Program Rules for Contractors

1.2 Program eligibility:  Eligible participants must be active CleanPowerSF residential customers with an electric service account in good standing. Eligible applicants include property owners, landlords or multifamily property managers, or tenants with property owner authorization. All installations must meet program technical requirements and documentation requirements detailed below in Section 4 “Detailed requirements and required documentation”. 

1.3 Bill Credit Detail: Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis for qualified applicants and is subject to the availability of funds. Bill Credits will be applied upon CleanPowerSF’s verification of Program requirements, as set forth in the Program Documents. 

Bill credits are tied to both the physical address of the upgrade and the specific Customer account active at the time of application. Credits will only be applied to the active CleanPowerSF account holder’s bill, regardless of who purchased or installed the equipment. Credits are non-transferable in the event of a relocation or a change in the account holder. Customers are limited to one bill credit award per appliance type per electric meter. Credits are capped at $50 per month. If a Customer implements multiple qualifying upgrades, each subsequent upgrade will extend the duration of the credit period by the timeframe specified for that upgrade, as set forth in Section 1.1. The City may request additional documentation to verify the anticipated reduction in gas usage.  

1.4 Grounds for forfeiture

Bill credits are contingent on the continued operation of the eligible electric appliance(s) for which credits were awarded. If a customer re-installs gas equipment, removes or disables an eligible electric upgrade, or otherwise ceases to meet Program requirements during the credit period, SFPUC reserves the right to suspend or cancel remaining bill credits and may require repayment of credits already issued. 

SFPUC reserves the right to verify ongoing compliance through review of gas and electric usage data and in-home inspections. Customers found to be out of compliance will be notified and given 30 days to cure the non-compliance before forfeiture is declared. 

Examples of activities that may result in forfeiture include but are not limited to: re-installation of gas appliances, failure to maintain enrollment in a required electrification rate or demand response program, failure to allow inspection, or misrepresentation of equipment or installation status.  

1.5 Permit requirements

Eligible participants must follow all applicable City permit requirements. 

Participants that are out of compliance with those permitting requirements, such as having an expired permit or unresolved correction notice on an open permit, will have their bill credits paused until they take corrective actions to be back in compliance.  

1.6 Safety and compliance 

All equipment installations and work performed under this Program must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, safety requirements, and manufacturer instructions. Customers are solely responsible for ensuring their contractors hold all applicable licenses and that all work is performed in compliance with applicable codes.

1.7 Data sharing with DBI 

In furtherance of city permitting requirements, SFPUC may share a customer's service address with the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI). By participating in this Program, customers consent to this data sharing. 

1.8 Program modification and termination 

SFPUC reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate this Program at any time, subject to applicable regulatory requirements. Program rules, eligible technologies, and incentive amounts are subject to change. Customers will be notified of material changes via the contact information on file. Modifications will not affect bill credits already awarded and actively in progress, except where required by law or regulatory directive. 

1.9 Inspection & verification

The City reserves the right to conduct post-installation inspections. Participants must provide reasonable access to their property and applicable appliance(s) for verification purposes. By participating in this program, you agree to participate and fully cooperate with any investigation deemed necessary by the SFPUC program manager including in-home inspections. 

SFPUC and CleanPowerSF shall have no responsibility for pre-existing conditions at a customer's property, including structural defects, code violations, or environmental hazards discovered during a program inspection. If health or safety issues are identified during an inspection, the customer will be notified and may be required to remediate such conditions prior to receiving or continuing bill credits. 

SFPUC's right to conduct inspections and audits shall extend for up to one year from the date of the final bill credit issued to the customer.  

1.10 Penalties

If the City determines through inspection or other means that the actual upgrade(s) installed differ substantively from the submitted application, the City reserves the right to modify or cancel Bill Credits, require repayment of past incentives, and/or declare a customer or third-party applicant ineligible from future incentive programs offered by CleanPowerSF and/or Hetch Hetchy Power as needed to protect ratepayer funds and eliminate bad faith actors from receiving funds. 

Examples of activities warranting penalties include but are not limited to falsification of documents, failure to allow inspection, misrepresentation of equipment or installation date, submission of duplicate or previously paid claims, or failure to permanently disable applicable gas equipment.  

1.11 Disclaimer of warranties/no endorsement 

The City and SFPUC make no representation or warranty, and assume no liability, with respect to the quality, safety, performance, operational capability, reliability, or energy savings of any equipment installed under this Program. Participation in this Program does not constitute an endorsement by CleanPowerSF or SFPUC of any product, contractor, vendor, or installer. Customers are solely responsible for evaluating the suitability of any equipment or contractor for their particular needs. 

SFPUC MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, USE, OR APPLICATION OF THE PRODUCTS OR SOLUTIONS INSTALLED UNDER THIS PROGRAM. 

