| First Name: | Sean |
|---|---|
| Last Name: | Armstrong |
| Email Address: | seanarmstrongpm@gmail.com |
| Affiliation | Redwood Energy |
| Subject | All-electric with high performance heat pumps is less expensive to build and operate |
| Comment |
Hi CARB Staff, In our design practice of ZNE housing, our primary task is understanding the energy consumption of various design strategies, and the cost of each alternative. We have retrofitted 6000 residences with solar, 1500+ of them to 100% ZNE, in the last five years. Over that period the performance of heat pumps has improved from EF = 2.35 to EF = 3.4, and HSPF = 11 to HSPF = 14. Gas has not improved past EF/AFUE = .98, and absent the experimental gas fueled heat pump of EF =1.2, gas has reached its' theoretical limit of burn efficiency. Consequently we have found this year that all-electric utility bills are now cheaper than gas hybrid bills, and the higher costs with gas equipment vs. heat pumps will almost certainly grow next year, and into the future. Over our five years of ZNE consulting we have found uniformly that projects save $2500/apt or more, and $4500/house was documented by KB Homes. We have reached the point where even with historically low gas prices and high electricity prices, all-electric, high performance (e.g 2016 Code) houses are cheaper to build and cheaper to operate. Please focus on the cost-effectiveness of all-electric housing, which saves money for the builder/developer and the buyer or tenant, as well as supports 100% solar offset and uses a rapidly decarbonizing grid. Sincerely, Sean Armstrong Managing Principal Redwood Energy |
| Attachment |
Original File Name:
Date and Time Comment Was Submitted: 2016-11-17 11:47:41 |
If you have any questions or comments please contact Office of the Ombudsman at (916) 327-1266.