What it costs, what's permitted, and what to ask before you hire.
Last verified: 2026-05-31 · Well-sourced
Likely first step
Get itemized quotes from 2–3 licensed contractors
Panel / electrical
Verify your panel capacity with an electrician
Complexity
Verify locally
Permit likelihood
Confirm with your building department
Rebate sensitivity
Verify current programs
Best first call
A licensed contractor for an itemized quote
Utility impact
Electric: LADWP; gas: SoCalGas
Southern California Edison
As of 2026-05-30, SCE residential electric service runs on time-of-use (TOU) rate plans by default. The standard TOU option is TOU-D-4-9PM (4 PM-9 PM weekday peak window). Alternatives include TOU-D-5-8PM (5 PM-8 PM peak window for households that cannot shift evening load) and TOU-D-PRIME, a rate reserved for customers with an EV, plug-in hybrid, residential battery, or an electric heat pump for space or water heating. TOU-D-PRIME features lower peak rates paired with a higher daily basic charge (about $0.79/day, roughly $24/month). Under California's Net Billing Tariff (NEM 3.0), new residential solar customers in SCE territory must be on TOU-D-PRIME. Legacy tiered and earlier TOU plans (TOU-D-A, TOU-D-B, TOU-D-T) remain available to existing customers but are closed to new enrollment. Households planning heat pump HVAC, EV charging, battery storage, or whole-home electrification may want to compare TOU-D-4-9PM and TOU-D-PRIME; verify current per-kWh rates and plan rules at the provider site before switching.
As of 2026-05-30, LADWP residential electric customers default to rate schedule R-1A (Standard), a three-tier inclining-block structure (Tier 1 / Tier 2 / Tier 3). During summer high-demand months all three tiers price separately; in winter Tiers 2 and 3 are billed at the same rate. LADWP divides the City into two temperature zones (Zone 1 cooler, Zone 2 hotter inland) and gives Zone 2 a larger Tier 1 allowance. Bills also include a monthly Power Access Charge (PAC) that scales with the customer's highest energy use over the prior year. A time-of-use option, R-1B (TOU), is available on request. Important: LADWP is a municipal utility owned by the City of Los Angeles and is NOT regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC); rates are set by the LA Board of Water and Power Commissioners. LADWP operates its own net-metering tariff (system cap 1 MW) and is NOT subject to CPUC's NEM 3.0 / Net Billing Tariff (NBT), which governs only the investor-owned utilities PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E. Homeowners should verify current rates on the LADWP residential rates page before sizing a project; LADWP filed rate increases for 2026.
$2,000–$6,000 — Installed cost for a single-family SoCal home (roughly 1,500–2,500 sq ft conditioned floor area) for attic air sealing plus blown-in cellulose or fiberglass insulation top-off to R-38, pre-incentive. Range reflects attic accessibility, existing insulation depth, and number of penetrations. Excludes wall insulation, crawlspace work, and spray-foam.
Section 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (insulation and air sealing)
Expired Dec 31, 2025. For 2023–2025: 30% of materials (labor excluded), up to $1,200/yr envelope cap. EXPIRED: This federal credit ended Dec 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21, signed July 4, 2025). Installations completed in 2026 or later do not qualify, regardless of when payment was made. For installations completed during 2023–2025, the credit applied to a U.S. principal residence owned and used by the taxpayer (renters and second homes were not eligible for this category) and covered bulk insulation materials (batts, rolls, blow-in, rigid board, spray foam, pour-in-place) and air-sealing materials (weather stripping, caulk, spray foam cans, house wrap) with manufacturer certification. Labor was excluded from the credit basis. Homeowners with eligible 2025 installations may still claim the credit on their 2025 federal tax return. Verify with a qualified tax professional.
California Equitable Building Decarbonization (EBD) Direct Install Program
No-cost direct-install upgrades for income-qualified households — homeowner does not pay out-of-pocket for covered measures. Measures may include heat pump HVAC, heat pump water heater, induction stove, electrical panel upgrade, and weatherization, subject to a per-household scope set by the regional implementer. Administered by the California Energy Commission (CEC) as the statewide Equitable Building Decarbonization Direct Install Program, with delivery through regional implementers and a separate Tribal Direct Install track. Targets low- and moderate-income households in low-income communities; specific AMI thresholds and per-region eligibility rules are set by the regional implementer rather than statewide. Both single-family homeowners and renters in eligible buildings may qualify, though scope and contractor selection are determined by the implementer (homeowners do not freely choose contractors). The program is funded through California IRA HOMES funding (60% allocation to Direct Install, approximately $130.3M) plus state appropriations. Direct Install retrofits began rolling out in summer 2025. Homeowners interested in EBD should contact the CEC at equitablebuildingdecarb@energy.ca.gov or watch for their regional implementer's launch announcement; the program does not accept open online applications the way TECH or HEEHRA do.
SCE Energy Savings Assistance Program (ESA) — income-qualified no-cost upgrades
No-cost (program-funded) upgrades for eligible households. Reported scope includes HVAC and cooling measures, water heating (including heat pump water heaters), weatherization, lighting, and home efficiency upgrades. As of 2026-05-30 the program is actively accepting applications. Eligibility is income-based; effective July 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026, ESA income limits run from approximately $39,125 for a one-person household up to approximately $80,375 for a four-person household, with roughly $13,450 added for each additional person. Homeowners or renters in buildings with four or fewer units may qualify (renters need landlord permission for some measures). Applicants enrolled in CalFresh, Medi-Cal, SNAP, WIC, or similar assistance programs may qualify without providing income documentation. Verify current thresholds at the program page before applying.
SCE Home Performance Plus (HPP) — geographic-eligible enhanced electrification rebates
Per-measure rebates (as reported via The Switch Is On clearinghouse): approximately $1,144.80/ton for heat pump mini-splits; approximately $667/ton for fuel-substitution HVAC; approximately $1,350 for heat pump water heater when replacing a gas unit; approximately $1.07/sq ft attic insulation, $1.06/sq ft wall insulation, $0.53/sq ft duct sealing; approximately $424 for induction cooktops; approximately $424/ton for air conditioner replacement. Verify current amounts and the qualifying-product list at the program site before signing a contract. As of 2026-05-30 the program is active for geographically-eligible households. Eligibility requires the home to be located in a designated geographic-eligibility area (SB-535 disadvantaged community per the CalEnviroScreen map). IMPORTANT EXCLUSION: households currently enrolled in income-assistance programs (CARE, FERA, LIHEAP, or SCE's Energy Savings Assistance Program) may be ineligible for HPP — those households are typically routed to ESA for no-cost upgrades instead. HPP and ESA cannot be stacked on the same measure. Homeowners should verify both their geographic eligibility and their income-assistance enrollment status before signing a contract or applying.
LADWP Lifeline Energy Savings Assistance — Weatherization
As of 2026-05-30, income-qualified LADWP customers may receive no-cost weatherization services through the Lifeline Energy Savings Assistance pathway (paired with EZ-SAVE / Lifeline enrollment). Services historically offered at no cost to qualifying households include attic insulation, weatherstripping, caulking, low-flow showerheads, water heater blankets, and minor envelope repairs. Specific measure availability varies by household assessment. Household income must meet the CARE income guidelines (California utility low-income threshold). Customer must be a LADWP residential account holder. Enrollment in EZ-SAVE or Lifeline is the typical entry point; LIHEAP-eligible households may also qualify through the California LIHEAP pathway administered separately. Homeowners and renters may qualify; landlord consent is typically required for rental units.