WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rewiring America released Breathe easy: Household electrification as a public health intervention to improve outdoor air quality, a new analysis that models the health benefits of electrifying homes in communities across the U.S.  

The study finds that electrifying the nation’s homes would notably improve outdoor air quality, leading to 3,400 fewer premature deaths, 1,300 fewer hospital admissions and ER visits, 220,000 fewer asthma attacks, and 670,000 fewer days of reduced activity or missed work for Americans each year. 

While electrification is often discussed as a key strategy in addressing the climate crisis and lowering energy bills, this new research helps establish electrification as a public health intervention with wide-reaching potential. The report finds that converting America’s heating, drying, and water heating from older fossil fuel and inefficient electric appliances to modern, more efficient heat pumps will result in about $40 billion in health benefits every year.

Currently, home space heating, water heating, and clothes drying that rely on fossil fuels or inefficient electric resistance emit more than half a million tons of fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and its precursors) outside our homes each year. This pollution negatively impacts public health, causing cardiac events, respiratory issues, and even premature death — all of which disproportionately affect children, seniors, and those with preexisting health conditions. This new analysis shows that electrification, combined with an electricity grid that is continuously getting cleaner, will reduce total outdoor air pollution from PM2.5 and its precursors by 300,000 tons a year — the equivalent of taking 40 million gasoline-powered cars off the road.

“We often talk about what electrification means for the climate or our wallets but not always about our health or quality of life,” said Wael Kanj, senior researcher associate at Rewiring America. “Our analysis shows that electrification means less pollution, fewer health complications, and a healthier country.” 

“To combat climate change, improve lung health, and ensure cleaner air for all, we must prioritize access to clean and affordable energy solutions,” said William Barrett, senior director, nationwide advocacy, clean air at the American Lung Association. “Transitioning to modern, electric appliances not only reduces harmful emissions but also significantly enhances outdoor air quality, leading to healthier communities and lower healthcare costs. The potential for improving public health through residential electrification is immense, making it a critical investment in a healthier, more sustainable future.”

“Because we interact with our homes every day, it's difficult to recognize the impact they might have on our health. But the truth is they do, and this report lays out some of the negative impacts fossil fuel appliances have on public health,” said Jonathan Levy, ScD, chair of the department of environmental health at Boston University School of Public Health. “The good news is that this modeling allows those of us in the public health space to more clearly discuss how residential electrification can lead to cleaner air and public health benefits, further making the case for continued public investment.”

Rewiring America is the leading electrification nonprofit, focused on electrifying our homes, businesses, and communities. We develop accessible, actionable data and tools, and build coalitions and partnerships to make going electric easier for households and communities. Rewiring America helps Americans save money, tackle nationwide emissions goals, improve health, and build the next generation of the clean energy workforce. We believe in an abundant, flourishing, climate-safe future, and know that, together, we can realize one.