Building electrification, or the process of replacing technologies that use fossil fuels like natural gas furnaces or boilers with electrically powered equipment such as heat pumps, is one of the most important strategies to reduce emissions and contribute to climate objectives in British Columbia (BC). For homeowners, making the switch can result in a net reduction in overall energy use and costs, reduced household carbon pollution, and improved indoor air quality. According to a summary report of a survey of BC homeowners who converted their heating systems from natural gas furnaces or boilers to electric air-source heat pumps, two-thirds of study participants pay the same or less in overall energy costs to heat and cool than they did before the switch, and their utility bills have dropped 10% on average. Homeowners additionally reduced their household carbon pollution by an average of 73%.

Despite these kinds of benefits, concerns have been raised that homeowners in all-electric homes may be at greater risk during power outages than those having both natural gas and electricity. Electricity is central in day-to-day life at home, providing energy to space heating and cooling and domestic hot water systems, powering appliances and lighting, and supporting various activities, including communication, teleworking, and entertainment. Electricity is also critical for operating life-support medical equipment for people who rely on them to live independently.

This reliance on electricity naturally translates into the potential for significant concerns when the power goes out. But what is the actual risk to all-electric homes? Is it actually greater than for gas-heated homes? The goal of this report is to explore this issue in further depth, in the hopes of alleviating fears among all-electric homeowners about the potential impacts of power outages and providing them with strategies to enhance their comfort, safety, and resilience in all-electric homes.