As buildings and construction continue to pursue more sustainable options, outfitting and energy consumption, all-electric and electrification is becoming a trend.
All-electric, however, demands electricity that may require unsustainable sources such as fossil fuel power plants. But it may also be supplied by electricity from clean energy sources such as wind, solar and nuclear. At a time when cities and companies are building sustainability policies, some municipalities are trying to orient their building and construction codes to better incorporate clean energy equations to power buildings.
New York is proposing a change to its building codes to include all-electric buildings. New York’s Building Code Council will include the All-Electric Buildings Act in its 2025 update. This law, passed in 2023, bans natural gas and fossil fuels in new buildings, requiring all-electric heating and cooking by 2026 for buildings under seven stories and by 2029 for taller ones. The code is not finalized, however, and the state still has some hurdles to overcome with the public and industry to bring the code change to fruition. Buildings account for 32% of New York’s greenhouse gas emissions, and the state needs to install 396,000 heat pumps to meet its 2050 net-zero goal. One step on that path is a 44-story, 440-unit rental building going up in Brooklyn that will be the first all-electric residential tower in New York City.
The trend is catching on in other parts of the country, and, in some cases, the sentiment to go all-electric is not just cost. In Avon, Colo., the city is proposing an all-electric public utility building despite some challenges in presenting the price cost and associated offsets. The city is moving forward with plans to build an all-electric public works facility, reversing its initial decision to use natural gas. The facility, an 8,000-square-foot, five-bay garage, will house snow removal and maintenance vehicles. During winter, the garage’s frequent door use makes heating complex and expensive. The town council considered electric and natural gas boilers, with installation costs similar at $4 million, but electric utility costs were projected to be significantly higher at $75,000 annually. Despite these higher costs, the town opted for an all-electric solution for sustainability.
This all comes when there’s an expected surge in electrification in industrial applications in general. Recent research by Schneider Electric predicted a surge in industry electrification. Schneider Electric’s latest report forecasts U.S. industry electrification to rise from 30% to 45% by 2030, reducing fossil fuel demand by 25%. It predicts that 16 of 21 sectors will reach 60% electrification by 2030, and overall industry electrification will hit 64% by 2040. To support these trends, Schneider will invest $23.8 million into its South Carolina manufacturing plants, creating 280 new jobs and upgrading facilities to improve efficiency and sustainability, aligning with its decarbonization goals.
Overall, there seems to be a growing sentiment to turn to electrification as a primary source of energy in many buildings and facilities. The trend is likely to have some twists and turns, but we are likely to see an uptick in all-electric powered facilities.
About The Author
ROMEO is a freelance writer based in Chesapeake, Va. He focuses on business and technology topics. Find him at www.JimRomeo.net.