Methane mandate would apply to all new buildings and major remodels — with just a few exceptions.
Last June, the city council in Boulder asked the city staff to explore a ban on gas in new and remodeled buildings. On Nov. 9, they heard the details of what that ban could look like.
The proposal would require electricity for space and water heating in all new residential and commercial construction, including major remodels. In this case, major would be defined as more than 50% of the floor space or those replacing major mechanical equipment.
The Boulder Reporting Lab explains that there would be exceptions: commercial kitchens could still use gas stoves, and laboratories and hospitals could use gas where necessary. But those buildings would have to offset any gas emissions with onsite solar.
The city staff will present the final draft of the proposed update to the city’s energy code to the municipal Planning Board on Jan. 2. After that, the council will get to review it. The staff members said they think this could go into effect on July 1.
Crested Butte was Colorado’s first jurisdiction to ban natural gas in new construction, but the ban has not yet had an effect, as no homes have been constructed under the law. Denver’s ban on gas in furnace and water heating in commercial and multifamily construction will become law in 2024.
Other jurisdictions in Colorado, including those in the Vail and Aspen areas, have been discussing similar moves, as have others in Boulder County.
In other words, the usual suspects.
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Modern gas furnaces are 95% efficient. Colorado’s electric grid is less than 65% efficient using generous assumptions about the contributions from renewables. What is wrong with our local governments that they ban the most efficient technology?
The other question is how well these electric based technologies will work in very cold weather. We get that in Colorado every winter.
Sounds like someone that works in the fossil fuel industry!
Heat pumps are 400% more efficient than furnaces, and not only heat, but also cool efficiently inexpensively and all done with the sun on the roof of the home with no cost or carbon emissions.
To install a gas furnace today with the climate crisis we live in is like buying a horse and buggy for transportation.
Good cold-climate air-source electric heat pump systems (really heat multipliers) in Colorado are almost 300% efficient seasonally, though dropping to 150% efficient during sub-zero (F) conditions. So, even with current generation mix, and no demand management, GHG pollution from HP heating is reduced because 300%/65% = 200% efficient vs. gas furnace at 95% efficient.
Somewhere Xcel estimated that it will take until 2040 for winter heat pump peaks to exceed summer AC peaks. So, no problem. If folks want 100% assurance, go ahead with hybrid heat with gas for a few dozen hours per year.
It’s not “a question” anymore. Thousands installed and working great. Though I’m sure someone could find a few not installed right and flog them incessantly.
Oops. 300% x 65% efficient.