I have looked into replacing my gas hot water heater with an electric one - it is too expensive, cumbersome and noisy at this time.
I have had 2 estimates for electric house heat, and they were both frightfully expensive, ugly, cumbersome, and likely noisy for my neighbors. - I already suffer through too much noise all Summer from the new house next door’s outdoor something, right under my windows, which I must keep closed now! I do not want to do that to my neighbors! I do not have nor use air conditioning.
I have had solar panels on my house since 2003. I borrowed money to install them because it was the right thing to do. I hoped someday to break even on the cost. I am committed to a sustainable future, and have been conserving and careful all my life!
I think we are jumping the gun forcing Menlo Park residents to replace broken gas appliances with electric, in older homes that might not have the space, the insulation, nor the electrical panels for them. Even with subsidies from the City to pay for all this modification. (No way to make them quieter if the units can not be further away from living areas!)
Why are we not instead pushing to make more renewable energ? - Rooftop solar on every sunny roof and small wind generators wherever we have consistent breezes on rooftops? Residences and businesses!
Then people will choose to go electric, and the marketplace will be able make better, more efficient and quieter units for this!
I am not in favor of requiring existing homes to retrofit. It should be a choice.
New construction is another matter entirely.
Thanks for hearing my views,
Darshana M Greenfield
1905 Menalto Avenue, Menlo Park
"Love is the answer whatever the question" ♥️
