Reach codes

Enforcement of Menlo Park’s reach code, which took effect Jan. 1, 2020, is currently paused based on the 9^th Circuit ruling in California Restaurant Association v. City of Berkeley. This webpage contains a variety of resources for all-electric buildings including free technical assistance, rebates and tax credits, case studies, and information on all-electric appliances.

History of Electrification Reach Code in Menlo Park:

The reach code, enforcement of which has been paused, requires electricity as the only fuel source for new buildings (not natural gas). This ordinance only applies to newly constructed buildings from the ground up, and does not include additions or remodels. Specifically, it requires:

1. New low rise residential buildings (three stories or less) to have electric fuel source for space heating, water heating and clothes dryers. Stoves may still use natural gas if desired. Pre-wiring for electric appliances is required where natural gas appliances are used.
2. New nonresidential and high-rise residential buildings to be all-electric with some exceptions and produce a minimum amount of on-site solar based on square footage.
   • Exceptions include:
     • Life science buildings may use natural gas for space heating.
     • Public agency owned and operated emergency operations centers (such as fire stations and police stations) may use natural gas.
     • Nonresidential kitchens (such as for-profit restaurants and cafeterias) may appeal to use natural gas stoves.
     • For all exceptions that are granted, natural gas appliance locations must be electrically pre-wired for future electric appliance installation.
   • Solar requirements: 
     • Less than 10,000 square feet requires a minimum of three kilowatt photovoltaic system
     • Greater than or equal to 10,000 square feet requires a minimum of five kilowatt photovoltaic system

The reach code ordinance was approved by City Council on Sept. 24, 2019.

Why electrification?

Menlo Park has taken great strides in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the building sector due to its large renewable energy portfolio. The community receives energy from Peninsula Clean Energy, which provides a minimum of 50% renewable energy and 90% greenhouse gas (carbon) free electricity at a cost slightly less than PG&E. Electrifying buildings would maximize the community’s renewable power available and reduce GHG emissions by slowly phasing out the use of natural gas. Building indoor air quality and occupant health and safety will improve because all electric appliances emit very little compared to natural gas emissions and is less combustible.

Electric buildings have been found to be cost effective over the life of the building in upfront construction savings cost and operational costs. To ensure continual annual savings, property owners and the building industry are encouraged learn more about the increased efficiency of electric appliances and best design practices for electric buildings. For example, heat pumps are 300%-400% more efficient than traditional gas furnaces. Solar can also significantly drive down the cost of electricity for building operations and provide help provide grid resilience. Below are a list of training guides and upcoming events.

All-electric resources for new buildings

1. Peninsula Clean Energy partnered with TRC Consultants to create a free electrification technical assistance program to learn more about all-electric building technologies. Interested participants should fill out a participation agreement to be connected to an energy analyst. A guide to various options to help build all electric new construction system is available online.
2. Redwood Energy compiled case studies on all electric single family houses.
3. Redwood Energy compiled case studies on all electric multifamily dwellings (including high-rise multifamily residential).
4. Redwood Energy compiled case studies on all electric commercial buildings.  
5. View the Berkeley resident testimonial video titled "Why Electricity Is Better Than Natural Gas In Your Home" produced by Rise (www.buildwithrise.com).

All-electric resources for existing buildings

1. The Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) offers great energy efficiency resources, such as rebates on energy efficiency upgrades. This includes installing induction electric ranges or cooktop and heat pump water heaters for homes built in 2001 or earlier.
2. Energy Star offers tax credits for energy efficiency appliances for primary residence, in which the resident must own and live in most of the time.
3. PG&E offers residential rebates on qualified energy efficient products, such as smart thermostats and electric heat pump water heaters.
4. PG&E offers business rebates on qualified energy efficient products, such as electric commercial cooking appliances.
5. Peninsula Clean Energy offers residential rebates on installing an all-electric heat pump water heater, which is cleaner, safer and more energy efficient than a gas water heater.
6. Redwood Energy compiled case studies on all electric retrofits for single family houses. 

Multifamily building resources

1. BayREN offers incentives for multifamily property owners to replace their gas fueled space heating, water heating, and cooking appliances to more energy efficient alternatives. For more information, visit BayREN multifamily rebates website.
2. PG&E offers several multifamily program offerings.

Induction cooking resources

1. Frontier Energy published a study comparing induction stoves with gas stoves. 
2. View the "Induction Cooktops - 5 Reasons They Are Better Than Gas" video produced by homebuilder Matt Risinger of Risinger Homes in Austin, TX.
3. Ecology Center and City of Berkeley published a "Induction Cooking Factsheet," courtesy of Tom Lent. 
4. View the "Nourishing Our Net Zero Future" produced by Gould Evans, a nationally recognized design and planning firm focused on meaningful design outcomes.

Heat pump water heater resources

1. U.S. Department of Energy published an informational webpage about heat pump water heaters.
2. Peninsula Clean Energy provides financial assistance to replace existing gas water heaters with heat pump water heaters for existing homes. 
3. New Buildings Institute compiled a technical guide on heat pump water heaters.

Swimming pool resources

1. U.S. Department of Energy published informational webpages about heating swimming pools electrically either by installing heat pump pool heaters or solar pool heaters.
2. Redwood Energy compiled several resources on pool heat pump designs.