Ready to switch from gas to electric appliances? Here’s how

By rejecting Berkeley, California’s ban on natural gas lines in new buildings, a federal appeals court has thrown into doubt dozens of similar prohibitions. But what does it mean for you?

The ruling won’t stop gas appliances from polluting homes and emitting greenhouse gases. And the sort of ordinance at issue applied only to new construction, not the gas appliances already in homes.

So the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision doesn’t have any bearing on homeowners considering a switch to electric appliances. Nor is it going to stop developers from building natural-gas-free homes, given that there is demand for them — witness the all-electric developments popping up around Southern California.

There are still health and climate reasons to take the leap, along with subsidies to trim the cost. Yet there are other considerations that may keep you wedded to natural gas, at least for now.

Here’s a guide to what’s involved in switching away from natural gas in your home, including the financial incentives offered by utilities and government agencies.

Which appliances use natural gas?

The appliances most likely to be powered by gas in your home are the furnace or wall-mounted heater, water heater, clothes