Say Goodbye to Carbon Emissions with the Electrification of Home Heating

Exploring the Benefits of Electrification and How Heat Pumps Can Combat Climate Change

As we continue to search for ways to reduce our carbon footprint and combat climate change, the electrification of home heating has become an increasingly important topic in the HVAC community. 

For many homeowners, heating their homes with oil, natural gas, or propane has been the norm for decades, but with the rise of efficient and cost-effective electric heating technologies such as heat pumps and GeoExchange, that is changing. 

In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of electrifying home heating and why it may be time to say goodbye to fossil fuels.

Why Electrify Home Heating?

Canada’s goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 means that, as a country, we must reduce all forms of greenhouse gas. One of the most effective ways we can do that is by moving to greener, more sustainable energy sources.

Electricity is a clean and reliable source of energy, which makes it an excellent choice for heating homes. The environmental benefits of electrifying home heating are significant, particularly as countries and cities commit to reducing their carbon footprint.

Using electricity to heat homes can significantly reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by homes, particularly if the electricity comes from renewable sources such as the ground (geo), sun (solar) or water (hydro). With a GeoExchange system (more on this later), you’re able to pull 75-90% of your home’s required energy from the ground or a body of water. 

Another benefit of electrified heating is that it can be more cost-effective in the long run. While the upfront cost of purchasing and installing electric heating systems can be higher than traditional fossil fuel systems, the operating costs of electric heating systems in the form of heat pumps are dramatically lower. 

In addition to the environmental and cost benefits, heating electrification can also improve indoor air quality. Traditional fossil fuel heating systems can produce pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide, which can be harmful to human health. Electric heating systems do not produce these pollutants, making them a safer option for homes.

Types Of Electric Heating Systems

Electric-powered heating systems use electricity to generate heat and warm the indoor air. There are several types of electric heating systems, including:

• Heat pumps: Electric heat pumps are a type of heating system that extracts heat from the air, ground or water and uses it to warm the indoor space. They can be utilized for both heating and cooling and are more energy-efficient than traditional heating systems. 
• Electric resistance heating: Resistance heaters work by converting electricity into heat using an electrical current that passes through a resistor. They can come in several forms, such as baseboard heaters, electric furnaces, wall heaters and ceiling-mounted heaters.
• Radiant heating: Radiant heating systems use electric-powered cables or mats installed beneath the floor, walls or ceiling to generate heat. This type of heating system is often used in bathrooms or other small spaces and can be an energy-efficient way to warm up specific areas of the home.
• Electric boilers: Electric boilers are like traditional gas or oil boilers but use electric power to heat the water that circulates through the radiators or underfloor heating system. 
• GeoExchange: Geothermal heat pumps, also known as ground-source heat pumps or geoexchange systems, use electricity to power a heat pump. This extracts renewable energy as heat from the ground or water and transfers it into the home to warm the indoor space.

Heat Pumps – Your Best Choice

Heat pumps are a popular and efficient option for electrifying home heating, especially in new homes. There are two main types of heat pumps: air source and ground source.

• Air source heat pumps are the most common and cost-effective type, as they can provide both heating and cooling.
• Ground source heat pumps, also known as geothermal or GeoExchange heat pumps, are more expensive to install but are more efficient and have the lowest operating costs coupled with the longest life cycle. 

Heat pumps are highly efficient, with some air source heat pump models providing up to three times the heat energy for every unit of electricity used, which is especially helpful in cold climates.

GeoExchange heat pumps have been known to provide more than 6 times the energy for every 1 unit. They can also provide air conditioning in the summer and preheat your domestic hot water whilst improving the overall comfort of your home year-round.

Heat pumps are eligible for various government incentives and rebates, making them an attractive option for homeowners looking to reduce their carbon footprint and save on energy costs.

Government Incentives and Programs

The BC and Federal Governments have several incentives and programs to support the transition to electric home heating, including financial help if you have a low income.

• The CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program: by making select upgrades to your home’s energy efficiency, the program offers rebates of up to $6000 to help offset the cost.
• Canada Greener Homes Grant: a government program that provides financial support to homeowners for making energy-efficient upgrades to their homes. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for improvements such as insulation, air sealing and energy-efficient heating and cooling systems that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower energy bills.
• The BC Government’s Efficient Building Electrification program: BetterHomesBC and BetterBuildingsBC provide financial incentives, information and support to households and businesses for switching to high-efficiency heating equipment and making building-envelope improvements which help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote energy savings.
• The Federal Government Program for getting off of oil: Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program for those applicants who comply with having a lower income.  For the purchase and installation of eligible cold climate heat pump systems and any of the other associated measures that are necessary for the installation.  Is your home heated by oil?  Is your household at or below the medium household after-tax income?

Trust Lockhart Industries to Electrify Your Home or Business

The electrification of heating is an excellent way for building owners to reduce their carbon footprint and access clean energy. All-electric systems provide efficient, reliable heat while being kinder to the environment than fossil fuels.

At Lockhart Industries in Duncan, BC, we can help you choose the right solution for your home’s needs and guide you through installation and maintenance to ensure you get the most out of your system.

If you are looking to install heat pumps at your home or place of work (or both), but the cost is a concern, just remember there are many financial incentives to help you out!

Ask us for our handy BC Rebates Guide. 

With our expertise and knowledge, going electric has never been easier. So let us show you just how easy it is to say goodbye to fossil fuels today! CONTACT US HERE FOR SOLUTIONS!