When discussing residential building electrification, it is commonly misunderstood that upgrading the building's electrical panel must be considered.  In fact, in most cases, it is not actually necessary to upgrade the panel since the existing one likely has the needed capacity to handle efficient right-sized electrification. Using thoughtful electrification processes and cutting-edge appliances and supporting equipment, most residential electrification can be accomplished successfully with the existing 100A (100 Amp, 24 kilowatt) panel. The speakers will discuss the novel approaches, techniques and technology available today to accomplish electrification without the expensive and time-consuming task of upgrading existing electrical panels.

Tom Kabat

Tom Kabat is an energy engineer with more than 40 years of diverse energy experience since starting in utility programs and resource planning at City of Palo Alto Utilities prior to resuming consulting.   Recent projects include assisting two electrification design development studies for 15 homes, completing DIY electrification of his own home, while assisting with others, developing electrification training for contractors and developing tools, guides and process for wallet friendly, panel friendly, grid friendly electrification. 

Sean Armstrong

Sean Armstrong is the Managing Principal of Redwood Energy and led the design of more than half the all-electric residences built in California between 2011 and 2020 on the strength of the CUAC, co-authored six practical guides to building electrification, provided legal and technical support to dozens of municipal gas bans nation-wide, helped develop the 2016, 2019 and 2022 Title 24 California Energy Code, and received Grand Prizes from the U.N. and PCBC Gold Nuggets, two U.S. Department of Energy Innovation Awards, a SoCal BIA Award, and is a 2022 California Energy Commission Clean Energy Champion.