Stay Comfortable All Year
Benefits:
- One unit to heat and cool your home
- More consistent
- More control
- Quieter
What is heat pump technology?
Home appliances that use heat pump technology run on electricity and transfer heat depending on where it is needed. A heat pump HVAC system pulls heat from outside for heating indoors and pulls out heat from indoors for cooling. Heat pump technology is continuing to grow and can currently be found in water heaters, heating and cooling, and clothes dryers.
Types of Heat Pump HVAC Systems
There are different types of heat pump HVAC systems available:
Energy sources:
- Air-source (most common and affordable)
- Water-source (need water source nearby)
- Ground-source (more expensive but most energy efficient)
Setup type:
- Ducted (can connect to central ductwork already in place)
- Ductless mini-split (no need to install ducts)
- Ducted mini-spilt (works for short lengths of already installed duct work)
Project Costs and Bill Savings
The average project costs for a single family home in San Jose (including equipment, installation, and permits) is $15,000 to $22,700 before incentives. If a panel upgrade is needed, this can add an average additional $3,000 to $5,000. For comparison, replacing gas heating and cooling equipment costs $17,000-$23,500.
A study of bill impacts of home electrification found annual bill savings of $229-$425 dollars a year from using a heat pump HVAC instead of a new gas furnace.
Rebates and Incentives
EcoHome Rebate
We are offering an exclusive customer rebate when you replace your gas powered heating and cooling system with a heat pump HVAC system. Whether you’re a homeowner or renter, SJCE is here to help you save on equipment and installation costs to electrify your home.
Plus, get help with the upfront costs of installing electric heat pumps with the EcoHome Payment Plan. The Payment Plan is interest-free, with no-money down, and repaid on your monthly electric bill.
Learn more about the rebate and payment plan and see if you qualify.
Find More Incentives
Looking to upgrade your HVAC system? Use our Incentives Finder to discover rebates and programs that can help lower your upfront costs.
Permits
Information on online permit submittals is available from Planning, Building & Code Enforcement. Currently online permit submittals are only allowed for single-family residences. For multi-family and non-residential, please use the Development Services Application Wizard and select “Building”. The following selections will vary depending on your project type. Once you have completed your selection, hit return to login.
At this point, if you have previously applied for permits through sjpermits.org, please log in using your account and proceed.
If you are a contractor who has not previously applied through sjpermits.org, please choose option 1 to create an account. Additional fees may be required to register for a San Jose Business Tax Certificate if you do not previously have one.
If you are a homeowner, you may choose option 2 and follow instructions.
Finding a Contractor
We recommend residents follow these best practices when selecting any contractor, including contractors provided on the list below.
- Check licenses with the California Contractors State License Board
- Check complaints and litigation history with the Better Business Bureau
- Interview and request quotes from at least 3 contractors
- Ask for three references who can speak to the quality of services provided
Vetted Contractor List
Contact information for contractors who have installed three or more appliances through the EcoHome Rebate program can be found listed on the EcoHome Network. The City does not endorse or recommend any particular vendor.
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