2. Eligible technologies to obtain or extend bill credits 

2.1 Heat pump water heater (24 months): Customers who replace their existing gas water heater or electric resistance water heater with a qualified heat pump water heater (HPWH) will receive twenty-four months of bill credits ($1,200). See Section 4.1, “Heat Pump Water Heater Rules” for additional details.  

2.2 HVAC Heat Pump (24 months): Customers who replace their existing gas heating or electric resistance heater with a qualified heat pump will receive twenty-four months of bill credits ($1,200). See Section 4.2, “HVAC Heat Pump Rules” for additional details.  

2.3 Multifunction Heat Pump (48 months) Customers who replace their existing space heating and water heating with a qualified multifunction heat pump will receive forty-eight months of bill credits ($2,400). See Section 4.3, “Multifunction Heat Pump Rules” for additional details. 

2.4 Electric Clothes Dryers (6 months): Customers who replace their existing gas dryer with a qualified electric dryer will receive six months of bill credits ($300). See Section 4.4, “Additional Incentives” for additional details. 

2.5 Electrified Cooking Products (3 months): Customers who replace their existing gas range with a qualified cooktop or range will receive three months of bill credits ($150). See Section 4.4, “Additional Incentives” for additional details. 

2.6 Removal of Gas Meter (6 months): Customers who fully remove their gas service will receive six months of bill credits ($300). See Section 4.4, “Additional Incentives” for additional details. 

2.7 Referral Bonus

A. Structure: Two months of bill credits per referral; limit of two referral awards per Referring Customer. 

B. Rules: Customers who have participated in this program under Section 2.1 (Heat Pump Water Heater), 2.2 (HVAC Heat Pump), or 2.3 (Multifunction Heat Pump) are eligible to earn additional bill credits by referring other CleanPowerSF customers to the program. For each successful referral, the Referring Customer and the Referred Customer will each receive two additional months of bill credits (a $100 value). See Section 4.5, “Referral Bonus Rules” for additional details.  

2.8 Equity customer bonus (12 months): A Customer enrolled in either the California Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE) or the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program will be granted an additional twelve months of bill credits ($600) when the customer completes a Water Heater or Heating Upgrade under Section 2.1 (Heat Pump Water Heater), 2.2 (HVAC Heat Pump), or 2.3 (Multifunction Heat Pump).

3. Effective dates:

3.1. Heat Pump Water Heater and Multifunction Heat Pumps under 2.1 and 2.3 are eligible if installed on or after March 15, 2025.  

3.2. All other activities listed under Section 2 are eligible if installed on or after April 14, 2026.  

4. Detailed requirements and required documentation

4.1 Heat Pump Water Heater Rules

A. Summary of required documentation

i. Completed online application: Customer must complete online application form at https://sfpuc.tfaforms.net/5175395

ii. Proof of purchase (at least one of the following are required)

a. Contractor invoice detailing scope of work and purchased equipment 

b. Itemized receipt(s) of equipment 

iii. Photos of installed Heat Pump Water Heater

a. Photo of the Heat Pump Water Heater tank from 10 feet away. 

b. Photo of the Heat Pump Water Heater nameplate including model number. 

c. (split-system only) Photo of the outdoor unit from 10 feet away. 

d. (split-system only) Photo of the outdoor unit nameplate including model number. 

iv. Documentation of appliance removal or permanent decommissioning (at least one of the following is required)

a. Photo of capped gas line(s). 

b. Photos of previous appliance(s) demonstrating removal. 

c. Detailed description of removal in contractor invoice. 

d. Description of removal in submitted permit.  

B. Eligible Heat Pump Water Heaters: Water heater product efficiency must meet or exceed performance requirements for an “Integrated HPWH” detailed in the ENERGYSTAR® Version 5.0 Specification for Electric Water Heaters.  

i. Heat Pump Water Heater Pre-qualified Product List: Eligible products can be found at the ENERGYSTAR’s product finder website:ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pump Water Heaters. See additional notes below: 

a. 120V Heat Pump Water Heater Performance UEF Requirement: 120V units generally offer lower performance than 240V models. As of April 2026, only about 35% of 120V products meet this program's efficiency requirements. If you plan to install a 120V unit, you must verify that the specific model meets or exceeds a Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) of 3.3. 

b. Dual fuel Heat Pump Water Heater exclusion: Dual fuel heat pump water heaters are not eligible for this program. 

ii. Multifunction Heat Pumps (hot water and space heating): For heat pump projects that can replace both a gas water heater and gas furnace with a single device, see section 4.3 for detailed eligibility requirements. 

iii. Additional Approved Equipment List: Products with unique characteristics may be granted a waiver to become eligible for this program. Any such product must be either listed on the Additional Approved Equipment List or have eligibility granted in writing by the SFPUC program manager. Please email goelectric@sfwater.org for inquiries.  

