Californians could soon get some relief from the upfront costs of clean home upgrades, with two state bills poised to make rooftop solar, home batteries, heat pumps, and heat pump water heaters easier and cheaper to install.
On Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk are two measures described as "first-in-the-nation" efforts to lower the hassle and cost of installing rooftop solar, home batteries, heat pumps, and heat pump water heaters across California.
Here's what to know
If the governor approves them by the end of September, households could avoid anywhere from a few hundred dollars to more than $1,000 in project fees, and those upgrades can also shrink monthly energy costs.
The two bills are Senate Bill 222, the Heat Pump Access Act, and Assembly Bill 1738, the Remote Virtual Inspection Act, both of which the state's Legislature has already approved, as Canary Media reported. Together, the two bills would simplify permit and inspection requirements for clean energy home projects.
The Heat Pump Access Act aims to standardize the requirements necessary to install a heat pump, which could result in a reduction of nearly $400 worth of fees, according to Canary Media. It would also speed up how quickly projects are approved.
The Remote Virtual Inspection Act would allow for, perhaps unsurprisingly, remote/virtual inspections for HVAC and energy projects. What is surprising, though, is how much money this bill could save Californians. According to Canary Media, if passed, the bill could save them half a billion dollars over just three years, in addition to avoiding long wait times for contractors to show up.
More background
Because Californians already face some of the highest energy prices in the country, the potential savings could be especially important in bringing down households' upfront project costs.
With federal support for residential solar, batteries, heat pumps, and heat-pump water heaters massively reduced, state-level savings have become even more meaningful.
Save $10,000 on solar panels without even sharing your phone number Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers that can help you save as much as $10k on installation. To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best local options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner. |
And beyond significantly reducing household costs, the legislation could support California's climate goals, including a target of cutting planet-warming pollution to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and deploying 6 million heat pumps, per Canary Media.
Gov. Newsom's office has not said whether he will sign the bills into law.
Even outside of California, solar remains one of the strongest ways to cut home energy expenses, and homeowners can explore EnergySage to compare quotes and get free solar installation estimates.
With EnergySage's help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations, and EnergySage's solar map shows the average cost of a home solar panel system on a state-by-state level, along with details on solar panel incentives for each state.
More From EnergySage
💡Go deep on the latest news and trends shaping the residential solar landscape
Where can I learn more?
For more on California rooftop solar projects, electricity prices, and peak-hour bill savings, start with these stories.
• In one California city, rooftop solar becomes relief for low-income households facing steep power bills.
• Economists say California's recent energy rate hikes foreshadow the pressure households nationwide could face.
• California households can avoid surging energy bills by cutting use during expensive peak hours.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
