As the world moves towards a greener future, buildings have become central to the energy transition. The strategy of decarbonizing buildings through electrification involves replacing fossil-based appliances and heating systems with those powered by electricity.
Faculty from the Illinois Institute of Technology, along with colleagues, are exploring the impacts of building electrification on greenhouse gas emissions, air quality, human health, and economic costs. They also aim to understand public acceptance of this shift.
Brent Stephens, Arthur W. Hill Endowed Chair in Sustainability; Matthew Shapiro, Professor of Political Science; Mohammad Heidarinejad, Associate Professor of Architectural Engineering; and Amy (Tianyuan) Li from the University of Waterloo have published "Ten Questions Concerning Building Electrification." This publication addresses key questions as North Americans consider switching to electricity instead of natural gas or other fossil fuels.
Research indicates that building electrification may lower greenhouse gas emissions and costs but is often limited geographically. The transition's effects are not uniform; some regions may initially see increased emissions and costs while others might experience immediate reductions. Innovations in heat pumps, electrical storage, and renewable energy sources are essential as reliance on electricity grows.
A building's environmental footprint extends beyond energy use. Life cycle assessments must consider impacts on habitat destruction, resource depletion, and toxic emissions—areas where many assessments fall short.
Research consistently shows improved indoor air quality from electrification. With Americans spending 90% of their time indoors—70% at home—indoor air quality is crucial. Gas appliances can emit pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide that exceed health standards without proper ventilation. Electrification is expected to reduce these pollutants.
Public opinion varies on fuel choices in homes, particularly for cooking fuels. A study showed diverse willingness across regions to adopt electric heating. When the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission suggested banning gas stoves due to climate concerns, it received over 9,000 comments both supporting and opposing a ban.
No universal solution exists for justifying upfront electrification costs against potential savings. High-performance heat pumps can be costly but offer efficiency advantages over traditional systems. Rising gas prices and decreasing electrification costs may offset future expenses.
Ultimately, homeowners decide whether to electrify based on location, income level, and knowledge about energy-saving appliances—a decision that should be equitable for all.