Upgrade your home with a free heat pump water heater (HPWH)!
Disadvantaged communities have historically dealt with the worst air pollution, traffic density, heat exposure, and other environmental hazards. San Francisco is transitioning from gas to electric appliances to reduce air pollution, and The Hub is dedicated to making this transition affordable and beneficial in these communities. Our HPWH program is just the first step.
We’ll secure up to $10,785 in rebate funding to fully cover the cost of the upgrade and support you each step of the way.
How it works
- Sign Up. Fill out the form and an electrification advisor will reach out to confirm you meet the eligibility requirements and walk you through the process.
- Home Assessment. Send photos of your current water heater and surrounding area or have a team member come to your home to take the photos.
- Sign Agreement. After the Hub team secures the project funding, sign an agreement with the installer to carry out the no-cost project. NOTE: Securing project funding may take up to 1-3 months.
- Installation. Your old gas water heater will be removed and replaced with a new electric unit, followed by an inspection to ensure proper functioning.
- Continued Support. Staff will check in about your experience with the new water heater and determine your interest in receiving additional upgrades.
Who is eligible?
- You live in a single family home or a building with 4 units or less. .
- Your household earns 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) or less. (i.e. a 4-person household that makes less than $115,300 per year). View the full eligibility chart.
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Proof of income is not required if you can provide documents proving participation in public assistance programs such as Medi-Cal, SNAP, or CalWorks
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- You currently use a gas water heater that is more than 8 years old
Upcoming events
Join SFE staff and partners for our upcoming community events.
Event Highlight: You won't want to miss The Climate Equity Hub's Electrification Weekend!
Electrification Fair Saturday 9/28
Electric Home Tours Sunday 9/29
Benefits of an all-electric water heater
Heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) improve air quality because they do not produce toxic byproducts (nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide or benzene) like those from gas water heaters. They also have a lower risk of causing a fire or explosion.
Since HPWHs are fully electric, they do not produce greenhouse gas emissions during operation. Additionally, HPWHs are 3-5 times more efficient than traditional gas water heaters, allowing them to deliver the same amount of hot water while consuming less energy.
Avoid paying out of pocket for your next water heater by taking advantage of this program. Additionally, by using programs such as OhmConnect or FlexSaver, you can earn cash rewards for reducing your energy use.
FAQs
Questions on the Equipment
What is a heat pump water heater (HPWH) and how does it work?
A heat pump water heater (HPWH) is an energy-efficient alternative to traditional water heaters that uses electricity to move heat from one place to another instead of generating heat directly.
HPWH’s work like a refrigerator in reverse by pulling heat from the surrounding air and transferring it -- at a higher temperature -- to heat water in a storage tank.
How big is a HPWH?
Heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) come in various sizes, but a typical residential unit is slightly taller than a comparable conventional water heater
Will I have instant hot water?
Storage hot water systems, whether gas-fired or electric, heat and store warm water in their tank until it’s needed. While this water is available immediately, it may take about 30 seconds for it to reach your water fixture.
What if my home has limited electrical capacity?
HPWH’s by themselves will not generally cause you to exceed your home’s electrical capacity, especially if low-wattage (120V) models are specified. Your installer and advisor will be able to help you make a final determination.
Questions on Cost
If the installation is not fully covered through incentives, will I have to pay out-of-pocket to cover the remaining costs?
Projects are vetted thoroughly to ensure that the cost will NOT exceed the available funding. The project agreement, which is signed by the resident and the contractor, guarantees that the resident will NOT have to cover any costs.
How much does switching to a HPWH typically cost?
Although installing a heat pump water heater typically costs between $5,500 and $7,500, there is no charge for residents eligible for this program.
Will replacing my gas water heater with heat pump water heaters increase my energy bill?
Although adding another electric appliance in your home will increase your electricity use, this will be offset by a decrease in your gas bill. Because HPWHs are so efficient, they generally do not increase your energy costs despite currently high electric rates.
Questions on the Installation Process
After signing up, how soon can the new water heater be installed? What is the overall timeline?
After signing up and confirming your eligibility with the team, the water heater installation can be scheduled in as little as 5 days or as long as 3 months. The timeline is largely dependent on how quickly the resident moves along with income verification and the availability of the contractor.
How long does the actual installation process take? Will we have to temporarily vacate our unit?
On average, a HPWH installation takes 1-3 hours. You will not need to vacate the premise while work is being done. However, it is important to adequately prepare your space for the installation (i.e. clear a path to the water heater).
What happens if my HPWH malfunctions or needs serviced in the future?
The heat pump water heater carries a 10-year warranty from the manufacturer. All labor and materials carry at least a one-year guarantee. Any call backs within the first year will therefore be free of charge.
Is there substantial follow-up paperwork that will be required for this program?
Following the installation, residents will need to register their new water heater for the Ohm energy savings program and provide proof of participation. This is a relatively simple process that should take less than 30 minutes.
Climate Equity Hub staff or partners will reach out to ensure that the process went smoothly and evaluate your satisfaction with the process and the water heater.
For Tenants/Renters
How do I get my landlord to participate in this program?
As a renter you are still eligible for the HPWH program, but you will have to work through your landlord. If you are comfortable doing so, introduce this program to your landlord and let them know that it will come at no cost to them.
I’m interested in this program, but my landlord is unreachable/not interested/skeptical. Can SF Environment help mediate?
Yes, SF Environment staff can speak with your landlord. Please contact the team at climateequitysf@sfgov.org and provide the details of your situation.
Will installing a heat pump water heater increase my rent (via pass-through costs)?
No, since the water heater is being installed at no cost to the landlord/property management group, the cost cannot be passed through.
Can a landlord use this “renovation” as a reason to evict me?
No, in accordance with the San Francisco Rent Ordinance, landlords must have just cause for eviction, of which this project does not qualify. Additionally, this process will be minimally disruptive and will NOT require any relocation of tenants.
About the Hub & Partners
The SF Climate Equity Hub is a partnership between the SF Environment Department and Bayview Hunters Point Community Advocates.
The Hub aims to utilize the clean energy transition as an opportunity to address inequities by developing programs that make electrification financially beneficial for EJ communities.
The goal? To eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from residential buildings while advancing racial and social equity, health, economic revitalization, and resilience. The Hub's approach includes:
- Helping residents navigate incentive programs & connecting them with trusted contractors.
- Protecting tenants' rights.
- Connecting workers to training programs and employment opportunities.
The Hub will prioritize serving San Francisco's Environmental Justice communities, including Bayview Hunters Point, Chinatown, Excelsior, Japantown, Mission, Ocean View-Merced Heights-Ingleside, Outer Mission, Potrero Hill, SoMa, Tenderloin, Treasure Island, Visitacion Valley, and Western Addition.
The Hub’s long-term development and success is guided by the Advisory Committee, which is composed of individuals with backgrounds in affordable housing, climate action, tenants' rights and building electrification. See below for a full list of associated organizations:
- Association for Energy Affordability
- Bayview Hunters Point Community Advocates
- Brightline Defense
- Emerald Cities Collaborative
- People Organizing to Demand Environmental and Economic Rights (PODER)
- QuitCarbon
- San Francisco Bay Physicians for Social Responsibility
- San Francisco Housing Development Corporation
- South of Market Community Action Network (SOMCAN)
- Sunworks
Have Questions?