Dear Eartha, There’s a lot of talk about replacing appliances like boilers and stoves with electric models. But if the power goes out, doesn’t that mean I lose my heat, hot water, and ability to cook?
Home electrification is the practice of replacing gas appliances in a home with alternatives powered by electricity. Think swapping your boiler for a heat pump, your gas stove for induction…and even your gas car for an electric car. If you’re like me and have a home with aging gas appliances, here are a few reasons to consider electrification upgrades – despite potential power outages.
Incentives are driving down costs
Right now, Summit County homeowners can access thousands of dollars in discounts when they upgrade to cold climate heat pumps. Xcel Energy has increased its heat pump rebates, and the state’s Home Electrification & Appliance Rebates program offers $8,000 in upfront savings for homeowners who earn up to 150% of the county’s median income. Together, these incentives can make the cost of installing a cold climate heat pump far less expensive than replacing your existing furnace or boiler with another furnace or boiler. If you’re interested in the state’s program, start your application ASAP; the deadline for submission is August 1.
Indoor air quality matters
Home chefs take note: Cooking with gas exposes you to air pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, which can cause airway irritation as well as increased risk of asthma and heart and lung diseases. Other studies have linked gas cooking with exposure to benzene, a known carcinogen.
If you’d like to stir-fry your veggies without making your lungs angry, make sure your kitchen is properly ventilated. And consider switching to an induction stove – or even a portable induction cooktop. Not only does induction cooking generate fewer air pollutants, but it also boils water 20 – 40% faster than traditional gas or electric stoves.
Speaking of indoor air quality, because heat pumps both heat and cool, they’re a great strategy for reducing exposure to wildfire smoke. You might not need air conditioning all summer, but when smoke fills our mountain valleys, you can shut your windows and let the heat pump handle the rest.
Fueling up for $.03/mile
Another great way to electrify your lifestyle is to get an electric car. Yes, even in Summit County and even in the winter. Between a 25-mile daily commute and trips to the front range to visit in-laws, my AWD electric car gets me everywhere I need to go. And when geopolitical conflict causes soaring gas prices, my costs are steady; I’ve driven 4,957 miles so far this year and have only paid $169 for charging.
No more federal EV tax credit? No problem. Over 300,000 EV leases are expected to expire in 2026 and even more next year. With this influx of vehicles, shoppers are scoring huge discounts on gently used electric cars.
What about power outages?
I’ve read local concern about electrification – especially heat pumps – because when the power goes out, the equipment doesn’t work. What’s missing from these conversations is the acknowledgement that when the power goes out, most natural gas appliances don’t work, either.
This past December, my neighborhood lost power for three days. During the outage, my home had no heat or hot water, because there was no electricity to power our boiler’s controls or circulation pump. We do have a fireplace, which provided some warmth, but only in one room, since the blower fan couldn’t run.
The truth is, whether you heat with gas or electricity, power outages are a pain. Fortunately, there’s a solution for that, too: battery storage. As wildfire concerns make safety-related electrical outages more likely, battery storage is an increasingly important tool for promoting community resilience and electric grid flexibility.
During that December outage, we used a portable camping battery to light lamps and charge our devices. With a home battery system, we could have kept our fridge, fireplace blower fan, and well pump running, too. Notably, this technology is rapidly evolving, with new batteries that plug into regular wall outlets and even battery-integrated appliances.
Summit, Electrified
One electrified home is a good decision; a whole community of them creates a more resilient future. So, if you’re electrification curious, High Country Conservation Center’s upcoming workshop series can help you take the first step — find the full schedule at HighCountryConservation.org.
Ask Eartha Steward is written by the staff at the High Country Conservation Center, a nonprofit dedicated to waste reduction and resource conservation. Submit questions to Eartha at info@highcountryconservation.org.
