The Electrification Guide is intended to help you navigate the road to electrifying your home. In this guide you will:

• Learn about electrification and the health, climate, and safety benefits
• Identify electrification options in your home
• Review things to consider when switching from natural gas or propane to electric appliances

Electrification Guide

The Silicon Valley Power Residential Electrification Estimator is a tool designed to assist homeowners in understanding how your energy use, utility bill and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) will change. It will also provide an estimated payback period when electrifying appliances in your home.

Electrification Estimator

Electrification Estimator Tutorial

A natural gas cooktop or range is an excellent candidate for an upgrade to an induction cooktop or range with an electric oven.

While electric resistance cooktops (also known as radiant cooktops) are an electric option, an induction cooktop is a safer and more efficient option. It also has better cooking performance with more precise temperature control.

Silicon Valley Power sponsors cooking classes through Santa Clara Adult Education where you can get hands on experience to try out an induction cooktop.

• Santa Clara Adult Education Cooking Classes
• Induction Cooktop Flyer

A heat pump water heater is powered by electricity, reducing greenhouse gases and maximizing your energy efficiency. Silicon Valley Power offers rebates to customers who are replacing electric water heaters with ENERGY STAR® heat pump water heaters. If you have a gas water heater, we have partnered with the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) and Stopwaste to offer qualified industry professionals funding to reduce the installation costs of high-efficiency heat pump water heaters in our service territory. The only thing you need to do is make sure you are working with an installer who has been enrolled in the program. The discounted price will already be reflected in the price quoted to you by a participating installer.

Find a participating installer

Many homes were designed to operate on natural gas as well as electricity. As you transition more of your appliances to electricity, you need to ensure your electric panel has capacity to handle the additional load. Consider options such as a 110 volt heat pump water heater that typically does not require upgrading your panel. If installing an EV charger, consider a smart splitter, also known as a Dryer Y Splitter, if you have a 240 volt clothes dryer outlet in your garage and can alternate between using the clothes dryer and charging your EV. If an upgrade is required, consider a Smart Electric Panel. Rebates are available.

Electrification projects and electric panel upgrades will require a permit. Contact the City of Santa Clara Permit Center for more information. 

Are you looking for a way to finance your energy efficiency upgrades? Administered by the State of California, GoGreen Financing puts energy efficiency upgrades within reach, with attractive rates and terms and no property liens. Upgrade your home with an efficient heat pump HVAC, insulation, new windows, cool roof and more. Learn more at gogreenfinancing.com.

Home Electrification Assessments Pilot Program

Building electrification is the process of replacing appliances powered by natural gas with appliances powered by electricity. There are many benefits to electrifying your home, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving health, safety and comfort. While in some cases electrification also saves money, depending on the electrification upgrades, it is important to note that many scenarios may increase your overall energy costs due to an increase in electric load.

Silicon Valley Power is offering a pilot program in partnership with CLEAResult to provide home electrification assessments for customers interested in implementing electrification opportunities in your home. Under this pilot program, a limited number of assessments will be available on a first come, first served basis. Customers are asked to review the electrification guide and estimator and then fill out a brief screening questionnaire to determine your eligibility for this program.

If you are a good candidate for a home electrification assessment, you will pay a $50 copay directly to CLEAResult and we will cover the rest of the assessment. The electrification assessment will examine key areas of your home . If you have current or future plans for electrification upgrades, your assessor can discuss those with you. The assessment report will help you develop a plan, including determining if an electric panel upgrade may be needed to electrify your home.

There are two options for an electrification assessment, an in-home assessment or a virtual assessment.

An in-home assessment will require:

• A person 18 years of age or older to show the assessor through the home
• A clear 6’ x 9’ area near the front door for blower door test equipment
• Access to the attic, crawlspace, furnace, air conditioner, water heater and heating/cooling registers
• A clean fireplace, if a wood-burning fireplace is in the home

A virtual assessment will require:

• A fully-charged smart phone with SMS texting capabilities, a camera and a strong WiFi or data connection
• A flashlight or headlamp
• A measuring tape, paper towels or rags to wipe off equipment labels, if needed
• The ability to access your attic, crawlspace, furnace, air conditioner, water heater and heating/cooling registers 

Upon completion of your assessment, a short report will be provided with a roadmap to electrifying your home. If you’re interested in an electrification assessment, fill out the brief screening questionnaire to get started.