Carbon-free buildings
Heat pumps
Bay Area finalizes rules to boost heat-pump water heater adoption
The first-in-the-nation air regulation will limit the sale of residential gas water heaters in the region. It goes into effect in 2028, with some major exceptions.
By Alison F. Takemura .
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Electrification
After a gas furnace leak, this retiree went all-electric — for free
A low-income Baltimore homeowner got help from a nonprofit to install electric appliances and a solar array. She’s very thankful for the “blessings.”By Alison F. Takemura .
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Geothermal
Boise plans to tap its geothermal network to heat 300 affordable homes
Micron Technology gave $2.5 million to help fund work to expand the system for a new multifamily housing development, slashing utility bills for future residents.By Alison F. Takemura .
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Heat pumps
More heat pumps would actually be good for the grid, researchers find
In states with extra grid capacity in winter, heat pumps would help lower residential electricity rates by spreading out fixed costs, according to a new RMI study.By Alison F. Takemura .
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Electrification
This group-buy campaign makes it easier to switch to induction cooking
In Georgia and North Carolina, an electrification initiative has teamed up with startup Electra to lower the tech’s upfront cost and avoid expensive wiring upgrades.By Elizabeth Ouzts .
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Electrification
A new gas line or cash to electrify? California lets households choose.
Before replacing gas service lines, utilities will need to offer customers a financial incentive to electrify instead, thanks to a new law.By Alison F. Takemura .
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Heat pumps
Heat pumps have so far withstood the death of federal tax credits
Demand for the climate-friendly HVAC tech has persisted even after Republicans killed incentives, with 2026 set to be another good year for the sector.By Ysabelle Kempe .
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Carbon-free buildings
California cities face months of delays in building code approvals
State law AB 130 has stalled local building efficiency rules for up to nearly a year, hampering progress on climate goals.By Alison F. Takemura .
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Energy efficiency
This hidden device could free up gigawatts of power for the US grid
Millions of electric motors run inside the country’s buildings, often inefficiently. Variable frequency drives can slash motors’ power use and reduce grid strain.By Maria Gallucci .
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Electrification
Can this new induction stove help fuel the transition to clean cooking?
Copper's Charlie 2.0, to be manufactured by appliance giant Miele, comes with a battery that lets homes ditch the fossil fumes without an expensive electric upgrade.By Alison F. Takemura .
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Heat pumps
Massachusetts ups winter energy discounts for homes with heat pumps
It’s the only state that makes big utilities offer lower seasonal rates for heat pump owners, in an effort to boost adoption and create a fairer system.By Sarah Shemkus .
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