5 Ways to Electrify Your Home

In 2017, David Roberts, a climate and energy reporter for Vox, coined a novel approach to tackling climate change: electrify everything. 

Today, that strategy is still the basis for solving the climate crisis at scale. However, this simple premise isn’t just a macro solution to an existential problem. It can be a tangible outcome for homeowners across the country and around the world. 

Electrifying our homes is the best way to capitalize on renewable energy solutions that lower costs, limit climate impact, and support long-term sustainability. Here are five ways homeowners can begin that process today.

#1 Upgrade to a Geothermal Heat Pump

For most people, home heating and cooling systems are the most energy-intensive and costly portion of their utility bills. More than 65 percent of total delivered residential energy goes towards home heating and cooling, accounting for more than one-third of the average family’s monthly utility costs. 

Because most newer homes already have natural-gas powered furnaces, and many older homes rely on heating oil or propane to keep homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer, making a change can seem daunting or even impossible. 

It’s not. 

Geothermal heating and cooling solutions have never been more available, affordable, efficient, and effective. 

Existing homes can be retrofitted with geothermal heating and cooling systems. In fact, getting Dandelion geothermal is simple, and the process is mostly virtual. Interested homeowners can complete our 30-second survey to find out if your home pre-qualifies for a Dandelion Energy home geothermal system.

#2 Replace a Gas Stove with an Electric Range

When homeowners rely on a natural gas-powered stove for their cooking, they are paying a premium for the privilege of eroding their air quality as combusting natural gas releases various pollutants into the home. 

Explaining the impact of natural gas stoves on in-home air quality, Josiah Kephart, an environmental epidemiologist at Drexel University, told NPR, “When you have a gas stove, that combustion is actually occurring right in your kitchen — you can see the blue flame down there. There is no smoke-free combustion.” 

Additionally, natural gas stoves release methane, a potent greenhouse gas, at every phase of use. A 2022 study by Stanford University found that the collective impact of methane leaks from natural gas ranges is equivalent to the carbon dioxide emissions of 500,000 gas-powered cars. 

At the same time, when homeowners switch to an electric range, they often procure a better product that delivers superior results. Consumer Reports says, “In most cases, electric stoves outperform their gas counterparts.”

Retailers regularly run sales on new ranges, and The Wirecutter recommends buying last year’s models to save money without compromising significant feature upgrades, noting that new ovens and ranges typically arrive at the beginning of the year. 

#3 Buy an Electric or Heat Pump Dryer

In the same way that burning natural gas in the kitchen is increasingly costly while releasing toxins into the home, gas-powered laundry dryers contribute to climate change without providing significantly better results. 

Homeowners can often save money by buying an electric dryer. However, electric-powered dryers aren’t the only option for homeowners looking to electrify their homes. Heat pump dryers use air conditioning technology to extract water from clothes. They don’t require venting or exhaust as no warm air is produced to dry the clothes. 

According to the Federal Energy Star program, heat pump dryers are 28 percent more efficient than electric or gas dryers.

Heat pump dryers are more expensive than electric or gas models, but their increased efficiency, lower maintenance costs, and other enhancements will help homeowners recoup the cost over time through lower overall energy bills.

#4 Ditch Gas-powered Water Heaters

Reliable, sufficient warm water is a must-have for homeowners. However, gas-powered water heaters aren’t the only way to deliver dependable results. This includes: 

• storage water heaters
• tankless water heaters
• heat pump water heaters
• solar water heaters
• tankless coil or indirect water heaters. 

There are a variety of factors that should be considered when choosing the right product for your home, but these solutions demonstrate the advanced and multifaceted electric-powered water heater market. 

Since water heating accounts for about one-fifth of a home’s energy consumption, switching to an electricity-based solution can help lower costs while lowering your carbon footprint.

#5 Install Solar Panels

Electrifying your home can help lower energy costs, reduce carbon emissions, and support a more sustainable lifestyle. Of course, it’s also true that most of today’s electricity is generated by fossil fuels. 

While new legislation, like the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, will help the country reach President Biden’s goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2035, we live in the here and now. Installing solar panels on your home solves this problem, allowing people to passively generate their own electricity, supporting other in-home electrification initiatives with locally-derived renewable energy. 

Federal and state tax incentives are making this more affordable for homeowners. When coupled with rebates from utilities and municipalities, installing solar panels has never been more attainable. 

Ultimately, whether you make a single change or reimagine your entire energy consumption strategy, electrifying our homes is the best way to capitalize on renewable energy solutions that lower costs, limit climate impact, and support long-term sustainability. 

The team at Dandelion Energy can help inform your next steps. Contact us today to connect with the Dandelion Energy team or to get started on your electrify everything journey.Get Ready for Spring with Dandelion Energy

With energy prices continuing to climb, climate change realities becoming more urgent, and new legislation, like the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, offering better financial incentives, now is the right time to enhance your home heating solution to prepare for spring and beyond. 

Take our short survey to see if your home qualifies for geothermal, or contact us today to meet with Dandelion’s team about making this winter the most comfortable, affordable, and sustainable season yet.