Efficiency First California

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Efficiency First California

Efficiency First California is a non-profit trade organization helping quality contractors thrive during California’s clean energy transition.

09/02/2026

⚡ Panel upgrades delay jobs across California. What if you could design around them?

Mark your calendars: On September 23rd, we’re hosting a conversation on Power Efficient Design and how skilled trades contractors can use it to keep electrification projects moving without hitting panel capacity limits.

We’re bringing in industry experts Jenny Low from Build It Green and Iain Walker from Berkeley Lab to give you an insider look at:

-What "Power Efficient Design" actually means in the field
-How to optimize electrical panel capacity distribution
-Brand-new planning tools currently in development to simplify job planning

If you’re tired of project delays caused by utility coordination or massive panel replacement quotes, this is a webinar you won't want to miss.

📅 Save the Date: September 23, 2026 | 5-6 PM PT
📍 Where: Live Webinar
👉 Registration link coming soon

08/31/2026

Our August Newsletter is live!

📝 Blog: "It Costs How Much?" How to Talk to Your Customers About the Cost of Electrification

Electrification sales aren't dying; they're stalling right at the price tag. Customers are watching their spending closer than ever, tax credits have dried up, and most of the cost now lands squarely on their shoulders. That doesn't mean the sale is lost, it means the pitch needs to change.

⚖️ Advocacy Update: SB 1221: What the Skilled Trades Contractors Should Know About California's Gas Decommissioning Pilots
California's SB 1221 authorizes up to 30 neighborhood-scale gas decarbonization pilots, transitioning entire zones off gas service to electric alternatives like heat pumps.

📅 South Coast AQMD’s GO ZERO Rebate Pilot Set to Relaunch
South Coast AQMD's GO ZERO rebate pilot resumes accepting new applications on Friday, August 28, 2026, after several months on pause.

What are some topics you’d like us to explore in the future? Let us know in the comments below.

08/27/2026

What separates a standard job from a high-performance install? It comes down to quality, positive customer experience, and streamlined company processes. ⚡️🏠

We sat down with AJ from Villquin Air Services LLC , an EFCA member and a family owned Bay Area HVAC and water heating company committed to heat pump and other electrification installs, to learn more about the business.

Whether you’re a homeowner looking to upgrade your home’s comfort or a contractor scaling your business, AJ breaks down what it takes to deliver true quality work in today’s fast-moving market:

-Real Diagnostics Over Quick Quotes: Villquin Air Services believes in going the extra mile. Crawling directly into attics and crawl spaces to ensure equipment sizing and proposals are completely accurate before work begins.

-Standing Firm on Quality: Saying “no” to band-aid fixes for outdated systems protects clients from inevitable breakdowns down the road and saves both parties money in the long term.

-Maximizing Rebates & Financing: Connecting clients with available programs, such as TECH Clean California, local rebates, and specialized financing, makes heat pump upgrades more accessible.

-Fusing Business Strategy with Craftsmanship: Pairing hands-on trade experience with solid business pipelines and professional customer care creates lasting trust and a top-tier client experience.

We provide guidance and policy connections that help the skilled trades stay at the top of their game. If you’re a contractor working in California, consider joining as a member.

Watch the full video on our YouTube page to hear more about Villquin Air Services and insights on building a successful business doing electrification jobs in California. Link in comments.

Hey contractors, let’s talk shop: How do you navigate the conversation when a homeowner initially insists on a like-for-like gas replacement? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! 👇

08/25/2026

California skilled trades: What if gas utilities paid homeowners $15k–$17k to hire you for whole-home electrification?

We want to highlight Assembly Bill 2313 (the Home Energy Choice Act), which would give California homeowners financial incentives (reportedly up to $17,000) to choose whole-home electrification instead of standard gas line replacements.

Because gas service must be ended to get the incentive, these won't be single-appliance swaps. They’ll be high-value, whole-home projects requiring electrical panel upgrades, heat pump HVAC, heat pump water heaters, and induction cooktops.

AB 2313 is currently awaiting a final vote on the Senate floor. Check out the full breakdown and NRDC coalition resources in the comments.

To the skilled trades in our network: How would this impact your sales?

08/19/2026

The CA 2025 Energy Code is bringing major updates to ADUs. From new battery-readiness requirements to updated mechanical system pathways, getting ahead of these code shifts will save you serious time and headaches on your next job site.

Join our friends at San Diego LEARN and Energy Code Ace TOMORROW for a breakdown on how to navigate these changes.

We highly recommend this for all our California HVAC contractors, electricians, and energy efficiency pros! ⚡🛠️

👇 Registration link in the comments

08/18/2026

EFCA Executive Director Charley Cormany joined energy leaders at ACEEE Summer Study to help bridge the gap between high-level policy and California's skilled trades.

Highlights from the floor:
⚡️ Latest data re-confirming envelope work remains a major energy consumption reducer
⚡️ SB 868 plug-in solar & easing electrical load barriers
⚡️ Streamlining gas-to-electric conversions
⚡️ Real solutions to trade barriers in decarbonization

Really appreciated the utilities and implementers designing programs with the jobsite in mind!

08/13/2026

Hearing "that's out of my budget" a lot more lately when pitching heat pumps or panel upgrades? You’re definitely not alone.

With inflation and economic uncertainty top of mind, many homeowners are hesitating to drop big money on major home equipment right now. But a "no" today doesn't have to mean losing the customer.

Gabe Lieb (our Director of Strategy) breaks down how contractors can navigate price-hesitant clients.

Check out the video to hear Gabe's advice! 🎬

💬 Let’s talk shop: What’s your go-to response when a customer reacts negatively at the cost of an upgrade?Let us know in the comments below! 👇

08/11/2026

Staff Spotlight! 👋 Meet Bella Martin, EFCA’s General Manager.

For over 4 years, Bella has been helping lead the charge at Efficiency First California. From overseeing our core trade organization operations to driving development for the SMUD Contractor Network Directory, she works behind the scenes to make sure California contractors get the backing they need.

Lately, she’s been focused on strategy, marketing, and getting the word out about EFCA’s contractor resources across the state.

👉 Swipe through to check out her answers to our rapid-fire questions (and get to know the person helping lead our team)!

08/06/2026

Want to test-drive EFCA’s training videos without committing a single dime? 🛠️

EFCA has an educational video library designed specifically for California HVAC and energy efficiency contractors, electricians and plumbers, navigating the shift to all-electric homes.

To help you stay ahead of the curve, the first video of every course in the library is completely free for anyone to watch.

Here’s a quick look at the Electrification Contractor course (available in both English & Spanish!)

👇 Link for the full video in the comments

Like what you see? EFCA members get full access to every course, policy breakdowns, contractor tools, and more.

08/03/2026

Hey California contractors! August is packed with high-value training sessions! 🗓️⚡
Whether you’re dealing with tricky heat pump zoning on the job site, preparing your shop for the R-410A refrigerant phase-out, or looking to offer wildfire-hardened construction, Efficiency First California has you covered.

Our August events calendar is officially up with low-to-no-cost online and in-person sessions built for trades professionals!

✅ In-Person Highlight: Earn your Wildfire Defense Certificate for Construction Professionals with Sonoma Clean Power!

✅ Tech Deep Dives: Split-system HPWHs, Heat Pump Zoning challenges, and R-410A phase-out prep.

Check out the full August calendar and register your team today (link below) 👇

What training do you wish there was more of? Let us know in the comments!

Address

918 1st Street W
Sonoma, CA
95476

Telephone

+19163840324

Website

http://www.efficiencyfirstca.org/

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