By Jan. 1, heating systems in all new homes and buildings in the city must run on electricity, and all new commercial, office and industrial buildings, as well as highrise residences, must rely entirely on electricity, the Menlo Park City Council decided Tuesday night.

When explaining the possible benefits of the proposed measure, city staff not only touted the reduction in carbon emissions but also the cost-effectiveness of switching from natural gas to electricity.

Eliminating natural gas infrastructure from a single- family home can save builders $6,000 during construction, according to a recently released study from the California Codes and Standards program. The exact savings, though, depend on regional gas and electricity rates and the energy efficiency of the appliances.

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“I think (this ordinance) will be a beacon for cities around the country and hopefully around the world as a great first step action that we can take to reduce carbon emissions in the short term, in a way that really includes really long-term benefits — giving us a solid foundation,” Dashiell Leeds, a representative for the Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club, told the council Tuesday night.