(558b) Electrification As a Pathway to Green Living: Economic and Environmental Outcomes in U.S. Multifamily Housing

As the urgency to address climate change intensifies, the electrification of multifamily buildings emerges as a crucial strategy for reducing carbon emissions and enhancing energy efficiency. This study delves into the environmental and economic impacts of transitioning multifamily residences from mixed-fuel to fully electrified systems across the United States. Utilizing calibrated building energy models (BEMs), this study assesses the performance of electrified buildings in terms of energy consumption, carbon dioxide emissions, and economic viability. Our findings reveal a notable decrease in energy usage and carbon emissions in nearly all electrified models, with 22 states showing enhanced or comparable performance to traditional systems. A sensitivity analysis further illustrates the economic feasibility of electrification, highlighting a potential shift towards affordability for tenants amidst evolving energy pricing and grid decarbonization efforts. Through case studies and policy analysis, this research underscores the importance of incorporating multifamily buildings into the broader electrification narrative, proposing electrification as an optimistic solution for achieving sustainability and affordability in the residential sector.