Page 4 - Green Builder Jan-Feb 2022 Issue

EDITOR’S NOTE

The Inside Scoop

The Electric Future is Coming,

But Not Without Struggle

The transition to all-electric living comes with a litany of challenges, but at

present, it’s the least-worst alternative available for kicking the CO2 habit.

S I WRITE THIS, I’ve just received a press underwritten a solar-killing bill in that state to end net meter-
release announcing that the National Associa- ing. Oklahoma utilities want to charge consumers a $1,400 “exit
tion of Home Builders (NAHB) and the propane fee” to switch from gas to electric.
gas industry have linked arms in opposition to Home battery storage offers a path around these all-electric
new building codes that fast-track electrifica- roadblocks. But batteries come with challenges of their own. At
tion of housing, by way of code changes. present, home battery sellers rely on fear (they call it “peace of
This shouldn’t surprise anyone. The NAHB mind”) to sell power storage. These fears include power outages,
has fought against building performance hurricanes and arbitrary utility hikes. Manufacturers face mineral
upgrades for decades. It dug in, for example, resource shortages. There’s only so much lithium to go around, and
A against low-flow toilets. It resisted residential car makers have begun acquiring it at a furious rate. Until and
fire sprinklers. The specter of its opposition to electrification unless affordable, more sustainable options, such as salt-based or
codes, in my opinion, should serve as a bellwether. When NAHB iron-based batteries achieve commercial success, home energy
takes a stand against change, it’s a safe bet to back the other side. storage may remain a “first serve” amenity for the fortunate few.
Solar panels, wind and hydroelectric energy must be allowed
to quickly overtake fossil fuels as our go-to energy source if we’re
to have any chance of mitigating the perils of runaway climate
conditions. The disruptive force is global pollution.
That’s not to deny the prospects of a bigger tech disruption in
our energy future. Fusion generators, for example, have made
enormous strides. We could, by mid-century, create “stars in a
bottle” on Earth. That’s unlikely, however, if we don’t kick fossil
fuels rapidly.
Chances are you’ve already taken steps to move the needle
toward electric living. It bears reminding, however, that the best
time to go electric is during the new construction phase, when
walls are open, floorplans fanciful and nail guns blazing. A home
New tools. Technology such as induction cooktops means that conversion with low ACH (air changes per hour), advanced windows, proper
from gas to electric living has little impact on modern comforts and
solar orientation and an unvented attic won’t require the BTU
firepower of a gas boiler to stay warm.
expectations. SOURCE: COURTESY OF WHIRLPOOL/KITCHENAID
But, technological advancements don’t always succeed. Right If you want examples of homes that are
now, the smart money is on whole-house electrification, powered already electrified or good candidates
by solar photovoltaics. But as we’ve learned firsthand while part- for conversion, this year’s selection of
nering with Steve Easley to remodel a house in Arizona, change the best sustainable projects needs
isn’t always easy. little introduction. We have the
Easley’s shift from partial gas energy to all-electric living technology. We have the talented
proved harder than expected. His home required additional panel builders and architects. We have
capacity, for instance. Transformers on the street may need to be sustainability heroes and bold initia-
upgraded to handle the load required to charge electric vehicles, tives from cities large and small. Let’s
induction cooktops, heat pumps and hybrid water heaters, par- commit to the Manhattan Project
ticularly if his neighbors follow the same evolution. of our time, and make all-electric Matt Power
In addition, utilities hope to slow or stop the “renewables living an all-American success Editor-in-Chief
+ electric” future. Florida Power and Light, for example, has story. GB matt.power@greenbuildermedia.com

2 GREEN BUILDER January/February 2022 www.greenbuildermedia.com