Go Electric incentives for multifamily properties
This program is designed for multifamily properties of 5 units or more with incentives to support switching to cleaner, more efficient electric space heating, water heating and cooking appliances. Electric appliances save money and increase tenant safety.
Incentives are also available to install upgrades that improve energy efficiency and to install electric vehicle charging stations.
Multifamily building upgrades and incentives
The following measures offer incentives for gas to-electric upgrades, energy efficiency, electric vehicles and electric vehicle chargers, and additional low income incentives for qualifying Multifamily properties. For more details on the technical specifications and requirements for existing and installed equipment, download the Technical Equipment Requirements. For more information on the program measures, download the Program Measure Requirements.
Features and benefits
- Water heaters are among the highest energy-consuming products in your home. A heat pump water heater can reduce energy use for water heating by up to 80%.
- Heat pump water heaters transfer heat from surrounding air to heat water, using ambient air to move heat instead of using electricity to create heat. • Reduces the overall energy consumption and monthly utility bills.
- Maintenance is as simple as replacing an air filter.
- Cools the area where it's located.
Incentives
| Measure | Incentive |
| Apartment HPWH (NEEA Tier 3 or better) | $1,500/unit |
| Common area HPWH (serves communal spaces) | $1,500/unit |
| Central HPWH w/gas backup (restrictions apply) | $1,000/unit served |
| Central HPWH, 100% electric, <15-gal HP storage per bedroom served | $1,500/unit served |
| Central HPWH, 100% electric, ≥15-gal HP storage per bedroom served | $2,000/unit served |
Features and benefits
- Provides heating in the winter and cooling in the summer. You have one system to buy, install, and maintain instead of separate heating and cooling systems.
- Improves the overall comfort of the living area and reduces energy consumption, which can lower tenant’s energy costs.
- Eliminates health and safety concerns of gas appliances in the living space.
Incentives
| Measure | Incentive |
| Inverter-driven split system: ≥17 SEER, single head unit or ducted |
$1,800/compressor |
| Additional mini-split heads | $400/head/unit |
| Inverter-driven, unitary (through-the-wall) | $1,000/compressor |
| DX heat pump (split or roof top unit): >15 SEER + smart thermostat | $1,500/system |
| Commercial heat pump system (package & split): >14 IEER, ≥3.4 COP | $500/ton |
| Commercial heat pump system: VRF multi-zone systems | Custom $/ton |
Features and benefits
- Eliminates health and safety concerns of gas appliances in the living space.
- Saves over 25% of the energy of an equivalent electric dryer.
- Less damage (wear and tear, shrinkage) to clothing.
Incentives
| Measure | Incentive |
| Residential heat pump dryer | $400/unit |
Features and benefits
- More energy-efficient than traditional electric cooktops, which can save tenants money on their electric bills.
- Induction cooktops produce zero kitchen pollution. Natural gas stoves can release carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and other harmful pollutants into the air.
- Since the surface is completely sealed, it's safer because there’s no exposed heating element or open flame. And, unless cookware is on it, the cooktop doesn’t heat up—even if it’s turned on.
Incentives
| Measure | Incentive |
| Induction cooktop | $500/unit |
Multifamily properties that choose to only participate in the Commercial EV measures may do so without installing qualifying building equipment measures.
Features and benefits
- Charging stations can provide a valuable amenity for your tenants and employees.
- Helps demonstrate your environmental leadership.
- Can be added to an existing parking lot without triggering parking lot improvements
- Provides cost-effective fueling for zero-emission vehicles.
- Fleet incentives can help property owners convert company-owned vehicles to zero-emission, battery-electric models.
Incentives
Incentives from SMUD and its partners can be combined to provide charging for tenant and employee electric vehicles and help you replace your fleet vehicles.
| Measure | Incentive |
| CALeVIP – in partnership with the Center for Sustainable Energy and the California Energy Commission for the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Learn more | Up to $6,500 per handle for Level 2 charging; additional incentives in State-defined Disadvantaged Communities |
| Commercial Charging Pilot – provides additional incentive for hardwired Level 2 chargers. Learn more | $1,500 for each port |
| Commercial Fleet Pilot – provides incentives for electrifying fleet vehicles that include cars, medium duty trucks and heavy-duty trucks. Learn more | $750 per light-duty car Up to $15,000 per heavy duty truck |
Please complete the interest form to determine if your project qualifies for energy efficiency incentives. If you have any questions, email MultifamilySupport@frontierenergy.com or call 916-382-0332.
