Step 1: Upgrade Your Water Heater
Heat Pump Water Heaters can be a significant investment. It’s natural to try to cut costs by going the Do-It-Yourself route or hiring your handyman. But performing these upgrades is complex. Mistakes can be costly now or down the road. For that reason, we highly recommend to hiring a licensed, insured contractor to do the work correctly. In addition, many contractors experienced in home electrification are up to date on all the latest programs to maximize your incentives.
Find Your Installer
We recommend following these best practices when selecting any contractor, including contractors provided on the lists below.
Check licenses with the California Contractors State License Board.
Check for complaints and litigation history with the Better Business Bureau.
Interview and request quotes from at least three contractors.
Ask for references who can speak to the quality of services provided.
Search for a participating contractor with the Switch-Is-On.
See a list of Active Heat Pump Water Heater Installers in San Francisco*.
*Contractor lists are for informational purposes only and do not represent an endorsement by SFPUC.
Get Your Permit(s)
Whether you go with a licensed contractor or a self-installation, you are required to obtain a permit for this work. In San Francisco, licensed contractors can apply for instant online permits through the Department of Building Inspection’s online plumbing portal. Depending on your existing conditions, you may need additional permits such as an electrical permit. If you are unsure what is needed, please be sure to check with the Department of Building Inspection. You can reach them via email at dbicustomerservice@sfgov.org.
Self-Installation Route
Self-installation can be an option in San Francisco but only for owner-installers of stand-alone, single-family dwellings who have adequate expertise (heat pump water heaters are significantly more complicated to install than gas-fired water heaters). You can check if your property is eligible using the Assessor’s map. To apply, complete the necessary permit application(s) and send via email to dbi.inspectionservices@sfgov.org.
We recommend following permits when self-installing here in San Francisco.
Heat Pump Water Heater Programs for Residential Customers
Incentive programs for water heaters are constantly changing but you can stay up to date on all the potential incentive programs here.
| Program Name | Amount | Status | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| SF Climate Equity Hub | Fully or partially covered (Income-qualified) | Active | Provides high-touch support to income-qualified customers for home electrification. |
| Golden State Rebates | $500 to $900 | Inactive - More Funds Coming Soon | Obtain a coupon to redeem for a Heat Pump Water Heater at Lowe’s or Home Depot |
| TECH Clean California | $1,000 to $1,800 | Inactive - More Funds Coming Soon | A training and incentive program for licensed contractors to give you confidence in your installer. |
| Federal 25C Tax Credit | 30% of project costs ($2,000 max) | Active | Get money back on next year's tax returns when you do a qualified installion. |
| Energy Smart Homes | $4,250 for going all electric on your entire home | Active | Get a bigger incentive for converting your entire home to efficient electric appliances |