Communicating thermostats (not required for projects installing variable capacity heat pumps (VCHP))

• Programmable and Wi-Fi capable, allowing occupants to remotely adjust temperature with a smartphone or other device
• Auto demand response (ADR) capability

Induction cooking

Projects enrolling before December 31, 2024, can request an exception for the induction cooking requirement. Builders must self-certify on their application supply chain/availability issues to indicate that induction units are unavailable for the specifically enrolled project. Projects using this option must install at least a 40-amp circuit to support future upgrades. Incentives will be reduced by $700 per single family homes and $500 per multifamily unit using the exception.

Heat pump space heating HVAC equipment installed must be heat pump technology. Technology that utilizes electric resistance as the primary source of heating is not eligible for the program.

Segregated circuits

CalEHP requires the segregation of the following electrical circuits in single family homes and multifamily units:

• Lighting including exit and egress lighting and exterior lighting
• HVAC systems and components including furnaces, package units, whole-house fans, chillers, air handling units, cooling towers, and circulation pumps associated with HVAC
• Domestic and service water system pumps and related systems and components
• Plug load including appliances rated less than 25 kVA
• Charging stations for electric vehicles

When segregating the circuits, it is important to remember that no plug load, lighting load, or appliances (including but not limited to: dishwasher, dryer, refrigerator, clothes washer, oven, whole house fan, furnace/heat pump, water heater, sump pumps, etc.) can share a common circuit. This means that any one circuit can only serve either a lighting load, a plug load, or a single major appliance (ceiling fans with lighting should be counted as a lighting load).

The program envisions the use of conventional panelboards, fuses, circuit breakers, motor control centers, and other standard wiring methods for meeting the requirement to separate electrical loads. The requirement may also be achieved by a well-planned wiring approach, such as connecting all HVAC units to a single feeder from the service using a combination of through feeds and taps.

Thermostatic mixing valves (not required for ADUs, systems with recirculation loops, or Central Heat Pump Water Heating Systems)

CalEHP requires all unitary heat pump water heaters installed to?be equipped?with thermostatic mixing valves.