How to Participate
Property owners, managers and residents can conserve energy, improve comfort, health and safety and save money on upgrades.
The Multifamily Energy Savings program offers in-unit, whole-building and common area upgrades as well as no-cost technical assistance for both deed-restricted and non-deed-restricted affordable housing properties. Income-qualified residents can receive in-unit upgrades, even if a property does not qualify for common area or whole building upgrades.
Whether you’re a property owner, property manager or resident, we can help you improve comfort, save money and conserve energy. Complete an interest form to have your property screened or to check for in-unit eligibility.
Energy Efficient Upgrades for Property Owners and Managers
Property owners and managers of deed-restricted and non-deed-restricted multifamily housing can take advantage of the Multifamily Energy Savings program! Eligible properties must receive service from one of the following utilities or an affiliated Community Choice Aggregator (CCA):
- Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)
- San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E®)
- Southern California Edison Company (SCE)
- Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas)
Additionally, most property residents must be income-qualified, per California Public Utilities Commission’s guidelines.
| Deed-Restricted Properties | Non-Deed-Restricted Properties |
|---|---|
| The property must house at least 65% of residents with incomes at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. | The property must house at least 80% of residents with incomes at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. |
| Eligible for no-cost technical assistance and common area and whole building upgrades at up to 100% of the total project cost. | Eligible for 50% funding for whole building and common area upgrades. |
Note that even if the property does not qualify, all income-eligible residents can still receive in-unit upgrades! Learn more about qualified equipment and upgrades.
Energy Efficient Upgrades for Residents
The Multifamily Energy Savings program can help residents conserve energy and save money! Income-qualified residents may be eligible to receive energy-efficient appliances and other in-unit upgrades at no charge, which can make your home more comfortable and save you money. The new, energy-efficient equipment that can be installed by ESA contractors at no-cost include:
How do residents qualify?
Residents must receive service from one of the following utilities:
- Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)
- San Diego Gas and Electric Company (SDG&E)
- Southern California Edison Company (SCE)
- Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas)
Additionally, residents need to:
- Reside in a multifamily property with five or more units, and each unit must share either a common wall, ceiling or floor with another dwelling unit.
- Meet appliance replacement or installation feasibility requirements for each measure.
- Fall into one of the two options outlined below.
Eligibility for the Multifamily Energy Savings program is based on income and household size or by your household participation in certain public assistance programs. If you participate in one of the following public assistance programs, you may be eligible!
- Medicaid/Medi-Cal for Families A & B
- CalFresh (food stamps) SNAP
- Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
- National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- CalWORKs (TANF) or Tribal TANF
Residents can also qualify based on household size and income. Household income must meet the following guidelines, as outlined by the California Public Utilities Commission’s ESA guidelines.
Income limits effective June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025:
| Household Size | Income Eligibility Upper Limit* |
|---|---|
| 1 | $37,650 |
| 2 | $51,100 |
| 3 | $64,550 |
| 4 | $78,000 |
| 5 | $91,450 |
| 6 | $104,900 |
| 7 | $118,350 |
| 8 | $131,800 |
| 9 | $145,250 |
| 10 | $158,700 |
| Each Additional Person | $13,450 |
*Upper Limit Calculation = 250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines
If you are interested in the ESA Program but live in a single-family home, duplex, triplex or fourplex please visit the Customer Connect website.
Energy Efficient Upgrades for Contractors
Upgrades to residential units are performed by a pre-qualified network of ESA contractors who are trained to perform ESA in-unit installations. ESA contractors are managed by the program implementation team and perform all work in accordance with program standards approved by the CPUC.
Common area and whole building equipment installations and eligible upgrades can be completed by a California licensed contractor of the property owner’s choice. The contractor will need to meet requirements detailed in the program trade ally agreement and provide a signed copy. All work must be completed in accordance with state and local codes & standards enforced by the applicable permitting authority. Email [email protected] for more information.
