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Hello friends! You may have heard the term "electrify everything" in the context of new home design. Let's take a look at what it means.

Electrify Everything ⚡️

Gas stoves have been in the news lately. In January, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission said it wanted to research the stoves based on the risks of childhood asthma. One of the commissioners mentioned a possible ban and rumors swirled that the federal government was going to ban natural gas stoves. This was not the intention of the commission.

However, in May of this year, New York became the first state to ban gas stoves in most new construction.

What's going on? Why are gas stoves suddenly a problem?

This is part of a move to reduce carbon emissions and slow the impact of climate change. Local building regulations in many locations now include energy codes that incentivize homeowners to choose more sustainable building materials and appliances.

The hubbub about gas stoves highlighted a reality that was hidden by the headlines: the federal government may pay you to switch to an electric stove.

Gas stoves have become a symbol of a much bigger move that's likely to be part of your decision-making in building a new home. Residential construction regulations have one big message: electrify everything.

Electrify Everything?

What does that mean? It means, in part, moving away from burning fossil fuels to heat your home. Instead of a water heater that runs on propane or natural gas, use an electric one. Instead of heating your home with a gas-burning furnace, use an electric heat pump. The same is true with ovens, stoves, and dryers. Induction cooktops are pretty great.

According to this New York Times article (free access link), only 16% of home space heating currently comes from electrical sources.

The Impact on Homeowners

Wherever you stand on this issue, the subject is likely to come up in building a new home. Regulations are constantly changing and you'll need to understand the options. The good news is that electrifying everything can come with a financial benefit. You may qualify for rebates and other incentives that make appliances more affordable. Check with your local government about the regulations and what you can do.

Note: We devote an entire chapter to sustainable energy sources in our Home Planning Navigator course.

That's what I have for now. I'll be in touch again soon! 🌞

Lee LeFever, Build Livable​

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