How to Electrify Your Home Heating: The Honest Guide
We’ve all seen electric equipment grow in use and acceptance over the past several years. From hybrid and electric vehicles to electric lawnmowers and pressure washers, electrification is on the march.
Home electrification is the next step, and many people are already realizing the benefits of lower energy costs, cleaner air, and improved health and safety that electric appliances can bring.
As great as it sounds, the conversion of gas to electricity won’t pay off for everyone, and you need to understand what you’re getting into if you decide to go this route. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know when switching to electric heating appliances like heat pumps, water heaters, and more.
The Benefits of Electrification
The following are reasons why you might consider switching to electric heating appliances.
Lower Costs
The cost of electrifying an existing home depends on many factors, such as climate, utility costs, etc., which we’ll elaborate on below.
For those building new homes, the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) reports that they will save money by choosing all-electric heating appliances. Instead of having a separate gas furnace and air conditioner, installing just one heat pump will provide both heating and cooling.
In addition, switching to electric heating, whether in a new or existing home, will shield you against the rising costs of natural gas, fueled by utility companies’ need to replace aging infrastructure.
Improved Health & Safety
Nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide, and formaldehyde are just some of the toxins produced by gas appliances in your home that pose a risk to you and your family. One study found increased asthma rates in children growing up in homes using gas stovetops.
Even correctly installed gas furnaces and water heaters introduce a risk of a cracked heat exchanger or blocked venting. This can lead to potentially deadly carbon monoxide (CO) entering the home.
According to the CDC, more than 100,000 Americans visit the emergency room because of unintentional CO poisoning each year, and more than 400 die. Electrification removes these risks from the equation.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
RMI reports that American homes produce 600 million tons of CO2 annually burning gas products.
Electrification is the best way to reduce this massive carbon footprint. Of course, this assumes that the power plant generating the electricity doesn’t cause more pollution than it prevents, which isn’t always the case. Overall, though, the more homes that switch to electric heating nationwide, the bigger the impact will be on reducing emissions.
Electrification Examples
Now that you understand the benefits of switching from gas to electric heating equipment, let’s look at a few examples of switches you can make.
If You Have Ducts, Switch to a Central (Ducted) Heat Pump
Ducted heat pumps use your existing ductwork and can be a direct replacement for your current furnace/air conditioner. You’ll need to replace your existing outdoor condenser with a heat pump and your furnace and evaporator coil with an air handler.
A heat pump absorbs outdoor heat (even in cold weather) and carries it to the air handler indoors, which circulates it via existing ductwork to keep the house warm. In the summer, the heat pump automatically reverses this process to cool your home.
If You Don’t Have Ducts, Switch to a Ductless Mini Split
Mini-splits are a great replacement for baseboard heaters, window air conditioners, wood stoves, etc., because they come in various configurations, including wall-mount, floor-mount, and more. They are also fantastic options for previously unconditioned spaces.
A mini split uses a refrigerant line to connect an outdoor unit with one or more indoor heating/cooling units. Depending on the season, a mini split can either bring heat into your home during winter or remove it during summer.
Each indoor unit conditions a separate zone of your home, allowing you to potentially set each room to an individual comfort level. You can also add units that connect to your existing ductwork for maximum flexibility.
If You Have a Gas Boiler, Switch to an Air-to-Water Heat Pump
If you have hydronic heating and don’t want to switch to forced air, consider an air-to-water heat pump. These units extract heat from outside air and transfer it to the water flowing through your existing hydronic system.
With an air-to-water heat pump, you may be able to use your existing hydronic system components. Check with your installer for compatibility.
If you have a Gas Water Heater, Switch to a Heat Pump Water Heater
Whether you have a gas-fired tank or tankless water heater, switching to a heat pump water heater will improve your overall efficiency and save hundreds of dollars per year on your utility bill, depending on your hot water use.
The most common type of heat pump water heater integrates the heat pump unit with the storage tank into a single unit. The refrigerant extracts heat from your basement or garage and transfers it to the stored water.
You can maximize the amount of hot water by installing a larger tank or setting the water heater to a higher temperature (don’t make it scalding).
Things to Think About Before Electrifying Your Home
Although electrification has great benefits, it’s still in its infancy, and not everyone’s experience will be the same. Here are some aspects to consider before you commit to electrification.
How Much Will You Save?
The first question everyone asks is, “How much will I save by switching from gas to electricity?” The savings (or losses) come down to climate, local utility costs, and available tax credits/rebates.
Climate
According to a study cited by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), climate significantly impacts the cost of new electrical equipment.
For example, when switching from gas to electricity, those living in colder climates like Minneapolis or Denver need more expensive, cold-climate heat pumps to provide enough warmth in the winter. In contrast, homeowners in warmer locations, like Houston, can install standard, less expensive heat pumps.
