Energy Savings Assistance Program.
The Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) program is designed to help you conserve energy and save money. Income-qualified customers may be eligible to receive energy-efficient appliances at no charge or at a minimal charge. If you qualify, we’ll cover the costs of new energy-efficient appliances—including installation.
The online application only takes a few minutes to complete. No proof of income is necessary to apply, and your information will be kept confidential. Once you apply, we will determine your eligibility for the program. If eligible, you will be referred to an authorized contractor in your area.
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How the Program Works
There are three stages in the ESA program. Each stage is delivered by an SCE approved contractor. Where possible, contractors will provide remote outreach and assessment services.
Step 1: Qualification and Assessment
To be eligible, you must meet specific household income guidelines. After income qualification, a contractor will do a walk-through of your home to collect information to help SCE determine the potential for installation of one or more appliances or services.
Step 2: Service Delivery
Installation of appliances and services, such as weatherization, are carried out by approved contractors.
Step 3: Inspection
An inspection may be performed in your home to see if the contractor has completed the work to meet our quality standards. If the work is not done properly, it will be redone at no cost to you.
How to Qualify
- Be a homeowner or renter who receives electric services through a residential meter
- Reside in a single-family home or mobile home
Note: Residences with four (4) or fewer units are considered single-family homes. So, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes qualify. - Have an active SCE service account
- Meet appliance replacement/installation requirements for each service
- And meet either Option 1 or Option 2 listed below
Option 1: Public Assistance Programs
You can qualify for the ESA Program if you or someone in your home participates in at least one of the eligible public assistance programs listed below.
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- CalFresh/SNAP (Food Stamps)
- CalWorks (TANF)/Tribal TANF
- Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only)
- LIHEAP
- Medi-Cal/Medicaid
- Medi-Cal for Families (Healthy Families A&B)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- W.I.C.
You can also qualify if you meet the income guideline qualifications listed in the chart in Option 2.
Option 2: Household Income
Effective July 1, 2022, to May 31, 2023, income limits are as follows:
| Household Size | Total Combined Annual Income Limit* |
|---|---|
| 1 | $33,975 |
| 2 | $45,775 |
| 3 | $57,575 |
| 4 | $69,375 |
| 5 | $81,175 |
| 6 | $92,975 |
| 7 | $104,775 |
| 8 | $116,575 |
| Each additional person | $11,800 |
*Upper Limit Calculation = 250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines
Available Appliances and Services
Qualified SCE customers may be eligible for several appliance upgrades or energy-saving services. These are grouped into Basic offerings and Basic Plus offerings. The SCE-approved contractor will collect information to help SCE determine which offering your household qualifies for.
Basic offerings include:
- Lighting
- Smart Power Strip
- Refrigerator Replacement
- Smart Thermostat Installation
- Thermostatic Shower Valve/Showerhead Installation
Basic Plus offerings include:
- All Basic Offerings
- Clothes Washer Replacement
- Dishwasher Replacement
- Freezer Replacement
- Heat Pump Water Heater Replacement
- Pool Pump Replacement
- Cooling*
- Evaporative Cooler Installation
- Evaporative Cooler Maintenance
- Window or Wall AC Replacement
- Central AC or Central Heat Pump Replacement
- Portable AC Installation
- HVAC Filter
- Weatherization Services
*These services may not be available in all areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The ESA program is available to both homeowners and renters. Renters may be required to obtain the property owner’s written permission before certain measures and services are delivered.
For renters/tenants, the legal property owner or authorized agent must sign the Property Owner Authorization form.
Participation in the ESA program is FREE to both renters and homeowners.
Rental Applicants and Co-Payments for Some Services
A co-payment from the property owner or landlord may be required if the applicant is a renter/tenant. This co-payment is only required for central air conditioners and/or heat pumps, where it is assumed that the property owner owns the appliance. Note: Central air conditioners and heat pumps are not available in all geographic regions.
Yes. Here is information you can share with the property owner when discussing the ESA program.
Advantages of Program Participation for Property Owners and Tenants:
- Potentially lower energy costs for both you and your tenants
- Help improve the safety of your property within your tenants’ homes
- Increase your tenant comfort and satisfaction
Proof of property ownership is required, and can include, but is not limited to:
- Current loan or mortgage documents
- Property tax records or bills
- Homeowner property and/or fire insurance
- Mortgage payment invoices or book
- Current Mobile Home Registration from Department of Housing and Community Development
- Data Quick or similar title search service papers
Employees of contracted service providers certified to represent the ESA program must present a valid, SCE-assigned badge containing the following information:
On the front of the badge:
- Picture and name of the employee
- Name of the service provider
- Badge number
On the back of the badge:
- Name and contact information for the field personnel’s employer (service provider)
- SCE’s toll-free number
- Mailing address so that the badge may be returned to SCE if it is lost or damaged
Customers with concerns about the field employee’s identity or with general questions about the visit may call (800) 736-4777 to speak to an SCE representative. The representative will be able to verify the field employee’s identity and if the employee is certified to represent the ESA program.
The health and safety of our customers, contractors and communities is our top priority. SCE-approved contractors are conducting virtual enrollment and home assessments to minimize face-to-face interaction when necessary. The contractors that represent the ESA program thoroughly comply with all COVID-19 safety regulations. When working at a customer’s home, they adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) safety protocols and guidelines as well as state and local health guidelines.
No. Work must be done by the SCE-approved contractors who are trained to work for the ESA program.
Yes. We offer a two-year warranty on parts and labor and a one-year warranty on the installation. Refer to the documents provided after the installation of the appliance(s). They will contain the phone number to call regarding any warranty issues.
If you do not meet the requirements to participate in the ESA program, you may still be able to take advantage of one of our other energy efficiency programs.
Additional Resources
Energy Education Guide
Learn about ways you can improve the comfort of your home and reduce your monthly energy bill, including helpful tips related to natural gas and electrical safety.
Solar for Income-Qualified Homeowners
Income-qualified homeowners residing in a disadvantaged community (DAC), who are considering solar, may qualify for a free solar system from our partner, GRID Alternatives. DACs are designated by the state of California and are reevaluated every year.
Energy Savings Opportunities for Tenant Common Areas
Multifamily (MF) property owners and managers may be eligible to receive additional measures including lighting, HVAC, and pool pumps for tenant common areas such as hallways, corridors, and pool areas.
Statewide ESA Multifamily Whole Building (MFWB) Program
The MFWB program is designed to deliver comprehensive and cost-effective energy efficiency and weatherization measures to income-qualified multifamily property owners and tenants across California.
Energy Efficiency Department
Customers interested in learning more about this and other energy efficiency programs can call 1-800-736-4777,
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.