San Francisco, CA · Electrical Panel Upgrade
What it costs, what's permitted, and what to ask before you hire.
$3,500–$8,000
Expired Dec 31, 2025. For 2023–2025: up to $600 (30% of project cost, capped) when paired with a qualifying 25C electrification project. EXPIRED: This federal credit ended Dec 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21, signed July 4, 2025). Installations completed in 2026 or later do not qualify, regardless of when payment was made. For installations completed during 2023–2025, the credit applied to electrical panel upgrades installed consistent with the National Electric Code, with a load capacity of at least 200 amps, installed in conjunction with (and enabling) a qualifying energy efficiency improvement or specific energy property (heat pump, heat pump water heater, central AC, water heater, furnace, boiler, or biomass stove/boiler). The credit fell under the $1,200 annual envelope cap. Homeowners with eligible 2025 installations may still claim the credit on their 2025 federal tax return. Verify with a qualified tax professional.
When available, up to $8,000 (households below 80% AMI) or $4,000 (80–150% AMI) for a qualifying heat pump HVAC system, with additional rebates for heat pump water heaters, electrical panel upgrades, and wiring inside the per-household envelope. Phase I single-family funds are currently fully reserved (waitlist active). PROGRAM STATUS: Single-family Phase I is FULLY RESERVED statewide as of 2026-02-24 — new single-family applications are not being accepted and a waitlist is in place. Multifamily applications remain open. Phase II is under development pending DOE approval. HEEHRA is California's implementation of the federal IRA Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates program, administered by the California Energy Commission (CEC) with single-family implementation through TECH Clean California. When open, eligibility requires income-qualified single-family homeowners (or landlords with income-qualified tenants) at or below 150% of Area Median Income; income tiers determine rebate amount (below 80% AMI vs 80–150% AMI). Projects must obtain an approved reservation before installation; rebates only apply to heat pumps installed after the reservation is approved. Income verification is required before a contractor can submit a reservation. Replacement of an existing non-heat-pump space heating system is required for the HVAC rebate. Homeowners should check techcleanca.com and the CEC IRA rebate page for re-opening announcements before signing a contract.
No-cost direct-install upgrades for income-qualified households — homeowner does not pay out-of-pocket for covered measures. Measures may include heat pump HVAC, heat pump water heater, induction stove, electrical panel upgrade, and weatherization, subject to a per-household scope set by the regional implementer. Administered by the California Energy Commission (CEC) as the statewide Equitable Building Decarbonization Direct Install Program, with delivery through regional implementers and a separate Tribal Direct Install track. Targets low- and moderate-income households in low-income communities; specific AMI thresholds and per-region eligibility rules are set by the regional implementer rather than statewide. Both single-family homeowners and renters in eligible buildings may qualify, though scope and contractor selection are determined by the implementer (homeowners do not freely choose contractors). The program is funded through California IRA HOMES funding (60% allocation to Direct Install, approximately $130.3M) plus state appropriations. Direct Install retrofits began rolling out in summer 2025. Homeowners interested in EBD should contact the CEC at equitablebuildingdecarb@energy.ca.gov or watch for their regional implementer's launch announcement; the program does not accept open online applications the way TECH or HEEHRA do.
Standard: up to 50% of qualifying charger purchase. Rebate Plus (income-qualified): up to $2,000 for charger installation, or up to $5,000 combined for panel upgrade plus charger installation. As of 2026-05-30 the program is active. Applicants must be active PG&E residential electric customers (CCA customers eligible) who own or lease a qualifying battery-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle. The Standard tier has no income test. The Rebate Plus tier may be available to households at or below 80% of county Area Median Income, or to participants in CalFresh, Medi-Cal, SSI, WIC, or similar assistance programs, or to recent Rebate Plus participants in the Pre-Owned EV Rebate program. Standard applicants must apply within 180 days of charger purchase; Rebate Plus applicants receive pre-approval with contractor selection before installation. Rebates are first-come, first-served and limited to one per eligible household. Homeowners may not combine this with the now-closed Empower EV program.
Contractor question bank coming soon for this project.