What to Know About Taking Your Home All-Electric

A Guide from the Bay Area Experts in Electrification

Transitioning to an all-electric home is a transformative journey that offers numerous benefits, from increased energy efficiency to a reduced carbon footprint. As you embark on this path, it’s essential to understand the various components that make up an all-electric home.

Our comprehensive guide will walk you through the key elements to consider, ensuring a smooth and successful transition to a more sustainable and energy-efficient living environment.

Electrical Panel Sizing

Assessing and planning your electrical panel is a first step.

Contrary to popular belief, a 100-amp panel can support an all-electric home, even with solar panels, a battery, and a car charger! However, some homes may need an upgrade. In such cases, we coordinate with PG&E to install a new 125 or 200-amp panel, usually costing between $4,000 and $6,000. In almost every case, a 200-amp panel is more than adequate.

Early planning by a knowledgeable professional is essential. Most electricians use an NEC calculation that often suggests a 200-amp panel is required. At EPB, we use actual wattage data for HVAC and water heating systems, ensuring precise calculations. This approach saves you money and reduces the need for extensive grid upgrades.

Planning for Efficient HVAC

Your HVAC plan will feature a heat pump, which can be either ductless or ducted. We generally recommend ducted units for their superior comfort and filtration. However, if your home cannot accommodate ducted systems, or if you prefer ductless options, we can install wall or ceiling-mounted ductless units.

We size heat pump systems around 1000 square feet per ton of heating and cooling capacity, minimizing the impact on your main panel, enhancing your indoor comfort, and lowering your utility bills.

"We really enjoyed the entire crew - they were repsectful and clean. After the work was completed we were incredibly happy with how comfortable the house is in both warm and cool conditions. The air quality is also greatly improved and we couldn't be happier."

—Susanna

Insulation and Air Sealing

A tightly sealed and well-insulated home is more efficient, resulting in lower utility bills and a smaller, more manageable heat pump system. This is one of the most cost-effective improvements to make during your electrification journey. In many cases, such as when installing a new system in an attic, it’s a necessary step. Addressing insulation and air sealing before installing new ducts and air handlers is crucial, as it is challenging to do this work afterward.

Smarter Water Heating

A heat pump water heater is the ideal choice for water heating. Installing that new unit in the same location as your existing water heater simplifies the process, though it isn’t always possible. While updating your water heater can usually be done independently of the HVAC and insulation work, we should plan for that update in your panel and solar design. If the HVAC or panel work is done first, we can install the electrical circuit for your future water heater during that phase, reducing downtime.

Your home’s electrification plays a crucial role in improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and enhancing comfort. Upgrading to electric appliances and systems, such as heat pumps and induction stoves, can lower utility costs and create a more sustainable living environment.

Electric Cooking

Modern induction cooktops have revolutionized electric cooking. We have one in our office kitchen, and it’s fantastic. Induction cooktops use magnets to heat the metal above them, not the cooktop, making them faster, safer, and easier to clean.

Switching to an electric oven and stove can be done independently of other projects but, just like with your water heater, consider installing the necessary electrical circuit and including it in your panel design while working on other upgrades.

Clothes Dryer

You have the option of a regular electric dryer or a modern heat pump dryer. Heat pump dryers are 3 to 4 times more efficient than electric dryers because they use a heat pump instead of electric resistance heat. They also don’t require venting because they use a condensate line to remove water instead.

However, research and read reviews, as some models may have issues with lint buildup. While transitioning your dryer to a heat pump dryer can be done independently of other projects, we recommend installing the electrical circuit with your panel design so your home will be ready for that upgrade.

Schedule a Free Assessment

Take the first step toward a more efficient, comfortable home! Complete the form, and our team will contact you to discuss your electrification goals and how we can help. From there, we’ll schedule a visit with one of our building scientists to assess your home and recommend solutions.

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Ten Questions to Ask Before You Buy a Heat Pump

Many factors play into whether any heat pump can give you the results you’re looking for. No matter which HVAC company you choose, this eBook will walk you through the twelve important questions we use to design superior home comfort systems.

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