If you’re a homeowner in California, then you’ve likely heard about the recent push for electrification. Sounds good, but what does that mean for you? In this blog, we’re going to break down what you need to know about electrification, what changes that means for you, and how you can get a piece of the $120 million of funding for this program.
Electrification Explained
The concept of electrification means transitioning all of our energy sources to electricity.
Most homes in California use at least two energy sources: electricity and natural gas.
Why the push to get rid of natural gas? When we use gas in our homes, the combustion process creates carbon emissions. One of the most common uses for natural gas in Los Angeles homes is your central heating system – your furnace.
You might think that the gas you use in your home couldn’t possibly have a big impact on the environment. Well, we have news for you! A recent study showed that an all-electric home would produce 45% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a home with mixed fuel sources.
The State of California has aggressive goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The State has invested millions of dollars into this effort. And that’s where homeowner incentives come in.
Rebates for Electrifying Your Home
Here’s the exciting news for homeowners – there are programs that will pay you to make the switch to electricity. Seriously! These programs are called incentive programs for a reason. The money is there to sweeten the deal and make it very affordable to replace your gas-burning units with an electrically powered system.
Here’s how it works: after we install your new electric heat pump system, you can request a rebate to offset the cost of your purchase. There are many rebates available, such as those from TECH Clean California and local utility companies. You don’t have to choose – you can combine rebate offers to maximize your savings.
Rebates are a great deal for homeowners who are in one of these scenarios:
- Planning to replace your heating system soon. Instead of choosing a direct replacement, you can switch to a heat pump and take advantage of these rebates!
- Replacement is a few years away. Incentive programs like the electrification program could make it a smart move to replace sooner than you would have originally expected.
- Repairs are adding up. If you live by the rule of fixing something until it fails for good, rebates might be a better option. Repairs can be costly, and rebates only last for a limited time. Replacing an aging system can help you avoid repair costs for many years.
What Does it Mean to Switch to a Heat Pump?
If you’ve had a furnace all your life, heat pumps are unfamiliar territory. The summary is that during the winter months, you’ll notice almost no difference in your day-to-day comfort. Where you’ll see big differences is in your energy bills. Since heat pumps use electricity instead of gas, your gas bill will decrease while your electricity bill will increase. Heat pumps are extremely energy efficient, so your total energy consumption will go down.
If you don’t have air conditioning in your home now, we have good news for you. Heat pumps are a 2-in-1 system – they provide both heating and cooling from one system. If you’ve ever dreamt of that cold A/C during one of our heat waves, changing out your furnace for a heat pump is a very affordable way to get a cooling system in your home.
There are many kinds of heat pump units: packaged units, split systems, and ductless mini-splits. Heat pumps will always have an outside component. If you’re not sure where a heat pump outdoor unit might be located, don’t worry. One of our knowledgeable team members will evaluate your property and recommend the best positioning for your new system.
Request a Quote on a Heat Pump System
If you’re ready to learn more about what electrification could mean for your home, look no further than your neighborhood HVAC company, MightyServ. We’ll tell you about all the rebates and incentives available to you, and which systems will qualify. Plus, we offer financing on new systems, which can make any new HVAC system a little easier on your budget. Let’s get started – contact us today for a no-obligation quote on your new heat pump system!
