Switch from gas to electric forced air heating after solar?

[Sol Jolla]

Thanks all. Lots to ponder. Nice summary. Sorry, I don't check this board that often, since we travel a lot--another reason why we'll have excess capacity, at least for a few years.

The house actually had a major rebuild 15 years ago. The foundation, electrical and plumbing was brought up to contemporary code. Doors and windows are a different issue since a goal of the remodel was to restore it to original form.

I can't figure out the PM (is it because I'm new?). Any rate, ncs55 please PM me with the website for your business. Thanks-

[ncs55]

Sol Jolla, As I previously mentioned, I am not here fishing for business. I would love to see your home and I work with one of the most knowledgeable restoration contractors in the San Diego areas. Your project is not the standard type of project from what I have read. I respect what you are trying to achieve and would be all over it if I were to have met you outside of this forum. Thank you for asking and If you can find me, I am all in, but this forum is not a vehicle for me to advertise on. I came here to help out people like yourself and the self installers, that they can benefit from some of my experiences in the field.

[firesense]

Just installed a 4.5 kW system (15 LG300N1K-Gw panels, P300 power optimizers, Solar Edge 3.8 kW inverter) in a small home in coastal San Diego and awaiting for permission to turn on. It's a somewhat small system but more than adequate for our home and lifestyle. We have a ~20 year old forced air gas central heating system nearing the end of its life. We're thinking about replacing it with an electric forced air central heating system so that we can take advantage of unused solar electric capacity. Anybody done anything similar? Thoughts on pro's vs. cons? Thanks-

Yeah, electric heater are quite a good to have that gas heaters. I personally have in my house and they work quite well. It is just that you have to choose that according to your needs otherwise it can be bit tough.

[Mike90250]

We're thinking about replacing it with an electric forced air central heating system so that we can take advantage of unused solar electric capacity

Generally, I'd not do it. New Gas FAU are much more efficient than older ones, and they still use electric for the fan, which runs longer with the HE units.
At least wait 2 years if you can, to see what the electric usage/generation actually ends up being, don't want to dig yourself into a hole.