Your Guide to Heating Electrification in Colorado

Homeowners in Colorado continue to utilize new and useful techniques for heating their homes. The mission for many is to move away from the current over-reliance on fossil fuels for heating.

Climate change and global warming continue to lead to natural disasters across the globe. And this has led to a louder call for better solutions to save the planet. 

Electrification of heating offers an alternative source of heating energy to gas, oil, and or coal. Using electric-powered HVAC and hot water systems, Colorado residents can now decarbonize their buildings in an effort to protect the environment.

If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, electrification of heating might just be the solution. As such this piece includes some vital information on the best HVAC systems and the benefits of this transition. 

Heating electrification in Colorado benefits both the homeowners and the environment. And this is how:

What Does Electrification Mean in Regards to Heating Buildings?

The high price of fossil fuels has led to an urgent appeal for heating electrification. As per the Inflation Reduction Act, part of the Climate and Health Care Bill, the goal is to reduce reliance on fossil fuels (such as natural gas).

Heating systems such as gas furnaces are popular in many homes in the U.S. However, the high cost of fossil fuels means it’s becoming expensive to heat homes with traditional fuel sources. Hence the need for better heating energy for Colorado.

In short, electrification of heating is the act of replacing fossil fuels such as natural gas with electricity. Many electric alternatives are available that work just as well to keep homes in Colorado warm. And all of this is good for the environment since it lowers the emission of greenhouse gasses.

Climate change and global warming are some of the top issues affecting the state of the planet. This has led to scientists and activists calling for better ways to heat homes and buildings. Electrification is one way to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

Renewable electric energy sources such as wind and sun are better for the environment. In fact, they are among the best ways to achieve zero-emissions goals.

When the temperatures drop during winter, heating becomes essential in homes in Colorado. Because of this, heating costs can become a major household issue. It’s not uncommon for heating costs to account for a significant amount of a household’s utility costs during the winter months.

Natural gas and propane have been a source of heating in Colorado for several years, but a call for renewable energy and eco-friendly solutions sees other sources, like electricity, take center stage.

What Type of HVAC System Works with Heating Electrification?

Electrification of heating is a great alternative to natural gas, propane, and oil. If you want to switch to heating electrification, it’s beneficial to know the HVAC systems that can be powered with electricity. 

These include:

1. Electric Furnaces

Gas furnaces have been around for a long time; however, in recent years, there’s been a need to move from fossil fuels to electrified solutions. This has led to the growing popularity of electric furnaces.

Electric-powered furnaces are an efficient and eco-friendly way to heat homes in Colorado. Not only do they provide a cost-effective solution, but they are also free from the emissions of greenhouse gasses.

2. Air Source Heat Pumps

Popularly known as ASPHs, air-source heat pumps are another excellent way to heat your home without relying on fossil fuels. They are usually low-carbon heating systems that source warm air from the outdoor air to heat your home. And they can warm up your space or heat water for the household.

Usually, a heat pump uses two main components for this job; the outdoor unit (the compressor) and the indoor one (the heat exchanger). The first step involves drawing the outdoor air and passing it through a refrigerant-filled loop. Here, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the air and then moves to the compressor. 

Just as the name sounds, the compressor is designed to compress. As such, it compresses the refrigerant, heating up the absorbed warm air even more. The refrigerant will then move to the indoor heat exchanger, where the heat is transferred to the indoor space.

Since a heat pump uses electricity and draws heat from the outdoor air, it reduces the need to rely on fossil fuels. As such, if you want to explore heating electrification in Colorado, a heat pump could be an ideal solution. However, always consult a qualified technician to ensure that you get a unit that fits your home’s needs. 

Benefits of Heating Electrification in Colorado

What are the benefits of heating electrification in Colorado? Continue reading to find out:

1. Lower Heating Costs

Gas prices have been skyrocketing and are starting to reach an all-time high. And to make matters worse, inflation continues to take its toll on the economy.

A good reason for the electrification of heating is to lower the cost of heating. For instance, the cost isn’t as high if you can use a heat pump, instead of a gas furnace, to heat your home. Heating costs are high when using fossil fuels, so alternatives are better for your pockets.

2. Eco-Friendly Heating

In the U.S., around 75% of homeowners use fossil fuels (mainly natural gas) to heat their houses—Colorado is no different. Fossil fuels emit greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate change and global warming.

However, heating electrification has a better impact on the environment by lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Research even shows that building an all-electric home is cheaper than one with fossil fuel appliances. 

3. Energy Efficiency

HVAC technology has come a long way and continues to advance. Now, more energy-efficient HVAC systems use less energy for heating.

For example, energy-efficient heat pumps use less electric energy. And the best part is your home does remain warm and comfortable all winter. 

Energy efficiency also benefits the environment. There’s less waste as the HVAC systems use energy efficiently over a specific period. If you’d like to install an energy-efficient HVAC system in your home in Colorado, be sure to reach out to our team at IMS Heating & Air.

Conclusion

Heating electrification is growing in importance and is becoming a primary focus in Colorado. Fossil fuels cause more harm to the environment, so calls for an alternative are on the rise. This has led to the electrification of heating.

Consider utilizing these new, energy-efficient heat sources if you’d like to take advantage of the long list of benefits that they offer.