Just came across this new rule, via this article: https://www.sfchronicle.com/climate/article/california-electric-19563602.php
2027 is when they ban sale of new replacement gas water heaters.
They talk about a few solutions, like low voltage electric heaters, and load sharing plugs to share a dryer plug among the water heater and a electric dryer. So that could do it for a lot of people.
But I’d guess a surge in panel replacements will happen within the next 2 years.
Especially since new gas furnaces will be banned in 2029.
Also, obligatory Fuck PGE. We have higher rates than most of the rest of the world and it’s all the fault of the corrupt PUC and PGE.
Don’t know what’s up with lemmy.world not showing all the comments, so I hope it’s not a big deal that I’m not replying to each comment.
The federal government has a tax credit for 30% of the cost of a heat pump water heater or heat pump A/C. These mostly run on 120v, because 1200W of power consumption yields about the equivalent of a 4000W resistive element heater. The drawback is that in a lot of homes, the 120v powering the gas heater is not a separate circuit. In my mom’s house it comes off a wall outlet that also power the kitchen. So if she makes coffee when the water heater is operating it pops the circuit breaker.
Most homes with gas appliances would require new wiring to use electric equivalents. Hiring an electrician for that job can easily top $2000. People on fixed incomes will have a rough time making this change. Those in rural areas are particularly impacted because they typically rely on propane or they’re off-grid.
Let folks replace what they already have. Updates should only be required when the property changes hands. Otherwise it creates a lot of resentment and often financial hardship. And the legislation is easy to defeat if you live next to the border. Buy your replacement gas appliance in Nevada or Arizona. This kind of legislation is exactly why people are willing to set aside all the negatives of Trump and vote for him.