
Switching to electric is better for the environment, your wallet, and your health. Be part of the community for change by upgrading your water heater.
Heat pump water heaters (HPWH) use electricity to move heat from one place to another rather than generating their own heat, like a refrigerator working in reverse. This makes them three times more efficient than other water heaters, according to the Department of Energy, and provides you a great opportunity to take local climate action in your home. The City encourages the community to consider home electrification, by shifting away from carbon-based fuels to electricity for space and water heating, transportation, and cooking. Benefits of switching to an electric heat pump water heater include:
- Environmental: 90% of homes in Palo Alto have gas-powered water heaters, making water heating one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions in Palo Alto homes. Gas water heaters produce GHGs while electric heat pump water heaters powered by Palo Alto's 100% carbon neutral electricity have a zero-carbon footprint.
- Save Money: Because of their high efficiency, the costs of heating water with an electric water heater are lower than the cost of heating water with a gas tank water heater.
- Health & Safety: Burning natural gas creates combustion gases such as nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. Switching to an electric water heater eliminates the risk of back-drafting these unhealthy gases into your home.
Make the Switch to Electric
It’s now easier than ever to switch to an electric heat pump water heater. Choose our full service solution to have a City contractor install your electric heat pump water heater. Get pre-negotiated prices with two payment options. The full service solution also allows you to skip the hassle of filling out a rebate application.
Are you unsure which program is best for you? Contact our Efficiency Advisor to get free, unbiased advice.
Compare HPWH Programs
|
Full Service Solution
|
Full Service Solution with Monthly On-Bill Payments
|
Apply for a Rebate |
What this option is |
The "no hassle" option |
The "no hassle" option |
The "do-it-yourself" option |
Contractor |
City Contractor |
City Contractor |
Choose your own contractor |
Cost |
$2,700 |
$1,500 plus $20/month for 5 years |
Average project costs $4,500 to $5,500 before rebate |
Rebate |
Included |
Included |
$2,300 with approved application |