Want a climate-friendly home? You might need a new breaker box. » Yale Climate Connections – GWC Mag

Many people are replacing their old, fossil-fuel-powered furnaces and gas stoves with new electric heat pumps and induction stoves.

But some hit a snag when they find out that their home’s electrical panel, or breaker box, cannot handle all the extra electricity they’ll need.

Fowler: “That’s when you realize, oh, I need a little more juice.”

Eric Fowler is with the nonprofit Fresh Energy, which advocates for clean energy in Minnesota.

Fowler: “We want folks to be able to have the option to even consider those electric alternatives. But you can’t do that if you’re already hitting up against the maximum amount of electricity that your panel can supply.”

He recommends upgrading to a 200-amp panel before going fully electric.

Fowler: “You might even be OK with less, but you’re really probably good for an all-electric home with 200 amps.’”

You might also need to have the wires leading into your home upgraded so your utility company can provide you with enough power.

These improvements can be expensive.

But federal tax credits can now help people afford to upgrade their electrical panels when they install a heat pump or other qualified electric appliance.

So upgrading to an all-electric and less polluting home is now easier than ever.

Reporting credit: Ethan Freedman/ChavoBart Digital Media

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