Energy Awareness 101: Electrification
- msmith627
- Oct 23
- 3 min read
Electrification 101
Beneficial electrification means swapping out fossil fuel-powered tech—like gas powered cars or appliances—for cleaner, electric options. It’s a smart move that’s good for your wallet, your home, and the planet.
Whether it’s an EV in your driveway or a heat pump in your home, making the switch is a powerful way to take control of your energy use—and help build a cleaner future, one plug at a time.
Process of Electrification
Fossil fuels are costly and create polluting emissions that drive climate change. But Maine is making moves towards a cleaner, more resilient energy future! At the State transitions to a renewable electric grid (67% of RPS), we will continue to cut our reliance on fossil fuels.
Did you know Maine has been the most oil-dependent state in the U.S.? Thanks to support from Efficiency Maine, the number of homes using heating oil has dropped significantly—from 70% in 2010 to just over 50% in 2023.
Electrification is happening at the market level with more advances electric technology available each year - but it’s driven in part by us, the consumers. More and more Mainers are choosing to switch to electricity to power their home heating and cars.
Given the cleaner electric grid, when we make the investment in electric appliances and technologies we are minimizing our reliance on fossil fuels, like gas and oil, and transitioning to clean, renewable power. Electrifying everything is the only way to leverage the renewable energy that is entering the grid.
When we electrify, homeowners and renters alike can save money, reduce emissions, and support a more resilient energy future.
Benefits
Beneficial electrification can lower both upfront costs (thanks to rebates and incentives) and ongoing costs (through energy savings). An average family could save $1,050 to $2,585 a year through electrification.
Switching to electric appliances and vehicles significantly reduces your household’s greenhouse emissions. Full replacement of an existing heating system with heat pumps can reduce greenhouse emissions 60-70%.
Fossil fuels used indoors - especially gas stoves and heaters - can pose hidden health risks such as poor air quality.
Electric technologies today are more advanced than ever, offering greater control, flexibility, and comfort.
The Star of Beneficial Electrification: Heat Pumps
Over 100,000 heat pumps have been installed in Maine homes and businesses and they are now more common than oil heat in new homes. Efficiency Maine offers rebates for high-efficiency heat pumps for residential, low-income, and commercial customers.
Heat pumps have advanced technology energy efficiency that allow them to be 3‐5 times more energy efficient than gas boilers, which makes them cheaper to run. You could save $413 a year on utilities after installing a heat pump!
Reviews of Heat Pumps
“It saved me on heating costs, it runs very quietly, and it circulates well around my house. It’s been great and works much better than I thought it would.” — Dustin C., Orrington
“They have been efficient. We didn’t spend the winter being chilled and not wanting to turn the heat up to use the furnace. They’ve been great.” — Peter G., Rockland
Rewiring America has a guide on how to Electrify Everything in Your Home. This guide is an easy to understand step-by-step process on how to switch to electrical appliances and how to save money.
Electrification + Efficiency + Renewables = Maximum Impact
Electrification works best in combination with energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy. When you pair efficient electric appliances with solar panels or a clean energy grid, you get the most value—both financially and environmentally.
