Skip to content

Looking for a contractor? Visit our Clean Energy Connection directory >>

A link to Efficiency First California's Facebook page A link to Efficiency First California's YouTube channel

Your Membership Matters

Membership helps fund energy efficiency contractor advocacy in California.

Find out more
heat pump outdoor unit

Electric heat pumps for space heating are getting a lot of attention these days, and with good reason. Heat pumps are a readily available alternative to gas furnaces. They are more efficient and perform as well or better than gas alternatives and yet contractors are reluctant embrace this proven technology. What is it about heat pump HVAC systems that is limiting widespread adoption?

Read More
How heat pump water heaters work

The state of California has passed some of the most aggressive greenhouse gas reduction legislation in the county. To meet projected reductions outlined in these laws, California will need to wean itself from fossil fuels. Residential electrification efforts are in progress, and heat pump water heaters are a critical component. Heat pump water heaters are great, but there are some concerns. Check out some of the things we have learned about this new technology.

Read More
couple-sitting-beside-radiator

Home performance contractors have been selling deep energy retrofits for years. One of the critical selling tactics is concentrating on the Non-Energy Benefits (NEBs) of high-performance buildings. The real question is what are they? And will the state policymakers every recognize the true value of these non-energy related benefits of energy efficiency?

Read More
Biden at climate summit

President Biden has already made it clear that combating climate change is a centerpiece of his administration’s agenda. Biden has reached an agreement with China and 40 other world leaders to cut greenhouse gas emissions significantly over the next decade. Will this national focus on climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions finally propel energy efficiency to the forefront?

Read More

Having the proper knowledge and guidelines to a clean future is crucial now, as we continually see the impacts fossil fuels make to our climate. There are many tools and efficient steps everyone can take to be a part of this important change. Find out more on how to help keep the progression going and keep our environment and our families healthy.

Read More
construction-workers-and-engineers

As California marches to an all-electric future, there will be challenges along the way. Market transformations require the coordination of multiple efforts. There are often significant barriers in policy or technology, which may be true in this case. There might be a bigger problem with going all-electric, and it is not related to technology.

Read More
cloudscape-at-sunrise

No matter who you are, you probably will never forget 2020. The pandemic has affected the whole planet, and the world has changed. Events we once only dreamed of or saw in science fiction movies are now part of the collective experience. There is light at the end of the tunnel, but we still have a way to go.

There were good things for all of this year’s pain and hardship, especially for climate change awareness and energy policy. The question is, what does the future hold for the energy efficiency industry, and what can we do to prepare?

Read More
hand-turns-dice-and-changes-the-expression-old-habits-to-new-habits

California is blazing a path to all-electric homes. But replacing natural gas as our primary residential energy source will be a challenge. The real problem is shifting the perception of the market and encouraging large scale adoption. The technology to make this change exists today, so what is the real barrier to supporting all-electric homes?

Read More