Cut Your Emissions at Home

What Can You Do to Reduce Emissions and Air Pollution in Your Home?

Switch to a Heat Pump Water Heater:

One of the easiest ways you can make the biggest impact to combat climate change is by switching to a heat pump water heater (HPWH). HPWHs are proven technology and have enormous potential to reduce emissions. HPWHs are all-electric, high-efficiency water heaters that, unlike gas-powered water heaters and electric resistance water heaters, heat water by transferring heat from the surrounding air rather than creating new heat. Heat pumps work like your kitchen refrigerator, but in reverse. Transferring heat rather than creating it allows HPWHs to be up to four times more efficient than gas and electric resistance water heaters, conserving power and reducing your energy bill.


If you currently use a gas water heater, the switch could decrease your home’s emissions by up to 50%9. HPWHs also don’t produce hazardous air pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide as gas water heaters do.

Ready to make the switch? 

Click here to sign up for our new water heater electrification campaign in partnership with ReadySetReplace. By participating in the program, you can receive a free assessment of your water heater that can help you become electric-ready and install a HPWH when your gas water heater needs to be replaced, or sooner. ReadySetReplace can also help with other conversions to electric such as heat pump space heating/cooling and dryers.

Concerned about the cost of going electric? 

Rebates are Available:

Several rebates and incentives are currently offered by MCE, Electrify Marin, PG&E, and BayREN to make the upfront cost of installing heat pump space and water heaters, electric clothes washers and dryers, and electric induction stoves much more affordable. Many of these programs offer increased rebates for low-income individuals. With the passage of the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), significant tax credits are also now available for electric appliances and any necessary electrical upgrades to your home. Upfront discounts will also be provided for electric appliances sometime in 2023. For more information about all the federal discounts and tax credits, check out Rewiring America’s IRA Calculator.

Energy Efficient Upgrades 

Energy efficiency upgrades to your home such as attic insulation and duct sealing can also reduce your household emissions by saving energy. Rebates and incentives are available from MCE, PG&E, and BayREN for these types of energy efficiency upgrades. Federal tax credits for energy efficiency upgrades are also available with upfront discounts to come sometime in 2023.

MCE Deep Green Information: 

Finally, if you’re not already a MCE Deep Green customer, you can opt up to Deep Green here to ensure your electricity is 100% renewably-powered. If you don’t want to be reliant on the electric grid and are interested in saving money on your electricity bills, consider installing solar panels on your roof with battery energy storage for increased resiliency. With the 30% federal tax credits available through the IRA, installing solar with battery storage is cheaper than ever! 

Sources:

9  https://www.svcleanenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Heat-Pump-Water-Heater-Buyers-Guide-Digital-Updated-2020.pdf