Considering The Switch To Electric Heating? Think Twice…!

Recent legislation in states across the country would drastically change the way families heat their homes, with what seems like a worthwhile goal of eliminating fossil fuels to attain net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

But things aren’t always what they seem!

While we here at Hocon recognize the need to address climate change, we also know that the rollout of these bills would force drastic, costly changes for you and your family, with little chance of achieving the plan’s emissions-savings goals.

What Happens When We Electrify Everything?

Consider these problems with all-out electrification:

• The bill, and others like it, aims to replace oil- and propane-fired boilers and furnaces with electric-powered heat pumps. However, more than half the electricity generated in Connecticut comes from burning natural gas, which is mostly methane – a gas that is more than 80 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide. That will leave little change in Connecticut’s carbon footprint – in fact, it could actually expand it, especially when you consider that somewhere between eight and fifteen percent of the electricity produced by plants is lost en route to your home.
• The energy grid is already fragile and prone to brownouts during hot summer days. How can it be expected to handle the demands of a bitterly cold New England winter?
• Electric heat pumps are now fairly common as secondary sources of heat. However, their efficiency drops dramatically in cold weather – a problem propane and oil-fired systems don’t have. With electric heat pumps, be prepared for cold nights.
• According to regional data, the average cost to install a heat pump could be more than $20,000 – about double the replacement cost of today’s oil- and propane-fired boilers and furnaces.

The Bottom Line

Sometimes the best change is the change you don’t make. Don’t rush to electrification – get the facts. Improvements in oil and propane equipment efficiency and oil and propane emissions profiles make both fuels prime candidates for a seat at the clean energy table. Don’t count them out!

For reliable delivery of today’s cleaner, greener propane and heating oil, trust the pros at Hocon. Contact us today to learn more about reliable heating oil and propane deliveries in CT!