Thinking about swapping your gas furnace or water heater for efficient electric options, but not sure where to start? If you live in Lakeshore, you are not alone. Many mid‑century San Francisco homes need a clear plan to navigate incentives, permits, and panel capacity. This guide walks you through the steps, highlights key programs, and helps you avoid common missteps so you can electrify with confidence. Let’s dive in.
Why electrify in Lakeshore
Lakeshore homes are often single‑family houses built in the mid‑20th century. That means you may have older ducts, limited attic insulation, and a smaller electrical panel. Upgrading to heat pumps, a heat pump water heater, and induction cooking can modernize comfort while shrinking gas use.
San Francisco policy and permitting favor all‑electric new construction and support retrofit electrification. Most homes receive electric distribution service from PG&E, and many choose CleanPowerSF for electricity supply. Understanding your utility setup helps you plan for rates, solar, and EV charging.
Electrification success comes from good sequencing. Start with a right‑sized plan, capture incentives, and coordinate permits and timelines before any installation.
Your step‑by‑step roadmap
Step 1: Get a home energy assessment
- Goal: understand heating and hot water loads, envelope leaks, duct condition, and panel capacity.
- Options: a paid energy audit, a contractor site visit, or no‑/low‑cost assessments if you qualify through local programs.
- Deliverable: a measure plan that sequences insulation and air sealing, heat pump HVAC, heat pump water heater, induction range, and dryer or EV charging, plus an electrical upgrade checklist.
Step 2: Prioritize high‑impact basics
- Start with insulation and air sealing to reduce the size of your heat pump.
- Seal and repair ducts if you have a forced‑air system.
- Typical order: envelope improvements, space heating and cooling, water heating, then appliances and EV charging. Your contractor may adjust this.
Step 3: Screen incentives and pre‑qualify
- Check statewide and regional incentives for heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, induction, and panel upgrades.
- Confirm whether incentives require a participating contractor, pre‑approval, or a pre‑inspection.
- Verify if incentives can be combined with other local or federal benefits.
Step 4: Choose contractors and define scope
- Seek installers experienced with retrofit and cold‑climate heat pumps who are registered with relevant incentive programs.
- Get at least two itemized quotes covering equipment sizing, scope, electrical work, permits, schedule, and warranties.
- Confirm who will handle incentive paperwork and inspections.
Step 5: Plan permits and electrical work
- In San Francisco, expect permits for HVAC, electrical, water heaters, and panel upgrades. Some minor appliance swaps may be permit‑exempt or electrical‑only. Verify requirements before you start.
- Many Lakeshore homes will need a panel or service upgrade to support heat pumps and EV charging.
- If insulation or any abatement is needed, complete it before major mechanical work.
Step 6: Install, inspect, and secure incentives
- Ask for commissioning checklists and manufacturer start‑up procedures at installation.
- Schedule city inspections promptly. Keep photos, invoices, and model numbers.
- Submit incentive documents on time. Some programs require pre‑approval to qualify.
Step 7: Operate, monitor, and fine‑tune
- Request training on thermostat and water heater controls, setpoints, and maintenance.
- Track comfort and bills for 6 to 12 months and share any issues with your contractor.
- Adjust time‑of‑use habits to optimize electric rates.
Programs that can help
TECH Clean California: heat pump incentives
- What it is: a statewide initiative that lowers upfront costs for heat pump space heating and heat pump water heaters.
- How it works: many incentives flow through participating contractors. Some pathways require pre‑approval, proper sizing, and commissioning documentation.
- What to check: eligible technologies, whether income‑qualified tiers exist, the participating contractor list, and rules for stacking with other incentives.
BayREN EASE Home: guidance and coordination
- What it is: Energy Advisor Support for Electrification that helps Bay Area homeowners plan electrification projects.
- Services: advising, contractor referrals, help navigating overlapping incentives, and added support for income‑qualified households.
- What to confirm: eligibility in San Francisco, whether assessments are on‑site or remote, and available supports for single‑family homes.
PG&E and City resources
- Utility considerations: PG&E may offer electrification rebates, rate options, and interconnection guidance for solar and storage. Confirm any meter or service upgrade requirements.
