Homes

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Retrofitting your home can be a great way to save money, reduce health risks, and help the environment! Follow the links below to find funding, savings, and free assistance for different types of sustainable home improvements.

Appliance upgrades

Save money on your utility bill and reduce environmentally-damaging emissions by upgrading to electric appliances (heaters, water heaters, stoves, and more) with the help of government rebates. See each section below for information on the benefits of specific upgrades and the resources and incentives available for them.

Water heaters

Once your water heater is more than 10 years old (check here) or shows signs of wearing down, you may need to replace it. Electric water heaters can be a much more efficient option that gas systems, saving you money on your utility bill year-round and lasting longer.

Heating and cooling

Electric heating systems, particularly “heat pumps,” can be much more efficient than gas systems and are often cheaper in the long-run. Many electric systems include both heating and cooling, and they can be used as a direct replacement for existing systems.

  • PCE $2,500 rebate — All homes in EPA can get $2,500 off the cost of replacing gas heating/HVAC with electric heating
    • PCE CARE/FERA rebate — Low-moderate income residents who qualify for CARE/FERA energy cost assistance qualify for an addition $1,000 rebate, see here for income cutoffs
  • TECH $1,000 rebate — All homes in EPA can get $1,000 off the cost of replacing a gas heating/HVAC with electric. Must use certified contractors.
  • $10,000 zero-interest loan — All homes can receive up to $10k interest-free loan with to help with the cost of electric heating installation
  • Energy efficiency tax credit — Anyone installing efficient electric HVAC is eligible to get 30% of the cost back as a tax credit, up to $2,000
  • BayREN $200 rebate — Get a $200 rebate on replacing AC with a high efficiency version. Must use certified contractors.
  • Full list of incentives

Stoves

Even when turned off, gas stoves can leak methane, a harmful greenhouse gas, as well as benzene and other known carcinogens. Fortunately, electric stoves offer a safer, healthier alternative, and “induction stoves” can heat pans even faster than gas stoves while reducing the chance of burns.

Clothes dryers

Similar to electric heating systems (see above), electric “heat pump” dryers have much higher efficiency than both gas-powered dryers and the most common electric dryers.

  • BayREN $250 rebate — Get $250 off a "heat pump" clothes dryer. Must replace existing gas-heated dryer.

Electric panel & service upgrades

For some homes, adding more electric appliances may require upgrading the home’s electric panel or its connection to power lines, known as a “service upgrade.” If an electrician or contractor determines that an upgrade is necessary, there are additional funding sources to support it, as well as technologies to avoid needing to do the upgrade.

  • PCE $1,000 rebate — When upgrading to an electric heater or water heater requires upgrading your electric panel, you are eligible for a $1,000 rebate on the electric panel upgrade
  • $10,000 zero-interest loan — When upgrading to an electric heater or water heater requires upgrading your electric panel, you are eligible for a $10k interest-free loan with to help with the cost of panel upgrades
  • Energy efficiency tax credit — Any panel upgrade that is required due to other energy efficiency upgrades is eligible to get 30% of the cost back as a tax credit, up to $600

Building upgrades

Improve your home’s resilience to extreme weather, heat, and power outages while repairing health and safety issues through state and local programs and incentives. See each section below for information on the benefits of specific upgrades and the resources and support available for each of them.

Health & safety repairs

Essential repairs, such as structural instability, mold and asbestos, leaks and cracks, and broken appliances, can be expensive and overwhelming. Fortunately, there are state and federal program that can help with costs, provide loans, and offer technical assistance. Many repairs can also be an opportunity to improve resilience to future challenges such as by increasing insulation for future heat waves.

  • PCE Home Upgrade Program — PCE will provide key home repair, insulation, and electric appliance upgrades for free to low and moderate income households (see here for eligibility). The wait-list is open, and the program is planned to restart in Summer 2024.
  • CRC Resilient Homes Program — CRC, a local community partner, provides key home repair and some appliance upgrade for free to low income EPA residents. Availability is limited, see here to submit the interest form.
  • Rebuilding Together — Rebuilding Together offer free home repair, accessibility improvements, and lead paint removal for low-moderate income EPA residents. See here for details on services, eligibility, and to apply.

Solar power

Installing solar panels is a great way to reduce energy bills and increase the sustainability of homes. Recent changes in incentives for solar power also make adding battery storage an attractive option which can help increase energy resilience (see below).

  • Energy for All — The Energy for All Program provides no-cost solar to qualified low-income homeowners

Extreme temperatures

As climate change increases the number of days of extreme heat in EPA, having good insulation and access to air conditioning (AC) are increasingly important. “Heat pump” systems are highly efficient AC units which can also provide heating. Improving insulation in walls, windows, and doors can help keep homes cool in the summer and warm in the winter, saving money by reducing the need for heating and AC.

  • AC rebates — see above under the Heating and Cooling section
  • BayREN insulation rebate — Wall and attic insulation upgrades qualify for up to a $1,000 incentive, depending on size and insulation efficiency. Must use certified contractors.
  • BayREN air sealing rebate — Get $150 off of air sealing, such as around windows and doors, which can save money on heating and keep out air pollution. Must use certified contractors.
  • BayREN duct replacement rebate — Get $500 off high efficiency air ducts that reduce leaks and save energy. Must use certified contractors.
  • Energy efficient insulation tax credit — Anyone installing insulation or insulating doors/windows is eligible to get 30% of the cost back as a tax credit, up to $1,200

Backup power & energy resilience

As risks of severe storms and wildfires increase, power outages may become more common, and having backup power may be increasingly important, especially for residents who depend on power for medical devices, business operations, and transportation needs. Backup power such as battery energy storage can protect electricity access for critical needs and can be especially useful when paired with solar power (see above).

  • Battery storage tax credit — Any battery power-storage of more than 3kWh in capacity is eligible to get 20-30% of the cost back as a tax credit with no limit
  • Medical battery backup — Residents with power needs for medical devices may qualify for temporary battery backup power during power outages

Renewable energy

While most electricity used in the city is renewable and has about 90% lower emissions than the state average, residents have the option to upgrade to PCE's ECO100 electricity which is 100% renewable energy for about $4 per month. See here for more details on the program.

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