Alison F. Takemura

Alison F. Takemura

Staff Writer .

Alison is staff writer at Canary Media. She authors Electrified Life, a column that demystifies how we can ditch fossil fuels and electrify our homes. She loves making the clean energy transition more accessible and reports on building decarbonization strategies, heat pumps, and training the clean energy workforce.

Alison’s stories have been published by National Geographic, Sierra magazine, the Santa Cruz Sentinel, the NASA Scientific Visualization Studio and others. Currently based in Golden, Colorado, she’s a Japanese-Mexican-American graduate of MIT with a PhD in microbiology, and she has a certificate in science journalism from UC Santa Cruz. She really can’t stress enough how pumped she is about a fossil-free future.

Electrification

6 burning questions on home electrification, answered

Solar for renters, heat-pump water heaters, home electrification as a service — it's all here in Electrified Life's first mailbag edition.

By Alison F. Takemura . 20 March 2024
Heat pumps

Yes, heat pumps slash emissions even if powered by a dirty grid

Installing a heat pump now is better for the climate, even if you run it on U.S. electricity generated mostly by fossil fuels. Here's why.

By Alison F. Takemura . 11 March 2024
Electrification

She’s a clean-energy pro. Electrifying her home was still a slog

In just 15 months, Judy Ko got a heat pump, solar, a home battery, insulation, an EV and more. Here’s what was easy about the process — and what was "just crazy."

By Alison F. Takemura . 4 March 2024
Solar

Low-income communities will soon get $7 billion for local solar

Per a new analysis of 35 proposed state programs, the historic climate-law funding would benefit more than 700,000 low-income households. Here’s how.

By Alison F. Takemura . 29 February 2024
Carbon-free buildings

This Colorado community is already living in the all-electric future

In the Geos neighborhood, heat pumps, solar and energy efficiency abound. The net-zero community offers a glimpse into what a decarbonized home can look like.

By Alison F. Takemura . 26 February 2024
Heat pumps

Heat pumps outsold gas furnaces again last year — and the gap is growing

While sales of both heat pumps and gas furnaces were down in 2023, heat pumps are proving more popular than ever.

By Alison F. Takemura . 13 February 2024
Heat pumps

Renters, you too can get a heat pump — a micro one, at least

"Micro” heat pumps aren’t as powerful as whole-home versions, but they’re portable, plug into a 120V outlet — and they’re increasingly effective in the cold.

By Alison F. Takemura . 7 February 2024
Electrification

This new tool will help you plan your home electrification journey

Electrification nonprofit Rewiring America has launched a free tool to help homeowners make a step-by-step plan to get off fossil fuels.

By Alison F. Takemura . 5 February 2024
Hydrogen

Is clean hydrogen a climate solution? Depends how it’s made — and used

Clean hydrogen can help decarbonize the world. But only if it’s made in an emissions-free way and used to do the stuff electricity can’t handle.

By Alison F. Takemura . 30 January 2024
Electrification

How to get people to kick fossil fuels out of their homes

A new study of 10,000 Americans suggests decarbonization programs should focus on reducing upfront costs and emphasize health, comfort — and even aesthetic benefits.

By Alison F. Takemura . 8 January 2024