If you’re a San Diego homeowner, you know the feeling all too well: that pit in your stomach when you open your SDG&E bill. Another month, another reminder that you’re at the mercy of a utility monopoly with some of the highest rates in the nation.
For decades, we’ve accepted this as the cost of living in paradise. But what if it didn’t have to be this way?
What if your new home or remodel was a strategic investment in energy independence? At Builders Now, we’re not just building custom homes; we’re building a new standard for San Diego living. We call it the “Hate SDG&E” package—a premium, all-electric home system designed to make you less dependent on the grid and more in control of your energy future.
This isn’t just about saving money. It’s about taking back control.
What Is a “Premium All-Electric Home”?
Let’s be clear: when we say “all-electric,” we’re not talking about the inefficient electric resistance heaters of the 1970s. We’re talking about a cohesive, intelligently designed system that transforms your home into its own self-sufficient power plant.
Think of it like a high-performance vehicle:
- The Engine: Solar Panels
- The Gas Tank: Battery Storage
- The High-Performance Drivetrain: Heat Pumps (for HVAC & Hot Water)
- The Lifestyle Integration: EV Charging & Smart Ventilation
When these components work together, your dependence on the grid plummets, and your comfort soars.
The Components of the “Hate SDG&E” Package
1. The Engine: Solar (Mandatory & Smart) In California, solar is already a requirement for most new builds, but we don’t just treat it as a box to check. We design a system that is appropriately sized to power your entire home—your air, your water, and even your car.
2. The Game-Changer: Heat Pumps (For Air & Water) This is the technology that makes it all possible. Heat pumps are 3-4 times more efficient than traditional systems because they don’t burn fuel to create heat; they use a tiny bit of electricity to move it.
- Heat Pump HVAC: This is your air conditioner and furnace in one. In summer, it pulls heat from inside your home and moves it out. In the winter, it reverses the process, pulling ambient heat from the outside air and moving it in. It’s hyper-efficient and whisper-quiet.
- Heat Pump Water Heater: Your water heater is one of your home’s biggest energy hogs. A new, mandated heat pump water heater pulls heat from the ambient air (like in your garage) and uses it to make your hot water for pennies.
3. The “Gas Tank”: Battery Storage If solar is your engine, the battery is what gives you true independence. Here’s why it’s critical:
SDG&E’s “Time-of-Use” rates mean electricity is cheapest during the day (when your solar is cranking) but becomes outrageously expensive during peak hours (4-9 PM). Without a battery, you’re forced to sell your excess solar to SDG&E for pennies, only to buy it back for dollars just a few hours later.
A battery (like a Tesla Powerwall) lets you “beat the system.” You spend all day filling your “gas tank” with free solar energy. Then, when peak rates kick in at 4 PM, your home seamlessly disconnects from the grid and runs on its own stored power. You’re telling SDG&E you don’t need them.
4. The Final Mile: EV Charging & Whole-House Fans
- EV Charger: Your home’s “power plant” now fuels your car. You are no longer paying for gasoline or peak-rate electricity.
- Whole-House Fan: A Builders Now signature. Why run the AC on a perfect San Diego evening? With the push of a button, you can pull in the cool, fresh air, flush out the hot stale air, and cool your entire home for a fraction of the cost.
What The ROI Really Looks Like
Let’s be transparent. This is a significant upfront investment. A complete system—including solar, batteries, heat pump HVAC, heat pump water heater, and an EV charger—can be an investment of around $50,000 into a new build or major remodel.
But here is the return:
- Your Gas Bill: Eliminated. Completely.
- Your Electric Bill: Reduced by 80-90%.
- Your Gasoline Costs: Slashed or eliminated if you drive an EV.
Many of our clients see $400-$500 per month in combined utility and fuel savings. At that rate, the system pays for itself in 8-10 years—and then continues to save you money for decades, all while increasing your home’s resale value.
Please note: These figures are estimates based on a typical project. Your actual costs, savings, and payback period will vary based on your home’s size, your family’s energy usage, and the final system design. We will create a custom financial model for your specific project.
Stop Renting Your Power
For too long, homeowners have had little choice but to accept volatile utility costs. The “Hate SDG&E” package replaces dependency with control. Your home generates its own power, stores it intelligently, and uses it efficiently.
If you are ready to build a premium, self-sufficient home that pays you back in comfort, savings, and resilience, let’s talk.
- Request a feasibility review for your project.
- Get a right-sized solar and storage design.
- Receive a clear financial model for your potential ROI.
With Builders Now, energy independence is designed in from day one.