Is a Service Upgrade Necessary?

Are you curious if you need a service upgrade?  Daunted at where to start?

If your house or apartment is separately metered for electricity, you can easily see how much energy is being supplied to your building by the utility.  Find the main panel, which is the first circuit breaker on the property after the cables pass through the electric meter.  Without unscrewing the cover, look for a circuit breaker labeled "Main," typically a wider breaker than most others.  The number on the breaker, which will probably be between 40 and 200, is most likely the upper limit on the amount of electricity that you can draw from the grid.  (When in doubt, call us.)

For medium-sized single-family houses in San Francisco with existing electrical service of 100A, or up to 5-unit buildings with existing service of 200A, it is likely that you don't need a service upgrade to switch to all-electric and start enjoying the benefits of health, safety and lower emissions right away.  In some cases, you may need a panel upgrade, however.  Panel upgrades create more physical space for new circuits, but don't increase the amount of energy your building can use.  For many medium-sized houses, if your existing service is 100A, you may already have enough supply to go all-electric, including an EV charger, without undergoing a Service Upgrade.

At All-Electric California, we use your PG&E data to analyze your current usage patterns, employing an optional calculation method allowed by the national electrical code that often results in avoiding a service upgrade.  If your service is close to enough, we can also advise you on lower-energy use electrical appliances, load-shifting techniques, and cost-effective insulation improvements that may help larger houses avoid service upgrades.

Service upgrades are typically necessary for single family houses with less than 80A service, or for 3 or more units less than 125A.

Service upgrades, when necessary, can seem daunting to owners.  We at All-Electric California make the process easy from A to Z.  Service upgrades typically include new conduit and cables from PG&E's facilities at the sidewalk into your building, with a new meter enclosure, main panel, and a new safety grounding system per code.

We are committed to finding the best and most cost-efficient path for you to remove gas from your building.  Please contact us to get a specific quote for your project.

Want to save money on utility bills, while improving your building and community air quality?  We encourage our clients to consider various ways they can energy performance, above and beyond the health and safety benefits of switching from gas to all-electric.  

Insulation and stopping air leaks can substantially lower your heating bill, whether you're using gas or electric to stay warm in winter.

The good news is that there are local, state and federal rebates and tax credits that can often help you with the initial costs.  We've seen rebates help our clients before, and will happily work with you to obtain currently available subsidies that apply to your specific project.

For central space heating systems (ducted or hydronic), we attempt to design systems to include larger thermal buffer tanks that function as energy storage systems, reducing peak electrical usage and meeting the 3kWh battery size requirement for the 30% renewable energy federal tax credit.

We guarantee some instant rebates, which we can credit you at time of installation, so you don't have to wait for those rebates to be issued. However, we're not tax professionals, and can't guarantee any deferred, third-party or tax rebates that are obtained after the projects are complete.

The answer to this question largely depends on your immediate goals, available time, and budget. However, as a mission-driven firm, we recommend the following priority for sustainability and impact:

Replace Windows: these are crucial points of heat loss. By only replacing the windows, you immediately see positive changes in energy efficiency. New windows should be double-paned with low-e coating. 

Insulate Envelope: Most residential buildings in SF are not insulated due to their age. This drastically increases comfort and lowers the need to heat and cool your home. It can be done with small incisions and blown insulation. Fiberglass or cellulose is preferred over foam for better global warming impact. 

Air Sealing: void exterior wall penetrations; use interior wiring routes for electrical or plumbing work. Seal large holes with mineral wool and patch with drywall mud or gaskets. When possible avoid spray foams. 

Water & Space Heating: Replace any gas systems with electric options. Decisions at this step can greatly impact carbon emissions. Water and space heating are the systems were switching to electric can have the greatest impact on global warming emissions in the building. 

EV Charging: electrify your transport! Depending on your commute, this can be a big source of carbon emissions. For people with a garage, if you choose your setup wisely, the next generation of vehicles and chargers will be able to supply your house with power through “bi-directional charging.” 

Dryers & Ranges: Induction ranges and heat pump dryers are excellent home upgrades, reducing energy use and improving indoor air quality. If you are prioritizing for air quality, ranges are usually the most important variable. 

Solar Power: Solar panels are a valuable addition that can benefit you, your neighbors, and the grid. Designing heating systems to integrate efficiently with solar energy ensures you make the most of self-produced power. The ultimate goal is to align your energy use with peak solar hours for optimal efficiency and lowest carbon emissions.