Several commenters have noted that they had recently purchased gas appliances or a new gas car. These people are understandably concerned about the idea that they might need to replace these new devices if we want to get to zero emissions.
We completely understand these concerns. I have to tell you, I moved to Fairfax about five years ago, and, like these folks, I had to buy a new water heater, new furnace, new stove, and new clothes dryer. I am also really unhappy that I bought appliances powered by burning natural gas, and now I learn that I need to eventually replace them with electric devices (and, an electric fireplace!).
So, three things.
First, no matter what your situation is, you can do things to reduce the amount of methane you burn. We can't afford to run out and buy new everything, either. So, we decided to do the following:
1. We bought an induction hot plate. It works just like an induction stove, and it's great. With this, we get all of the benefits of induction cooking without having to buy a whole new stove or upgrade our electrical service. No gas for cooking. Money saved.
2. We hang our laundry outside on a line to dry. No gas for drying. Money saved.
3. We boil water in an electric kettle. No gas cooking. Money saved.
4. We keep the temperature in our house as low as we can tolerate, especially when we are not home. Less gas heating. Money saved.
5. We turn the water off when we are soaping in a shower, we take only showers, we wash our dishes and our hands in cold water. Less water used, less gas used for hot water. Money saved.
All of us can do these things right now, even if we do have natural gas appliances.
Second, we can all hope that, over the next ten years, the costs for these technologies will continue to decline, and the incentives to electrify will continue to be available. Over the next ten years, many cars will need to be replaced, many devices will wear out. If we are all paying attention, every time this happens, we can start to make the needed switches.
Third, and most important, if you need to buy a new car or a new appliance or a new water heater or a new furnace - BUY ELECTRIC NOW! Every new gas appliance purchased now just digs us into a deeper hole that will be more expensive to climb up and out of later.
We get that this is not easy. We are going to do everything we can to help everyone make the transition in the easiest, least expensive way possible.
Thank you for caring.
We completely understand these concerns. I have to tell you, I moved to Fairfax about five years ago, and, like these folks, I had to buy a new water heater, new furnace, new stove, and new clothes dryer. I am also really unhappy that I bought appliances powered by burning natural gas, and now I learn that I need to eventually replace them with electric devices (and, an electric fireplace!).
So, three things.
First, no matter what your situation is, you can do things to reduce the amount of methane you burn. We can't afford to run out and buy new everything, either. So, we decided to do the following:
1. We bought an induction hot plate. It works just like an induction stove, and it's great. With this, we get all of the benefits of induction cooking without having to buy a whole new stove or upgrade our electrical service. No gas for cooking. Money saved.
2. We hang our laundry outside on a line to dry. No gas for drying. Money saved.
3. We boil water in an electric kettle. No gas cooking. Money saved.
4. We keep the temperature in our house as low as we can tolerate, especially when we are not home. Less gas heating. Money saved.
5. We turn the water off when we are soaping in a shower, we take only showers, we wash our dishes and our hands in cold water. Less water used, less gas used for hot water. Money saved.
All of us can do these things right now, even if we do have natural gas appliances.
Second, we can all hope that, over the next ten years, the costs for these technologies will continue to decline, and the incentives to electrify will continue to be available. Over the next ten years, many cars will need to be replaced, many devices will wear out. If we are all paying attention, every time this happens, we can start to make the needed switches.
Third, and most important, if you need to buy a new car or a new appliance or a new water heater or a new furnace - BUY ELECTRIC NOW! Every new gas appliance purchased now just digs us into a deeper hole that will be more expensive to climb up and out of later.
We get that this is not easy. We are going to do everything we can to help everyone make the transition in the easiest, least expensive way possible.
Thank you for caring.
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