Electrify your home beyond solar

Most homes have historically relied on multiple energy sources, but electric-powered appliances are increasingly beneficial for household safety, the environment, and financial savings. Replacing gas-powered appliances with electric alternatives enhances energy efficiency, and enables the use of renewable energy produced by the grid or your own solar panel system. 

Upgrade to electric appliances

Implementing minor energy saving practices is a great way to start electrifying your home, but upgrading major appliances can significantly reduce your energy costs. 

• Appliances: Look for ENERGY STAR appliances powered by electricity to be more energy efficient.
• HVAC system: Heat pumps offer an efficient and electric way to heat and cool your home. And, you can earn a rebate through Tampa Electric's Heating and Cooling program when you install a new, energy-efficient system. 
• Water heater: You can power an electric water heater through the electric grid or with solar panels.
• Clothes dryer: If you have a gas-powered dryer, you can update to an electric model. 
• Car: Electric vehicles (EVs) can save you money on gas, and you can charge them right at home.
• Electrical panel: You may need to upgrade your electrical panel to support higher loads when electrifying your home.

Learn more about how to electrify your home.

Should you get battery energy storage?

Installing and interconnecting a home battery/energy storage system will enable you to store solar energy during the day to be used at night, when solar is unable to produce energy, or should power not be available via the grid. 

On average, a 13-kilowatt-hour (kWh) storage installation in Florida costs between $15,000 and $20,000 and lasts about 10 to 15 years. Incentives like the investment tax credit (ITC) can bring the price you pay down considerably. 

Do you need emergency backup power?

It’s important to understand that during a power outage, a grid-tied solar system alone will not provide power to your home or business; they are designed to shut off when the grid goes down. This is a safety requirement that prevents your system from back-feeding electricity onto the grid and electrocuting line workers.

While Tampa Electric provides 99.98 percent service reliability, power outages can still occur, especially during Florida’s storm season. This might be a reason to consider a home battery system, especially if you’re dependent on medical equipment. The only way you can depend on having power when the grid goes down is to install and interconnect a home battery system to your existing interconnected solar. When interconnected properly, you can store solar energy during the day and use it if grid power is not available.

Connecting your storage system 

You will be required to interconnect your home battery system. Once your system is installed, the installer must complete these Tampa Electric steps to interconnect your system. 

Learn more about energy storage.