- City programs: San Francisco provides permitting guidance and electrification outreach. If you use CleanPowerSF for electricity supply, review your rate options alongside electrification plans.
Financing options
- BayREN‑linked financing may help spread project costs.
- Some homes may access PACE financing for energy upgrades. Verify availability in San Francisco.
- Federal incentives, such as tax credits, change over time. Confirm current eligibility and limits on official federal websites before you commit.
Permits and timelines in San Francisco
Expect a prescriptive permit and inspection process compared with other cities. Build in time for application review, possible corrections, and final inspections. If you anticipate an electrical service upgrade, coordinate early with your contractor and the utility to avoid delays.
Simple swaps, like an induction range or a heat pump water heater, can take days to weeks once equipment is available. Whole‑home heat pump conversions can span several weeks to a few months from assessment through final inspection. Panel upgrades and permit queues can extend schedules.
Sample project timeline
- Week 1 to 2: Energy assessment, utility bill review, photos of panel and mechanicals.
- Week 2 to 4: Scope design, quotes, incentive pre‑checks, and contractor selection.
- Week 4 to 6: Permit submission and electrical service planning.
- Week 6 to 10: Equipment ordering and envelope upgrades.
- Week 10 to 12: Installation of heat pump HVAC and heat pump water heater.
- Week 12 to 14: Inspections, commissioning, and incentive submissions.
Actual timing varies with contractor availability, equipment lead times, and permit processing.
What to gather before you call
- Most recent electric and gas bills.
- Year built, square footage, and number of stories.
- Photos of the electric panel with visible amperage rating.
- Current HVAC and water heater types, ages, and locations.
- Notes on attic or crawlspace access and duct conditions.
- Gas meter location and any plans for solar or EV charging.
- If seeking income‑qualified support, proof of income or program eligibility.
Common pitfalls to avoid
- Skipping pre‑approval when a program requires it.
- Hiring a contractor who is not registered with the incentive program.
- Oversizing equipment by ignoring envelope upgrades and duct repairs.
- Underestimating panel capacity needs when planning for EV charging.
- Missing documentation like model numbers, photos, and commissioning forms.
How electrification affects costs and comfort
Project costs vary by home size, scope, and panel work. Heat pumps can reduce fossil‑fuel use and may lower operating costs depending on your electric rate, home efficiency, and incentives. The best way to forecast savings is with site‑specific modeling from an assessor or qualified installer.
Selling soon? Plan upgrades with the market in mind
If you are considering a sale in the next year, prioritize upgrades that deliver comfort, efficiency, and a clean, move‑in ready feel. Insulation, a quiet heat pump, and an induction range can elevate daily living and show well in photos. A measured plan helps you invest where it counts and keep your project timeline aligned with your goals.
Ready to map out your electrification game plan or weigh which updates make sense before you sell? For a design‑minded strategy and a free home valuation, connect with Unknown Company.
FAQs
Do Lakeshore homeowners need an electrical panel upgrade?
- Many older Lakeshore homes do. Confirm your panel amperage and expected simultaneous loads with your installer before you choose equipment.
Who receives the incentive payment for heat pumps?
- Many incentives are paid to participating contractors at point of sale or after installation. Verify payment flow and requirements before work begins.
Can I keep my gas line if I electrify?
- Yes. You can retain gas service, though some programs or local guidance may address gas meter decommissioning if you remove service later.
Do I need permits in San Francisco for a heat pump or heat pump water heater?
- Yes. Expect permits for HVAC, electrical, and most water heater work. Check San Francisco rules to confirm specific requirements and inspections.
How soon will I see bill savings after switching to a heat pump?
- Results vary. Many homeowners reduce gas use right away, and overall costs depend on electric rates, time‑of‑use habits, and how well the system is sized and commissioned.
Can I stack multiple incentives for the same project?
- Often yes, but stacking rules differ. Confirm eligibility, pre‑approval steps, and whether the contractor must be enrolled with the program.
What if I am planning solar or storage too?
- Review interconnection rules and incentives separately, and coordinate panel sizing and timeline so solar, storage, and electrification work smoothly together.
