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Building Electrification Pilots

Menlo Spark works to combat the largest source of gas-emitting pollution in Menlo Park: residential buildings. By retrofitting homes with innovative upgrades and first installations of clean, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, cooking systems, and more, we make homes healthier and safer. 

Why Building Electrification?

SPARK INNOVATION

Menlo Spark demonstrates how older and multifamily buildings can successfully transition to clean, all-electric systems. Through hands-on pilot projects, we are expanding what’s possible, debunking myths, and paving the way to rapidly scale this work. 

PROTECT COMMUNITY HEALTH

Gas appliances burn methane inside our homes, releasing pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and fine particulate matter that degrade indoor air quality. Indoor gas combustion is undeniably linked increased rates of asthma, respiratory illness, and cardiovascular disease. Electrifying buildings eliminates these emissions at the source, creating cleaner, healthier air that is safe to breathe.

SUPPORT OUR 95% ELECTRIFICATION TARGET

Dirty gas used to heat our buildings produces ~43% of Menlo Park’s communitywide emissions. Transitioning buildings to clean electricity is essential to meeting the City’s goal of 95% electrification. Our pilots show how that transition can happen in practice.

Latest Pilot Projects

Willow Court

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This multifamily building, electrified in partnership with MidPen Housing and the Association for Energy Affordability, received all electric-retrofits in every tenant unit. Including: 

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  • Heat Pump Water Heaters  

  • Heat Pump HVAC systems 

  • Heat Pump Washer/Dryer Combination

  • Induction Stoves

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63rd Street

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This 1960s era, five-plex multifamily building in Berkeley was electrified in partnership with Association for Energy Affordability and BayREN. It received all electric-retrofits in every tenant unit without an electrical panel upgrade. Including: 

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  • Heat Pump Water Heaters  

  • Heat Pump HVAC systems 

  • Heat Pump Washer/Dryer Combination​

Carlton Avenue

This Belle Haven home received: 

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  • Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charger 

  • Heat Pump HVAC system

  • Electric Induction Stove

  • Heat Pump Washer/Dryer Combination​

  • Heat Pump Washer/Dryer Circuit Splitter to pause car charging during laundry usage. This caps total electricity usage and avoids a panel upgrade. 

Hollyburne Avenue

This Belle Haven home received: 

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  • Heat Pump HVAC system

  • Electric Induction Stove

  • Additional Energy Efficiency Improvements

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