Clean Heating Pathway for multifamily buildings

Clean Heating Pathway

Multifamily property owners can receive additional incentives for switching from gas fueled space heating, water heating and cooking appliances to cleaner, highly efficient electric alternatives. The Clean Heating Pathway is designed for properties that wish to demonstrate climate leadership by deeply reducing the carbon emissions from energy use in their buildings.

The participation process and requirements are designed to help participants deeply reduce, and eventually eliminate carbon emissions from energy.

Download Program Flyer
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Participation Steps & Requirements

Step 1. Scope

Work with a BAMBE consultant to select a scope of work that includes an eligible electric space heating, water heating, or cooking technology – new natural gas equipment should not be installed.

Reduce CO2

The total scope must reduce at least 0.25 tonnes of CO2 per unit to receive a per-unit rebate of $750.

Step 2. ZNC Plan

Pilot Participants will receive a Zero Net Carbon (ZNC) plan, which will provide a roadmap for eliminating operational carbon emissions, and an overview of potential incentives and resources.

Let's Go!

For more information contact your BAMBE consultant or the program at: 855-213-2838 or

Step 3. Install

Projects must install at least 3 measures, including at least
1 measure from the incentive table (if installing in-unit measures, they must be in at least 75% of units). All projects must be completed within 9 months of scope approval. Extensions may be granted.

Clean Heating Pathway FAQs

What are the eligible electric technologies?

In order to receive the incentive, electric technologies must perform better
than high efficiency fossil fuel technologies in terms of total energy usage
and environmental impacts. The eligible categories include those listed in
the incentive table. Check with your BAMBE consultant to see if the technology
you are interested in qualifies.

What is a heat pump?

A heat pump heats air or water by compressing latent heat in the ambient air
outside and moving it inside. It is like a refrigerator or air conditioner run in
reverse. It is highly efficient because it doesn’t use energy to make heat, just to
move it. The technology has been popular in Europe and Japan for decades.

What are the benefits of heat pump technology?

Heat pumps can be three times as efficient as gas appliances. They rely on electricity instead of gas, and therefore can be powered by renewable energy sources – such as rooftop solar or clean energy from the grid. All-electric buildings powered by renewable energy are an essential part of helping California meet its 100% clean energy and climate goals. Additional benefits of transitioning from gas to electric appliances include improved indoor air quality and safety, as gas fueled appliances release carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, other pollutants and fine particles.

How many projects can participate in this pathway?

In 2020, the program budgeted funding to incentivize approximately 1250 units. This number will fluctuate depending on measures selected by participants.

How do you calculate the CO2?

Tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) will be calculated based on 0.005 tonnes per therm of gas saved, minus the emissions related to the added electricity load, based on the average annual emissions per kWh of PG&E electricity. In the future, the electricity emissions may be calculated using more precise factors such as time of use and the anticipated increase in renewables on the grid over the lifetime of the equipment.

Heat Pump Water Heater (Source Energy Star)