When we refer to a home as “all-electric,” we mean that all of its energy needs—including heating, hot water, and cooking—are powered by electricity rather than fossil fuels. Building an all-electric home is a healthy, safe, and sustainable approach to homebuilding. It is also the key to achieving a Net Zero energy home, meaning the house produces as much (or more) energy than it consumes over the course of a year. All-electric homes paired with renewable energy sources significantly reduce carbon emissions, helping to both protect the planet and open the possibility for Net Zero energy performance.
Maximized Return on Investment
Over time, investment in a high-performance all-electric home can save homeowners money, as electricity from renewable sources is more stable than the cost of traditional fuels. A high-performance Unity home already requires much less energy than a typical home, due to its high levels of insulation and energy-efficient design. An all-electric home within a high-performance shell requires a much smaller renewable energy source, such as photovoltaic (PV) panels, to cover all of its energy needs. This saves more money on the upfront investment. The potential for generating your own renewable energy can lead to drastically reduced or even eliminated future utility bills.
“The Unity technology is truly awesome, even before we installed solar panels… This summer, the electric bill went down from about $175 per month to $23 for July!” – Bob, Unity Värm homeowner
The Impact of Fossil Fuels
Most homes across the U.S. still rely on fossil fuels—mainly gas or oil—for heat, hot water, and cooking. This practice began in an era when fossil fuels were inexpensive, and their negative impact on health and the environment wasn’t widely understood. We now know that burning fossil fuels indoors can release pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, posing significant health risks to homeowners.
Beyond health concerns, fossil fuel consumption is also harmful to the environment. It contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, which drive climate change. By eliminating the need for fossil fuels in homes, we can create healthier indoor environments that positively impact both people and the planet. All-electric homes improve indoor air quality by eliminating harmful pollutants from gas or oil, making it healthier for the occupants.
Unity’s All-Electric Approach
At Unity, we take inspiration from Sweden, a global leader in offsite construction and the development of all-electric homes. Sweden has fully embraced factory-built homes, renowned for their superior energy efficiency and sustainability when compared to traditional construction methods. Sweden is at the forefront of sustainable energy practices, with over half of its power coming from renewable sources. Swedish homes are increasingly becoming “prosumers,” meaning they generate and consume most of their own energy through smart grid technology and renewable energy sources like solar power (World Economic Forum). This commitment to offsite construction and renewable energy aligns with Unity’s vision of creating high-performance, all-electric homes that minimize environmental impact.
By following Sweden’s example, we aim to provide our clients with healthier, more efficient homes that are built quickly and sustainably. Thanks to advanced and accessible technology, these homes don’t require any sacrifice on the part of our clients. In fact, all-electric homes offer many benefits like cleaner indoor air quality, lower and more stable energy costs, and the ability to install state-of-the-art kitchen appliances.
Efficient Heating and Cooling with Mini-Splits
One key to building all-electric homes is air source heat pump technology, commonly known as mini-split systems. Since Unity homes are designed with minimal heating loads, traditional fossil fuel heating systems would be oversized and inefficient. Mini-split systems, on the other hand, efficiently heat homes by moving warmth from outside air indoors—even in subzero temperatures. Mini-splits also provide energy-efficient cooling during the summer months, so homeowners can enjoy a comfortable and consistent home temperature all year round.
To keep your home comfortable, it is important to consider some technical factors such as BTU, or British Thermal Unit, which measures heat. One BTU is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by 1°F. You will typically see BTU ratings on air conditioners, water heaters, and furnaces.
If a heating system is too small for your home, it won’t provide enough warmth on the coldest days and rooms farther from the heater may feel chilly. To calculate how many BTUs your home needs, you’ll need to know the square footage of your house and your climate zone, which determines the severity of temperatures in your area. When building a Unity home, this is something we’ve already taken care of in our home plans, so you don’t have to worry about calculating heating loads or BTU needs.
An additional quality control measure we take at Unity is conducting blower door tests on every home after it is raised to ensure exceptional air tightness. Our results consistently exceed the passive house standard of 0.6 ACH 50 or lower (Air Changes per Hour). This ensures your home remains tightly sealed, working in efficient partnership with the other all-electric systems. This is ideal if you are planning to build off-the-grid, where an efficient all-electric shell combined with a renewable energy source and battery storage will easily keep things stable and comfortable throughout the year.
High-Efficiency Water Heating and Induction Cooking
For hot water, Unity offers two electric options: standard electric resistance water heaters and high-efficiency heat pump water heaters. Both eliminate the need to burn fossil fuels, ensuring that your home’s water heating needs are met sustainably.
Switching from fossil fuel heating is often an easy decision for homeowners, but parting with a gas cooktop can be harder. Many have yet to experience the benefits of induction cooktops, which use magnetic fields to directly heat cookware and its contents—offering superior control and efficiency. More professional kitchens are adopting induction technology, and it’s gaining popularity among high-performance home builders and chefs alike.
Building a Healthier Future with Unity Homes
At Unity, we are committed to building homes that are healthy for both the occupants and the planet. A major part of this commitment is designing all-electric, Net Zero-ready homes that are easily powered by renewable energy. With this approach, we empower homeowners to live more sustainably while enjoying a high-performance home that not only enhances their well-being but elevates their quality of life.
