The Value of an All-Electric rebuild
One of the upsides of building from scratch is that we have a rare chance to build a home that’s cleaner, safer, and more efficient.
Unless you’re building “Like-For-Like”, all new builds in the State of California must be all-electric.
Let’s take apart some myths and unpack what that will mean for your new home.
This guide was built in partnership with the AIA and Rewiring America.
It was fact-checked by licensed professionals and building experts.
Consult a builder or architect for specifics to your situation.Some Good News
Going all-electric can make your home healthier, more resilient in disasters, and dramatically more affordable over time.
Some things to know about gas:
Gas makes homes more fragile. It leaks during earthquakes, drives indoor air pollution, and becomes useless the moment utilities shut off power for wildfire safety.
Running a gas line costs about $4k.
It’s an added utility bill every month.
Did you
know?
Heat pumps
use two to three times less energy than gas systems.
When you add solar panels
your monthly energy costs drop even further, and battery storage lets you ride through outages without worry.
Myth:
“Your electricity bill
will skyrocket.”
Fact:
Your brand-new fire-resilient home will be weather-tight and properly insulated, so the combination of clean electric systems and proper construction can reduce your utility bills.
Pro TIP:
If you put in solar and storage, you might be able to get your bill down to nearly zero. There are low-interest loans and grants for solar and storage, and as a PostFire member, you may be able to access discounts from certain providers for your rebuild.
Myth:
“Induction stoves are
awful to cook on.”
Fact:
Some home-chefs prefer to cook on gas; that’s just a fact. Gas is familiar and tends to offer more control, but induction technology has come a long way.
You can test it yourself with a $60 portable burner before committing.
Did you
know?
Gas appliances release nitrogen dioxide and other combustion byproducts inside your house.
Studies show that simply cooking with gas can raise indoor pollution to levels that would be illegal outdoors.
Electric induction stoves eliminate that risk. They heat faster, stay cool to the touch, and don’t fill your kitchen with fumes.
Myth:
“All-electric water
heaters don’t work.”
Fact:
Again, the technology has come a long way. H
eat pump water heaters can be just as responsive as gas, without having a giant tank to account for.
Myth:
“Going electric
is expensive.”
Fact:
Incentives and discounted financing can cover most of the cost difference, and you’ll save for decades.
You’re future-proofing your home against gas phase-outs, carbon surcharges, and energy volatility.
incentives
you can
actually use
Switch Is On has a very cool tool to help you understand what rebates and incentives are available to you.
What they do:
Provide 1:1 electrification consultations for rebuilding homes
Map out rebates for heat pumps, induction, HPWH, panel upgrades
Offer contractor search tools
Support contractors in TECH Clean CA applications
Help survivors design an efficient all-electric rebuild
Who they serve:
California homeowners who want to electrify during rebuilding to help maximize incentive stacking across state, county, utility, and federal programs.
What it costs:
Free, just put in your zip code to find what incentives & rebates are available.