Income qualifications for no-cost home energy upgrades
For Full-Service Home Upgrades and Emergency Water Heater Replacement programs
Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) is providing whole-home energy upgrades at no cost for income-qualified residents. Review eligible upgrades and income qualifications below.
No-cost upgrades may include:
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*Projects must include at least one heat pump appliance, either a heat pump water heater or heat pump HVAC system.
Eligibility for no-cost home upgrades
Core requirements
- Renter or homeowner must meet Household Income Qualifications and provide supporting documentation during your home assessment.
- Property must be a single-family home below 2,500 square feet, located in SVCE service area, and is not a short-term rental.
- Replace old gas equipment with at least one heat pump appliance, either a heat pump water heater or heat pump HVAC system.
Additional requirements
- Residence must be property owner’s principal residence.
- Property owner does not own additional properties.
- Property owner’s investable assets do not exceed $500,000.
- Property owner must be the legal owner of the residence. If property owner is an entity, entity must provide proof of the signatory’s ability to bind the entity.
- Property owner must apply, even if tenant-occupied.
- Residence must not be a short-term rental.
- Tenant must meet Household Income Qualifications. Property owner does not need to meet income requirements.
- Property owner must be the legal owner of the residence. If property owner is an entity, entity must provide proof of the signatory’s ability to bind the entity.
- Property owner must be an individual owner, public entity, or entity with two or fewer officers. Corporate and institutional owners are excluded.
Verifying income qualifications
Property owner’s or tenant’s gross annual household income must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income in Santa Clara County, as listed below. Income guidelines are based on the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s State Income Limits.
| Santa Clara County Income Guidelines | |
| Household Size | Maximum Gross Annual Household Income |
| 1 person | Up to $113,700 |
| 2 person | Up to $129,950 |
| 3 person | Up to $146,200 |
| 4 person | Up to $162,400 |
| 5 person | Up to $175,400 |
| 6 person | Up to $188,400 |
| 7 person | Up to $201,400 |
| 8 person | Up to $214,400 |
Instructions for counting household size and gross income:
- The household size is the Tax filer living in the residence plus all persons expected to be claimed as tax dependents on your federal tax form.
- For the purposes of the Program, gross income includes both taxable and non-taxable income sources. This includes, but is not limited to the following: Wages, unemployment, workers’ compensation, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, public assistance, veterans’ payments, survivor benefits, pension or retirement income, interest, dividends, rents, royalties, income from estates, trusts, educational assistance, alimony, child support, assistance from outside the household, and other miscellaneous sources.
- Only count the gross income of the family members included or who will be included in your federal tax form.
Income documents verification
Property owner or tenant can provide proof of their gross household income via one of two ways. Franklin Energy will review and visually verify documents to confirm household income qualification. SVCE and Franklin Energy may request additional verification of eligibility requirements as needed.
Customers participating in one or more of the public assistance programs on the Categorical Eligibility List may submit documentation confirming their participation.
| Categorical Eligibility List – Provide one of the documents below | ||
| Program Type | Document Type | Max Age of Document |
| Disadvantaged Communities—Single Family Solar Homes (DAC-SASH) |
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24 months |
| Energy Savings Assistance Program (ESA) |
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24 months |
| Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) |
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24 months |
| Single Family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) |
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24 months |
| Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) |
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24 months |
| CalFresh/SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) |
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12 months |
| CALWORKS TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) |
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12 months |
| Tribal TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) |
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12 months |
| Tribal Head Start |
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12 months |
| Bureau of Indian Affairs – General Assistance or Financial Assistance and Social Services (FASS) program |
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12 months |
| SSI (Supplemental Security Income) |
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12 months |
| WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) |
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12 months |
| LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) |
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12 months |
| Income Sources List – Provide one of the documents below | ||
| Income Source Type | Document Type | Max Age of Document |
| Tax returns (default) for all people living in the household who are over 18 years or older |
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Most recent filing. After May, previous calendar year required (i.e., if it is 2025, returns for 2024 CY). |
| Other documents only if tax returns not available for all people living in the household who are over 18 years or older |
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Most recent 3 months for pay stubs. Within the last 12 months for SSA. |
Questions?
Our team is here to support you in making the transition to clean energy effortless and affordable.
Contact us at advisor@svce.franklinenergy.com or (408) 260-5255.
