Electricity and natural gas are the primary energy sources used in buildings, but natural gas alone accounts for 87% of emissions in this sector. To meet Redwood City’s 2030 emissions reduction target, we must significantly cut our reliance on natural gas through a combination of building electrification, renewable energy adoption, and energy efficiency improvements.
What Does "Electrification" Mean?
Electrification refers to the process of replacing technologies that use fossil fuels (propane, fuel oil, and natural gas) with technologies that use electricity as a source of energy. Replacing a gas-burning stove with an induction stove, swapping out a traditional gas furnace for an electric heat pump, or even switching from a gas car to an electric vehicle are all examples of electrification. Electrification is a key solution for reducing GHGs – especially as we make our electric grid cleaner with energy sources like solar and wind.
Electrification
Moving Away from Natural Gas
Natural gas is commonly used in homes for heating, cooking, and hot water. In Redwood City, residential gas usage per capita decreased by 5% between 2017 and 2021. This reduction reflects the growing trend of residents electrifying their homes, with more houses making the switch to electric power. Residents can be part of this trend by replacing gas appliances with electric ones, such as switching to induction stoves, heat pumps for heating and cooling, or electric water heaters. These changes not only help reduce emissions but also contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable community.
Natural Gas - Heated Homes (2017)
Share of Homes = 70%
Natural Gas - Heated Homes (2021)
Share of Homes = 65%
Renewable Energy
Cleaning Up the Grid with Renewables
Electrifying our homes, businesses and public buildings can only reduce GHG emissions if the electricity we utilize is clean. That’s where renewable energy comes in. The more we support our utilities in bringing these emissions-free, sustainable sources of power – solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, and more – online, the cleaner our electric grid becomes. Here in Redwood City, utilities like PCE are already leading the way by offering customers up to 100% renewable energy-sourced electricity plans.
Unreliable? Too Expensive? Bust Common Renewable Energy Myths
Get a $500 Redwood City Rebate for Installing Solar on Your Home
What You Can Do
Go Electric for a Sustainable, Safer Home
Everyone is electrifying! Access these resources and get started today.