The High Desert just happens to sit at the rapidly changing statewide energy policy center. Lawmakers are currently rewriting the rules for HVAC design, operation, and selection for both homeowners and HVAC manufacturers alike. Tack on that homeowners now have to deal with indoor air quality issues due to increased wildfire activity and the state’s push towards electrification, and there are a lot of changes taking place. Below, we’ll dive into more details about new California HVAC policies so you can better understand your home heating and cooling options moving forward.
Climate Changes in San Bernardino Valley
Recent research has shown that the days above 95 degrees Fahrenheit during summers in the San Bernardino Valley are increasing significantly. This increase in average temperature is causing existing air conditioning systems to work harder and longer to adequately keep homes comfortable. This is leading to a substantial increase in energy consumption throughout the hotter months of the year.
Reducing energy consumption moving forward, as temperatures continue to increase, requires a combined strategy. Upgrading homeowners to newer systems that offer higher cooling capability per square foot than outdated units is a start. Improving thermal envelopes, like adding proper insulation, reflective roofing, and air tightness to homes, can also make a significant impact on reducing the runtime of HVAC units.
Importance of Indoor Air Quality
Wildfire smoke is a public health problem that can infiltrate your home and cause short-term and long-term respiratory conditions. With more wildfires consistently burning, it’s more important than ever before for homeowners to ensure great indoor air quality. Installing high-quality air filtration and whole-home ventilation controls is an absolute must in fire-prone regions.
Some newer HVAC systems are offering dedicated mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. These are known as HRV or ERV systems. The main advantage of these types of systems is that they allow you to recirculate the filtered air in your home during known smoke events. Keep in mind that proper building envelopes will minimize smoke infiltration. This is an active strategy to enhance indoor air quality for homeowners.
Typically, standard home HVAC units could only handle air filters with a MERV rating up to 13. Anything higher was typically too hard for these units to force air through, which led to a significant decrease in operating performance. However, with the decreased air quality due to excessive state wildfires, a higher filter is necessary. HVAC system manufacturers are currently upgrading their HVAC units to perform efficiently with higher-rated MERV filters for optimal home air filtration.
The Push Toward Electrification
California is making a massive push towards electrification and building decarbonization. What this essentially means is they’re trying to move homes away from using fossil fuels and instead use more efficient electric technologies. This is causing more homeowners to adopt electric heating and cooling systems, like heat pumps.
Many state programs provide both technical assistance and rebates to encourage homeowners to upgrade to an electric-based HVAC unit or do an electrification retrofit of their existing system. Thanks to the state’s tax credits, homeowners can enjoy a lower upfront cost for these new electric HVAC units.
Systems Rising in Popularity
There are so many changes happening in California regarding home heating and cooling systems. These changes have fueled advancements in the HVAC industry that homeowners can now take advantage of. Below, we’ll discuss some of the most popular systems on the market today.
Heat Pumps
One of the central players in California’s transition to electrification is the heat pump. Modern-day air-source heat pumps deliver both strong and efficient cooling and heating throughout the year. They can pair well with a solar generation system, as most of the energy they need is produced during the daytime hours.
This is during peak cooling demands throughout the hot season of the year. Because heat pumps fit the state’s electrification goals, they’re a popular home retrofit. Their ability to reduce reliance on the electrical grid throughout the day, when paired with a solar energy setup, also makes them a key choice for homeowners.
Ductless Mini-Splits
Ductless mini-splits are specialized types of heat pumps that can provide both heating and cooling for your California home. These units are very quick to install, offer zone capabilities, and are very energy efficient. They’re great retrofits for older homes that lack adequate ducting for standard heat pumps. They also make a perfect choice for home additions.
Solar Energy Usage
The San Bernardino Valley has an abundance of natural sunlight throughout the day. This makes many area homes obvious candidates for solar energy systems. While some homeowners are opting for full-home sustainability with solar panels, others are installing just enough to power their HVAC unit throughout the day.
This method can significantly reduce your summertime cooling costs. You may even want to consider investing in a solar battery to store excess energy you don’t use throughout the day. This can allow you to use that excess energy during the overnight hours without relying on your local power grid.
Refrigerant Transitions
Another area of the HVAC industry that’s seeing a lot of recent changes is refrigerant. Manufacturers are moving away from R-410A and other outdated refrigerants that have high global warming potential. They’re actively transitioning to new refrigerants with a low global warming potential, like R-454B.
Regulations from the federal government are banning the products of systems using outdated refrigerants. As a homeowner, it’s important to understand what this means for you and your HVAC system. The current production and supplies of outdated refrigerants, like R-410A, will starkly diminish over the coming years.
If your system’s refrigerant needs to be recharged, the cost of doing so can be enormous due to the high demand and low supply level. Existing systems can’t be converted to use one of the newer, low-GWP refrigerants due to the way they both operate. Eventually, getting a system upgrade will be more cost-effective than repairing units using outdated refrigerants.
Practical Steps for Homeowners
As a High Desert homeowner, you can take some practical steps to ensure compliance and efficiency with local state regulations and policies. Start by prioritizing getting a high-efficiency heat pump that can handle higher-rated filters. Purchase solar-ready HVAC units that pair well with rooftop solar.
If your budget allows, invest in rooftop solar to power at least your HVAC equipment throughout the day. Consider taking it a step further by purchasing a solar battery to store the excess energy your panels generate throughout the day.
Check out the state’s many rebates and local incentives that can make purchasing a new heat pump or solar energy system more manageable for your budget. Consider investing in a whole-home air filtration system that can filter out particulate matter from the area’s consistent wildfires.
Reliable HVAC Solutions
Aace's Heating, Air Conditioning & Swamp Coolers provides reliable HVAC solutions for San Bernardino Valley, CA. We can also assist with your indoor air quality needs. Just phone our office today to book your next service consultation.
