Issue Briefing:
Building Electrification
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By making it cheaper to retrofit homes and businesses, policymakers can catalyze building electrification on a national scale.
Photo by Bradley Zorbas on Unsplash
Clear Policy Ask
Congress must 1) provide tax credits to manufacturers of electric appliances, and 2) let constituents know there are tax credits available to them.
The Case for Building Electrification Incentives
Direct fossil fuel use in buildings accounts for around 12% of U.S. emissions and raises the risk of childhood asthma by 42%. Unfortunately, over 60% of U.S. homes still use fossil fuels for heat. We have technologies such as heat pump furnaces/water heaters, electric clothes dryers, and induction stoves that perform as well as conventional counterparts and do so more efficiently. But the upfront costs of installation can be prohibitive for the average American household.
Manufacturing incentives for electric appliances would help increase the supply of these products and stimulate demand by lowering costs. While the Biden administration is taking the first step by purchasing heat pumps in bulk, we need Congress to help dramatically scale the industry (and create millions of jobs in the process!). Through the Inflation Reduction Act, Congress has already consumer rebates for home electrification—now, it’s time to stimulate the supply side.
👀 Piqued your interest? Learn more about proposed legislation here.
Sample Social Post
Electric heating and cooking would save American households hundreds in energy costs each year and help us breathe healthier air. [@MoC1] [@MoC2] [@MoC3] pass the HEATR Act to make electric appliances plentiful & affordable!