Building Electrification

What’s the buzz about electrifying buildings?

Building electrification simply means replacing equipment and appliances that use fossil fuels with systems that use electricity … or, in the case of new construction, building with all-electric equipment from the start.

 

Isn’t my home or business already electrified?

Yes and no. Nearly every building has electricity powering many of its day-to-day needs: lights, computers, cooling, entertainment and more. But many buildings also have gas appliances, such as furnaces, water heaters and gas stoves, all of which also have all-electric alternatives.

 

Why should I change to electric equipment?

Building electrification supports healthier and safer living and working spaces.

Replacing gas-fired space and water heating and gas cooking appliances with electric ones – such as electric heat pumps and induction cooktops – can improve indoor air quality and safety by removing potential exposure to carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, formaldehyde and methane.Even when gas appliances aren’t in use, the gas lines may have leaks or standby combustion that contribute to poor air quality, which may contribute to respiratory illness.

In addition, a shift to efficient electrical equipment, when paired with energy efficiency measures such as insulation and weatherization, could lead to energy savings.

Finally, about one-fourth of Longmont’s (and Colorado’s) greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings that use carbon-based fuels for things like space and water heating, cooking and clothes drying. LPC encourages customers to learn about how to start plugging these functions into our increasingly carbon-free electric power instead.

 

Check out “5 Reasons to Love Electric” to learn more.

 

If I want to electrify, how do I get started?

Contact Efficiency Works to talk with an energy advisor and get an energy assessment to start making a plan. By working with an energy advisor, you’ll learn about any envelope improvements needed (think weatherization and air sealing), what the equipment and timing options are for your situation, how to identify and select contractors to do the work AND how to apply for rebates.

 

What’s a heat pump? Can it keep up with a Colorado winter?

Electric heat pumps provide heating and cooling in a single unit. Two of the most common types are air-source and ground-source.

Air-source heat pumps work like reversible air conditioners, transferring heat between your building and the outside air to keep your home or business warm OR cool.

Ground-source heat pumps transfer heat between indoor spaces and either the ground or a nearby water source. They can be more expensive to install than air-source heat pumps but tend to have lower operating costs since ground and water temperatures are more consistent than air temperatures.

Since heat pumps transfer heat rather than having to generate it, they require less energy than a furnace. And yes, modern heat pumps can indeed keep up with winter in Colorado and other cold climates.

 

Can I get any help with the cost of improving efficiency and installing electric equipment?

Yes! Our own Efficiency Works program offers rebates on a number of electrification-related improvements, as does Boulder County.

Many electrification improvements also qualify for federal energy efficiency tax credits and in 2023, Colorado adopted a Colorado State tax credit and sales tax exemption for heat pumps and heat pump water heaters. The tax credit (10%) and sales tax exemption (2.9%) add up to an additional 12.9% discount on the price of the equipment, not including installation charges.

Check out these fact sheets from Rewiring America for more information about tax credits and rebates for both consumers and contractors. Also, Comfort365, offered through the EnergySmart program, provides Boulder County residents more information on renewable heating and cooling, including how to connect with EnergySmart contractors.

 

How important is this to Longmont?

Very! In 2022, the Longmont City Council adopted the Beneficial Building Electrification Plan to guide Longmont’s efforts to modernize with electric equipment and systems. Follow the link to find out more.