Similarly, the study found that homes using electricity rather than gas had higher annual energy costs in colder climates, while warmer climates saw savings.
In short, if you live in a colder climate, switching to electricity may not save you anything in the near-term unless your home is extremely inefficient (jump to weatherization). However, you may see savings as natural gas costs continue to rise. If you live in a warm climate, there’s a good chance you can enjoy energy savings today by switching to electric heating.
Utility Costs
Electricity costs vary significantly depending on where you live. In March 2024, California had among the highest rates, at 32.47 cents per kilowatt hour in the residential sector. In contrast, Utah’s rates were nearly one-third the cost at 11 cents per kilowatt hour.
If gas prices are high and electricity prices are low in your area, you’re in the best position to save money by switching. Check your local utilities to figure out where you stand. You can also offset electricity costs by installing a home solar system.
Tax Rebates
Federal and state governments and utility companies are offering rebates and tax credits to incentivize home electrification.
The most well-known incentive is the federal energy-efficient home improvement tax credit, which allows homeowners to save up to $2,000 by installing a heat pump or heat pump water heater. That puts a significant dent in the upfront cost of your new electrical equipment to boost affordability and could make all the difference in your decision.
Check out the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency and the Energy Star Rebate Finder for more money-saving options. If you live in an area with great incentives, you should take advantage of them.
Is Your Home Ready?
Another important question to ask before switching from gas to electricity is how ready your home is for the change.
Existing Equipment
First, you’ll need to identify the existing heating infrastructure in your home and how it can facilitate electrification.
If you have a ducted gas furnace system, you can reuse the existing ductwork with an electric furnace or central heat pump. You can also remove the ductwork and install a ductless mini split system.
Similarly, if you currently use a gas boiler for your heat, you can switch to an air-to-water heat pump with your existing radiators.
As you can see, there’s no shortage of options. Before making any decisions, be sure to consult a professional installer. They will confirm how your current system could adapt to electricity and advise on the smartest transition.
Electrical System Upgrades
While your 100-amp electrical panel may have provided plenty of power before, it may not meet the electrical requirements of your new electric heating appliances.
You will want to confirm the size of your current panel and speak with an electrician about whether you should upgrade to 200-amp or higher service. If so, there will be additional costs, and you’ll need to work with your utility company on the upgrade.
Weatherization
As mentioned, switching to electricity could add costs depending on where you live. To maximize your electric home’s efficiency and save money, ensure your home is well-insulated and weatherized.
Weatherization eliminates the air gaps in your home that allow hot or cool air to escape. The more conditioned air you lose, the longer your heating/cooling equipment will need to run, and the more energy you’ll waste.
There are many ways to weatherize your home, including caulking gaps in your windows, insulating your attic door, sealing switches and outlets, installing door sweeps, and much more. Remember, as you tighten your building envelope, it may be necessary to add ventilation to change stale air.
We recommend you get a full home energy assessment before installing any electrical equipment. If you go this route, a professional will come to your home and perform a full audit of how and where your home is losing energy. At the end, they will identify problem areas and recommend energy-saving solutions.
Can You Find an Installer?
Although heat pumps and other types of electric heating equipment have been around for decades, they only recently began seeing widespread adoption. Recent tax credits and rebates are driving even more demand.
Not every installer has kept pace with these changes, and some installers, whether unable or unwilling, don’t install heat pumps and stick strictly to gas appliances.
As a result, in some markets, heat pump demand outpaces installer capacity and drives up the cost of installation. Flexibility, patience, and persistence are key in these instances. You will eventually find an installer, but be ready to jump through a few hoops.
How Will I Handle Power Outages?
Electrification naysayers will be the first to point out that switching to all-electric heating equipment leaves you vulnerable to power outages.
That’s true. However, besides the fact that most modern gas appliances use electricity too, there is much you can do to limit or even eliminate the threat of a power outage.
For one, if you live in an area that experiences brief and infrequent power outages, proper insulation and weatherization will keep your home conditioned for several hours in all but the most extreme conditions.
For those facing more frequent, longer power outages, consider a solar battery backup system for your home. In fact, if you’re planning on going all-in on electrification, installing a home solar system is the way to go because you can gradually reduce your reliance on the utility company and achieve energy independence.
Should You Switch to All-Electric Home Heating?
Switching from gas to electricity can be a liberating experience that saves you money and makes you feel like you’re doing your part to help the planet.
However, the road to that point is filled with research, costs, and interruptions to daily life that don’t always result in a short-term payback.
After reading this guide, you should be well-equipped to set out on your electrification journey, but you’re not alone. We’re here to support all your heating and cooling needs. Contact us today for help making your home as comfortable and efficient as possible.
