Affordable Home Electrification
Switch, Power up, & Shine
Affordable home electrification can help you make the switch from natural gas and electrify your home heating and water heating systems. Don’t worry, if your home is in Deanwood or River Terrace and you have old electric equipment, you can now upgrade too! Doing so will help reduce emissions, while increasing comfort and air quality in your home. When combined with the power of the sun through Solar for All, you can keep your electricity bills manageable. Qualifying residents will be able to upgrade old natural gas or electric HVAC systems to energy-efficient electric equipment that will save both energy and money. This includes a smart thermostat, electric heat pump, electric heat pump water heater, and electric induction stove, where applicable.
Please note that as of April 8, 2024, the Affordable Home Electrification Program has reached capacity for Fiscal Year 2024 and will not be able to accommodate any additional participants until Fiscal Year 2025 (October 2024) at the earliest due to District-wide budget reductions. This may change in the future and priority for participation will be provided to residents that have previously completed an inquiry form or been income qualified by the DCSEU. We are currently building participant waitlists for Fiscal Year 2025. If you are interested in participating in the program in the future, please complete the interest form and our staff will provide next steps to get you in the waitlist.
If you're an income-qualified District resident, you can get energy-efficient electric heating and cooling equipment at no cost to you.
Do I Qualify for DC Home Electrification?
Homeowners and renters alike must work with a DCSEU authorized HVAC installer and quality assurance inspector. . If you’re living in a single-family home (4-units or less), you can qualify for affordable home electrification through participation in one of the following programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Solar for All
- Other Government assistance program
If you don’t participate in any of the programs listed above, have a look at our income qualification chart to see if you’re eligible.
| Household Size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Income | $85,200 | $97,350 | $109,500 | $121,700 | $133,850 | $146,000 | $158,200 | $170,350 |
Please note that all projects are subject to approval by the Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) and that projects can be cancelled at any point before installation begins.
Shine bright with Solar for All to keep your electricity bills in check!
We work with area contractors to develop rooftop solar systems for single family homes and Community Renewable Energy Facilities (CREFs) – aka large-scale community solar installations — on various structures around the District.
All participants receiving affordable home electrification must participate in Solar for All Community Solar or Single-Family Rooftop Solar. By doing so, we ensure that all residents are provided access to the benefits of solar power to help offset any increases to your electric bill. Fill out the form below if interested in receiving no-cost rooftop solar. If interested in subscribing to Solar for All Community Solar to receive up to 50% off your electricity bills, click the button below to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
IS THIS TRULY NO-COST?
Yes, this program is completely free to all income qualified DC residents in single family homes of 4 units or less. There are no payments or hidden fees and your home is not used as collateral. Upon completion of the installation, you will continue to be the owner/renter of your home but with completely free energy-efficient upgrades.
WHY SHOULD I MAKE THE SWITCH?
- Reduced Energy Use & Increased Efficiency: Electric heating and cooling systems use less energy than their fossil fuel counterparts to provide the same level of comfort. Don’t forget, you are also eliminating your gas bill.
- Cut Harmful Emissions, Improve Indoor Air Quality: Gone are the days of harmful emissions like methane, nitrogen oxides, and carbon dioxide that contribute to health issues and climate change flowing freely throughout your home.
- Clean Cooking, Cool to the Touch: Induction stoves heat faster, save energy, and prevent burns. They work with magnetic cookware and are easy to install and use.
- More Comfort, More Control: There’s more comfort at your fingertips with greater flexibility and control over the system settings and preferences. Remember, Don’t mess with your thermostat too much though, heat pumps reach peak efficiency by maintaining a set temperature.
- Better Home, Greater Value: New, energy-efficient equipment is a great way to increase your home's value.
WILL MY ELECTRICITY BILL INCREASE IF I SWITCH?
There is a possibility that your electricity bill could increase but you will eliminate your gas bill – and heat pumps are far more efficient that their gas counterparts. When combined with Solar for All rooftop or community solar and the energy generating power of the sun, any electricity bill increases will be offset.
WHAT KIND OF OLD EQUIPMENT WILL BE REMOVED AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MY OLD SYSTEM?
Gas/oil/propone furnaces and water heaters, gas/oil boilers with radiator systems, and gas stoves are all eligible for replacement. All gas lines will be capped. Please also note, the program does not remove heating oil tanks, propane tanks, or radiators from participant properties. Radiators left will no longer emit heat. All other old equipment will be removed from the property. Homes with existing ductwork will receive priority replacement. For more details about what equipment is eligible for replacement, please view our Equipment Eligibility Cheat Sheet. If you live in Deanwood or River Terrace, exceptions can be made relating to established equipment.
WHO MAINTAINS THE SYSTEM?
Your new equipment will come with a 12-month service warranty from your installation contractor. After which, you will be responsible for system maintenance over the lifetime of the system. You will also receive a warranty on your new equipment. The length of these warranties differs depending on the type of equipment installed in your home.
DO I HAVE TO GET SOLAR?
While not required to receive affordable home electrification, solar is strongly encouraged to help you keep electricity bills in check.
Get Started
Think you may qualify? Interested in finding out more information? Fill out the form below and a representative from the DCSEU will get back to you
Please note that as of April 8, 2024, the Affordable Home Electrification Program has reached capacity for Fiscal Year 2024 and will not be able to accommodate any additional participants until Fiscal Year 2025 (October 2024) at the earliest due to District-wide budget reductions. This may change in the future and priority for participation will be provided to residents that have previously completed an inquiry form or been income qualified by the DCSEU. We are currently building participant waitlists for Fiscal Year 2025. If you are interested in participating in the program in the future, please complete the interest form and our staff will provide next steps to get you in the waitlist.
Multifamily Buildings Can Electrify Too!
Don’t worry, there’s funding to support income qualified multifamily buildings transition to efficient electric HVAC systems too. If you are a property owner with interest in participating, please email [email protected]