Household Energy Transition Guide for the Lansing Area

Step 4:  Make a replacement plan

All of our household appliances and cars will likely need to be replaced by 2040.  It is very important that when we need to replace our existing household energy components, we do it wisely.  Here are some options for the main parts of home energy systems and what to consider when replacing them.

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Whether you need to replace something now, or are making a plan for the future, assess which options for replacement will work for you. Rebates for many replacements are available from BWL as are tax credits from the federal government.

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Home heating and cooling

Electrifying the heating and cooling system or HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system can have major benefits for a home. 

In general, the best replacement for current systems in our area is a ductless heat pump system.  A heat pump is basically a reversible refrigerator—it moves heat from one space to another.  When it is winter, it moves heat from the outside to the inside (yes there is heat even in winter air).  When it is summer, it moves heat from the inside to the outside, cooling the home. 

A ductless system moves the heat through a fluid that can heat or cool any space through an air handler in a room.  Multiple air handlers can be used with an external unit, and the different parts of a home can be heated and cooled (using a zone system).   No air ducts need to be added to a house for this system.

For homes with electric resistance heating (e.g. electric baseboards) or radiator based heating, ductless heat pumps offer major gains in efficiency and the ability to cool a home in summer.  These systems can make such homes more affordable (lowering energy bills) and more comfortable (adding cooling capacity).  These systems work well even in very cold climates.

For houses with air ducts, heat pumps can still be added for use with the ducted system.  The heat pump can cool the house in the summer (and be the primary air conditioner) and heat the house in the fall and spring.  In the winter, with a ducted system (which is less efficient than a ductless system), houses in our areas often need an additional source of heat.  Talk with your heating and cooling contractor about what might work well with your home.  You can find contractors who work with these systems through Michigan Saves, a nonprofit green bank.

Cooking

The best option for a cooking appliance is an induction stove.  An induction stove runs on electricity and uses magnets to heat the pan directly.  No heat is lost between the stove and the pan because the stove does not get hot!  This makes the induction stove both very efficient and safer than traditional stoves.  

In addition, the induction stove is able to both very quickly heat and rapidly change the temperature of pans.  This allows cooks to get the temperature control they love with gas, but without the emissions from the gas stove. 

Induction stoves may require new cookware.  Only pots and pans that respond to magnets will work.  If a refrigerator magnet sticks to the bottom of the pot, it will work.  If not, it will need to be replaced with an induction-ready pot. 

Water Heating

Depending on one’s home, there are several different ways to effectively and cleanly heat water.

One can pursue a tankless hot water system (where water is heated instantly and continuously only when one needs it) or a tanked hot water system.

Electric tankless systems are good options where one only occasionally needs hot water.  They can only heat so much water at once, so be sure to have them sized to what the maximal flow rate is for your household.  They can also be installed for each area of use (which would require electrical work most likely). 

For the standard hot water tank, heat pump hot water tanks (see also the following source) offer a substantial improvement over the traditional electric hot water tank.  Instead of using electrical resistance to heat water (an expensive route), the heat pump hot water tank takes the heat in the air around the tank to heat the water.  It will also dehumidify the space in the process (much like an air conditioner would). 

Finally, one can still find solar thermal hot water systems (although they are rarer with the rise of solar PV or photovoltaics– which produce electricity).  Here, the water in a tank is heated by fluid warmed by the sun.  These can be incredibly efficient systems, and in our area, a vertical solar thermal exchange system can work best year round (and not compete with solar PV space). 

Automobiles/Transportation

If you own a car, think about replacing it with an electric vehicle when it is time for a change.  Electric vehicles are cheaper to run (due to lower fuel and maintenance costs) and recent tax credits make them comparable in upfront costs.   They are also very quiet and fun to drive.

You may be worried about how you will charge an electric vehicle, particularly if you do not have your own driveway or garage.  While more robust charging infrastructure is being planned, you may not see it in your area yet.  If you have these concerns, consider a plug-in hybrid car.  If you charge it when you can, you can substantially reduce your fuel costs, without worrying about whether you can charge it all the time, because a gasoline engine kicks in once the charge is reduced. 

Clothes Dryer

Gas dryers can be readily replaced with an electric dryer.  A 220V plug will be needed for this replacement.  Aim for the most efficient model for your needs.