Multifamily Existing
Building Retrofit
Build Electric SVP offers two incentive pathways to support existing affordable and market-rate multifamily properties located within the City of Santa Clara.
Retrofit of Multifamily Affordable and Market-rate Existing Buildings
- All-Electric Multifamily Retrofit for properties ready to transition fully to electric technologies.
- Progressive Electric Multifamily Retrofit for properties beginning with one or more heat pump technology upgrades.
Both pathways provide incentives to reduce project costs while advancing Silicon Valley Power’s electrification and climate goals.
Choose Your Retrofit Pathway
All-Electric Multifamily Retrofit Pathway
This retrofit pathway supports projects that remove all natural gas appliances, cap gas lines, and install energy-efficient electric technologies throughout each enrolled building.
All-Electric Multifamily Retrofit Program Pre-requisites
*Induction cooking is not required for qualifying affordable multifamily housing projects. Affordable housing includes properties certified as affordable through a regulatory designation or under the City of Santa Clara’s affordable housing definition. Naturally occurring affordable housing may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
All-Electric Multifamily Retrofit Incentives
| Building Type | 2026-2027 | 2028-2029 |
|---|---|---|
| Multifamily Market-Rate (per dwelling unit) | $7,500 | $7,000 |
| Multifamily Affordable Housing (per dwelling unit) | $8,500 | $8,000 |
Incentives are dependent on the project’s year of completion.
All-Electric Multifamily Retrofit Bonus Incentives
Enrolled units may qualify for bonus incentives when they install eligible high-efficiency equipment or building-envelope improvements.
| Bonus per Multifamily Unit | Incentive |
|---|---|
| ENERGY STAR® Induction Cooking | $750 |
| Central Heat Pump Water Heater (per condenser installed) | $3,000 |
| CEE Tier 1 Variable Capacity Heat Pump (VCHP) | $4,000 |
| Electrical Infrastructure Upgrade | $1,500 |
| Increased Insulation – Attic | $800 |
| Increased Insulation – Wall | $800 |
| High Efficiency Windows | $1,000 |
| Air Sealing | $1,000 |
Incentive Cap
The All-Electric Multifamily Retrofit pathway has a per-unit incentive cap of $16,000. The cap applies to the combined value of base and bonus incentives.
Progressive Electric Multifamily Retrofit Pathway
This retrofit pathway supports projects that install one or more qualifying heat pump technologies while allowing other existing natural gas appliances to remain in place.
Progressive Electric Multifamily Retrofit Program Pre-requisites
Qualifying projects must install at least one of the following:
Progressive Electric Multifamily Retrofit Incentives
| Energy-Efficient Technology | 2026-2027 | 2028-2029 |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Pump Water Heater (per dwelling unit) | $3,000 | $2,800 |
| Heat Pump HVAC (per dwelling unit) | $4,000 | $3,800 |
Incentives are dependent on the project’s year of completion.
All-Electric Multifamily Retrofit Bonus Incentives
Projects may qualify for additional incentives when they install eligible electric equipment, electrical infrastructure, or building-envelope improvements.
| Bonus per Multifamily Unit | Incentive |
|---|---|
| ENERGY STAR® Induction Cooking | $750 |
| Induction Cooking | $500 |
| Central Heat Pump Water Heating (per condenser installed) | $3,000 |
| CEE Tier 1 Variable Central Heat Pump | $4,000 |
| Increased Insulation – Attic | $800 |
| Increased Insulation – Wall | $800 |
| High Efficiency Windows | $1,000 |
| Air Sealing | $1,000 |
| Affordable Housing Bonus | $1,000 |
Incentive Cap
The Progressive Electric Multifamily Retrofit pathway has a per-unit incentive cap of $16,000. The cap applies to the combined value of base and bonus incentives.
