A Brief Introduction to Electrification
A key part of the work we do is focused not only on justice and restoration, but also working with communities on building resilience for the years to come. A core focus of that is climate resilience - ensuring every household has the tools they need to stay energy efficient and healthy through any future changes.
Home electrification is the process of replacing fossil fuel-powered appliances and systems in the home with electric versions. This includes major updates like your furnace, water heater, or the installation of solar panels, but can also be more straightforward, like choosing electric when it’s time to buy a new stove or car. By making this switch, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint and help to combat climate change. But electrification is not only good for the environment, it can also save you money on your energy bills and improve your home's indoor air quality.
Another key way to engage with electrification is to make your home as energy efficient as possible. While you might feel the immediate benefit of lower bills, reduced burden on the grid can also impact global sustainability. Easy ways to focus on efficiency include improvements to the sealing and insulation of your home, swapping out lightbulbs for the most energy efficient ones you can find, or using smart power strips to better curb phantom loads from sleeping or always on appliances.
No matter what your budget or skill level, there are things that you can do to make your home more electric. By taking action, you can help to create a more sustainable future for yourself and for generations to come.
Key Considerations for Home Electrification
Start with an energy audit. This will help you to identify the areas where your home is losing the most energy. There are plenty of home energy professionals ready to help you start making these adjustments in your home.
Take advantage of rebates and incentives. There are a number of federal, state, and local programs that offer financial assistance for home electrification projects. It’s possible making some major changes to your house might be easier than you think!
Do your research. Not all electric appliances are created equal. It is important to choose models that are energy-efficient and that meet your specific needs. Looking for Energy Star certified appliances can be a straightforward way to understand why a certain buy might be more efficient and how it could be compatible with your home.
Hire a qualified contractor. If you are planning a major electrification project, it is important to hire a contractor who has experience with this type of work. Major changes to how your house stays warm or where it gets its power from should be taken seriously, and led by someone who knows what they are doing.
Environmental Health Watch and Electrification
As we continue to focus on electrification as a key priority for sustainability initiatives, we’re focusing on introducing electrification to our communities at the best starting place: weatherproofing. Ensuring your home’s power supply is insulated and protected not only from major weather events but also general moisture, extreme temperatures, and general dust is paramount for electrification’s success. Without effective protection to your power source, updated electric panels, heating sources, & stove replacements will only be so effective.
We’re also developing new standards for our healthy homes assessments: During the assessment, our healthy home expert will walk the family through the home, providing education & materials based on findings around electrification specifically, focusing on opportunities for better energy efficiency and exploring the ways in which electrification can help mitigate other hazards.
Curious to learn more about electrification? Reach out to EHW today!