Beneficial Electrification
Switching from fossil fuels to electricity specifically where doing so reduces total energy use, total emissions, or total cost compared to the fossil-fuel alternative.
Why It Matters
Not all electrification is beneficial in all locations. In coal-heavy grid regions, resistance electric heating may produce more emissions than efficient gas heating. Heat pumps, however, are beneficial virtually everywhere.
Related Terms
Electrification
The transition from fossil fuel-powered systems to electric alternatives: gas furnaces to heat pumps, gas stoves to induction, gasoline cars to EVs. A key strategy for reducing building carbon emissions.
Heat Pump
An efficient HVAC system that transfers heat rather than generating it, providing both heating and cooling. Air-source heat pumps are most common; ground-source (geothermal) are most efficient.
Grid Emissions Factor
The amount of CO2 emitted per kWh of electricity generated by the local grid, varying by region and time of day based on the generation mix. Ranges from 0.1 lb/kWh (hydro-heavy) to 1.8 lb/kWh (coal-heavy).