Building electrification and decarbonization describes the shift towards electricity rather than fossil fuels for heating, hot water heating, and cooking appliances and systems. With intentional design and analysis, building electrification and decarbonization can cut energy costs, improve indoor air quality, enhance safety, and bolster tenant and community resiliency.
Electrification Can Include:
- Heating systems (boiler or direct-fired gas heating)
- Domestic hot water systems (water heater)
- Appliances (gas range, gas clothes dryer)
- Backup energy sources (generators)
Building owners need to consider their properties' age, electric capacity, physical space allocation, current fuel sources serving equipment and systems, and acceptable investment paybacks when making upgrades to their buildings.
Efficient Electrification
|
The MEA advocates for
efficient electrification, which means that building owners should invest in the overall efficiency of their buildings before upgrading electric systems and appliances. Furthermore, when evaluating systems that run on electricity, building owners should prioritize efficient equipment such as heat pumps, rather than electric resistance, when making investment decisions.
Has advanced rapidly in the past decade and a broad array of end uses can now be served with heat pumps.
- Buildings electrified efficiently will help ensure the overall transition to electricity does not contribute to utility cost increases for building owners and tenants.
- While electric equipment like heat pumps may be more expensive than electric resistance, operating costs will very likely be lower over the equipment's lifetime.
There are many grants, rebates, tax credits, and financing solutions for electrification improvements. Many of these incentives can be combined to maximize savings. Research available incentives based on your building type or visit the
Financial Resources page for an overview of all funding options. Review upgrades per building type:
| Commercial & Multi-Family Buildings: Resources |
Looking for resources for your commercial or multi-family building decarbonization upgrades?
The Hub offers guidance and support to help Marylanders take the next step toward cleaner, more efficient energy solutions.
|
Single-Family Homes: Resources |
Searching for resources for your single-family home decarbonization updates? The Hub offers guidance and support to help Marylanders take the next step toward cleaner, more efficient energy solutions.
The Maryland Clean Buildings Hub does not endorse any specific resources and does not provide tax or legal advice.
Consult with appropriate professionals for specific guidance.
