What it is
Published in 2021 by Saul Griffith, MacArthur fellow and founder of Rewiring America, the book argues that electrifying everything, from heating to transport to cooking, is the fastest, cheapest path to decarbonization. Griffith breaks down household energy use and shows how switching to electric alternatives saves money while cutting emissions.
Why we picked this
This is the most practical book on personal decarbonization. Griffith is an engineer and entrepreneur, not an activist, and his argument is purely economic: electricity from renewable sources is cheaper than burning fossil fuels, and the technology to switch exists today. He founded Rewiring America to accelerate this transition at policy level.
Key takeaways
- The average US household can save $2,500 per year by fully electrifying: switching to a heat pump, EV, induction stove, and heat pump water heater.
- 42% of US emissions come from decisions made by households and small businesses, making personal electrification a significant lever for national decarbonization.
- Griffith's organization Rewiring America built the IRA Savings Calculator that helps US households calculate their specific savings from clean energy tax credits.