Features and benefits
- Funding to assist with building department permitting
- Incentives to help defray the costs of upgrading any electrical infrastructure needed to accommodate Go Electric measures
- Low greenhouse gas refrigerants reduce to environmental impact and help future-proof your heat pump technology
| Measure | Incentive |
| Electrical engineering and permitting support for gas-to-electric projects |
$750/project |
| Electrical panel, circuit upgrades, 3-phase upgrades, or transformer upgrades for gas to electric projects | Up to $500/unit or $50,000 |
| Low GHG refrigerant adder: Heat pumps using a natural refrigerant with GWP ≤750 | 20% additional/applicable heat pump measures |
Energy efficiency measures and incentives
For more details on the technical specifications and requirements for existing and installed equipment, download the Technical Equipment Requirements.
Incentives and specifications
| Eligibility | Measure | Incentive |
| Electric resistance space heating or hot water | High efficiency heat pumps water heaters or heat pump HVAC | 50% equivalent Go Electric incentive |
| Heat pump space heating (≤13 SEER) | High efficiency heat pump HVAC |
25% equivalent Go Electric incentive |
| Electric resistance cooktop | Induction cooktop | $100/unit |
| These measures are only eligible when the associated HVAC system is a heat pump (existing or newly installed) |
Advanced performance windows: ≤0.22 U-Value, ≤0.23 SHGC | $4/sq. ft |
| Attic cavity insulation: Existing ≤R19; Upgrade ≥R38 | $0.25/sq. ft | |
| Flat roof rigid insulation: ≥R12 added | $0.20/sq. ft | |
| Wall insulation: existing R0, upgrade ≥R13 | $0.20/sq. ft | |
| Duct sealing: ≤10% Leakage, ducted systems only | $100/system | |
| These measures are only eligible when the associated water heating system is a heat pump (existing or newly installed) |
High performance recirculation system: Variable speed pump with return temp ≤110 deg F and balanced system |
$10/unit served |
| Variable speed pool pump (with commissioning). Unheated, solar thermal, or heat pump pool heaters only | $400/pump | |
| Commercial laundry washer (ENERGY STAR®), purchased or ≥5-year lease | $100/washer | |
| Common area and exterior LED lighting (non-apt meters only). Must be on Design Light Consortium qualified product list | $0.15/kWh |
Tenant engagement
Project participants (property owner, property manager, or contractor) are required to participate in SMUD's efforts to engage directly with the building tenants (residents) during various phases of the project. Tenant engagement activities may include distribution of SMUD educational materials by:
- Digital delivery (e.g. community newsletter)
- On-site community educational events
- Apartment visits
Get started
How the program works
This program is funded by SMUD and delivered by the Association for Energy Affordability, Frontier Energy and Brighton Energy. After you complete and submit an interest form, a program representative from Frontier Energy will contact you to discuss your project and next steps. Once we determine your project qualifies, a program representative from Association of Energy Affordability or Brighton Energy will visit the property to verify existing conditions and help to reserve your incentives.
To get started, complete the interest form. If you have any questions, email MultifamilySupport@frontierenergy.com or call 916-382-0332.
Complete the interest form prior to construction. A Multifamily Program Advisor will reach out within 5 business days to discuss your project and next steps to reserve your incentives.
Participants must:
- Install at least one gas-to-electric measure or have a program-compliant all-electric property.
- Agree to a Tenant Engagement Plan.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get started?
The first step is to complete the interest form here. A Multifamily Program Advisor will contact you to discuss your project and next steps. Once we determine your project qualifies, we’ll visit the property to verify conditions and help to reserve your incentives.
What if I already started construction?
Unfortunately, we can only accept projects that have not yet started construction. Please email MultifamilySupport@frontierenergy.com or call 916-382-0332 to discuss your application.
Can I reserve incentives now?
Yes, you can reserve incentives for the following calendar year and for up to one full year from completing your incentive reservation.
What is tenant engagement?
Tenant engagement is SMUD's effort to engage directly with the building tenants during various phases of the project. This may include:
- Distributing SMUD materials about the benefits of the appliances and/or how to manage electricity use and costs.
- Providing SMUD with tenant email addresses
- Providing a meeting area for SMUD educational sessions as needed.
Can I upgrade one unit at a time? Are common areas included?
Unit-by-unit upgrades and common areas are included in the incentives. We’ll help you define a timeline and reserve incentives to match the pace of your project.