Lawmakers and regulators in an increasing number of states, including California and New York, are changing policies to promote the use of electricity instead of fossil fuels to power building heating and hot water systems.
With renewable power continuing to supplant coal-fired electric generation, electric heat pumps are now often the lowest-carbon choice for heating and cooling buildings and providing hot water. Most efficiency policies in most of the country, though, do not include incentives for homeowners or businesses to install these technologies.
Most policies have focused on reducing energy use regardless of the fuel source; not favoring one fuel over another. There have been notable exceptions, though. Regulators and lawmakers in Alaska, California, Massachusetts, New York, Tennessee, and Vermont are encouraging fuel switching or fuel substitution through guidelines. Other states are also considering policies to promote electric heat pumps.
Improvements to a building shell, such as insulation and air sealing, can help reduce overall heating and cooling loads. This, in turn, can help downsize equipment needs and costs for heat pumps.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Dec 8, 2021
Proposals to add more multifamily to Atlanta prompt drive for Buckhead to secede
City aims to increase housing as projections point to sharp population increase.
Codes and Standards | Dec 7, 2021
Design problems now the primary cause of construction claims and disputes
More likely to occur due to more tight timescales imposed upon third parties engaged in design.
Codes and Standards | Dec 5, 2021
New standard for Phase I environmental reports requires more research work on many sites
Update affects around 250,000 commercial real estate transactions a year.
Codes and Standards | Nov 30, 2021
Dept. of Energy publishes RFP for technical assistance on supporting better building codes
Addresses advanced standards to reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions.
Codes and Standards | Nov 29, 2021
Ithaca, N.Y., votes to electrify, decarbonize all its buildings
First initiative of its kind in U.S.
Codes and Standards | Nov 29, 2021
FAA seeking design of air traffic control towers of the future
Call for design submissions for safe, efficient structures.
Codes and Standards | Nov 28, 2021
Efficient electric water heaters in multifamily buildings significantly reduce carbon emissions
In buildings with 5+ units, water heating uses more energy than space heating, cooling, or lighting.
Codes and Standards | Nov 23, 2021
New York’s Labor Law Section 240 and how it affects general contractors
The ‘Scaffold Law’ was first enacted by the New York State Legislature in 1885 and is one of the single most-used laws in construction accident cases.
Codes and Standards | Nov 22, 2021
ABC’s Construction Technology Report finds focus on solving operational problems
More than half rely on project management software.
Codes and Standards | Nov 22, 2021
Contractors say 811 utility location system has significant flaws
More than half of firms in survey report damages, near misses because lines were unmarked or marked incorrectly.