2018 COUNCIL STUDY ISSUE
Title
Draft Study Issue: Encouraging Heat Pump Water and Space Heating
BACKGROUND
Lead Department: Environmental Services Department
Support Department(s): Community Development Department
Sponsor(s):
Councilmembers: N/A
City Manager: N/A
Board/Commission: Sustainability Commission
History:
1 year ago: [Dropped/Deferred/N/A]
2 years ago: [Dropped/Deferred/N/A]
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
What are the key elements of the study?
- Identify costs and savings to city, developers, residents and businesses of purchasing and installing Heat Pump water heaters and HVAC space heating systems in a) New construction (Residential and Commercial), b) retrofit/replacement.
o Consider savings in permitting and construction for all-electric developments without gas connections (New construction).
o Consider both initial costs (which may be higher than gas options until adoption rates and volume increase) and expected savings over time especially if paired with rooftop solar PV (New construction and retrofit).
- Identify benefits to community and environment. Significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from buildings is expected as new and existing buildings move to electric heat pumps for water and space heating. If new developments go a step further and install 'all electric' appliances and systems, there is additional benefit of improved safety (no gas leaks or fumes or explosion risk), lower costs without a gas pipeline connection, and even greater reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from not burning fossil fuels. There may be some downside for those who do not prefer to switch to electric/induction cooktops.
- Identify cost of a pilot study (perhaps in partnership with Silicon Valley Clean Energy) to offer rebates and/or reduced permitting fees to residents and businesses that choose heat pump technology for retrofits or small-scale new construction.
- Study cost of implementing a public outreach program (again in possible partne...
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