In a press release on Monday, February 27, Denver building officials made it official: Starting in 2024 new building codes in Denver will ban natural gas furnaces and water heaters in new commercial and multifamily construction.
And by 2027, natural gas will not be permitted for any heating or cooling equipment in new commercial buildings, the city's building officials said in a news release reported by the Denver Gazette.
According to the Gazette, these restrictions do not apply to gas stoves.
The announcement comes on the heels of a new building code adopted in January by the Denver City Council and reported on this blog earlier this month.
City officials claim commercial buildings are responsible for 49% of Denver’s greenhouse gas emissions and the goal of the restrictions is to reduce that to “zero emissions” within the next two decades.
Admirable as that may be, critics have warned that such restrictions will be costly to building owners and tenants. Some industry experts put the price tag at over $3 billion, adding $30.000 to $60,000 to the cost of each new unit built.
The Gazette article goes on to state that starting March 1, the city will require applicants to “provide more information about the feasibility of using electric equipment” when seeking a permit for gas equipment. They will have to demonstrate to the city that they have evaluated the feasibility of using electric-powered equipment, checked for gas line leaks, and ensured gas equipment is sized correctly and efficiently.
Challenges and Opportunities
With the amount of new construction planned in Denver, demand for electrical contractors will increase dramatically in the months and years to come. This demand will only add to the shortage of qualified electricians that is already an issue with contractors throughout the building trades. And increased demand is usually followed by higher prices.
At the same time, that demand creates opportunities for growth in jobs in the electrical contracting business. Companies like Allstar Electrical Services are actively hiring journeyman electricians and trainees to fill hundreds of job openings.
For information on how you can benefit from this growing demand, see this article on our website.
Going Electric? It’s Time to Call a Pro
Whether it’s new construction, an addition, or a remodel, “Going Electric” can be complicated and expensive. If not done carefully, it can cost more than money—it can pose serious risks to both your property and the precious things it houses.
Let Allstar Electrical Services help you assess the costs and benefits of such a move, including how to take full advantage of the various federal, state, and local programs to keep your costs to a minimum. Give us a call at 303.399.7420 or visit our website. We’re top-rated by the Better Business Bureau and a preferred contractor by Angi’s Home Advisor. We’re ready to work with you to get the results you expect and deserve.