Clean Energy Homes

We have the ability to power our lives with renewable energy from the sun, the wind and the earth. We could all be living in homes that use that cleaner energy to keep us warm in the winter and cool in the summer. And we could all be healthier, more comfortable, and waste less energy by making our homes more efficient and using newer, more efficient electric technologies and appliances.

Yet, too few of us are reaping the benefits of clean energy. Over 80% of Illinois households still rely on fossil fuels for heating and need help making the transition to cleaner, more efficient technologies. Even transitioning to a future fueled by renewable energy is far from certain.

Right now, utility regulators at the Illinois Commerce Commission are considering a plan for the future of home heating in Illinois. The plan they develop could accelerate the transition to clean energy homes – or keep Illinoisans reliant on polluting fossil fuels decades longer than necessary.

Clean energy homes are more efficient and healthier

Clean, efficient, electric technologies like heat pumps and induction stoves reduce indoor and outdoor air pollution. Upgrading to clean, efficient electric appliances will lead to healthier air for us to breathe at home, reduce outdoor air pollution and the number of bad air days, and help us avoid the worst impacts of climate change. 

With the incentives and rebates for clean energy technology offered by the Inflation Reduction Act, clean energy home upgrades are more accessible than ever. And more help is on the way: Illinois was recently awarded a Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, which it will use to make it even easier for Illinoisans to switch to all-electric appliances. 

We’re working with state officials and local and state partners to make sure people know about these resources and how to take advantage of them.

It’s time for Illinois to transition to all-electric clean energy homes

Every day that we don’t switch to clean, electric energy use in our homes is a missed opportunity for cleaner, healthier air at home and outdoors. Many Illinois businesses and households have already gone partially or fully electric.

But transitioning 80% of Illinois homes off of fossil fuels is a huge task, and we won’t accomplish it without a long term plan and coordinated local, state and federal action. 

Decision-makers at all levels can implement policies to accelerate the transition to clean energy homes. They can use building codes that promote or require electric systems in new houses, or implement rebate and incentive programs that make it easier for Illinoisans to adopt electric technologies, or end outdated laws that promote the use of methane gas over clean energy alternatives. 

In March 2024, the Illinois Commerce Commission launched an investigation into the “Future of Gas.” This proceeding is our best opportunity to chart a path consistent with our vision for clean energy in Illinois. In 2021, the Illinois legislature passed a law that set an ambitious goal of transitioning to 100% clean energy by 2050. These proceedings are a perfect forum to make sure our leaders follow through on that commitment. 

To do that, we need to overcome the influence of the gas industry and its allies working to keep us reliant on fossil fuels far into the future.

The clean energy transition is underway, but we need to keep up the momentum

Not long ago, America generated so little solar and wind power that the concept of relying on them for most or all our energy needs seemed unbelievable. Today, America produces almost four times as much renewable electricity from the sun and wind as it did in 2011. In Illinois, residential rooftop solar grew 2252% from 2017 through 2022. 

To make this transition successful, we need to accelerate the adoption of state of the art electric appliances and make it easier for homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient. We need the state to develop a long term plan to transition off fossil fuels. And finally, we need to stop gas utilities from wasting money on unnecessary gas pipelines, and reject false solutions such as blending so-called “renewable” natural gas or hydrogen with methane gas.

Take action for clean energy homes

We know we can power our lives with clean energy, and we will use the same visionary and strategic approach to steer the transition to all-electric clean energy homes. 

To do that, we’ll have to overcome the opposition of gas utilities and their allies. The gas system is large and powerful, but not permanent or invincible. 

In 2023, after years of campaigning, we helped convince utility regulators to pause the Peoples Gas pipe replacement program and open an investigation into the failing program. In February 2025, the utility regulators ruled to reform the program, directing Peoples Gas to run a program more focused on safety risks. That should result in a program that costs less, makes us safer, and facilitates the transition to cleaner energy.

The future of gas proceeding will make recommendations that will shape the future of clean energy homes in Illinois. It’s critical that the regulators in charge of the proceeding see that the public is paying attention and want to see a transition to all-electric clean energy homes.

Show your support for clean energy homes

You can also take steps to electrify your own home and power it entirely with clean energy, and share our resources about the benefits of electric homes with your friends.

A cleaner, healthier future for Illinois

Fossil fuel systems can have long lifetimes, so investing in new fossil fuel infrastructure in the next few years could keep us locked into decades of more dirty energy. Instead, let’s start relying on efficient, electric appliances that will protect our air, water, land and climate.

When we electrify our homes, we will create a cleaner and healthier future that runs on 100% renewable energy.