Rebuild Fire-Damaged Homes as All-Electric with Solar Integration

On January 18, 2025, through the efforts of a non-profit organization, Empowered by Light, and a retired fire captain, Richard Birt, I had the privilege of assisting in delivering portable solar-battery systems to firefighters operating near the front line of the Malibu fire. The firefighters were extremely grateful. Their sole source of electricity prior to this was their fire truck. However, drawing excessive power from the truck to charge chain - saw batteries and communication equipment could potentially render the truck inoperable. Moreover, the fire truck couldn't be driven off-road close to the fire line, while the solar-battery system could be easily deployed in such areas.

Driving along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway, mile after mile, was a heart-wrenching experience. One burned-out structure after another came into view. Families were displaced, precious memories were lost, and local history was erased. But from these ashes emerges an opportunity that should be seized not only in America but around the world. That opportunity is to construct all new homes and businesses using only electricity and eliminating fossil gas. This stands in contrast to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ January 13 Executive Order, which permits residents to rebuild their homes “as they were,” including the use of fossil gas.

Eliminating gas from buildings eradicates the risk of a gas pipe rupture leading to an explosion, similar to the incident in San Bruno, California, in 2010. In that disaster, 8 people were killed, 58 were injured, and 38 homes were destroyed. Avoiding underground gas also simplifies the installation of underground electric lines. Underground electric lines are essential as they prevent the occurrence of sparks, which are suspected to have caused the Eaton fire. Additionally, not burning gas means no benzene (a carcinogenic substance) and other air pollutants harmful to health are emitted in people's homes. It also reduces the risk of death from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by faulty gas-powered appliances. Moreover, it lessens the reliance on the Aliso Canyon gas storage facility, which leaked for 112 days from 2015 to 2016, releasing 97,000 metric tons of methane and other gases into the atmosphere. Finally, reducing gas usage decreases the need for the 50,000 new oil and gas wells drilled annually in Central North America.

Constructing new buildings to be all-electric removes gas from the equation, resulting in both upfront and long-term cost savings. There is no valid reason to have both electricity and fossil gas in a building simultaneously. Electricity can perform all functions that gas can, and often more efficiently. Contractors may advocate for including both electricity and gas because they are aware that they will earn more from the additional work and equipment required for gas installation. Costs wasted on gas installation include a gas hookup fee, trenching for gas pipes, the pipes themselves, gas appliances, a gas meter, and a carbon monoxide monitor. Building owners relying solely on electricity do not need these gas-related components. They only require electricity and electric appliances. Furthermore, major electric appliances consume significantly less energy compared to their gas-powered counterparts. For instance, an electric heat pump used for air and water heating, air conditioning, and clothes drying consumes 67% to 80% less energy than a gas heater for the same purposes. An electric induction cooktop uses 62% less energy than a gas cooktop.

Building owners can further cut costs by installing rooftop solar panels and batteries and by implementing energy-efficiency measures in their buildings. There are at least 11 reasons why rooftop solar is cost-effective for everyone. It reduces the demand for expensive California grid electricity, mitigates wildfire risk by decreasing the need for overhead electrical lines, reduces land requirements, and diminishes pollution associated with grid electricity. Rooftop solar also provides electricity during a grid blackout. In summer, it cools buildings by converting sunlight into electricity. It eliminates the need for costly roofing materials and serves as an additional source of grid-connected electricity. Batteries store excess daytime solar electricity for use at night, allowing homeowners to avoid paying high evening electricity rates. Energy-efficiency measures such as sealing doors and windows, using LED lights, and energy-efficient appliances reduce the overall demand for electricity.

By taking these measures, building occupants can eliminate their fossil gas bills, electricity bills, and gasoline bills. A solar and battery system, with the help of subsidies, can pay for itself within five years due to both upfront cost savings and long - term energy - cost savings. Without subsidies, the payback period is approximately nine years, while solar panels typically come with a 25-year warranty.

Los Angeles has a similar opportunity. By rebuilding only all-electric homes, the city can reduce upfront costs by eliminating the wasteful installation of fossil gas. It can also lower customer bills for fossil gas, electricity in new homes, and vehicle fuel. Additionally, it can reduce the fire risk from transmission-line sparks and gas pipeline ruptures, and decrease the health, environmental, and climate damage caused by fossil gas.