Electrification

Why Electrification is Important to Mitigate Climate Change

California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard and Executive Order B-55-18 state that the state’s electric grid will be 100% renewable by 2045. Therefore, electricity used after that time will be carbon free; in 2030, 60% of the state’s electricity will be carbon free. The potential for electricity to be carbon free–and the volume of renewable electricity currently on the grid–make it a more sustainable energy source than any fossil fuels, including natural gas. This means electric-powered space heating, water heating, and appliances in homes–particularly those coupled with rooftop solar and/or battery storage–represent one of the most important sustainability opportunities for Woodside residents.

Converting to electric space heating, water heating, and appliances can be complex, from determining replacement appliances to finding contractors to managing expenses, incentives and rebates, to potential upgrades to electric panels. The information and links below can help Woodside residents navigate this complex process for both existing homes and new construction.

Recommended Upgrades

Space Heating

Heat pumps are clean, safe, and all-electric. They provide both heating and cooling using a single piece of equipment by pulling heat from the outside air. If you’re replacing either your air conditioner or your gas furnace, consider installing a heat pump that can ultimately provide both heating and cooling to your home in an efficient manner. More information on heat pumps is available on Peninsula Clean Energy's website.

Water Heating

Heat pump water heaters are clean, safe and all-electric. They provide hot water by pulling heat from the outside air, rather than generating heat from scratch. If you’re replacing your water heater, consider a heat pump water heater that can provide you with hot water in an efficient and sustainable manner. More information on heat pump water heaters is available on Peninsula Clean Energy's website. Residents can also consider high efficiency gas water heaters. More information is available on BayREN's website. 

Induction Cooktop

Induction cooktops are a popular replacement for gas stoves, providing similar levels of precision, convenience, and functionality to gas stoves but using electric power. In an induction cooktop, an electric current passes through a coiled copper wire underneath the cooking surface, creating a magnetic current that creates heat and leading to faster cooking times and fewer pollutants. More information on induction cooktops is available on Switch It On's website. 

Laundry

Electric washers and dryers are commonly available and provide reliable, sustainable alternatives to gas laundry equipment. A new technology–heat pump dryers–pull heat from the outside air to dry clothing. More information on heat pump dryers is available on Switch It On's website.

Electric Vehicles

While not a home energy upgrade, electric vehicles contribute significantly to a sustainable future powered by renewable electricity. If you’re considering home electrification, considering adding enough capacity to support electric vehicle charging. More information on electric vehicles is available on Peninsula Clean Energy's website.

Electric Panel Upgrades

If you’re considering electric space heating, water heating, appliances, and/or an electric vehicle, you may find that your home will require an electric panel upgrade. These panel upgrades can add complexity and significant expense to any electrification project. Luckily, some agencies offer “add-on” rebates that can be applied to panel upgrades. For example, Peninsula Clean Energy offers additional rebate “add-ons” of $1,000 for electric panel upgrades. 

Solar Panels

Rooftop solar panels are a popular way to generate renewable electricity on your own home. In addition to their environmental benefits, they can also provide financial benefits and flexibility. There are many resources available to evaluate the potential effectiveness of adding rooftop solar on your home. Some basic information and rebate information is available on PG&E's website and Energy Upgrade California's website.  

The Town of Woodside offers expedited solar photovoltaic permits for one and two family dwellings. The panels must be roof-mounted and sized at 10kw or less. Other eligibility information, requirements, and applications are available on the Town's website. 

Battery Storage

Battery storage systems are an emerging trend in electric homes. They can be added to homes with solar panels to store clean electricity generated during the day to use at night when solar energy is not available. This provides environmental, financial, and resilience benefits. A particularly attractive benefit recently is the ability to use stored power during grid power outages. More information is available on PG&E's website and Energy Upgrade California's website. 

Rebates, Loans & Financing

Many entities provide rebates, loans and financing for residential electrification upgrades. Here are a few key resources to explore: 

Home Energy Audits

There are many services available to help you evaluate your home energy consumption, equipment and appliances to help prioritize which upgrades will be most impactful and cost effective for you. These include: