Hale informed event attendees how to measure heat, providing context for the traditional methods of heating and cooling homes. Photo by Abbey Wicks

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) – The Carmichael Chamber of Commerce held a home energy forum March 26 at the Carmichael Park Community Clubhouse in collaboration with Villara Home Services and SMUD. As California’s energy landscape continues to evolve, with the state moving toward clean-energy milestones, the forum aimed to inform homeowners of changing guidelines and the most cost- and climate-effective systems.

California’s Title 24 energy code, the rulebook for how homes use energy, went into effect Jan. 1 and will remain in effect until 2031, due to Assembly Bill 130, which has paused residential building standards. The code affects new construction with all-electric standards and increases resale value of “electric-ready” and solar-equipped homes.

Villara Home Services is working with the community to help residents get ahead of continued changes. The key areas of recommended electrification in homes are electric stovetops, heat pumps, hot water heat pumps and the removal of gas stub-outs.

One of the most significant ways homeowners can electrify their home is by shifting from gas furnaces and air conditioning to heat pumps. While old systems create heat with combustion, new systems instead move heat with energy. The result is a more energy-efficient, eco-friendly and cost-effective system.

As pumps have evolved, manufacturers have developed “variable-speed” systems that run for longer cycles and maintain more consistent indoor temperatures, rather than constantly cycling on and off with temperature swings. This reduces the all-or-nothing effect of heating and air conditioning, helping prevent extremes that leave homes feeling too cold or too hot.

Variable speed systems also connect to a smart-control thermostat, allowing for more control and flexibility in the home.

Heat pump water heaters work in a similar way by moving heat into the tank rather than generating it directly. According to Ashley Hale, community ambassador for Villara Home Services, the system works like a “refrigerator in reverse.”

The Northern California–based company is offering incentives to help homeowners electrify their homes, with potential long-term environmental and financial benefits. Installation for a high-efficiency heat pump water heater starts at $5,547, including a Less Utility Instant Rebate of up to $3,000 for qualifying homes, bringing the net cost to about $2,547, or $27 per month. By comparison, a basic gas water heater installation typically starts at $3,947, or about $41 per month.

Villara also offers high-efficiency variable-speed heat pump systems starting at $14,949, with rebates of up to $3,000, for a net cost of about $11,949, or $123 per month. A comparable gas furnace and air conditioning replacement would cost about $12,577, or $130 per month.

For more information or to schedule a free in-home consultation, visit https://villara.com/specials/.

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), of which Villara is a participating contractor, also presented information on evaluating cost savings. According to SMUD Energy Educator Joey Penneman, homeowners can estimate savings through detailed calculations, a general “rule of thumb,” or technology-assisted tools.

The rule of thumb suggests an average 40 percent reduction in HVAC costs. Homeowners can estimate this by reviewing past utility bills, identifying months with minimal heating or cooling use and comparing them to higher-usage months. SMUD estimates average savings at about $500 annually per home according to a September 2025 press release.

SMUD has a hotline available for customers seeking assistance calculating savings. Call a SMUD Energy Advisor at 916-732-5732 or email AdvancedHomeSolutions@smud.org.

As of March 2026, SMUD offers rebates of up to $4,000 for heat pump water heater conversions, up to $3,000 for heat pump HVAC conversions, $2,000 for panel upgrades and $1000 for any electric-to-electric HVAC or water heating upgrade.  

In order to be eligible for rebates, SMUD customers must work with a contractor in the SMUD Contractor Network (https://www.smudcontractornetwork.org), and SMUD recommends obtaining multiple quotes. 

For the latest rebates, visit: www.smud.org/Rebates-and-Savings-Tips/Rebates-for-My-Home.

Once installed, qualifying upgrades may receive rebates either as a direct payment or as a deduction from the project cost.

To view the full presentation, visit SMUD’s YouTube channel @MySmud. For upcoming SMUD education classes, including a Title 24 for Residential Buildings course, visit www.smud.org/In-Our-Community/Workshops-and-education-resources/Residential.