The Energy Show

When you electrify your home – with a heat pump HVAC system, EV charger, induction cooktop or heat pump water heater – your demand for electricity will go up. Duh. Or as Tim Allen would say: “I need more power.” Incentives as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) help reduce the upfront costs of these electrification upgrades. But the only way to reduce the operating costs of these new electrical appliances is with more solar power on your roof. But upgrading an old solar system is not for the faint of heart. New solar inverters and panels are unlikely to be compatible with your existing system. Your utility may restrict the number of panels you can add. And sometimes your electrical service may require an upgrade to handle the higher power output from your upgraded solar system. Keep in mind these three recommendations. First, it is relatively easy to add a battery to an existing system. Second, seriously consider replacing the entire system if it is over 15 years old. And third, work with an experienced solar installer who’s familiar with older equipment. For the nitty gritty details about upgrading your existing solar system, please tune into this week’s Energy Show.

By 2035 all new cars in California will be electric. It’s an achievable goal based on lower operating costs and rapid price declines for new EVs. But the current per kwh costs of EV charging continue to increase -- and we continue to be woefully short of necessary EV charging infrastructure. I predict a massive backlash against expensive and inconvenient EV charging. Our EV deployment goals are likely to fail. Miserably. The reason is simple: our EV charging paradigm is based on utility profit maximization as they take over the corner filling station – NOT lower driver operating costs (cheap and convenient charging) and NOT leveraging the value of these mobile batteries (such as Vehicle to Home charging). One of the leaders who “thinks different” is Tom McCalmont, CEO of Paired Power. Tom’s product line at Paired Power harnesses local solar power during the day when cars are typically parked at work, shopping malls and other public places. The Paired Power system uses low-cost Level 2 or DC solar charging stations, and avoids expensive and time consuming utility interconnection costs. Both EV owners and manufacturers will benefit. Tune into this week’s Energy Show for a glimpse of the alternate EV-solar future. Imagine charging your car inexpensively at work during the day, and just driving that massive car battery at home and powering your house. Say goodbye to outrageous peak evening electricity costs and blackouts!

Inside Scoop About Heat Pump HVAC Systems If you can answer these three basic questions, then don’t bother listening to this podcast. The questions are tricky, so if you're the least bit uncertain I suggest you listen to this week's riveting Energy Show episode. How can a heat pump be 300% efficient? Are gas furnaces still the most popular new heating system? Can you get an $8,000 IRA rebate and $2,000 Federal Tax Credit for a heat pump installation in 2023? First, we’ll delve into the way a heat pump HVAC system works. In a nutshell, a heat pump is an air conditioner operating in reverse. This heat pump thermodynamic trickery has been improving so much that heat pumps are now standard equipment on most new homes. They also work great in cold climates, unlike the systems I installed in the ‘80s. Retrofitting a home with a heat pump — which both heats and cools — provides homeowners a great deal of design flexibility. Heat pumps can use existing ductwork, can be installed “ductless" with mini-splits, or a hybrid that combines both. All without a single inch of sticky duct tape. When designed and installed properly, the end result will be an efficient, clean, comfortable and code-compliant heating and cooling system. And affordable. That’s where the IRA comes in. Ahhh, the Inflation Reduction Act. Without a doubt the biggest federal incentive program for clean energy technologies. But complicated with a blizzard of regulations, requirements and not-quite-ready forms for us to fill out. Please tune into this week’s Energy show for an answer to the top three Heat Pump HVAC questions, as well as plain English details about the benefits of heat pumps, how they work, and honest answers about available incentives.

There is one thing for certain as you electrify your house. You’ll need more electricity. Duh! But getting more electricity from the street to your house is not easy. Bizarrely, it often takes longer to do these electrical upgrades than it does to install your new all electric appliances. When — not if -- your old gas hot water heater dies, you don’t want to wait months for a new 240 volt circuit for that new super-efficient electric heat pump water heater. Nor do you want to delay the installation of your new heat pump HVAC system while you wait for a new electric panel. So you need to plan in advance for these upgrades. There are three general types of upgrades you will need as you electrify your home. First, you will need a dedicated electric circuit (wires and a separate circuit breaker) for each new appliance. Second, you may need a new electric panel if there is not enough space for these new circuits. Third — and most problematic since your utility is involved — you may need to upgrade the electric service from the street to your house. No one likes delays and extra expenses. But there is some good news. There are tax credits and rebates that can significantly reduce these electrical upgrade costs. Tune into this episode of the Energy Show for a detailed rundown on planning for these electrical upgrades. These upgrades take time, but you’ll thank yourself later once they are done and your electrification project proceeds smoothly.

The podcast discusses the incentives provided by the IRA, including tax credits and rebates. It highlights the challenges faced by plumbers and contractors with heat pump water heaters and the additional paperwork involved. The chapter explores the difficulties in obtaining permits and inspections and the differences in requirements for incentives and tax credits. It also introduces specific incentives for home electrification, such as induction cooktops and heat pump HVAC systems.

The podcast discusses the importance of selecting the right home battery system. It emphasizes the need for a complete battery system from a reliable company with local support and experienced contractors. It also provides information on the top battery system options available in the US market, including Enphase, Franklin, SolarEdge, and Tesla. The podcast concludes with an announcement of Powerwall 3 and tips for selecting a home battery system, highlighting cost-saving benefits and backup power during blackouts.

The podcast discusses the rapid growth of solar energy, with utilities expected to add 54.5 GW of solar generation capacity in 2023. Solar-generated electricity is now the cheapest source of new power, significantly cheaper than average power costs in the US. The podcast also explores the benefits of distributed generation and rooftop solar, the impact of net metering removal on solar energy demand, and the increasing importance of battery storage systems for solar energy optimization and backup power.

The podcast discusses the high electric rates and increased blackouts in the US. It highlights the influence of utilities on politicians and the poorly regulated capitalism in the electricity industry. Solar and battery investments made by utilities have not reduced rates or prevented blackouts and wildfires. The rigged electric rates in California force ordinary solar customers to sell power back at low rates during the day and buy it at high rates at night. The podcast also explores the economic and technical aspects of solar, batteries, heat pumps, and electric vehicles, emphasizing the need for reliable power generation and cost savings.

This podcast discusses the challenges posed by utilities in the electricity distribution system and how it affects competition, electricity prices, and the adoption of alternative energy sources. It explores the influence of utilities on energy policies and highlights the need for customer-oriented policies and alternatives like rooftop solar and community solar. It also addresses the high cost of solar, limited EV chargers, utility restrictions, and the complexities of commercial electricity rates in California. The podcast emphasizes the importance of preventing utility lobbying and highlights the benefits of electrification and sustainable power solutions.

The podcast discusses the low-hanging fruit measures for home electrification, including replacing lightbulbs with LED bulbs, eliminating vampire loads, installing WiFi setback thermostats, and sealing air leaks. It also mentions upgrading energy hog appliances like dryers, pool pumps, and gas ranges to electric alternatives for energy savings and environmental benefits.