C. Enrollment in an electrification rate schedule 

i. Customer must be continuously enrolled in an electrification rate schedule such as EV2-A or E-ELEC to maintain their bill credits. 

D. Load Shift and Demand Response requirements

i. Load Shift path: Customer enrolls their heat pump water heater in an Authorized Load Shift Program such as WatterSaver. 

ii. Demand Response path: Customer must enroll their customer account in an Authorized Demand Response Program such as OhmConnect, Hourly Flex Pricing, or Automated Response Technology.  

4.2 HVAC Heat Pump Rules

A. Summary of required documentation

i. Completed online application: Customer must complete online application form at https://sfpuc.tfaforms.net/5175395

ii. Proof of purchase (at least one of the following are required)

a. Contractor invoice detailing scope of work and purchased equipment 

b. Itemized receipt(s) of equipment 

iii. Photos of installed HVAC Heat Pump

a. Photo of the outdoor unit (condenser) from 10-feet away. 

b. Photo of the outdoor unit nameplate including model number. 

c. Photo of the indoor unit (air handler) from 10-feet away. 

d. Photo of the indoor unit nameplate including model number. 

iv. Documentation of appliance removal or permanent decommissioning (at least one of the following is required)

a. Photo of capped gas line(s). 

b. Photos of previous appliance(s) proving removal. 

c. Detailed description of removal in contractor invoice. 

d. Description of removal in submitted permit.

B. Eligible HVAC Heat Pumps

i. Central Heat Pumps (Ducted & Ductless) Pre-qualified Product List: Heat Pumps listed on The Switch Is On’s Product Finder page for TECH Clean California (https://products.switchison.org/heat-pumps/4?f%5B0%5D=rebates%3A90356) are eligible. If your product is not on this list, please refer to Section 4.2.B.v. below for the exception process.  

a. Dual fuel HVAC Heat Pumps exclusion: Dual fuel HVAC Heat pumps are not eligible for this program. 

ii. Room Heat Pumps: Eligible Room Heat Pump products must be listed in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Appliance & Equipment Standards Compliance Database under a product group indicating a reverse cycle (equipment classes 11 through 14). 

a. Performance disclaimer: Some Room Heat Pump products can provide efficient heating below -5°F while similar-looking products can stop heating below 40°F. At this time, inclusion on the DOE product list does not ensure performance below 40°F. Make sure to review product details before purchasing. 

iii. Package Terminal Heat Pumps (PTHP): Eligible PTHPs must be listed in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Appliance & Equipment Standards Compliance Database for PTHPs and meet the energy efficiency requirements specified under the ENERGYSTAR® Draft 1 Version 1.0 Specification. 

a. Performance disclaimer: Some PTHPs can provide efficient heating below -5°F while similar-looking products can stop heating below 40°F. At this time, inclusion on the DOE product list does not ensure performance below 40°F. Make sure to review product details before purchasing. 

iv. Multifunction Heat Pumps(hot water and space heating): For heat pump projects that can replace both a gas water heater and gas furnace with a single device, see section 4.3 for detailed eligibility requirements. 

v. Additional Approved Equipment List: Products with unique characteristics may be granted a waiver to become eligible for this program. Any such product must be either listed on the Additional Approved Equipment List or have eligibility granted in writing by the SFPUC program manager. Please email goelectric@sfwater.org for inquiries.  

C. Enrollment in an electrification rate schedule

i. Customer must be enrolled in an electrification rate schedule such as EV2-A or E-ELEC.    

D. Demand Response requirements

i. Customer must enroll their customer account in an Authorized Demand Response Program such as OhmConnect, Hourly Flex Pricing, or Automated Response Technology.  

4.3 Multifunction Heat Pump Rules (if replacing hot water and space heating)

A. Summary of required documentation

i. Completed online application: Customer must complete online application form at https://sfpuc.tfaforms.net/5175395

ii. Proof of purchase (at least one of the following are required)

a. Contractor invoice detailing scope of work and purchased equipment 

b. Itemized receipt(s) of equipment 

iii. Photos of installed Multifunction Heat Pump

a. Photo of the outdoor unit from 10-feet away. 

b. Photo of the outdoor unit nameplate including model number. 

c. Photo of the indoor unit (e.g., air handler, fan coil, or hydronic integration module) from 10-feet away. 

d. Photo of the indoor unit nameplate including model number. 

e. Photo of the water tank from 10-feet away. 

f. Photo of the water tank nameplate including model number. 

iv. Documentation of appliance removal or permanent decommissioning (at least one of the following is required)

a. Photo of capped gas line(s). 

b. Photos of previous appliance(s) proving removal. 

c. Detailed description of removal in contractor invoice. 

d. Description of removal in submitted permit.  

