City launches new online tool to help residents identify cost-friendly energy-efficiency upgrades

Sacramento, CA (Mar. 6, 2023) - The City of Sacramento has launched a new online tool that can help single family homeowners and renters learn how to reduce their home’s energy bill and carbon footprint.

The City and Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) have partnered with Xerohome to launch the new website for those located in the city of Sacramento. The new XeroHome tool is designed to help homeowners easily find out what retrofits could make their home more energy efficient and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“XeroHome can help homeowners see what appliances are driving up the costs of their utility bill and how they can reduce carbon emissions,” said the City’s Associate Planner Laura Tuller. “We hope this tool allows Sacramentans to easily evaluate their homes, find rebates and take advantage of the long-term cost savings of going all electric.”

XeroHome is free and available to all residents in the city of Sacramento who live in single family or duplex dwellings. Users can see energy and cost estimates based on publicly available data and add information such as thermostat set point, utility bill information, and type of windows and lighting to improve the accuracy of the estimates.

A screen shot of the XeroHome tool in use.

Those interested in using Xerohome will be asked to enter their home address, and the tool will walk users through a short series of questions about what appliances they currently have in their home.

Users will be provided with suggestions for upgrades such as electric heat pump water heaters, ceiling insulation and even “do it yourself” options such as installing LED lighting. Costs of upgrades and rebate estimates will also be provided. The whole process should take approximately five minutes to complete.

Once the suggestions are provided, users can request a free, no-obligation informational package on how to complete the upgrades.

“Swapping gas appliances for electric ones is a great action individual residents can take to help fight climate change. It’s a small thing with big long-term impact, and there are rebates to help you from great partners like SMUD,” said Mayor Darrell Steinberg

This new tool is part of the City’s work to develop a pathway to transition existing buildings to carbon-free electricity. Electrification of existing buildings and homes is among the steps included in the City’s Climate Action & Adaptation Plan, which identifies measures and actions that will help the City to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.

Visit the Existing Building Electrification Strategy webpage for more information.