The City of Denver has released a plan to decarbonize existing homes and buildings within the city limits and beyond to Denver County.
The heart of the plan is to replace traditional gas space and water heating appliances with electric heat pumps that are powered by renewable energy. The city moved ahead with the initiative buoyed by a commitment made by Xcel Energy, Denver’s utility, to generate 80% of Denver’s electricity by renewables by 2030.
Today, 97% of natural gas consumed in buildings and homes is used for space and water heat, the city says. Emissions from these uses account for 24% of Denver’s total greenhouse gas emissions.
The city says that under the plan, 66% of homes, 69% of multifamily units, and 49% of commercial buildings can be fully electrified when existing systems reach their end of life. This would keep total capital and operating costs within 10% of baseline costs under existing electricity and gas rates.
The plan strives for racial and economic equity in achieving these goals in a “managed transition” to electrification.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jul 16, 2018
Length of North American construction disputes continues to increase
They already far exceed global average.
Codes and Standards | Jul 12, 2018
Developer says net zero Salt Lake City apartment high-rise built at standard cost
Off-site solar, and mechanical/electrical system savings aid the achievement.
Codes and Standards | Jul 11, 2018
D.C. local worker requirement not being met
Government doing little to verify self-reported project data.
Codes and Standards | Jul 10, 2018
Carbon emissions in cement production threaten GHG reduction goals
Cement is essential to many infrastructure projects that address climate change.
Codes and Standards | Jul 10, 2018
DOE’s Better Buildings Summit to be held in Cleveland, August 21-23
Agenda includes technical training and networking opportunities.
Codes and Standards | Jul 6, 2018
Houston’s lessons learned from Harvey include lack of awareness by residents of flood danger
Inconsistent regulatory environment also cited.
Codes and Standards | Jul 6, 2018
Delos and HDR will co-develop wellness design tools and collaborate on research
WELL Building Standard pioneer teams with architects to advance wellness innovations in the built environment.
Codes and Standards | Jul 5, 2018
BREEAM New Construction standard launched in U.S.
Follows successful launch of BREEAM In-Use standard.
Codes and Standards | Jun 29, 2018
Nearly half of nonresidential construction projects now delivered by design-build
‘Alternative’ method now mainstream for nonresidential, highway/street, and water/wastewater construction projects.
Codes and Standards | Jun 28, 2018
Modular construction may be key to relieving housing crunch
May be only way to meet needs as ranks of construction workers decline.