Headed by Viktor Köves, the Electrification Working Group is dedicated to demystifying electrification and decarbonization for 40th Ward neighbors and the rest of the city. Please follow along as we build out and share our knowledge on this topic and how you can save money AND the environment!
Electrification and Decarbonization
What is Electrification?
Electrification is the concept of switching out technologies that utilize fossil fuels to those that utilize electricity. We can can pursue electrification on an individual basis by switching out technologies typically running on gas like your furnace, water heater, dryer and stove.
Why might you want to electrify?
- Reduced utility bills – natural gas (especially in Chicago) is really expensive, and switching to efficient electric appliances can save you losts of money
- Increase in comfort – a well insulated all-electric home is more comfortable than heating with a natural gas system
- Better indoor and outdoor air quality – gas appliances pollute the outside and inside air while electric appliances don’t burn anything
What are Net Zero Emissions and Decarbonization?
Net Zero Emissions is the concept of keeping the overall amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) added to the atmosphere after a specific GHG parts-per-million (ppm) is hit to zero. Any further accumulation of GHG ppm beyond this point would increase global warming, significantly harming the global environment.
This is typically done in a two-pronged manner: reducing overall emissions and removing emissions.
Decarbonization refers to reducing the level of excess carbon in the atmosphere produced by concise energy using sectors. On a systems level, we can address the power generation sector by replacing generation from combustion and GHG-emitting sources to renewable and non GHG-emitting ones.
Similarly, we can decarbonize the buildings sector by understanding what buildings-related embodied carbon (carbon emissions in upstream production) and operational carbon (carbon emissions in day-to-day usage) exist and how to get that sector to Net Zero Emissions.
What health risks are we taking by burning fossil fuels indoors and outdoors?
Natural gas combustion releases a set of nitrogen-based gaseous pollutants (NOXs) that we know irritate the respiratory system. Inhaling these NOXs can lead to asthma and other respiratory diseases like bronchitis and wheezing. Co-morbidity with respiratory diseases can severely reduce quality of life, especially for children. For more information about gas stoves, NOXs and respiratory illnesses, see this PSE Healthy Energy’s blogpost. For more information about NOXs
How Can You Help?
The climate is changing for the worse if we all don’t change our lifestyles and advocate for systems change. Here’s what you can do to contribute:
Electrify your home
Ald. Vasquez discussing the benefits of all-electric homes with the host, Wayne Beals of Beals Properties, and Benjamin Van Horne from Greenline Homes.
As a homeowner
Learn how you can electrify your home and reach out to a contractor* for an energy audit and quote on electrification projects when you are ready to explore.
*This list of contractors is neither an endorsement or comprehensive; if you’d like to be added to this list, please contact the 40th Ward to see if you are eligible to be added.
Solar Installers
Heat Pump Installers
As a renter
Reach out to your building owner to discuss any upgrades and appliance-swaps you’d like to see. You can also utilize electric tools (like an electric hedger) and appliances (like a stand-along induction cooktop) instead of gas-powered analogs– bonus points if you rent from the Chicago Tool Library. ComEd also has the option for their customers to switch to CleanChoiceEnergy.
Resources
Interested in electrifying your home? There are a number of programs and incentives that can help make it easier. Below, you can find some of the federal tax credits and rebates that will be available in the coming months for electrifying your home, as well City programs and other resources to make it easier to electrify.
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was established in 2022 to incentivize decarbonization. To find out what you are eligible for, check out Rewiring America’s IRA Calculator.
Funds are still being disbursed by the federal government to the state of Illinois’ Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) so, follow along on their website you learn how you, as an Illinois resident, can access these incentives as they roll out!
You can see other resources below:
ComEd Appliance Rebates
ComEd has rebates for heat pump HVAC systems and more!
City of Chicago Programs
Explore the projects the City has elected to pursue around green buildings and energy efficiency and renewables.
Technologies
Take Action
- Support key legislation: Clean and Affordable Buildings Ordinance
- Download the Home Electrification Guide (PDF) and spread the word!