Hi all, Residential building energy use is a critical sector in decarbonizing, as it makes up about 20% of total GHG emissions in the United States. Electrification, replacing fossil fuel-based technology and systems with electricity-powered ones, is an important step toward decarbonization. According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), electrifying most residential and commercial buildings in the U.S. by 2050 could decrease CO2 emissions by 306 million metric tons (MMT). Such an ambitious undertaking would require both comprehensive policies and programs as well as behavioral-based solutions that eliminate psychological and social barriers. ACEEE recently conducted a study of nearly 2000 American adults, to identify and better understand household perceptions, interests, barriers, and benefits of home electrification.
Here's what they found: - The most commonly cited benefits of home electrification were: safety, environmental sustainability, and energy efficiency. When it came to cooking, the top benefit was that electric stoves are easier to clean - The most commonly cited barriers to home electrification were: high prices of electricity, perceptions of inefficiency among electric appliances, and poor cooking experience on stovetops - Interestingly, childhood experience with electric appliances or heating/cooling systems and belief in climate change were the most significant predictors of an individual’s choice to switch to electric heat, hot water, and cooking - Owning electric lawn equipment is one potential gateway technology for home electrification, especially for cooking. Solar panel ownership and electric vehicle ownership are other possibilities. Researchers believe that this is because a positive experience with one form of electrification may lead to acceptance of other forms
According to the study, the best demographic to focus on for home electrification in America are citizens who believe in climate change and have childhood experiences with electric appliances or heating/cooling systems. This demographic tends to be Democrat, reside in apartments or duplexes, be younger, and have lived in homes for less than 10 years. Also, citizens who live along coasts or in urban areas would be best reached through campaigns that emphasize electrification as a climate solution. To read more about the study findings, visit ACEEE’s website here. You can also download the report if you first provide your contact information.
Here's what they found: - The most commonly cited benefits of home electrification were: safety, environmental sustainability, and energy efficiency. When it came to cooking, the top benefit was that electric stoves are easier to clean - The most commonly cited barriers to home electrification were: high prices of electricity, perceptions of inefficiency among electric appliances, and poor cooking experience on stovetops - Interestingly, childhood experience with electric appliances or heating/cooling systems and belief in climate change were the most significant predictors of an individual’s choice to switch to electric heat, hot water, and cooking - Owning electric lawn equipment is one potential gateway technology for home electrification, especially for cooking. Solar panel ownership and electric vehicle ownership are other possibilities. Researchers believe that this is because a positive experience with one form of electrification may lead to acceptance of other forms
According to the study, the best demographic to focus on for home electrification in America are citizens who believe in climate change and have childhood experiences with electric appliances or heating/cooling systems. This demographic tends to be Democrat, reside in apartments or duplexes, be younger, and have lived in homes for less than 10 years. Also, citizens who live along coasts or in urban areas would be best reached through campaigns that emphasize electrification as a climate solution. To read more about the study findings, visit ACEEE’s website here. You can also download the report if you first provide your contact information.
