Benefits of All-Electric Buildings

The majority of buildings in the US are equipped with utility gas for heating, cooling indoor spaces, drying clothing, and cooking. Of course, these have longer shelf lives, but they contribute to increased energy-related carbon emissions. If not addressed in time, this would result in failure to achieve the Paris Agreement’s aim of limiting global warming.

Building electrification stands out as the best solution to reducing exposure to harmful air pollutants, and consists of using energy-efficient alternatives like heat pump water heaters and induction cook tops to ensure better air quality at home.

Common Appliances to Replace for an All-Electric Home

With continued growth in technology, different electric choices serve as gas alternatives for powering your home appliances. These include:

Heating and Cooling Systems

A heat pump makes for the best alternative to a gas furnace or an air conditioner. The pumps are highly energy efficient and serve heating and cooling functions.

Additionally, an electric fireplace is best instead of a gas fireplace, providing warmth and ambience without the need for gas.

Cooking Systems

Despite more homes in the US adapting to electric cooking options, about a third of the homes still use natural gas in the kitchen. But with induction stoves and other cooktop options, you are assured of reduced health risks associated with nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and other emissions polluting the air at home.

Clothes Dryers

Still using a gas-powered clothes dryer? Substitute it for an electric unit, which is easier to install and delivers the utmost energy-efficiency. These units also come in varying price ranges, so you can have any that fits your budget.

If you want to reduce your power use, you can still wash clothes the traditional way and dry them on a line.

6 Benefits of Building Electrification

The cost of building electrification can sometimes be intimidating, especially when working on a budget. Even then, the benefits outweigh the initial costs.

These advantages include:

Lower Energy Bills

Advances in technology have made modern electric equipment more affordable, thanks to renewable energy sources like wind and solar. This lowers costs and leads to savings on monthly energy bills. For instance, using a solar battery system instead of ducted gas for heating can significantly reduce heating bills.

Better Air Quality

Homes using gas stoves have over 400% higher nitrogen dioxide concentrations than homes using electric stoves. Therefore, the shift reduces the rising rates of asthma symptoms in children growing up in homes using fossil fuels.

Increased Safety

Every energy system carries some risk, but modern electric appliances have safety features like circuit breakers, fuses, and surge protectors that help minimize damage in case of a malfunction. For instance, induction cooktops significantly reduce kitchen fires and burns by heating only when a pan is placed on the cooktop.

Creates Employment Opportunities

Of course, electrifying all buildings in the US is a massive task, but this would create thousands of well-paying jobs across the country, from Denver, CO, to California. For a quote on how to go electric, our consultants at Electricall would love to help and provide a smooth transition.

Benefits Lower Income Families

Poor energy efficiency is expected to raise utility costs significantly, punishing low-income households. Building electrification can improve the living conditions of these families and make their income more meaningful.

Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions

With half the US population using gas appliances, it is projected that 2.6 million tons of methane (the equivalent of about 500,000 cars) is released into the atmosphere yearly. It’s also important to note that this does not include other gas emissions like nitrogen and carbon dioxide. It’s also found that these non-electric systems still produce methane gas even when unused.

Challenges to Expect During Building Electrifications

While electrifying a building comes with multiple benefits, here are some challenges to expect and their best solutions:

Shortage of Skilled Labour

Currently, most houses are not reliably wired to handle increased electricity loads. This means as many as over 40 million family homes may need system upgrades to switch from gas to fully electric options. To serve the US at large, skilled workers in thousands will be needed, a number that may be hard to come by.

But if you are in Denver, CO, and its surroundings, contact Arvada Electricians for help.

High Upfront Costs

Some appliances may be slightly costly to install. While their long-term benefits are guaranteed, this may be tough for households that cannot afford the upfront costs. However, the good news is that with increased competition in the manufacturing of these appliances, various options may be available at affordable prices.

In conclusion, while challenges like a shortage of skilled labor and high upfront costs exist, they can be easily addressed with proper planning and support, and embracing all-electric buildings is a crucial step towards cleaner, greener, and lower energy costs.