Years from now, a textbook may dub the times in which we’re living “The Electric Revolution.” Our days of burning fossil fuels to power modern life are numbered. Transitioning to the all electric future is essential to mitigating climate change.
The Great Energy Transition has already begun (and that’s good, because time is of the essence here). When it comes to powering our everyday lives, an increasing number of homeowners are adopting more efficient technologies that are less taxing on the environment. There are plenty of ways to electrify your home, but the ultimate trifecta? Solar power, battery storage, and heat pumps. Whether you’re buying your first home or updating your current one, there’s good reason to invest in all three if you’re considering electrifying your home.
When the three technologies join forces for an integrated system, there’s beautiful synergy. Solar panels generate clean energy, battery storage maximizes the use of that energy, and heat pumps use that energy to manage your home’s temperature. The combination of all three cuts your home’s total energy consumption (and your energy bill), while maximizing clean energy as effectively as possible. Better yet, there are several federal and state run incentives that offer tax credits, rebates, and saving opportunities for homeowners choosing to go electric.
Here’s a breakdown of the three technologies that will no doubt accelerate the Electric Revolution.
The benefits of heat pumps for your home
Heat pumps are the most efficient way to heat and cool your home. They’re powered by electricity, and because they transfer heat rather than generate it through combustion (aka burning fossil fuels), heat pumps deliver significantly more energy than they consume.
Quilt’s home climate system doubles down on efficiency. Advanced occupancy detection ensures unoccupied rooms aren’t needlessly cooled or heated, and features like preconditioning and scheduling make your home its most comfortable without jacking up your energy bill. Quilt’s official energy ratings make it the most efficient 2-zone heat pump on the market, meaning it conserves more energy than any of its competitors.
The benefits of solar panels for your home
Spend some time thinking about them, and you recognize solar panels as a modern marvel. Relying on the sun for energy production isn’t necessarily a new concept — in fact, the first solar cell, which was able to convert energy, was created in 1883 — but today’s iterations are magnificent.
In short, solar panels generate renewable energy from the sun, which, in turn, can significantly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Solar panels are made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells that convert sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. When the sun hits these cells, it excites electrons, creating an electric current that gets converted to run home appliances and the electrical grid.
Solar panels are often connected to local energy grids, so any excess energy generated can be stored in battery systems or routed to the grid — a nice, passive way for the homeowner to earn credits or payments from their utility company.
The benefits of battery storage systems for your home
Energy storage systems are the Robin to solar panels’ Batman. The systems store the excess electricity generated by solar panels, so homes running on solar can tap into this excess when panels aren’t producing energy (like at night or on cloudy days). In this way, the battery maximizes the efficiency of solar panels. Battery storage furthers the home’s energy independence, providing backup power and a more reliable energy supply.
Home electrification: Where to start?
Electrifying your home is an investment that pays off (both wallet-wise and planet-wise), but it requires some planning. To start, you’ll want to do an energy audit, which will assess your home’s energy needs and where you can improve efficiency. You can hire a professional energy auditor, but check with your local utility company first: Many offer free (or discounted) audits for their customers.
Next, if you’re upgrading all of your systems (or building a home from the ground up), you’ll want to start with your electric heat pump system, which will replace the existing boiler, furnace, or AC unit. The next step is to add solar panels. Once your heat pump is in place, you’ll have a better idea of your home’s energy needs, which will help you figure out sizing and requirements for your solar system. Installing solar panels will help offset the power required to run your heat pump. Lastly, you’ll want to incorporate battery storage to house excess solar energy. This lets your home use stored energy during off hours, like at night or during power outages, which further decreases your reliance on the grid.
If your home is already equipped with solar panels, upgrading your heating and cooling system to a heat pump is a smart way to make the most of that investment.
The ultimate power trio
Electrifying your home means being on the right side of history. It’s an act of future-proofing and an acknowledgement that future generations deserve better. Of course, there are immediate benefits, too. The combination of solar power, battery storage, and heat pump systems reduces the overall energy consumption of your home while, at the same time, maximizing the efficiency potential of renewable energy.
The cost-saving benefits — which include tax incentives, rebates, and lower monthly benefits — are the cherry on top of a modern, comfortable home that’s doing good by the planet and cementing the Electric Revolution as a movement.