place.”
Debra explains the financial incentives that made the transition easier, such as federal tax credits, manufacturer rebates, and Net Metering —a method that allows customers to use electricity they generate, (like from solar panels) at any time. When the customer generates more electricity than they use, the excess is sent back to the grid and they are credited that amount back to their energy bill, often lowering any monthly costs they may incur.
Overcoming Solar Service Challenges
Servicing solar systems can present challenges. For Debra and her family, one issue was with the inverter, which needed replacement. Fortunately, it was covered under warranty, and it’s now functioning well. Another hurdle has been the difficulty in accessing service, especially since their contractor is based in Detroit. Additionally, during the winter, snow covering the solar panels limits energy generation. While energy can still be produced, it’s significantly less than in the summer. Though they currently cannot store the energy generated in the winter, net energy credits have helped offset these seasonal losses.
The Roadblocks & Solutions to Widespread Adoption
Beyond the technical challenges, Debra emphasizes the broader impact of the energy transition and the importance of government incentives in making these solutions accessible to all. While her neighborhood hasn’t yet widely adopted these upgrades, there is a growing curiosity. Debra hopes her experience will serve as a model for others, demonstrating that clean energy is not only practical and cost-effective but also beneficial for both homeowners and the environment. As she puts it, “I understand it's a change, and maybe people aren't quite familiar with this technology, but it's great technology. It's mature enough to use.”
She acknowledges that part of the hesitation stems from unfamiliarity with the technology. “I would guess part of it is just change and not knowing what contractors to use, or even what the technology is. So there's a real lack of education about it. Part of it is disinformation and misinformation by people who want to stall the clean energy transition for various reasons,” she says. “And you know, part of it is money.”
However, the biggest challenge Debra sees today is the “really, really difficult challenge of federal hostility to the energy transition, to the renewable energy transition,” which she believes is harming U.S. leadership in the field. “It is seeding U.S. leadership in the energy transition to China and other countries that are doing this, India too, because it's the most economically feasible. It's the cheapest form of creating energy. Now the oil industry is not going to make money on this, unless they change their tune quickly, which is why we're seeing such hostility from the federal government right now. So, you know, I think as citizens, our task is to pressure our state and local reps to continue to work toward this energy transition, because it's the best thing for us, as well as the planet. It gives us resilience. It gives us energy autonomy, so we're not importing oil, and it gives us cheaper power. So, you know, you hear a lot of lies about that, but I read a lot of stuff from all over the world, and the rest of the world is going there, and we can either go along or be behind.”
While these challenges are significant, Debra also points out that even with the right financial backing, planning, and the ideal infrastructure, such as a south-facing roof, it often comes down to the individuals in the trades. “Contractors, you know, they have the incentive to just do things how they've always done it. So it takes a really good contractor to say, ‘No, no, I see. This is the future. We're going to train our people. We're going to learn how to do this. We're going to make relationships with the suppliers.’” If contractors can grasp the long-term benefits of the energy transition, she believes it could shift the industry toward widespread adoption of clean energy.
Finally, when asked about solutions she hopes to see, Debra highlights the importance of policies that continue to incentivize clean energy. “Incentives built into policy—Michigan has that, and our locality, Grand Rapids, has that as well. I hope we'll continue to pursue it. Grand Rapids has pretty ambitious climate goals, or at least we're working on them. I think another part is education. As you're demonstrating right now, partly that's just providing reliable and trustworthy information, but partly it's person to person—allowing people to see others doing it and realizing it's not crazy, and realizing it's actually great.”
A Path Forward
Debra’s journey to clean energy is a powerful reminder that making sustainable choices can have a profound impact on both our lives and the environment. By embracing solar power, heat pumps, and energy-efficient technologies, she’s not only reduced her family’s energy bills but also set an example for her community. While challenges remain, such as misinformation and financial barriers, Debra’s story highlights the importance of education, incentives, and continued advocacy for clean energy policies. As more people like Debra take action, the transition to a more sustainable future becomes increasingly achievable for everyone: “I think I would just encourage people to look for this information and talk to people they know who have done this to get their testimonies and definitely keep pressuring our representatives and lawmakers to make this possible.”