How much do upgrades cost?

Costs are dependent on the scope of work, your home's size and ability to access the work areas; it's therefore impossible to offer suggested values. Each home requires unique repairs, which will trigger different prices.

What types of dwellings are eligible?

Single-family homes, town homes and condominiums qualify. Duplexes, triplexes and quadplexes also qualify with special restrictions. Each unit in these types of buildings must be at least 1,000 sq. ft. If not, the rebate is reduced by 50% per unit less than 1000 sq. ft. Apartment complexes of more than four units and mobile homes are not eligible for this program.

Do I have to do all the upgrades at once to receive a SMUD rebate?

No, you may complete your project in phases as long as you complete the entire project within five years of the first application submission. For example, you may replace a broken furnace now and complete additional work such as attic insulation or a water heater replacement at a later date.  

How do I track the status of my SMUD rebate application?

Initially, your contractor will be your first point of contact for information on the status of your rebate. Once your application is in our system, you will receive an email with instructions on how to set up your account. After you set up an account, you can check the status of your rebate at any time by clicking on the link that you’ll receive by email. If you don't have internet access or need additional assistance, please contact our Home Performance Program team at the phone number or email listed on this page.

What happens after the project is complete?

You may have several follow-up visits to inspect the project. A local building inspector will visit your home to confirm the work complies with building codes, which are written to ensure your safety and health. In addition, if your project included changes to your heating and cooling system, SMUD will send a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rater to ensure the system is working as designed. The contractor is responsible for building permits and HERS testing. You should ask if these fees are part of their proposal.

Who receives the rebate check?

The rebate can be paid to you or the contractor. You should confirm who will receive the rebate check with your contractor. We suggest you do this before starting your project. Rebate recipients must be in SMUD’s payment system, either as a SMUD account holder or SMUD verified contractor. Any other payees can be added by contacting our Home Performance Program team at the phone number or email listed below.

When should I expect the rebate check?

Once the final paperwork is approved, we typically send payment within 2 weeks of the approval date.

Where can I get more information?

You can call SMUD's Advanced Home Solutions line at 1-916-732-5732 or email inquiries to Advanced Home Solutions for questions on program eligibility, the installation process and a list of participating contractors. For details on SMUD financing, please contact one of our financing professionals at 1-916-732-5472.

Our HPP contractors follow standards set by the Building Performance Institute and have extensive training in building science and technology.

Contact our program administrator, Efficiency First California, at contractorsupport@efficiencyfirstca.org or 1-916-209-5117 to become a SMUD HPP contractor.