Feeling anxious about climate change? Wondering how you’re going to manage rising energy costs or keep the air conditioning on if the power goes out during a heat wave?
These are very real concerns that all of us in California are facing head-on right now. And while we can’t control the global forces driving climate and economic instability, we can take steps to protect our homes, our families, and our finances.
If you want to take action, one of the best things you can do is make climate-ready upgrades to your home.
What Is a Climate-Ready House?
A climate-ready (sometimes called climate-proof) home is built or upgraded to withstand the challenges of a changing climate. That means staying cooler during extreme heat, safer during wildfire season, and more resilient during grid outages.
But being climate-ready isn’t just about bracing for disasters. It’s also about saving money.
Climate-ready homes prioritize energy efficiency, and many even generate their own electricity. That makes you more resilient not just to environmental shocks but to economic ones as well.
The Benefits of a Climate-Proof Home
Living in a climate-proof home has wide-ranging benefits, including:
- Lower energy bills: Energy efficiency upgrades and solar panels help cut costs that will only rise as utility rates continue to climb.
- Comfort and health: Improved insulation, better air sealing, and high-performance HVAC keep your home livable during heatwaves and smoky days.
- Backup power: Solar panels paired with battery storage let you keep your essentials running during a blackout.
- Higher home value: Buyers increasingly want homes that are energy efficient, electrified, and ready for the future. A climate-ready home is a strong selling point.
- Less environmental impact: Climate-proofing your home reduces its impact on the planet, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.
3 Ways to Prepare Your House for Climate Change
So how do you get your home ready? There are many improvements you can make. Here are three of the most impactful:
1. Improve Insulation & Air Sealing
A well-insulated, tightly sealed home is the foundation of climate readiness.
Insulation keeps heat out in summer and holds it in during winter, so you use less energy to stay comfortable, and stay comfortable longer if the power goes out.
Air sealing also closes the gaps and cracks that let in outdoor pollutants, like wildfire smoke.
2. Switch from Gas to Electric Appliances
Electrification—replacing gas appliances with electric ones—is another key step.
Heat pump HVAC systems, induction cooktops, and heat pump water heaters outperform their gas counterparts while eliminating fossil fuel use inside your home.
Plus, when paired with solar panels, electric appliances can run independently of the grid, making your home more resilient and self-sufficient, especially during an emergency.
3. Install Solar and Battery Storage
If you want to be fully prepared for climate change, installing solar panels with battery storage is one of the best things you can do.
Solar panels let you generate your own clean electricity. Batteries let you store solar energy for use at night or during a power outage. Together, they cut your dependence on outside sources for electricity, so you don’t have to worry about fuel shortages or grid outages impacting your access.
Find a Clean Energy Contractor to Climate-Proof Your Home
The first step toward climate-change-proofing your house is finding a contractor that can handle the job. The Clean Energy Connection makes it easy. Our free, online directory features the best clean energy contractors in California, from heat pump companies to solar installers. You can filter based on what upgrades you want to make and choose from a list of vetted and approved contractors in your area.