Archive
All 59 posts, newest first.
Monday, October 12
7 PMSB 1196 signed: faster utility hookups for ADUs and EV chargers
California's SB 1196 tells the CPUC to set utility deadlines for small hookup projects like ADUs, EV chargers and batteries by Sept. 30, 2027.
Heat pump vs gas furnace: which costs less to run on PG&E?
At October 2026 PG&E prices, a heat pump and a gas furnace cost about the same per unit of heat. Efficiency and your rate plan tip it.
Can you charge an EV from a regular 120V outlet at home?
A standard outlet adds about 2 to 5 miles of range per hour. Here is the math on whether that covers your driving, and how to do it safely.
Microinverters, optimizers or string inverter: which fits your roof?
The inverter on a solar quote affects shade losses, panel monitoring, warranties and battery options. Here is how the three types compare.
What is a solar true-up bill? How PG&E's annual NEM bill works
PG&E settles a year of solar credits and charges in one true-up bill. Here is how it is calculated and how to avoid a surprise.
Sunday, October 11
7 PMCan your EV power your home? PG&E's V2X program and California law
PG&E now pays up to $2,500 upfront, more in some areas, for approved bidirectional EV and charger pairs. Enrollment runs through June 30, 2027.
Solar loan dealer fees: why the loan costs more than the cash price
Many solar loans add a hidden fee of 10% to 30% or more to the price. Ask for the cash price in writing and compare it with the loan amount.
Heat pump steaming or blowing cool air? Defrost mode explained
Steam from the outdoor unit, a whoosh and a short pause in heat are usually defrost mode at work. Here is what is normal and when to call for service.
How long do solar panels last, and how much power do they lose?
Most panels lose about 0.5% of their output a year and are built for 25 to 30 years. The inverter usually needs replacing first.
Medical Baseline in California: who qualifies and how to apply
If someone at home relies on powered medical equipment or needs heating or cooling for a condition, PG&E and SCE offer extra low-priced power. No income limit.
Saturday, October 10
7 PMCalifornia's 2025 energy code: new rules for AC and window swaps
California's 2025 Energy Code applies to permits filed since Jan. 1, 2026. Replacement heat pumps and ACs need verified airflow and refrigerant charge.
GoGreen Home loans in California: rates, terms and who qualifies
California's GoGreen Home program helps credit unions offer energy upgrade loans with terms up to 15 years, or 20 with solar, and no lien on your home.
How to check your attic insulation and air leaks before winter
If attic insulation sits at or below the floor joists, you likely need more. A flashlight, a ruler and 20 minutes will tell you.
Home battery or generator for power outages? Costs and tradeoffs
Generators run as long as fuel lasts but need fuel, upkeep and careful placement. Batteries are quiet and fuel-free but cost more and run for hours, not days.
SCE's October 2026 rate change: what it means for your bill
SCE's average residential rate rose to 34.5 cents per kWh on Oct. 1, 2026, about $2.79 a month for a typical 500 kWh home.
Friday, October 9
7 PMPG&E's 2027 rate case: what it could mean for your bill
PG&E asked the CPUC for $1.24 billion more in 2027. A proposed decision would make 2027 rates retroactive to Jan. 1 even if approval comes later.
Is the SGIP battery rebate still available in California in 2026?
Most SGIP battery budgets were scheduled through 2025. The income-qualified solar and storage equity budget remains, but it shows a waitlist.
Best heat pump thermostat settings for winter, and what to avoid
Heat pumps run best at a steady setting. Deep nightly setbacks and the auto mode can raise your bill instead of lowering it.
Do solar panels need cleaning in California? What the data shows
A UC San Diego study of 186 California systems found dust cut output by only 7.4% after 145 days without rain. Most homes rarely need a wash.
Budget billing in California: how PG&E, SCE and SDG&E level pay works
Budget billing spreads your yearly energy costs into steady monthly payments. It does not lower the total, and solar customers on NEM cannot join.
Thursday, October 8
7 PMSB 222 signed: what California's heat pump permit law changes
SB 222, signed Sept. 28, 2026, brings online permits, remote inspections and limits on HOA bans for heat pump swaps in existing California homes.
PACE financing for solar in California: how it works and the risks
PACE adds the cost of solar or other upgrades to your property tax bill and puts a lien on your home. Here are California's limits and cancellation rights.
Heat pump dryers: are they worth it, and can one replace gas?
Heat pump dryers use roughly 28% to 60% less energy than standard dryers and need no vent. Some combo units run on a regular 120-volt outlet.
How long does a home battery last? How to read the warranty
Major home battery warranties run 10 to 15 years, but they guarantee only part of the original capacity and can end early with heavy use.
EV, battery or heat pump? California's electric home rate plans
PG&E, SCE and SDG&E offer time-of-use plans for homes with an EV, battery or heat pump. Here is who qualifies and how the prices compare.
Wednesday, October 7
7 PMCalifornia's community solar bill AB 1813 was vetoed: what it means
Newsom vetoed AB 1813 on Sept. 30, 2026, citing ratepayer costs. Renters still lack a broad community solar option in California.
Selling a house with solar: leased, financed or owned panels
Owned panels usually transfer with the house. A lease, PPA or solar loan needs a plan before you list: transfer, buyout or payoff.
Ductless mini-split or ducted heat pump: which fits your home?
Ducted systems suit homes with good ductwork; ductless mini-splits fit homes without ducts, additions and rooms that never feel right.
Should you replace your roof before installing solar panels?
If an asphalt roof is past about 10 years old, consider replacing it first, since removing and reinstalling panels later can cost $7,000 or more.
