Author: jgowans

Yes, see the Resources for homebuyers section below. There are several developments with all-electric homes under construction that are for sale. Another option is to hire an architect and builder to build your own custom all-electric home, and we provide a list of architects and builders of efficient and electric homes below.

No. Without electricity, the gas furnace will not operate. On the other hand, homes in the fire-damaged Marshall fire neighborhoods discovered that gas service was disconnected and remained out for a much longer period of time than the electricity outage. With an all-electric home, the home will be able to remain comfortable without any need for the gas service.

An all-electric home’s energy costs will be slightly lower or the same as a dual fuel home. Natural gas prices are likely to remain relatively high compared to the previous five years. SWEEP’s analysis shows that with 2021 gas prices, the costs of operating an efficient heat pump and heat pump water heater will be about 5-10% more than those of their gas counterparts, but this slightly increased cost is off-set because the all electric home will have no monthly gas fixed charges.

Yes, recent studies show that gas stoves emit a variety of unhealthy pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. These pollutants are eliminated by replacing the gas stove with an electric one. In addition, by replacing the gas furnace and water heater with electric heat pump space and water heating, there are no open flames that could emit carbon monoxide into the home.

Based on our conversations with several builders of all-electric homes, the home may cost slightly more to build than a similar dual-fuel home, for example about $10,000 more for an average size new home (including more efficient building shell and electric heating and appliances). However, some Colorado utilities are increasing their rebates to builders for all-electric homes, which will offset part of this additional cost.

The cost to the homebuyer for the all-electric home will be very close to the cost of a similar dual-fuel home. (For example, if the cost is $20,000 more, that is less than 4% of the total cost if the new home costs more than $500,000.) And, beginning in 2023, the homebuyer can take advantage of tax credits for a heat pump or heat pump water heater: 30% up to $2,000 for the federal tax credit, and 10% of the equipment cost for the state tax credit. These tax credits will help to further offset the small cost difference for the electric home.