Think You Know Electrification? This NGIG Event Might Change Your Mind
2:44
Missed the NGIG session on electrification? Watch the full discussion to see how experts are rethinking the path to all-electric homes.
Conventional wisdom suggests that a high-performance building envelope is a prerequisite for electrification. You are supposed to reduce demand first through insulation, air sealing, and energy-efficient upgrades before you replace mechanical systems. We’re told that installing a heat pump in an inefficient, leaky home is a recipe for high bills and underperformance.
But what if that sentiment no longer rings true?
In a recent Next Generation Influencer Group (NGIG) session, Steve Byers, CEO of EnergyLogic, one of the nation’s leading energy rating companies, presented a compelling case for reexamining this approach.
Drawing on data from Clean Technica, Byers noted that even aggressive envelope improvements often yield just a 10–20% gain in real-world energy efficiency—well below the 25–50% predicted by models. The discrepancy, he explained, is largely behavioral: when comfort improves, occupants often increase their energy use.
This doesn’t mean envelope upgrades are unimportant–they certainly are, but it does suggest they need not precede electrification at all costs. Byers suggested that even a modest improvement may be sufficient to move forward with systems like heat pumps, particularly when emissions reduction is the primary goal.
Still, some NGIG members voiced caution. Heat pump skepticism, especially in colder climates, is real. If a homeowner installs one in a poorly prepped home and it underperforms, that single bad experience can ripple out and hurt heat pump adoption. For these areas, following the conventional steps might still be the safest approach, at least for now.
Another key barrier discussed was electrical capacity. Homeowners often don’t know whether their existing electric panels can support a fully electrified home. Members expressed hope that tools, potentially powered by AI, could be developed to help assess panel readiness and guide upgrade decisions.
To hear more about when and how to electrify, including the data that challenges traditional thinking, watch the full recording of our NGIG session with Steve Byers. Whether you're a builder or homeowner navigating this transition, the insights shared can help you make smarter, more strategic decisions around home electrification.
Don’t miss this opportunity to rethink what’s possible!
Victoria Muharsky is an ESG specialist at Green Builder Media, where she leads the ESG for Building Working Group. Under her guidance, the group has successfully overseen the release of the groundbreaking ESG Defining Principles. Crafted collaboratively by industry experts, these guidelines are revolutionizing the homebuilding sector's approach to ESG and sustainability.
Think You Know Electrification? This NGIG Event Might Change Your Mind
Missed the NGIG session on electrification? Watch the full discussion to see how experts are rethinking the path to all-electric homes.
Conventional wisdom suggests that a high-performance building envelope is a prerequisite for electrification. You are supposed to reduce demand first through insulation, air sealing, and energy-efficient upgrades before you replace mechanical systems. We’re told that installing a heat pump in an inefficient, leaky home is a recipe for high bills and underperformance.
But what if that sentiment no longer rings true?
In a recent Next Generation Influencer Group (NGIG) session, Steve Byers, CEO of EnergyLogic, one of the nation’s leading energy rating companies, presented a compelling case for reexamining this approach.
Drawing on data from Clean Technica, Byers noted that even aggressive envelope improvements often yield just a 10–20% gain in real-world energy efficiency—well below the 25–50% predicted by models. The discrepancy, he explained, is largely behavioral: when comfort improves, occupants often increase their energy use.
This doesn’t mean envelope upgrades are unimportant–they certainly are, but it does suggest they need not precede electrification at all costs. Byers suggested that even a modest improvement may be sufficient to move forward with systems like heat pumps, particularly when emissions reduction is the primary goal.
“RMI has determined that replacing fossil fuel heating systems with heat pumps yields lifetime emission reductions of up to 93%, even with the current grid,” Byers noted.
Still, some NGIG members voiced caution. Heat pump skepticism, especially in colder climates, is real. If a homeowner installs one in a poorly prepped home and it underperforms, that single bad experience can ripple out and hurt heat pump adoption. For these areas, following the conventional steps might still be the safest approach, at least for now.
Another key barrier discussed was electrical capacity. Homeowners often don’t know whether their existing electric panels can support a fully electrified home. Members expressed hope that tools, potentially powered by AI, could be developed to help assess panel readiness and guide upgrade decisions.
To hear more about when and how to electrify, including the data that challenges traditional thinking, watch the full recording of our NGIG session with Steve Byers. Whether you're a builder or homeowner navigating this transition, the insights shared can help you make smarter, more strategic decisions around home electrification.
Don’t miss this opportunity to rethink what’s possible!
Publisher’s Note: This content is made possible by our Today’s Homeowner Campaign Sponsors: Whirlpool Corporation. Whirlpool Corporation takes sustainability seriously, in both their products and their operations. Learn more about building and buying homes that are more affordable and less resource intensive.
By Victoria Muharsky
Victoria Muharsky is an ESG specialist at Green Builder Media, where she leads the ESG for Building Working Group. Under her guidance, the group has successfully overseen the release of the groundbreaking ESG Defining Principles. Crafted collaboratively by industry experts, these guidelines are revolutionizing the homebuilding sector's approach to ESG and sustainability.Also Read