Electrify Everything

[early morning]

I thought that more than half of our electricity is generated by fossil fuels and/or nuclear? All of our appliances are electric but we heat with propane, and don't have central air. I don't see us being able to change that anytime soon. I really like the idea of home solar but I'm not giving up my trees - they really help with summer cooling. Still, I don't see how switching from gas or oil to electric is going to help that much overall, if we just use more fossil fuels to meet the increased electric demand.

edit to add - just saw Catherine's chart - good info!

[Rogar]

I now have an electric stove and wish I had gas. If the electricity goes out, as it often does in the winter here in the north ... you can't use the stove. We have electric heat in one room that we never use because it is too expensive to heat with electricity here. YLMV

BTW...DH just got an electric lawnmower and loves it.

I have a couple of basic camping stoves that are in reserve for power outages. I could probably do basic cooking for three or four days with the fuel I have.

I just replaced a ten year old cordless electric mower with a new model due to the battery not holding a good charge. They've improved over the years and are close to gas for power, plus no fooling around with gas. Anymore it seems a little silly to be using primitive gas mowers. It does point out some life cycle costs with battery production and disposal, though.

[Yppej]

I got rid of my lawn so no need for a mower. Perennial ground cover and flowers works for me.

[ApatheticNoMore]

California had a month recently it ran entirely on green energy. But it was spring so of course it wasn't the highest demand month of the year (I would guess that is like August). It helps to have the ability to have solar and wind.

[JaneV2.0]

We had nearly a week with no power years ago--which is a rare, rare occurrence. I can get along for a few days with uncooked food--but if I couldn't, there are solar generators and other portable power sources available now that don't blow up the neighborhood or suffocate you in your sleep.

[iris lilies]

I missed the memo about why natural gas is so bad. Do tell why.


I guess I’m such a victim of advertising because I think of it as “clean” as touted is those old ads, and it’s certainly inexpensive when compared to electric heat and etc.
I know that I hate electric stove to cook with.

But I also know that we’re blessed here in the Midwest with plenty of natural gas and it’s just not plentiful everywhere, and not even available in certain parts of the country.

[Rogar]

When natural gas burns it creates methane, which is a strong greenhouse gas. As a fossil fuel it's comparatively clean, but the story is that alternative renewable energies are preferred. There are other issues around exploration and production. Take it as you will. Here in the west wind and sun are also plentiful.

https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/...nvironment.php

[iris lilies]

We had nearly a week with no power years ago--which is a rare, rare occurrence. I can get along for a few days with uncooked food--but if I couldn't, there are solar generators and other portable power sources available now that don't blow up the neighborhood or suffocate you in your sleep.

Fear mongering. You are far more likely to be seriously injured in a car accident than having your house blow up from natural gas. As for the other, that’s why they put the stinky scent in it so that you can smell it.

Many years ago we are getting that natural gas odor outside, and when we called the gas company they came right out. They dnt s few around with gas leak reports. I don’t remember what the outcome was but it finally went away.

[JaneV2.0]

My all-electric house runs an average of $114 a month; a large percentage of that is hydro-powered.

Also, natural gas apparently causes not-insignificant levels of indoor pollution:

"Updated May 5, 2020: A Rocky Mountain Institute report, published today in collaboration with Physicians for Social Responsibility and others, underscores the UCLA modeling that cooking on gas can spike emissions of nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide to levels that would violate outdoor pollutant standards. The RMI report synthesizes two decades of health research, highlights key findings, and provides recommendations." (Natural Resources Defense Council)

If I find myself needing to micromanage cooking temperatures, I'll go with an induction cooktop.

[JaneV2.0]

Fear mongering. You are far more likely to be seriously injured in a car accident than having your house blow up from natural gas. As for the other, that’s why they put the stinky scent in it so that you can smell it.

Many years ago we are getting that natural gas odor outside, and when we call the gas company they came right out. Then I could for round with that stuff. I don’t remember what the outcome was but it finally went away.

That could very well be, but why add an unnecessary risk factor to my life? A few years ago, several houses in Seattle exploded due to some flaw in design or maintenance.