Decarbonization and electrification are buzz words passing through the engineering profession. Some consider these two words to be one and the same. However, that is not true. Decarbonization simply means a reduction in carbon, thus the reduction in carbon dioxide generated during combustion. Electrification is the use of electricity for power. Hence, electrification is one means used to attain decarbonization.
Electrification has entered the vocabulary of elected officials trying to appear as good stewards of the environment and climate change. Sometimes this means going to electric vehicles. Other times, it means eliminating any fuel-burning item. As a result, there are states and major jurisdictions looking to mandate electrification in the codes to achieve decarbonization. To the engineering community, this means the elimination of gas-fired and oil-fired appliances. It would also mean the elimination of wood-burning and pellet-burning appliances. Water heaters, boilers, furnaces and air handlers would all have to be powered by electricity, not fossil fuels or solid fuels.