I would like to know how adding 30MM people to a strained system is going to bring costs down.

While it will put a small strain on us for a little bit the end result will be really good as it will open up options for us in the long run.

I lived in an older house built in 1939 in LA with single pane windows and we always had the heat on in "winter" months.  

It took me a while to stop taking it personally, but if this situation is causing you stress and strain, it's important to take action and address it.

A business line of credit is my goal, but in the meantime asking my landlords to keep the utility accounts in their names is a great way to take some of the strain off my personal credit. 

If you are house hacking and can buy a Bay Area 4 plex with 3.5% down and a interest rate in the 3's... while push rents up to market rate and it is not a huge financial strain on you... then do it.   

Can you find another good tenant or is it a strain?

That said there's a device called a Emon Demon and it's basically a Device you install between the main panel and the tenants sub panels that shows you what each electrical sub panel is drawing in terms of voltage and amp hours, I believe they even make some that will send you a email so you know who's using what power and itemize it on a spreadsheet, you can use that for billing purposes.

Any experience/thought on buying directly from China, (The panes seems compliant with IRC, etc and probably can make sure that they are complient with Californa Residential Code  etc also)?

I've already been down this road, so I added the following clause to my lease:(n) Cameras may not be placed by you (or at your direction) in common areas or anywhere on the outside of your rental unit.This does not prevent a tenant from placing a camera from the interior of their unit outwards through a window pane.