Will Electric Heat Raise Or Cut Emissions?

Written By Teacher: Teresa Pettitt-Kenney

Hi there! My name is Teresa and I just finished my Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science and am excited to pursue environmental education in the future! I am extremely passionate about climate change, equitable climate action, and how education can work to address these issues. 

Energy use in buildings is often overlooked, but is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions! Providing younger students with knowledge surrounding energy use makes tasks like unplugging electronics and turning off all the classroom lights feel meaningful! Older students can explore more into what rreducing emissions requires and if it’s possible to transition away from fossil fuels. Help students explore solutions with engaging resources like Solar Hot Water, Why Heaters Are the Future of Cooling, and Energy and Climate Change to connect energy choices with climate action.

Written By: MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative

The MIT Climate Change Engagement Program, a part of MIT Climate HQ, provides the public with nonpartisan, easy-to-understand, and scientifically-grounded information on climate change and its solutions.

Energy to power buildings is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions globally. Buildings contribute to greenhouse gas emissions when they use electricity from a grid powered by fossil fuels, or when they burn fossil fuels on-site for heating or cooking appliances.

Lowering greenhouse gas emissions from buildings requires two steps. First, we need all buildings to be free of on-site fossil fuels. Second, we need a clean electricity grid that these buildings can then rely on for all of their energy.

Today, a building with all-electric heat may generate more emissions than a building with on-site fossil fuels, depending on the electric grid it relies on. That’s because the fossil fuel burned on-site would usually be methane gas, while the electric heat may depend on electricity from a coal-fired power plant—and coal releases almost twice as much carbon dioxide when burned as methane gas does.