B. Eligible heating equipment: Eligible products must be listed in the TECH Clean CA Single Family Air-to-Water Heat Pump QPL. If your product is not on this list, please see below. 

i. Additional Approved Equipment List: Products with unique characteristics may be granted a waiver to become eligible for this program. Any such product must be either listed on the Additional Approved Equipment List or have eligibility granted in writing by the SFPUC program manager. Please email goelectric@sfwater.org for inquiries. 

C. Enrollment in an electrification rate schedule

i. Customer must be enrolled in an electrification rate schedule such as EV2-A or E-ELEC.    

D. Demand Response requirements

i. Customer must enroll their customer account in an Authorized Demand Response Program such as OhmConnect, Hourly Flex Pricing, or Automated Response Technology.  

4.4. Additional incentives

A. Summary of required documentation

i. Completed online application: Customer must complete online application form at https://sfpuc.tfaforms.net/5175395

ii. Proof of purchase (at least one of the following are required)

a. Contractor invoice detailing scope of work and purchased equipment 

b. Itemized receipt(s) of equipment 

iii. Photos of installed equipment

a. Photo of the installed equipment from 10-feet away showing its location and setup. 

b. Photo of the equipment nameplate (including model number). 

iv. Documentation of gas equipment decommissioning (at least one of the following is required):

a. Photo of capped gas line(s). 

b. Before and after photos of previous appliance(s) verifying removal. 

c. Detailed description of removal in contractor scope of work. 

d. Description of removal in submitted permit. 

v. Removal of Gas Meter (if applicable): If your project includes fully electrifying your building and removing the gas meter, the following is required: 

a. Letter of service disconnection.  

b. Before-and-after photos of the gas meter showing removal.  

B. Eligible equipment (eligible only if replacing gas equipment)

i. Clothes Dryers: Dryer product efficiency must meet or exceed requirements detailed in the ENERGYSTAR® Version 1.1 Specification for Clothes Dryers. 

a. Pre-Qualified Product List: Eligible products can be found at the ENERGYSTAR’s product finder website: ENERGY STAR Certified Clothes Dryers. See additional notes below: 

*Gas dryers disclaimer: Gas dryers of any efficiency level are not eligible for this program. 

ii. Electric Cooking Products: Eligible products must be equal to or less than the Integrated Annual Energy Consumption (IAEC) detailed in the ENERGYSTAR®Version 1.0 Specification for Residential Electric Cooking Products (IAEC of 195 kWh/year or less). 

a. Pre-Qualified Product List: Eligible products can be found at the ENERGYSTAR’s product finder website: ENERGY STAR Certified Electric Cooking Products.  

iii. Additional Approved Equipment List: Products with unique characteristics may be granted a waiver to become eligible for this program. Any such product must be either listed on the Additional Approved Equipment List or have eligibility granted in writing by the SFPUC program manager. Please email goelectric@sfwater.org for inquiries.  

4.5. Referral Bonus Rules

A. Summary: A Referral Bonus is available to both an existing program participant and the new program participant they successfully refer to the program.  

B. Eligibility Requirements:

i. Referring Customer: Any CleanPowerSF residential customer who has previously participated in this program under Sections 2.1 (Heat Pump Water Heater), 2.2 (HVAC Heat Pump) or 2.3 (Multifunction Heat Pump), and who successfully refers a new participant to the program. 

ii. Referred Customer: Any CleanPowerSF residential customer who becomes a new participant in this program under Sections 2.1 (Heat Pump Water Heater), 2.2 (HVAC Heat Pump) or 2.3 (Multifunction Heat Pump) after being referred by a Referring Customer.  

iii. Referral Bonus: The bonus consists of two additional months of bill credits, totaling $100 per successful referral.    

iv. Application Process: The Referred Customer must list the Referring Customer name and email address on page one of the application: https://sfpuc.tfaforms.net/5175395

v. Documentation: The Referred Customer must submit required documentation for the completed upgrade(s) pursuant to Sections 4.1 - 4.3 of these Program Rules.  

vi. Verification: All referrals are subject to verification by program administrators. Referral Bonus credits will not be issued if documentation is incomplete, inaccurate or fraudulent.  

C. Participation Limits: 

i. Referring Customers: Limited to a maximum of two Referral Bonuses per customer account. 

ii. Referred Customers: Limited to one Referral Bonus per customer account. 

iii. Cumulative Eligibility: Customers who join the program as a Referred Customer remain eligible to earn up to two additional Referral Bonuses as a Referring Customer, for a maximum potential total of three Referral Bonuses per account.