NYC Declares War on Gas Stoves Home Innovation Research Labs researchers associated with homebuilder lobbying associations and other construction groups have calculated that the additional construction costs of full electrification of a new house versus a comparable new house using natural gas would range from between $3,988 and $11,196 in a warm climate (Houston), $3,832 and $14,495 in a mixed climate (Baltimore), and $10,866 and $15,100 in a cold climate (Denver and Minneapolis). The researchers estimate that the costs for retrofitting a house that currently uses natural gas for heating, hot water, and cooking ranges between $24,282 and $28,491. Simply replacing worn out gas-fired appliances would cost between $9,767 and $10,359. The researchers further reckon that the higher installation costs depending upon which mix of electric appliances were deployed would be paid back in energy savings in warm Houston between 27 and 64 years. Of course most equipment doesn't last that long. The installation costs would never be paid back in energy savings in cold climate cities like Minneapolis. Then again, a July 2021 study in Environmental Research Letters finds that 32 percent of single family houses in the U.S. could or have already reduced their energy bills by installing an electric heat pump. The Consumer Energy Alliance, another industry-allied group, calculated earlier this year that retrofitting all houses that are currently using natural gas for heating, hot water, and cooking would cost $258 billion.