n 2022, the Mt. Lebanon Commission passed a resolution to reduce carbon emissions to a net zero by the year 2050. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines net zero as consuming only as much energy as produced, achieving a sustainable balance between water availability and demand, and eliminating solid waste sent to landfills.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), electrification is at the heart of carbon neutrality. Electricity generated from clean, renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, can lower greenhouse gas emissions, while also lowering energy costs.

Electrification technologies are often more energy-efficient than fossil fuels. Switching to electricity, while it will increase your electric bill, will often result in an overall savings of energy costs, as we decrease our reliance on fossil fuels.

The EPA’s inventory of greenhouse gas emissions shows that vehicles and residential and commercial building account for more than 40 percent of all gases generated.

If you are considering moving toward electrifying your home, a good first step is to conduct a home energy assessment, either by hiring a professional, or following the DOE’s guide for doing the assessment yourself .

Once you’ve completed the assessment, you can make a plan for short- and long-term electrification.

Purchasing renewable energy:

The Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (PUC) offers consumers the chance to receive their power from more environmentally friendly sources. Visit papowerswitch.com for details. North Carolina State University’s Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency has a state-by-state listing of tax credits and other financial assistance for switching to more energy-efficient power sources.

Heat pumps:

Heat pumps differ from air conditioners in that they can both cool and heat a home. A reversing valve allows the pump to reverse the flow of refrigerant, bringing heat inside in cold weather, and moving it out in summer, while traditional air conditioners only remove hot air from the home.

Heat pump water heaters use electricity to move heat from one place to another instead of generating heat directly, and can be two or three times more efficient than conventional water heaters, according to the DOE.

Electric stoves:

Electric induction cooktops and ranges are up to three times more efficient than gas stoves. Although they’re more expensive than radiant electric stoves, the cost can be balanced out by long-term energy savings. Switching from gas to electric carries a one-time cost. One caveat: Some pacemaker patients may be at risk. If you have a pacemaker, consult with your physician before making the switch.

Electric vehicles:

All-electric vehicles rely on batteries, which are charged by plugging the vehicle into a charger. A fully charged battery can power an electric vehicle for 150 to 400 miles. Hybrids run on a mixture of gasoline and electricity, and can travel 15 to 60 miles on electricity alone.

All-electric vehicles produce no greenhouse gas emissions, and hybrids release emissions only when powered by gasoline. In miles per gallon equivalent (mpge)— how far the vehicle can travel using an amount of energy equal to one gallon of gasoline—all-electric vehicles average more than 100 mpge, and hybrids’s efficiency is around 90 mpge.

Although the vehicles typically come with a higher price tag, both new and used electric vehicles are eligible for federal tax credits to defray the purchase price, and the DOE estimates drivers can save about $1,000 per year in fuel costs.

Electric vehicle chargers come in three levels. Level 1 chargers plug into a typical household 120 volt outlet. Although Level 1 chargers are the easiest way of charging, they are also the slowest, adding on average two to four miles of range per hour. Never plug your Level 1 charger’s cord into an extension cord, as the wire’s additional length creates resistance that may overheat the extension cord and could also cause the charging equipment to fault out and stop charging.

Level 2 chargers, the type most commonly found in public charging stations, require a 240 volt outlet, and can charge at a rate of 12 to 32 miles of driving range for each hour of charging. Level 3 chargers are the fastest, adding around 100 to 250 miles of range in less than an hour. Level 3 chargers require between 400 and 800 volts. Consult with an electrician before choosing the correct type of charger for your vehicle.

Rooftop solar panels:

Rooftop solar panels turn sunlight into electricity by converting the light’s photons into electrons of direct current electricity, which then flow into an inverter, which converts it into the alternating current electricity that powers electronic devices and home appliances.

Inverters come in different types.

String inverters, the least expensive option, are standalone boxes connected to a string of solar panels wired together. They last, on average, between five and 12 years. A drawback of string inverters is, if one panel is shaded, all panels reduce output, and if one of the panels in the string fails, it results in all of the panels on the string failing.

Microinverters are smaller inverters built into each individual solar panel. This means the panels are independent, which can be good for later expansion. Although more expensive, microinverters can be more efficient and longer lasting, but finding and replacing broken inverters  can be challenging.

Power optimizers are similar to microinverters in that there is one on each panel, but they work in connection with string inverters, collecting the direct current electricity and passing it on to a central inverter. Power optimizers are good for roofs that have shade issues, as they can boost the efficiency of string inverters. Their performance and cost is between microinverters and central inverters, with 25-year warranties.

Solar panels typically have a lifespan of 20 to 25 years. With that in mind, you may want to consider replacing your roof before installing the panels.

Rewiring America, an electrification nonprofit, recommends taking a look at your electric bills over the past year, and upgrading to more energy-efficient appliances before installing the panels, to reduce the load.

One tool in determining if solar panels are right for your home is the  National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s photovoltaic watts calculator.