Two months after banning nearly all non-electric space and water heating in commercial buildings, the Washington State Building Code Council is now proposing to extend the ban to residential structures.

The proposed residential rule change would require heat pumps for nearly all space and water heating in single-family homes, duplexes, townhomes, and multi-family dwellings of 1 to 3 stories. Natural gas, baseboard heaters, wall heaters, radiant heat systems and electric furnaces would be banned.

Full electrification would wind up being more expensive, AWB Government Affairs Director Peter Godlewski told The Center Square. Figures from Seattle show that installing a heat pump adds anywhere from $3,000 to $22,000 to the cost of each apartment.

“Natural gas remains an efficient and reliable energy source for many Washington businesses and consumers,” Godlewski said. “As Washington struggles with housing affordability, we need policies that make houses more affordable, not less.”

Contact Godlewski to learn more and get involved.