By Mike Buza
For more than 15 years I have been transitioning my life from fossil fuels to electric energy sources. In the last two years, spurred on by Biden's Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax incentives, I have taken a number of significant steps to completely electrify my life (almost). My wife and I purchased Electric Vehicles (EVs). I have switched out my gas water heater for an electric heat pump water heater. I have switched out my gas stove for an induction cooktop/convection oven combination. The main lesson I learned is that high-efficiency electrical appliances may cost more up front, but save you money in the long run. Electrical appliances most often outperform their fossil fuel counterparts.
My most recent and final step toward total electrification was to install a heat pump to heat and cool my house. This is where the “sort of” comes in. My son is an HVAC contractor. We had several discussions about the best heat system to install. He understands my passion to have a zero-carbon lifestyle and supports it. However, he says that the extremely high-efficiency heat pumps have some reliability issues, and obtaining parts in case of a breakdown can be a lengthy process. My home is not situated for a geothermal option and neither is my budget. That means using an extremely high-efficient air-sourced heat pump with reliability issues to exclusively heat a house in mid-Michigan is problematic. I settled for a less efficient heat pump that is more reliable (but still considered high-efficiency) as my primary heat source with a natural gas backup. My home will be heated with the heat pump down to 25 degrees. After that point, the gas takes over heating the house. I assume that with global warming, my heat pump will take over more heating duties of the house. Although from an environmental perspective my solution is not ideal, it will dramatically reduce my carbon footprint and provide a reliable heating system.
I couldn’t be more pleased with my purchase of a convection oven with an induction cooktop. A convection oven uses a fan in the oven to speed the cooking process. It can be used as an air fryer or to dehydrate food for long-term storage. It basically can serve the function of several other appliances.
As a longtime owner of a gas range, I am pleased with the superior performance of an induction cooktop. Since the oven does not burn fossil fuel, it is much healthier for you. A 2024 study https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/1/75 concluded that 12.7% of current childhood asthma in the United States is attributable to gas stove use. Consumer Reports found that induction cooktops heat food much faster and more evenly, which has been my experience. Pros and Cons of Induction Cooktops and Ranges - Consumer Reports Cleaning off the smooth cooktop is a cinch. As an additional safety feature, the stovetop heats a pan directly through induction, making it more difficult to burn the user because only the pan heats up. Efficiency is crucial in fighting global warming, and induction stoves are more efficient than resistance electric or gas stoves since the pot is heated directly. The only drawback is the need to use magnetic cookware like most stainless steel or cast iron.
One of the other major energy users in homes is the hot water tank. Gas hot water tanks waste a lot of energy, and the exhaust heat from a gas hot water heater is wasted energy. That is why heat pump water heaters use up to 70% less energy than gas water heaters. Gas Water Heater Vs Heat Pump: A Comprehensive Comparison 2025 Heat pump water heaters are two to three times more efficient than the typical electrical resistance water heaters.
Rooftop solar is an excellent method to power electrical devices. My solar panels were installed 15 years ago and paid for themselves after approximately nine years, meaning that for the last six years every kWh they produce is free. The life expectancy of rooftop solar is 40 years. Solar power is simply the best investment I have ever made. The price to install a system similar to mine is cheaper today, even after the tax incentives will be discontinued at the end of the year. In addition, the cost of electricity from utilities continues to rise, making rooftop solar an even better investment. How Has The Price And Efficiency Of Solar Panels Changed Over Time?
If you completely or partially electrify your home, it is a good idea to have a home battery. In the U.S., weather-related power outages doubled in 2024. U.S. Power Outages Nearly Double in 2024, Driven by Major Weather Events | TD World This trend is expected to continue. Home batteries can be programmed to store energy when electricity costs are low and use the stored electricity when prices are high. Home batteries can also stabilize the grid, a benefit to all of us. Home battery 101: Why they’re good for the grid and great for you
The 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) organized to discuss the world’s progress toward addressing global warming made abundantly clear that we are behind where we should be in reducing carbon emissions. President Donald Trump has called global warming a hoax and has reversed many of the initiatives this country has taken to address carbon emissions, leading some people to believe that there is nothing one person can do. However, a significant share of carbon emissions stems from individual decisions in everyday life. Electrifying your life is a win-win-win. It is good for the planet, it is good for your health, and in the long run it is good for your pocketbook.
If you have any questions or comments about this subject, direct them to Mike Buza at theoriginalzuba@yahoo.com.