homeowners.: as a current or potential homeowner, here's what to consider before, during, and after installing new or upgraded electrical appliances.
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Getting Started: 7 Steps to Going Electric
Step 1: Understand Your Energy Use
1. Understand Your Energy Use.
The first step is to look holistically at your home appliances and infrastructure. (New construction? Skip to Step 2.)
Think about:
Think about:
- How much of your utility bill is methane gas (aka “natural” gas) versus electric?
- If you’re considering adding solar (we love solar!), but most of your utility costs are associated with gas, it might be a better investment to electrify your appliances before adding solar, so when you do finally install those awesome panels, your system payback is faster.
- While the transition to electric may take an initial investment, today’s energy-efficient appliances are projected to decrease energy use overall, resulting in long-term savings.
- Which appliances or systems in your home are fueled by methane gas? (Water heater, HVAC system, stove, etc.)
- It’s important to not only identify these appliances, but to understand how they might work together or impact each other. For example, if you use your A/C more because you're cooking over an open-flame gas stove, you could cut overall energy use by investing in an induction stove, resulting in amplified savings. Understanding this might help you prioritize which appliances you transition first.
- Plus, by replacing leaky methane-powered systems now, you can significantly improve your indoor air quality for immediate health benefits.
- Are there aging or inefficient appliances that need to be replaced soon?
- Make an inventory of when things may need to be replaced and this will help you make a plan of when and how to transition.
- Are there upgrades you can make to your home's "envelope"?
- Think wall and ceiling insulation, better windows or doors, sealing air leaks, installing shade awnings, etc. These sorts of weatherization and efficiency improvements can impact what size of heating or cooling system you'll need in the future.
- Consider getting an energy audit. We know there aren't many options for this in Missoula right now, but here are two resources:
- NorthWestern Energy customers who haven't had a home energy audit in the past 10 years are eligible for a free, virtual audit. This service can be helpful in giving you a ballpark understanding of what kinds of building-envelope improvements could be made. Keep in mind, though, that the auditor's recommendations around appliances may not take into account the full benefits of going electric.
- Conduct a Do-It-Yourself home energy assessment by following the steps laid out on Energy.gov.
- Do you rely on a fossil-fuel-powered vehicle?
- Consider getting EV-ready. This could mean installing an EV charger or adding the infrastructure to be able to add this when feasible.
Step 2: Work with a Trusted Contractor
2. Work with a trusted contractor
It's important to have the expertise from an architect/contractor team whose values and goals align with your own.
When it comes to finding a design professional and/or contractor, it pays to do your research. Homeowners should seek out contractors that actively support clean energy projects. When choosing a contractor, consider the number of completed clean energy projects and any technical requirements or certifications that reflect their commitment to quality control when installing high-efficiency electric systems.
We are currently developing additional resources to help connect you to local professionals and installers. It's also equally important to educate yourself on available system options. Visit our technologies page for more.
When it comes to finding a design professional and/or contractor, it pays to do your research. Homeowners should seek out contractors that actively support clean energy projects. When choosing a contractor, consider the number of completed clean energy projects and any technical requirements or certifications that reflect their commitment to quality control when installing high-efficiency electric systems.
We are currently developing additional resources to help connect you to local professionals and installers. It's also equally important to educate yourself on available system options. Visit our technologies page for more.
Step 3: Consider These Factors
3. Factors to consider
Weatherization & Home Efficiency - It's wise to think about making the rest of your home as energy efficient as possible before installing an electric system. A well-insulated, weatherized home will result in lower energy demand and allow you to buy a smaller, less expensive system (see "boosting your heat pump's efficiency" below).
Initial vs. operational cost - High efficiency electric systems will typically have a higher initial cost than conventional fossil-fuel based heating/cooling systems, but the increased efficiency means lower operating costs over time. It's also worth noting that the costs to retrofit a heat pump to an existing home may not reflect the additional wiring needed at the indoor and outdoor location. Consider payback times and existing energy infrastructure when choosing a system.
Efficiency Rating - Make sure your system has an adequate SEER/HSPF rating. The most-efficient Energy Star-rated heat pumps are 18 to 27.5 SEER
Initial vs. operational cost - High efficiency electric systems will typically have a higher initial cost than conventional fossil-fuel based heating/cooling systems, but the increased efficiency means lower operating costs over time. It's also worth noting that the costs to retrofit a heat pump to an existing home may not reflect the additional wiring needed at the indoor and outdoor location. Consider payback times and existing energy infrastructure when choosing a system.
Efficiency Rating - Make sure your system has an adequate SEER/HSPF rating. The most-efficient Energy Star-rated heat pumps are 18 to 27.5 SEER
Step 4: Evaluate your Home
4. Evaluate your home
Indoor Unit Location - Different systems have different indoor installation requirements. Things to ask your contractor/installer: does it require an insulated mechanical room to maximize efficiency? What are the spatial requirements of the equipment? Will the equipment require any site work? Will it require changes/additional ductwork?
