At a substantial benefit to themselves and to the planet, homeowners these days are increasingly choosing to upgrade to electric systems for heating, cooling, appliances, and all their other needs. 

Unfortunately, for those who don't, natural gas pipelines are becoming an all-around drain.

What's happening?

In this day and age, gas appliances are everywhere, from stovetops to water heaters. However, as going electric becomes a more and more promising option for homeowners looking to slash their energy bills while reducing their carbon impacts, America's natural gas pipelines are beginning to go down in what researchers at the University of Notre Dame have termed a "death spiral."

While petroleum refineries face major supply losses if they operate below a certain benchmark efficiency, natural gas pipelines experience a financial toll when they have to dispense their fuel supply to fewer customers. The result, in either case, manifests as higher prices for the consumer. 

To get a head start on electrical appliances and better understand your home heating and cooling options, check out Mitsubishi, one of The Cool Down's top trusted partners.

Why is this "death spiral" important?

While existing models for declining dirty fuel dependence might account for gradual changes at a large scale, the current push for decarbonization renders these frameworks virtually inapplicable to the rate at which homeowners are making the switch.

"None of these systems were designed with their own obsolescence in mind," noted one Notre Dame researcher.

With natural gas providers spreading their supply across the same pipelines, power and maintenance costs are sure to rise for gas appliances. Moreover, since the fossil fuel market is in uncharted territory with the turn to electricity, homeowners with gas appliances may face consequences for which they are woefully unprepared. 

What's being done about rising dirty fuel prices?

The research team at Notre Dame put forth a few recommendations, including facility viability threshold tracking and collaboration across consumer boundaries, but legalities like anti-collusion laws make adaptation difficult.

Meanwhile, recording fossil fuel facility outcomes is essential to staying prepared with replacement facilities. According to these scientists, failure to properly track and determine transition points could result in an "expensive, unstable mid-transition state."

For your part, choosing renewable energy alternatives to fossil fuels may be in your best interest.

Which of these savings plans for rooftop solar panels would be most appealing for you? Save $1,000 this year 💸 Save less this year but $20k in 10 years 💰 Save less in 10 years but $80k in 20 years 🤑 Couldn't pay me to go solar 😒 Click your choice to see results and earn rewards to spend on home upgrades.

Smart upgrades that slash monthly bills

Now that polluting fuels are on the decline, going electric may be one of the only ways to avoid a monthly price hike in your energy bills.

• Mitsubishi can help you find efficient heating and cooling solutions for your home and connect you with trusted installers 
• Not ready to spend up front? Palmetto's $0-down HVAC leasing program can lower your energy costs by up to 50% 
• TCD's HVAC Explorer makes it easy to access exclusive offers from preferred partners 

If you're interested in leasing electrical systems like HVACs rather than committing upfront, check out Palmetto's leasing options, many of which start as low as $99 each month and cover your maintenance and repairs for more than a decade. 

As you make the upgrade to electrical home systems, note that installing solar panels can slash your costs even further and make your living situation all-around more self-sufficient. 

With TCD's partner EnergySage, you can explore your solar installation options and save up to $10,000 on the process. For all your clean home renovations, the free Palmetto Home app can score you up to $5,000 in rewards.

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices — and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.