This report, published by RMI in September 2022, discusses the economic feasibility of electrifying medium-sized commercial buildings in the United States. It examines the upfront costs and long-term financial benefits of converting buildings from fossil fuel-based systems to electric heating, cooling, and hot water systems. The analysis concludes that while the upfront costs of electrification may be higher than traditional fossil fuel-based systems, the long-term operational and maintenance cost savings can result in a lower total cost of ownership over the life of the building. The paper also highlights the potential environmental benefits of electrification, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved indoor air quality. Overall, it argues that electrifying buildings can be a financially and environmentally sound investment for building owners and operators.

Keywords: Building Retrofits, Climate Change, Energy Efficiency/Management, Healthy Buildings, HVAC & Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), Natural Gas, Post-COVID-19, Property Management, RTU, RMI, electrification, Heat Pumps, Cold weather HP