THE STORY

As one of the largest combined natural gas and electric energy companies in the United States, this California-based utility provides a variety of energy- and money-saving solutions for their 16 million customers. Operating in a region with the nation’s most ambitious climate and energy targets in the nation, their offerings extend beyond traditional energy efficiency programs to meet customer needs and decarbonization goals. 

THE GOAL

Senate Bill 350 (SB-350) requires California to double statewide energy efficiency savings, improve grid reliability, and accelerate decarbonization. To meet these goals, Franklin Energy proposed a scalable whole-home program that:

• Reduced residential energy use.
• Delivered measurable savings directly at the meter.
• Prioritized strategies to reduce summer peak load and strengthen grid reliability.
  
  

THE SOLUTION AND RESULTS

With a focus on maximizing customer bill savings while delivering grid reliability and resilience, Franklin Energy developed and implemented a unique program built upon building science principles. By emphasizing deep whole-home retrofits that prioritized electrification, the program empowered households to save money while also supporting grid stability.

The resulting electrification projects, delivered by over 70 trade allies, included air source heat pumps, insulation, thermostats, heat pump water heaters, and duct sealing.

• Gas savings: Average 43% reduction in natural gas use per customer
• Peak demand savings: 20% average reduction during summer peak, achieved by targeting customers in hotter climate zones with aging air conditioners
• Customer value: Lower bills and improved comfort, even with higher winter electricity usage
• Grid benefits: Reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during the most carbonintensive hours while enhancing reliability 

By implementing a combination of load-reduction strategies and whole-home retrofits, we demonstrated how electrification can increase total electric demand while simultaneously being beneficial to the grid and provide lasting customer savings.