Home electrification is a process, not a single project. You may take months, or even years, to fully transition your home. The process will look a little different for everyone, but there is one first step that applies to every home: Conduct a home inventory and take stock of where you are today. Then find a few things you can swap out right away!
Using our Home Inventory Worksheet, take a look around your home and consider the following:
Where does your electricity come from?
Whether you rent or own your home, you can get your electricity from renewable sources. It’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce your emissions. We recommend signing up for community solar or your utility’s green power program as you begin your electrification journey. f you own your roof and think it may be a good candidate for rooftop solar, put that on your list as something to explore.
Cooking
What kind of stove/oven do you have? How old is it? How well is it working for you? Consider swapping your gas stove out for an induction range, which is 90% efficient, emissions free, and provides a superior cooking experience. Portable induction cooktops are very affordable and are a great way to transition away from gas, especially if you rent.
- An upfront discount of $840 will be available in late 2023
Clothes Drying
What kind of dryer do you have? Whether it’s a gas dryer or a dated, less efficient electric dryer, consider a heat pump clothes dryer. They are extremely efficient, easy to install because they don’t require ventilation, and they’re gentler on clothes because they dry at lower temps. You can also get a clothes drying rack or clothesline to air dry your clothes.
- An upfront discount of $840 will be available in late 2023
Air Heating and Cooling
How do you currently heat your home, and how old is your system? Do you have any cooling? If so, how old is your air conditioner? How comfortable is your home? A ductless or ducted heat pump will provide both heating and cooling for your entire home, emissions-free. Heat pumps work in all kinds of weather, and are over 2.5x as efficient as the best electric resistance or gas furnace.
- Upfront discount up to $8,000 (late 2023)
- 30% Federal Tax Credit (up to $2k)
- $500 Energy Trust Discount
Water Heater
What kind of water heater do you have? How old is it? Your home may be a good fit for a heat pump water heater (HPWH), which captures ambient heat and transfers it to the water. They’re incredibly efficient: 3x more efficient than other types of water heaters. This is a great candidate for lowering utility bills.
- Upfront discount up to $1,750 (late 2023)
- 30% Federal Tax Credit (up to $2k)
- $700 Energy Trust Discount
Energy Efficiency/Weatherization
How tight is your home’s “envelope”? Do you know if your walls are insulated? How about your floors and attic? Have the air leaks been sealed? What type and quality are your windows? Weatherizing will make your home much more efficient and comfortable, lower your utility bills, help you control your indoor air quality, and increase your resilience against climate change.
- Upfront discount up to $1,600 (late 2023)
- $1,200 Federal Tax Credit
- Energy Trust Discounts available, too!
Transportation and More
Take a look outside of your home. Do you have an electric car, an EV charger? Do your lawn mower and leaf blower run on fossil fuels?
- Electric Vehicles: $4,000-$7,500 Federal Tax Credit
- EV Car Charger: $1,000 Federal Tax Credit
Check your electrical panel
Another important part of the home inventory is to check the size of your home’s electrical service. To electrify everything, you need at least 100A service, and you may need 200A. You may be able to do this yourself by looking at your electric panel or meter, or you can have an electrician help you with this. If you bring in a contractor for a home energy assessment and/or estimates for your electrification projects, they may be able to help you with this.
Get a home energy assessment
A home energy assessment, or a home energy audit, helps you understand the whole picture of your home’s energy use, comfort, and safety. It can help you determine how much energy your home uses, where your home is inefficient, and which problem areas and fixes you should prioritize to save energy and improve the comfort of your home.
Get estimates from trusted contractors
Don’t underestimate the value of finding a good “electrification partner”! We recommend getting estimates from at least two contractors for each project. Read reviews carefully, and ask friends for trusted referrals. You can find a list of contractors who provide energy efficient electrification on our website.