Electrification and Smart Efficiency Improvements for Homeowners with Andrew Grigsby, Energy Services Director at Viridiant

Date/Time: Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Location: RF & P Forum room at the Science Museum of Virginia (2500 W. Broad St, Richmond, 23220) - Map | Directions

Viridiant is the Richmond-based nonprofit that has been providing technical support for more sustainable construction since 2006. The presentation will cover strategies to remove fossil fuel appliances from your home, minimize total energy use, and make the best use of all rebates and incentives.

Specific topics include details for heat pumps in Viriginia’s climate (spoiler, today’s advanced heat pumps handle our coldest winters no problem), the importance of well-sealed ductwork, air-sealing and insulation strategies, indoor air quality, water heating options, appliances, and solar. The guidance applies to existing homes, those you may be remodeling, and new construction. And we’ll leave plenty of time for your specific questions.  

Andrew serves as Energy Services Director at Viridiant, the Richmond-based nonprofit that has been providing technical support for more sustainable construction since 2006. In that capacity, he provides energy efficiency and renewable energy services and consulting directly to consumers and works with partners across Virginia to scale deployment of clean energy technologies in residential buildings and beyond. He has more than 30 years’ experience as a hands-on practitioner, educator, and leader in the clean energy, construction, and community planning industries. Andrew earned a master’s degree in community and regional planning from The University of Texas and a bachelor’s degree in social theory from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a licensed Residential Building Energy Analyst in the Commonwealth of Virigina. Andrew lives with his wife Trista (a leader in Virginia’s agriculture education and healthy, local food movements) and their two sons in South Richmond.

Volunteers are needed for the Great Big Yard Sale daily from Monday, May 12th until May 17th.  What is the Big Yard Sale?  It is a 26-year partnership with the University of Richmond and our major fundraiser and community engagement event.

Each year, we demonstrate our commitment to reduce, reuse and recycle by collecting student discards that are in good condition for a community yard sale at the college. We divert truckloads of items from the landfill and either sell them to the public or donate them to local charities. It takes a lot of volunteers to collect, sort and conduct the community sale.  We are fortunate to have many generous volunteers who help each year, but we are always in need of new volunteers.  It's a great way to get to know other members of the club while doing meaningful work.  Hope to see you there!

The link to sign up for one of the volunteer opportunities is 
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0544AAAA23A0FA7-55828338-2025

We are proud to endorse the following Richmond City Council candidates: 

District 1: Andrew (Gumby) Breton

District 2: Katherine Jordan 

District 3: Carra Rose

District 4: Sarah Abubaker

District 5: Stephanie Lynch

District 9: Stephanie Starling

Click HERE to see the FOJG's Richmond Clean Energy & Climate Justice Budget Recommendations for fiscal year 2025.  These were sent to Mayor Stoney and the Richmond City Council.

The following questionnaire was provided to 2023 Henrico County Board of Supervisors candidates: Henrico-county-BOS-candidates-Questionnaire-2023.pdf.  Please see the questionnaire responses below to learn about the FOJG Ex Comm Endorsed Candidates for 2023.

• Jody-Rogish-Responses.pdf
• Misty-Climate-Forum-Responses.pdf
• Roscoe-Cooper-Sierra-Club-FoJG-responses.pdf
• Stephen-Rast-BoS-Forum-Responses.pdf
• Tyrone-Nelson-response.pdf

Click the link below to view the Sierra Club-Virginia Henrico Board of Supervisors candidate forum from September 13th, 2023. Candidates were asked questions about climate change, environmental justice, land use and education.

https://youtu.be/wuAAfGLLsGQ?feature=shared