All-electric homes
Heat pump water heater (HPWH)
If you’re planning to transition to a clean energy home, your water heater is a great place to start. At least 40% of the methane gas used by homes is for heating water.
Heat pump water heaters are clean, safe and all-electric. Peninsula Clean Energy is partnering with the Bay Area wide BayREN Home+ program to offer additional rebates for installing heat pump water heaters for San Mateo County residents.
A qualified contractor can evaluate your home and help you understand factors that may affect the ease and cost of installation, including:
- Electrical: You may need changes or upgrades to your panel. You may also need electrical wiring to the point of installation. Rebates can help offset some of the costs!
- Location: HPWHs typically have larger space requirements than a methane gas water heater. HPWHs are best suited for installation in a garage, but may be installed in a closet if it is properly ventilated and sound-proofed. Modifications to the existing location or relocation may be needed.
See below for rebates and next steps for a Heat Pump Water Heater for your home.
Benefits of heat pump water heaters
More efficient
At least three times more efficient than methane gas water heaters
Safer
No gas combustion emissions or hazards
Cleaner
Heat Pump Water Heaters powered by Peninsula Clean Energy use carbon-free electricity
Resilient
Heat Pump Water Heaters can operate during power outages with solar + battery backup
Heat pump water heater rebates
| Heat Pump Water Heater1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Replace methane gas water heater (any size) | |||
| Special additional rebate (expires 9/30/2021) | |||
| Replace electric resistance water heater (>60 gals size) | |||
| Additional Bonus Incentives | |||
| CARE/FERA customers4 | |||
| Electrical panel upgrade to 100 amps | |||
| Electrical Panel Upgrade up to 200 amps OR addition of sub-panel for up to 200 amps existing panel size |
1 Heat pumps must have UEF of 3.1 or greater
2 Combined rebates are not to exceed project costs
3 Projects that are completed by 9/30/21 are eligible for the special additional rebate of $500. (possible extension is under evaluation)
4 California Alternative Rates for Energy Program / Family Electric Rate Assistance Program
Qualifications:
- Must be a San Mateo County resident
- All installations must be completed on or after Jan. 1, 2021
- Must use a BayREN Participating Contractor (see table)
Your BayREN Participating Contractor will submit the rebate application for you and will make sure that all available incentives are applied.
BayREN Home Energy Advisors are available to assist the customer throughout the process.
Get even more rebates
Check to see if incentives are offered by manufacturers, cities, local agencies or other organizations, such as the rebates offered by Redwood City. These do not disqualify you or affect your eligibility for our programs. In fact, you can layer these on top of incentives from Peninsula Clean Energy or BayREN.
Redwood City offers $500 to install HPWH
Until 6/30/2022, Redwood City is offering $500 to its residents who replace a gas water heater with an electric heat pump water heater. Apply here.
Next steps
- Plan your Heat Pump Water Heater project, using BayREN Home Energy Advisors for assistance as needed.
- Install an eligible Heat Pump Water Heater through a BayREN Participating Contractor (see list below).
- After installation, your BayREN Participating Contractor will submit the application for you. Only one application is needed to receive all applicable rebates.
- Receive rebate: The application will be processed and rebate checks sent to you from Peninsula Clean Energy and BayREN.
Find a BayREN participating heat pump water heater contractor
These BayREN participating contractors install heat pump water heaters in San Mateo County.
View a list of recent HPWH project data, including costs.
If you have a preferred contractor that is not on this list, please encourage them to apply to become a BayREN Participating Contractor.
Peninsula Clean Energy does not benefit from the use of these links or selection of any contractor appearing here. Further, Peninsula Clean Energy does not guarantee the quality of work of contractors on this list.
