Choose Your Own Contractor

Finding the right contractor for home upgrades can be challenging. Use these tips to pick a contractor for your project:

• Get referrals from friends, neighbors, coworkers. Here’s a courtesy contractor list to reference.*
• Get written estimates from several licensed contractors. Ask if they are familiar with the Palo Alto permitting process. When comparing estimates, make sure you’re looking at the same factors, like materials and equipment sizing.
• Thoroughly review all estimates, project timeline and payment plan before making a commitment.

*This is a list of contractors who have completed 5 permitted heat pump water heaters (HPWH) or heat pump heating ventilation and cooling systems (HP HVAC) installations in Palo Alto and is intended to help residents find contractors who have experience with home electric upgrades in Palo Alto.

GoGreen Home Energy Financing

Administered by the State of California, the GoGreen Home Energy Financing program allows you to layer financing with rebates and incentives, cover leftover costs, and finance the cost of additional required upgrades such as electrical panels.

Explore Finance Options

Further Financial Assistance

If you are on a limited income, experiencing financial hardship or have medical needs that increase your utility usage, you may be eligible for help on your utility bill costs.  

Utilities Assistance 

If you're interested in managing your home electrification projects yourself and need support to understand different models, technical specifications, and learn about other residents' projects, this Guide to Electrification is your go-to, printable resource.

Resources include:

• Benefits of home electrification
• Minimizing electric panel upgrade needs
• Types of appliances to go electric
• Watt diet technologies
• Case studies
• Electrical load calculator

Download and Print the Guide to Electrification(PDF, 6MB)

Battery storage allows for storing excess energy for use at a later time, such as during the evening hours when residents tend to use the most electricity, or provide resiliency during a power outage. 

Residential ESS Permit Guidelines(PDF, 1MB)