No Climate Credit this October? Why it moved to August and September
In 2026, PG&E, SCE and SDG&E paid the electric Climate Credit on August and September bills, so October bills will not show one.
Tuesday, October 6
7 PMAB 2313: Incentives to go electric when your gas line is replaced
Newsom signed the Home Energy Choice Act. By 2028, homes whose gas service line is due for replacement can get an incentive to go electric instead.
California's solar property tax break ends Jan. 1, 2027: what to know
Solar finished in 2026 stays out of your property tax assessment until the home changes hands. Solar completed in 2027 or later no longer gets that exclusion.
What size heat pump do I need? Why a Manual J matters
Square-foot rules of thumb often get heat pump size wrong. A Manual J load calculation sizes it to your house, which protects comfort and your bill.
Can you add a battery to NEM 2.0 solar without losing your rate?
Usually yes. PG&E says a battery can be added later without losing NEM 2.0, but adding much more solar can move you to the newer, lower-paying tariff.
How to download your hourly electricity use from PG&E or SDG&E
Your smart meter records your use every 15 minutes or hour. The Green Button download turns it into a file that shows when and where your money goes.
Monday, October 5
7 PMCalifornia's new virtual power plant laws: what battery owners get
Newsom signed SB 913 and SB 905 on September 29, opening a path for pooled home batteries to be paid for grid value. Rules come by mid-2028.
How to cancel a solar contract in California: your right to cancel
You have at least three business days to cancel a home solar contract in California, or five if you are 65 or older. Here is how to use that window.
Switching from a gas stove to induction: costs, wiring and rebates
Induction sends about 85% of its heat into the pan, versus about a third for gas. Here is what the switch involves in a California kitchen.
Do solar panels work during a power outage? What you need for backup
Most grid-tied solar shuts off when the grid goes down. To keep power on, you need a battery that can island, or an inverter with a daytime backup outlet.
CARE and FERA in California: who qualifies for a lower electric bill
A family of four earning up to $66,000 can get 30 to 35% off electricity through CARE; FERA gives 18% off to households earning a bit more.
Sunday, October 4
7 PMPlug-in balcony solar is legal in California in 2027: what to know
SB 868 lets Californians use plug-in solar up to 1,200 watts without a utility interconnection agreement starting January 1, 2027.
How to check a solar installer's license and bond in California
Every active California contractor needs a $25,000 bond on file with the CSLB. Here is how to check a license and bond before you sign.
How long does a solar permit take in California? SB 379 explained
Under SB 379, most California cities and larger counties must offer instant online permits for home solar up to 38.4 kW and paired batteries.
Heat wave on a time-of-use plan? How to cool your home for less
Pre-cool before 4 p.m., set the thermostat to 78 when home and 85 when away, and use fans so you can raise the setting about 4 degrees.
Saturday, October 3
7 PMInstalling a Level 2 EV charger at home in California
A Level 2 charger needs a 240-volt circuit, often a permit and enough panel capacity. California cities must offer a streamlined charger permit.
Federal tax credits for solar and heat pumps ended in 2025: details
The 25D credit for solar and batteries and the 25C credit for heat pumps ended after December 31, 2025, under a law signed July 4, 2025.
Replacing a gas water heater with a heat pump: what to know
A heat pump water heater moves heat from the air into the tank. Plan for space, cool exhaust air, a condensate drain and the right electrical circuit.
How to compare two solar quotes: price per watt and beyond
Divide each quote's price by its size in watts, then compare production estimates, equipment, warranties and financing terms line by line.
Why are California electricity rates so high? What the LAO found
California rates rose far faster than inflation from 2019 to 2023. Wildfire costs, the solar cost shift and grid spending explain much of it.
Friday, October 2
7 PMPG&E and SCE power shutoffs: how PSPS works and how to prepare
Utilities cut power in high fire risk weather, often with 1 to 2 days of notice. Sign up for alerts, look into Medical Baseline and plan backup power safely.
California heat pump rebates: what's still open in fall 2026
TECH Clean California and HEEHRA single-family rebates are fully reserved and the federal credit ended. Local utility programs like SMUD's remain.
Do you need a panel upgrade to go electric? Options to compare
Many homes with a 100-amp panel can add a heat pump, EV charger and induction without an upgrade, using lower-power appliances and load sharing.
How big a home battery do you need to keep essentials running?
Add up watts × hours for the fridge, lights, Wi-Fi and medical devices. One example comes to about 6 kWh a day, plus a startup surge.
How to read your California electric bill: baseline and tiers
Your first block of electricity each month, the baseline allowance, is the cheapest. Use above it and every extra kWh costs more.
Thursday, October 1
7 PMCalifornia's $24 fixed electric charge: who pays and how much
PG&E, SCE and SDG&E bills now carry a monthly Base Services Charge of about $24, or $6 to $12 for CARE and FERA households, with lower per-kWh prices.
Solar lease vs loan vs PPA vs cash: tradeoffs and questions to ask
With cash or a loan you own the panels; with a lease or PPA a company does. How each option works in California and what to ask before you sign.
How a heat pump heats and cools, and what to know before you switch
A heat pump moves heat instead of making it, so one system can replace a furnace and an AC. Here is how it works and what to check before you replace yours.
NEM 3.0 explained: why California solar now pairs with batteries
New solar customers of California's big utilities earn far less for power sent to the grid, so storing it for evening use is worth more than it was.
California time-of-use rates: peak hours for PG&E, SCE and SDG&E
On most California time-of-use plans, power costs the most from 4 to 9 p.m. Here are the hours for PG&E, SCE and SDG&E, with a worked example.