Electrifying Our Homes: A Step Towards a Cleaner Future

About

Building electrification is emerging as a crucial strategy in the battle against climate change. By transitioning from fossil fuels to clean electricity for heating, cooking, and other energy needs, we can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. This movement not only addresses environmental concerns but also offers health and economic benefits.

The Problem

America's residential buildings are a significant source of pollution, generating nearly 30% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions. Over half of American homes use gas or other fossil fuels for their primary heating or cooking fuel. This reliance on fossil fuels releases a plethora of harmful compounds into the atmosphere, including methane—a gas over 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide and the fastest-growing source of global pollution.

The Solution

The solution lies in wholeheartedly adopting building electrification. Transitioning to all-electric homes eliminates the need for fossil fuels, thereby cutting down on emissions of CO2, methane, and other pollutants. Organizations like RMI highlight the economic and environmental advantages of building new all-electric homes, which are cheaper than their mixed-fuel counterparts and offer significant annual utility savings thanks to efficient technologies like heat pump systems.

Impact

Adopting all-electric homes has far-reaching impacts. Beyond significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it can enhance indoor and outdoor air quality—especially benefiting low-income communities and communities of color who disproportionately suffer from air pollution and high energy costs.

Examples

Several organizations are at the forefront of the building electrification movement:

• The Building Decarbonization Coalition works to decarbonize buildings across America.
• RMI conducts vital research demonstrating the benefits of all-electric homes.
• Rewiring America focuses on updating America’s infrastructure for a clean energy future.
• Sealed, Rock Rabbit, Eli, Elephant Energy, Zero Homes, and QuitCarbon are innovating in the space, offering solutions and services to facilitate the transition to electrified buildings.

One-Minute Call to Action

It's time to take action towards a sustainable and healthy environment for all. Start by educating yourself and others about the benefits of building electrification. Consider making the switch to clean electricity in your home and support policies and initiatives that promote electrification. Every step towards building electrification is a stride towards a cleaner, healthier future. Join the movement today and become part of the solution in combating climate change.