US homeowners such as Su Balasubramanian of Washington, DC, can replace gas-powered appliances with electric ones at a reduced cost -- and in some cases for free -- under federal and state programs that aim to make homes more energy efficient to help fight climate change. "For me, it's really important to try to minimize my environmental impact," Balasubramanian says, before adding that the electrification upgrades worth about $27,000 on her home are "being done essentially for free." IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES