Change often comes with challenges. We're learning a lot as we go and want everyone to make a plan to electrify - rather than just jumping in - to ensure it's the right move for you and your home. That being said, electrification is a great solution for lots of people!

With this site, we're aiming to give you the information you need to make an informed plan, including debunking some common misconceptions about electrifying. (We've adapted some great info from our friends at Rewiring America below.)

Myth #1: Heat Pumps Don't Work in Cold Climates

False! Heat pump do work in cold climates! A technology that once was limited by cold weather several years ago has evolved to embrace it. 

The new generation of cold-climate, air-source heat pumps operate efficiently down to 0 F or even colder, but as temperatures decrease, so does the ease with which they can extract heat from the air. At -10 F for example, the will generally still work, but will cost more to operate.

Some folks chose to keep their old heating system and only use it when the temps drop below 0 F. Most systems in Montana, for example, include backup heat, such as radiant heat, methane gas, wood or pellet stoves. Other advances in heat pump controls have allowed for a more seamless integration of backup electric resistance systems, which provide an extra layer of security in extremely cold climates.

• Here's a great piece about heat pumps operating in frigid conditions from Yale Climate Connections.
• Here's another great article about heat pump advances from RMI.

Myth #2: The Grid Can't Handle Mass Electrification

The short answer is - that grid can handle this transition as long as we invest in growing and improving it as we move to electrify everything.

It's true that mass electrification will require the grid to grow and change. Projections are that we'll need to deliver two to three times more electricity than we do now. While rooftop solar will help meet some of this need, we'll need to significantly grow the grid (and invest in growing it using renewable energy!) (Here are some debunked solar and wind energy myths).

The great news is, we've significantly expanded the grid before - so we can do it again! The amount of electricity being delivered nearly doubled from 1950 to 1960, then doubled again by 1970 [Rewiring America]. Those expansions happened without all of the amazing technology we have today, like smart panel installations, which allow us to make the grid work smarter, not harder. Plus, this smart technology can often allow electrification upgrades (EVs, heat pumps, etc.) without requiring upgrades to "upstream" infrastructure, like wires or transformers.

• Take a deep dive into this topic with Rewiring America.

Myth #3: Gas is More Reliable During a Power Outage

Most fossil-fuel appliances still require some electricity to work, so they aren't immune to power outages. For example, a methane gas furnace won't provide heat during a power outage because some components, like the blower motor that powers the fan, require electricity. Because it's not safe to manually light a gas furnace, some models have a safety feature built in that will sense there's no power and close the gas valve, cutting off the flow of gas and preventing the furnace from functioning. 

Other appliances, like methane gas cooking stoves, also use electricity to ignite the gas; this, of course, can be navigated around by using a match or lighter during a power outage. Plus, there are other good reasons to give up your gas stove, too - including its serious implications for your health. 

(Debunk another myth by checking out this joint report from Earthjustice and Sierra Club, "Rhetoric vs Reality: The Myth of 'Renewable Natural Gas' for Building Decarbonization.")

Myth #4: Electrification is Too Expensive

Looking at the big picture, transitioning to energy-efficient electric appliances will save Americans more money over time. According to Rewiring America, gas prices increased by six times the price of electricity in 2022. While gas prices tend to be volatile and vary from year to year, renewable sources of energy, like wind and solar, are generally much more affordable and stable than other sources of energy on the market. Plus, most of today's technologies, like heat pumps, use electricity more efficiently, resulting in less energy used overall. Electrification paired with an increasingly renewable-powered grid is the key to long-term energy affordability.

For households, businesses, and nonprofits, there's a significant amount of funding available now to help offset your transition to electric. Visit our Financing page to learn more. We recognize there's a long way to go to make the transition off fossil fuels truly equitable, and we are working on creative solutions to address this challenge in our community and ensure everyone can access the benefits of electrification.

At the same time, we know that in order to meet our climate goals, we must move away from fossil fuels now. As a society, the long term benefits (a livable planet!) of getting off methane gas and decreasing carbon in our buildings and transportation seriously outweigh the short term financial costs. Think of this movement as an investment in a healthier future!