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.
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) | $1,800/unit |
| Common area HPWH (serves communal spaces) | $1,800/unit |
| Central HPWH, 100% electric | $1,500/unit served |
| Central HPWH, 100% electric, no auxiliary electric resistance | $2,000/unit served |
| Pool HPWH | $1,800/50 kBtu capacity |
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 or ≥16 SEER2, single head unit or ducted |
$2,700/compressor |
| Additional mini-split heads | $600/head/unit |
| Inverter-driven, unitary (through-the-wall), ≥10.9 EER | $1,400/compressor |
| DX heat pump (split or roof top unit): ≥15 SEER or ≥15.2 SEER2 + smart thermostat | $1,950/system |
| Common spaces (commercial size): heat pump system (package & split), single or two stage compressor | $1.50/ft2 served |
| Common spaces (commercial size): inverter-driven/variable capacity central HVAC system | $2.50/ft2 served |
| Multi-Apt (commercial size): commercial heat pump system (package & split), single or two stage compressor | $1,500/unit served |
| Multi-Apt (commercial size): inverter-driven/variable capacity central HVAC system serving multiple apartments | $2,500/unit served |
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 |
$750 gas-to-electric/unit |
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 |
$3,000/project |
| Electrical panel, circuit upgrades, 3-phase upgrades, or transformer upgrades for gas to electric projects | Up to $650/unit or $50,000 |
| Low GHG refrigerant adder: Heat pumps using a natural refrigerant with GWP ≤750 | 20% additional/applicable heat pump measures |
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.
Incentives
Incentives from SMUD and its partners can be combined to provide charging for customer, tenant and employee electric vehicles.
| Chargers and Electric Infrastructure Support | Incentive |
| Level 1 EVSE |
$500/handle Pilot program opportunity (case-by-case) |
| Level 2 EVSE |
$4,500/handle All EVSE must be J1772, CCS or CHAdeMO handled or charging port equipped. |
| Stub outs |
$250/stub out Pilot program opportunity (case-by-case). |
| Transformer Upgrade Support |
$5,000/project Only for projects that require transformer upgrade due to new EVSE load. Must be participating in SMUD Commercial EVSE program/installation. Restrictions apply |
| Panel Upgrade Support |
$1,000/project Only for projects that require panel upgrades due to new EVSE load. Must be participating in SMUD Commercial EVSE program/installation. Restrictions apply |
Please complete the interest form to determine if your project qualifies for electric vehicle and charger incentives. If you have any questions, email MultifamilySupport@frontierenergy.com or call 916-382-0332.
For more details on the technical specifications and requirements for existing and installed equipment, download the Technical Equipment Requirements.
Incentives
| Eligibility | Measure | Incentive |
| Electric resistance space heating or hot water | High efficiency heat pumps water heaters or heat pump HVAC | Up to 50% equivalent Go Electric incentive |
| Heat pump space heating (≤13 SEER) | High efficiency heat pump HVAC |
Up to 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) |
Attic cavity insulation: Existing ≤R19; Upgrade ≥R38 | $0.50/sq. ft. |
| Flat roof rigid insulation: ≥R12 added | $0.40/sq. ft. | |
| Wall insulation: existing R0, upgrade ≥R13 | $0.40/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 degree F and balanced system |
$25/apt served/minimum $1,000 per project |
| 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 |
Equity Assistance
Properties with more than 50% of tenants participating in SMUD's Energy Assistance Program Rate (EAPR) may qualify for 50% or more in equity incentives.
Commercial nonprofit organizations that provide housing or temporary shelter for low-income residents may be eligible for Equity Assistance through participation in EAPR for nonprofit agencies if the residents you serve would otherwise be eligible for our residential EAPR.
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
SMUD Contractor Network
Find a contractor
If you're a business customer looking for a contractor to install electrification upgrades and help you with eligible SMUD rebates, view the SMUD Contractor Network. It’s free and open to the public. Search for contractors by several criteria and the search results will include a one-click email tool to directly communicate with the contractor.
Join the SMUD Contractor Network
Contractors participating in the Multifamily program must join or already be part of the SMUD Contractor Network. We connect businesses to qualified contractors who are properly licensed, meet participation requirements, agree to install new equipment that meet minimum specifications, and who can apply for a SMUD rebate on their behalf. Participating contractors agree to design and install equipment in a professional workmanship manner and ensure customer satisfaction. The SMUD Contractor Network is offered at no cost to eligible contractors.
Questions? Contact CommercialContractorNetwork@smud.org.
Resources
For more information:
- Read our Multifamily Program Participant Handbook.
- Download the Technical Equipment Requirements for existing and installed equipment.
Webinars
- Heat Pumps for Water Heaters and Clothes Drying
- Building Electrification Solutions
- Ready to Add EV Charging to your Multifamily Property?
- Ready to Go Electric in your Multifamily Property?
View more online resources about going electric.
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, provide an energy assessment and next steps. Once we determine your project qualifies, a program representative from Association of Energy Affordability or Brighton Energy will schedule a site visit to determine existing systems and help to reserve your incentives. The site visit may be in-person or virtual.
To get started, complete the interest form prior to construction. If you have any questions, email Multifamily@smud.org or call 916-382-0332. 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. Exclusions may apply.
- Agree to a Tenant Engagement Plan.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get started?
The first step is to complete the interest form. 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 Multifamily@smud.org 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 distribution of SMUD educational materials by:
- Digital delivery (e.g., community newsletter)
- On-site community educational events
- Apartment visits
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.