East Aurora Advertiser

Letter to the Editor: New York Can Lead the Way Toward Better Buildings


Dear Editor, 

Respectfully, I do not agree with the Editorial in the June 9 edition of the Advertiser/Review claiming that New York State is not well prepared to begin weaning ourselves off of fossil fuels. 

Ending the use of natural gas would first begin with New Construction, meaning that natural gas piping would not be extended beyond its current grid. New buildings in New York should be built to a higher standard than those previously built. It is important to note that it is much cheaper to build a highly energy-efficient building from the beginning than it is to build a code-compliant building and then retrofit it to be more energy efficient later on. According to the New Buildings Institute, there are 63 commercial buildings already built or in construction in New York State that will achieve net-zero energy performance, and that doesn’t include single-family homes. Those who have the ability and desire have been building themselves all-electric and net-zero energy homes for the last ten years. 

While I agree that natural gas is convenient, I do not agree that it is the best solution for heating our homes. Cold climate heat pumps are 200 percent to 400 percent efficient and can extract heat from the air, down to negative 20 degrees. By comparison, high-performance natural gas appliances are 95 percent efficient. Furthermore, the emissions that are being emitted into our homes from combustion appliances such as furnaces and ranges are contributing to poor indoor air quality, which is harmful to children and those suffering from asthma and allergies. 

All-electric homes built today are not only healthier for the occupants, but they are also safer. When built with a high-performance envelope they are more comfortable with fewer drafts, and more resilient when the power goes out. A home built today can be constructed tightly and so well insulated, that when the power goes out it will maintain a livable temperature for days longer than a traditionally built home. In addition to keeping the warm air inside the home in the winter and the cool air inside the home in the summer, that high-performance envelope will also keep dust and allergens out of the home as well. I believe that these health benefits for new homes should be standardized and applied to all homes. 

Innovation and ingenuity can deliver solutions that are safer for occupants. A solar array with battery storage can also keep the lights and the heat on in a power outage, and don’t carry the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning. I believe that New York will lead the way in building higher-quality buildings without the use of fossil fuels, and I know the world is watching. 

Lori Borowiak

East Aurora

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