Outdoor Unit Location - Is the outdoor unit accessible to regular maintenance? Avoid installing outdoor units under roof drip lines. Does your outdoor unit need a mounting system to keep it out of the snow?
Electric Service Capacity - If your home's space and water conditioning equipment isn't already electric, switching to a heat pump will increase the load on your electric service. An electric service panel contains fuses or circuit breakers and is the gateway where electricity enters the home. Most modern homes have at least 200 amp panels. Many older homes have much less capacity. Before embarking on your project, talk with your contractor about costs associated with electric service upgrades.
Outdoor Unit Location - Is the outdoor unit accessible to regular maintenance? Avoid installing outdoor units under roof drip lines. Does your outdoor unit need a mounting system to keep it out of the snow?
Electric Service Capacity - If your home's space and water conditioning equipment isn't already electric, switching to a heat pump will increase the load on your electric service. An electric service panel contains fuses or circuit breakers and is the gateway where electricity enters the home. Most modern homes have at least 200 amp panels. Many older homes have much less capacity. Before embarking on your project, talk with your contractor about costs associated with electric service upgrades.
Step 5: Make a Plan That works for You
5. Make a plan that works for you
There is no "one-size fits all" solution.
The system you end up going with is highly dependent on your budget, comfort requirements, residential heating and cooling demand, health impacts, specific micro-climate, convenience, aesthetic preferences, and environmental impact. The best thing to do is to understand your priorities (health? air quality? cost? environment?) and make a quick tradeoff list before you decide on a system for your home.
The system you end up going with is highly dependent on your budget, comfort requirements, residential heating and cooling demand, health impacts, specific micro-climate, convenience, aesthetic preferences, and environmental impact. The best thing to do is to understand your priorities (health? air quality? cost? environment?) and make a quick tradeoff list before you decide on a system for your home.
Step 6: Finance Your Project
6. Finance your project
We get it. The initial cost of renovations and upgrades to your home can seem daunting. The good news? Between rebates, tax credits, and financial incentives, there are several ways to offset the initial cost of your electric project.
Visit our Financing Page for more information on available funding options.
For new construction, studies have shown that specifying all-electric systems from the onset can dramatically reduce construction costs, since you don't have to shell out for the gas infrastructure.
Visit our Financing Page for more information on available funding options.
For new construction, studies have shown that specifying all-electric systems from the onset can dramatically reduce construction costs, since you don't have to shell out for the gas infrastructure.
Step 7: Do Regular Maintenance
7. Regular Maintenance
Every homeowner should know how to spot trouble and know when to call an expert for help. Follow these tips to get the most out of your heat pump and save on energy:
- Check your unit for snow and ice build-up.
- Remove foliage from around the outdoor unit and keep shrubs at least 18 inches away from the heat pump on all sides.
- Elevate heat pumps four to eight inches above the ground to allow for proper drainage. Make sure your outdoor unit does not sit below a leaking gutter. Water may collect and freeze - restricting air flow.
- Clean or change your filters and outdoor coils regularly
- Schedule an annual preventative check-up with your dealer.
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In-Person Planning Support at The Home Upgrade HubThe Home Upgrade Hub is Missoula County's resource for healthy and efficient homes. Their team is ready to help you walk through your home retrofit step-by-step. Learn more about their services and sign up for an appointment below.
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Additional Resources
- Breaking the Carbon Bond: Listen to Season 1, the House of the Future, a podcast made for Climate Smart Missoula by hosts Rick Craig and Wren Cilimburg. The six episodes are full of practical advice as we move to Electrify Missoula. Find it on your favorite streaming service!
- The Switch is On: Making the switch to an all-electric home
See also our Local Resources tab
Curious about how your energy bill will be affected by switching to Energy Star high efficiency appliances?
Check out Energy Star's Savings Calculator Tool.
Boosting Energy Efficiency to match your Heat Pump
A heat pump won’t work as well, or provide as much annual energy savings as it should, unless the rest of your home is efficient, too.
So, before you buy a heat pump, consider:
• Adding insulation to your attic and walls.
• Adding weather stripping around doors and caulk around windows.
• Properly sealing the ductwork throughout your home.
• Properly insulating the ducts in crawlspaces and attics.
• Installing and setting programmable thermostats to automatically lower the temperature at night in the cooler months and raise it in the warmer months, and adjust the temperature while you are away. Programmable thermostats can save you 10% annually on your energy bills.
So, before you buy a heat pump, consider:
• Adding insulation to your attic and walls.
• Adding weather stripping around doors and caulk around windows.
• Properly sealing the ductwork throughout your home.
• Properly insulating the ducts in crawlspaces and attics.
• Installing and setting programmable thermostats to automatically lower the temperature at night in the cooler months and raise it in the warmer months, and adjust the temperature while you are away. Programmable thermostats can save you 10% annually on your energy bills.
