Financing Green Building Improvements

Take advantage of incentive programs and affordable loans to help pay for green building improvements.

Energy efficiency upgrades can make your home or building healthier and more comfortable, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The links below include energy efficiency programs that may qualify you for high performance recognition and exemption for Berkeley's Building Energy Saving Ordinance along with energy-saving rebates, financing, and assistance.

Incentives for BUILDING ELECTRIFICATION & energy efficiency improvements

Rebates for single-family homeowners

The Switch is On is a great starting place to learn about home electrification. The Switch is On offers free technical assistance to answer your questions about heat pumps, solar, and battery storage. The Switch is On also hosts a contractor database and a comprehensive incentive finder.

Visit Rewiring America to learn how you can electrify your home without upgrading your electric panel.

Rebates for multifamily property owners

BayREN offers energy efficiency rebates, no-cost energy consulting, and low interest financing for multifamily property owners. Reduced energy use lowers operating costs for property owners and increases comfort and energy affordability for tenants.

TECH Clean California also offers incentives for multifamily property owners.

Rebates for small & medium businesses

BayREN offers HVAC, refrigeration, and lighting upgrades that can cut your operating expenses up to 25 percent. BayREN offers free energy assessments, no up-front cost equipment installation, and remote monitoring.

The PG&E Simplified Savings program supports small business customers to reduce energy bills through no-cost or reduced-cost facility assessments and building upgrades. Simplified Savings serves hard-to-reach small businesses or those operating within disadvantaged communities.

Income-qualified programs

The HEEHRA program provides rebates ranging from up to $4,000-$8,000 to upgrade existing, income-qualified single-family homes that are four units or smaller with heat pump HVAC systems. In addition to single family homes, other eligible properties include existing condos, mobile homes, duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes.

Income-qualified homeowners can also take advantage of one of the free programs below:

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Spectrum Energy Services offers bill payment assistance and free weatherization services (weather stripping, attic insulation, and caulking) and energy efficient refrigerators to income-qualified residents
PG&E's Energy Saving Assistance Program Income qualified homeowners are eligible for a free home energy assessment and subsequent energy improvements from an energy specialist

Loans for energy efficiency improvements

GoGreen Financing

GoGreen Financing offers loans for homeowners, affordable multifamily building owners, and small business owners. Administered by the State of California, GoGreen provides attractive financing for central heating and air conditioning, efficient windows and appliances, cool roofs and many other home improvements. Up to 30% of the financing can be used for non-energy improvements of your choice, such as drought-tolerant landscaping or window coverings.

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing

Property owners can borrow money to pay for green building improvements and spread the cost out over time with PACE financing. You pay back your PACE loan with a special assessment added to your property tax bill.

Benefits: