After a year of record-breaking temperatures, a statewide program will potentially provide hefty rebates to eligible San Diego residents for energy improvements, including efficient heating and cooling systems.
Apartment building owners can apply for up to $8,000 in rebates to install new heat pumps, which provide both cooling and heating under the joint state and federal Residential Energy Rebate Program. Homeowners will be able to apply in several weeks as part of the $80 million effort, it was announced.
Rebates will include not only cooling and heating appliances, but other energy-efficient improvements as well, such as electric stoves, cooktops, laundry dryers and water heaters.
“With the help of the Biden-Harris Administration and the historic Inflation Reduction Act, Californians can now get up to thousands of dollars to make the switch to energy efficient appliances,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. “Saving money and fighting the climate crisis has never been easier.”
The program, as announced by the California Energy Commission and the U.S. Department of Energy, is made possible by provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act signed by President Biden in 2022. The rebates are aimed at households in low- and moderate-income communities.
The program is intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging the use of electricity for heating, cooling and other appliances. Nationwide, it’s hoped that the improvements will save homeowners about $1 billion a year on energy bills.
“This investment will build upon California’s strong foundation, helping thousands of additional residents enjoy lower energy bills and cleaner air, while strengthening our collective fight against climate change,” U.S. Deputy Energy Secretary David M. Turk said in a statement.
