One of the quickest ways to make your home greener is to replace your natural gas appliances with electric ones Converting natural gas appliances to electric ones has numerous benefits, both financially and environmentally. This can include replacing traditional furnaces with heat pumps, gas stoves and ovens with induction ranges, or natural gas water heaters and clothes dryers with electric or heat pump models.
Environmentally, electric appliances significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Electric appliances rely on grid electricity, which is cleaner and more reliant upon carbon free energy sources, producing less carbon emissions throughout the supply chain. Switching to induction cooking, electric dryers, and electric water heaters removes also a major source of indoor air contaminants. The elimination of on-site combustions improves air quality in your home by eliminating the release of nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and potential methane leaks.
Financially, various federal, state, and utility incentives, including tax credits and rebates, exist for transitioning to electric appliances. Additionally, the efficiency at which electric appliances operate can result in lower overall utility costs, even with the increased electricity usage. Electric appliances often have longer life spans and fewer repair costs due to fewer moving parts and no combustion system.
A heat pump HVAC system provides both heating and cooling as part of one system, reducing the total equipment needed to control the temperature of your home. Heat pumps are two to four times more efficient than standard gas furnaces. Heat pumps also help dehumidify the air, reducing mold and allergen problems while providing more consistent humidity and temperature control. Learn more about heat pumps and their benefits here.
Induction stoves and ovens provide highly efficient heat transfer, reducing overall energy usage and improving cooking times with precise temperature controls. They are also safter, with relatively cool cooktops that automatically shut off when no pan is detected. No open flame or hot coil reduces burn and fire risks. More information on induction stoves is available here.
Both standard electric and heat pump clothes dryers have lower installation costs and no risk of gas leaks. Heat pump clothes dryers also use half the energy of standard models, significantly reducing total electricity costs.
Heat Pump Water Heaters are often 60-75% more efficient than gas and electric-resistance water heaters and can help dehumidify your basement because of the heat pump operations. Electric-resistance water heaters have a lower upfront cost than heat pump water heaters with simple installation and minimal maintenance needed while providing all the environmental benefits of an electric appliance.
Permitting
Often, switching out a fossil fuel appliance for an electric appliance does not require a permit. However, all residents looking to switch to electric appliances should consult a qualified electrical contractor to perform an electric load calculation to help determine if the electrical panel has sufficient amperage to handle the power demands of moving to an electric appliance, such as an induction stove, heat pump water heater, or electric clothes dryer. Any electrical panel or outlet upgrade will require a standard electrical permit.
Installation of a Heat Pump HVAC system does require a permit and the contractor must be licensed with the Village. Not all HVAC and Mechanical contractors perform heat pump installations, and many have different processes for who performs the electric load calculation, so please confirm these with your contractor prior to beginning the project.
To provide residents with information on contractors, the Sustainability Commission sent a survey to each HVAC contractor licensed with the Village. The below contractors voluntarily indicated that they do perform heat pump installations and shared their process for electric load calculations. This list is not comprehensive.
- JNW Mechanical Inc. - Contractor will perform the load calc.
- MLM Riley Heating and Cooling - Contractor will perform the load calc.
- MJ Heating Cooling Ventilation - Electric subcontractor is utilized.
- B&M Mechanical Service - If replacing a standard condensing unit, electrical requirements for heat pump are the same.
- A-Team Heating and Conditioning - Electric subcontractor is utilized.