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There is an irony to America’s current home heating map. The areas that now depend on natural gas — urban, heavily populated areas in states such as New York, California, Illinois — also tend to have the most Democratic voters. In these blue states and urban centers, climate-focused Democrats are trying to ban gas hookups in new buildings.
This means that the areas with politicians most willing to ditch fossil fuels also face the most entrenched interests opposed to it. The switch from natural gas to a heat pump will often save money, but the amounts saved vary by location: In bitterly cold areas, homeowners may also require a backup source of heat that costs more. “The economics get a bit harder to pinpoint,” Tan said.
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