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What Is an All-Electric Home?
An All-Electric Home is powered entirely by electricity, without any fossil fuels such as natural gas, propane or oil being used for heating, hot water or cooking. Many of these homes incorporate solar or other types of renewable energy generation with or without battery back-up.
What Are the Benefits of an All-Electric Home?
- Safety– All electric homes do not have gas leaks or exposed flames that could cause fires.
- Better indoor air quality– Poisonous gases such as nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide associated with fossil fuel burning appliances are completely eliminated from the indoor space. Remember: The EPA estimates that people spend 90% of their time indoors.
- Smart technology– Emerging technologies integrate seamlessly with all things electric.
- Quieter operation– Appliances such as mini splits otherwise known as electric heat pumps are very quiet. When your system is running you’ll hear only a light hum.
- Great for the Environment– While it’s true that an all-electric home will require electricity to power, it is also true that some electric generating plants are powered by fossil fuel, however, it is easier to manage pollution at one source (the power plant) rather than at each individual home. As an additional bonus, if you are able to purchase or install renewable energy your environmental footprint gets even smaller.
- Cost Effective– Electric heat pumps used for space heating, air conditioning, and water heating have come a long way. These energy-sipping appliances are 3 to 4 times more efficient than then their fossil fuel counterparts. Again, it gets much better if you are able to install solar to completely or partially offset electric demand. As an additional bonus, utility and or Government sponsored rebates and incentives are available.
Is an All-Electric Home Worth it?
Consider what’s already being done with net-zero or zero-energy-ready homes. The methods used in the construction of these homes are designed to reduce loads and the demand on mechanical systems. This is achieved through continuous insulation, air sealing, and high-performance construction methods and then by installing solar panels to power the home’s energy-efficient, all-electric systems. This may increase upfront costs by 5 to 10 percent compared to similar homes but the increase in the mortgage can be dwarfed by the money saved on energy costs.
Bottom Line: As states, cities, and towns continue to look towards decarbonization, we expect to see most homes going forward to be mostly or entirely free of fossil fuel. States such as Massachusetts and California will continue leading the way. In fact, Brookline became the first municipality in Massachusetts to pass an all-electric requirement for new buildings.
You can read part 2 on this topic at All-Electric Homes: The Future of Green Energy Homes In New England [Part 2]
Want to Learn More All-Electric Homes?
If you’d like more information on how you can minimize energy consumption and maximize savings while making your home more comfortable all year round, then contact Energy Geeks. Our mission is to provide the most comprehensive and efficient solutions to reduce energy use in your home.
Call: 401-766-1540 | 508-444-9800 | Get No Cost Estimate
