What is building electrification, and how can my state or municipality adapt its building codes to move toward electrification and zero-carbon buildings?

Building electrification is the process of moving from fossil fuel-powered buildings to electric-powered buildings. Systems within the electrified building, such as space heating, water heating, cooking appliances, and laundry, would be powered by electricity. These are necessary steps for buildings to achieve 100 percent clean, renewable energy and align with state and municipal climate goals. Cities, counties, and states will have different approaches to policies and incentives toward implementing an electric-only strategy. Already, a quarter of U.S. homes are all-electric, and across the country many communities are adopting ordinances as an update to their adopted energy codes.

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The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, through this report, has put together examples of municipalities with some level of electrification requirements for new residential and commercial buildings, as well as specific proposed code language that any community can adopt to help reach zero carbon in new buildings. Check it out!