Expanded home electrification rebates offer more ways to save
Posted on 08/11/2026

Expanded home electrification rebates offer more ways to save

New rebates support solar and battery systems, gas meter removal, smart electrical panels, and more; Original heat pump heating and cooling rebate now limited to income-qualified households

Published August 11, 2026


Planning an electric upgrade for your home? Your project may be eligible for cash rebates from the City of Piedmont.

Since 2023, Piedmont’s home electrification rebates have supported 90 gas-to-electric appliance conversions and electrical panel updates. Over the same period, home electrification has gained ground locally. In 2025, permits for heat pump and heat pump water heater installations surpassed their natural gas equivalents for the first time. But natural gas use in Piedmont homes still accounts for around half of community-wide greenhouse gas emissions, and continued progress is needed to meet the City’s climate goals.

Updates to the rebate program take what we’ve learned from the first three years and put it to work – expanding the projects we support, improving access to higher rebates, and focusing City funds where they can have the greatest impact.

More projects now qualify for rebates

Projects eligible for rebates now include solar paired with battery storage, standalone battery storage, gas meter removal, and smart electrical panels:

  • Heat pump water heater: $800 standard rebate; up to $2,000 for income-qualified
  • Solar + battery system: $2,000 standard rebate; up to $5,000 for income-qualified
  • Electrical panel improvements: $900 standard rebate; up to $2,250 for income-qualified
  • Gas meter removal: $2,500 for all eligible households

Under the new eligibility rules, heat pump heating and cooling rebates are limited to income-qualified households. City data showed that these projects were moving forward without a rebate, while rebates appeared to play a greater role in heat pump water heater projects. Redirecting those funds allows the program to support more projects and better target assistance where it can make a difference.

For residents who already submitted a permit application for a heat pump project that would have qualified under the previous rules, the City is providing a grace period and will accept applications for the standard rebate until October 1.

Higher rebates available to more households

We’ve also expanded eligibility for higher, “income qualified,” rebate amounts.

Previously, income-qualified rebates were tied to CARE or FERA eligibility, which applies to only about 2% of Piedmont households. In three years, just one rebate was issued at the income-qualified level. Analysis found that these limits were not reaching many households that may still face financial barriers to electrification.

Now, households earning up to 120% of Area Median Income (roughly $195,000/year for a 4-person household) can qualify for a new “moderate-income” rebate tier. Households that qualify for CARE or FERA will continue to receive the highest rebate amounts.

Program details available online

Before starting a project, review current rebate amounts and eligibility requirements at piedmont.ca.gov/Electrification-Rebates. Rebates are first-come, first-served and funding is not guaranteed.