The Cool Davis Make a Plan Workshop Webinar on December 14th revealed numerous insights when Cool Davis hosted its latest webinar workshop as part of our Make a Plan Home Energy program.  The Make A Plan program is designed to help homeowners transition to energy-efficient solutions that reduce their carbon footprint and save money. Cool Davis specifically seeks households where heating, cooling, hot water or other appliances and systems may be aging so we can help them “make a plan”.   The workshop is designed to guide homeowners through the steps of improving energy efficiency and having a plan for when it’s time to replace that aging HVAC system or water heater. It includes special worksheets for a homeowner to systematically understand their systems and work through their next steps.

In addition, we want homeowners to know about the many home energy efficiency and electrification rebates, and to provide facilitation on how to access rebates and transition to energy-efficient, electrified homes.  In case you missed it, check out the webinar recording here!

60 people registered and received the follow-up video while 36 attended the live Make a Plan workshop.  We had consistent engagement during the webinar; several questions were asked for each panelist presentation, with 22 questions posted in the chat.  (see below for the highlights of questions)

Why Electrification Matters

This workshop webinar addressed common barriers and strategies to electrifying, but also informed attendees about how to take advantage of the existing and the more recent HEEHRA rebates.

Workshop Highlights

Workshop panelists included: Bill Dakin and Kristin Heinemeier – retired and current (respectively) engineers from local consulting firm Frontier Energy (formerly Davis Energy Group) who have been volunteering with Cool Davis, sharing their wisdom and knowledge with households since 2011.

Kristin presented the latest best thinking about understanding your home energy use and how big systems (Heating and Cooling) shape that use.  She covered system options, heat pump technology, and some basic information on how to work with contractors. She also went over the Cool Davis materials created for the community to support your decision-making.

We also heard from some of our Home Energy Contractor partners and Valley Clean Energy.

Electrify My Home, a contractor specializing in electrification, provided information on how transitioning to electric appliances can improve energy efficiency along with a look at electrical panel stewardship and evaluating your “watt diet.”

Greiner Heating and Air, a local HVAC and electrification contractor, informed attendees about existing and new rebates and tax credits. Greiner also detailed the types of qualified appliances, and the fine print associated with different kinds of incentives.

Valley Clean Energy (VCE)  is the official electricity provider for the cities of Woodland, Winters, Davis, and unincorporated Yolo County. VCE is a not-for-profit utility providing customers with cleaner energy for lower rates. During the webinar, VCE went over how local clean energy programs can help homeowners save money and reduce their dependence on fossil fuel, and offered a detailed look at their new “Electric Advisor Service” that provides individualized assistance to homeowners taking their first step towards a clean energy home.  Check out this recent article for more on VCE’s Rate Relief and Programs for 2025.

 

Q&A Recap

Attendees were actively engaged and had their questions answered during the live Q&A portion of the webinar; check out the workshop webinar recording for even more useful information! Here are a few of the key questions answered:

  • Q: My only concern about going fully electric has to be with the resilience of the system. What do we do when there are power shortages?
    • A: This is an important concern. One thing to keep in mind is that modern gas appliances typically have electrical ignition and some use electric motors to blow air or open flue dampers, making them inoperable during outages as well. And though there are exceptions, most outages are very short term. Several solutions can be incorporated to address this concern including:
      • 120v battery integrated induction ranges that can keep working during outages
      • Small sized inverter HVAC heat pumps that are backed up on batteries or generators
      • Larger HP Water Heater tanks, giving you much more available hot water than a tankless gas unit would during an outage.
  • Q: HEEHRA rebates are only for HVAC, right? Not water heaters?
    • A: Correct. However, the TECH program just launched a $1100 – $1800 water heater rebate!
  • Q: We have a natural gas stove as our only heat source. Will replacing this count for the rebates, or only replacing a furnace?
    • A: If it’s your last electric appliance and you have sufficient documentation from your previous upgrades, you may qualify for $4250 through CA Energy Smart Homes. This will qualify for TECH rebates, and there’s also a local air quality rebate.
  • Q: How can you tell if the electric panel is 100 amp or 200 amp?
    • A: You can look at the disconnect breaker, which typically says “service disconnect.”  The disconnect breaker will be the two large breakers on the top or on the side of your main electrical service panel on the outside of your house. The number listed on this breaker is often the overall panel size.
  • Q: Have you found resistance to electrification in your PG&E clients because of PG&E’s significant rate increases?
    • A: By and large, no. This is in part due to our comprehensive approach which includes “envelope” improvements like insulation to reduce operational costs over time. Plus specifying the right sized systems. But it shouldn’t be downplayed too much – high PG & E electricity costs are certainly a barrier to electrification.
  • Q: To replace a panel, do I need PG&E permission or service?
    • : Yes, if it’s the main panel.
  • Q: Does the heat pump require lots of maintenance?  What type of maintenance and how often would be needed?  What’s the typical life of a heat pump?
    • A: Less than a furnace but still important to maintain.
New VCE Electric Advisor Process through Online Chat, Phone, Video Call and Webforms

What’s Next

Cool Davis is committed to supporting homeowners throughout the electrification process. In addition to online resources like this webinar, we will be hosting in-person workshops throughout the community. These workshops will offer even more opportunities to learn about home energy upgrades and rebates.

Take Action Today:

  • If you missed this event and are interested in watching the video or attending an upcoming workshop or event in your neighborhood take our pre-survey.
  • Then you can watch the video and get started on your plan too!
  • We will send you an announcement of our next event soon, and will follow-up to check on your progress!

 

Useful links:

ENERGY STAR REBATE & TAX CREDIT FINDER -Search by zip code for rebates and tax credits:

Cool Davis Materials (please share with friends and neighbors):

  1. UNDERSTANDING MY HOME ENERGY WORKSHEET
  2. ALL-ELECTRIC HOME PLANNING GUIDE 
  3. WORKING WITH CONTRACTORS CHEAT SHEET: HOME HEATING & COOLING
  4. COST – BENEFIT COMPARISON CHART
  5. HOME HEATING AND COOLING CHEAT SHEET: WAYS TO PAY
  6. HOME HEATING AND COOLING COMMONLY USED TERMS

 

Check out our home energy articles for insights on electrification and efficiency:

Cool Davis Home Energy Task Force Visits Potential Cool Home Tours Sites Featuring Electrification

A Zero Energy Building (ZEB) Home and How It Pays For Itself

The Future of Sea Salt Batteries is Scaling Up and Building Strategic Partnerships

Two Homeowners Lead the Charge Toward Fossil-Free Homes

Slow but Steady: The Transition to an All-Electric Home