Find answers to common questions about the ESA program.
IMPORTANT
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Get more than just lower bills
Renters and homeowners can improve the comfort, health and safety of their homes with appliance upgrades and home repairs. Not everyone, however, can afford to make these updates. That is why we offer the Energy Savings Assistance program. Upgrade or repair heat pump water heaters, furnaces, lighting—even refrigerators. All at no charge.*
Apply for ESA
Step 1: Check the income guidelines
Participants must live in a house, mobile home or apartment that is at least five years old. Income must meet the following guidelines.
*Before taxes based on current income sources. Valid through May 31, 2025.
Step 2: Set up a home assessment
Once your application has been reviewed, an energy specialist will contact you to schedule an assessment of your home. During the visit, the specialist will determine if your home qualifies for the program and, if so, the improvements to be made. At this time, you’ll also need to provide proof of household income such as check stubs, social security, bank statements or other legal proof of income.
Proof of income is not required if you can provide documents proving participation in one of the following programs:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- CalFresh Benefits (federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP and formerly known as Food Stamps)
- Healthy Families Category A & B
- Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only)
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Medicaid/MediCal
- National School Lunch Program (NSL)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Women, Infant, and Children Program (WIC)
If you would like to speak to a program specialist, please call 1-800-933-9555.
Step 3: Apply online
The online application only takes a few minutes to complete. No proof of income is necessary to apply and your answers will be kept confidential.
Download program information
Energy Education and Resource Guide
Review the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) guide and other resources for customers who are in the Energy Savings Assistance Program.
ESA program information in large print
Find program information written in different languages and displayed in a larger font.
Frequently asked questions
- ESA trains subcontractors, which include Energy Specialists, Weatherization Specialists and Natural Gas Appliance Testing Technicians who may be working in your home.
- Our Program Implementers, Resource Innovations and Richard Heath & Associates (RHA) also have field staff who may ride along with these subcontractors to ensure that the work being done in your home meets certain quality standards.
- Appliance subcontractors may also work in your home to remove and recycle old refrigerator and install a new refrigerator.
- PG&E's Central Inspection Program inspectors and Gas Service Representatives may also visit your home for appliance adjustments or measure inspection purposes.
- ESA subcontractor employees (Energy Specialist and Weatherization Specialist crew) wear a royal blue shirt with ESA logo on right breast and subcontractor company logo on left breast with words, "Participating Contractor for Pacific Gas and Electric Company."
- Resource Innovations and Richard Heath & Associates (RHA) field staff wear a gray shirt with Energy Savings Assistance Program logo on right breast area and the Resource Innovations or RHA company logo on left breast area with words, "Participating Contractor for Pacific Gas and Electric Company."
- All subcontractors and Resource Innovations and RHA field staff have an Energy Savings Assistance Program photo badge with their name, company name, identification number and the expiration date.
- Central Inspection Program inspectors wear dark blue shirts with a PG&E logo and carry a PG&E ID.
- PG&E Gas Service Representatives wear PG&E uniforms and carry a PG&E ID.
- If in doubt of a subcontractor's identity, please call 1-800-933-9555. If in doubt of a PG&E employee's identity, please call PG&E at 1-877-660-6789.
- Find a participating contractor (PDF) for the Energy Savings Assistance Program.
No. Work must be done by the subcontractors who are trained to work for the Energy Savings Assistance program.
The ESA customer journey
With ESA, qualified customers can get home improvements for free.
ESA for multifamily properties
Energy Savings Assistance Northern Multifamily Whole Building Program
This statewide program offers comprehensive and cost-effective energy efficiency and weatherization measures to income-qualified deed-restricted and non-deed restricted multifamily property owners and tenants.
Visit Multifamily Energy Savings for more information on Energy saving upgrades for qualifying multifamily households and properties
*Furnace and water heater repair or replacement may be available to eligible homeowners if PG&E determines that existing natural gas units are inoperable or unsafe. Refrigerators need to be at least 15 years old to be replaced.
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©2024 Pacific Gas and Electric Company
©2024 Pacific Gas and Electric Company