County Outreach Initiative
focused on
Replacement of Gas Hot Water Heaters with
Heat Pump Units in Multi-Tenant Rental Properties.

In its Regional Decarbonization Framework, San Diego County has identified improvements in energy efficiency in rental properties, especially in the area of hot water heaters, as a priority.

According to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE):

• Rental properties are 15% less energy efficient than owner occupied homes,
• A third of renters pay over 6% of their income for their energy bills.
• Converting gas water heaters to electric heat pump units would cut greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 58%[1]

Late in 2021, CCE pointed out to the County that programs and regulations imposed from above have a poor track record. As a result, CCE received grants from the County to reach out to renters, owners, management companies, contractors, and others to identify incentives that could motivate and speed change.

[1] ACEEE Report: “Efficient Electric Water Heating Could Slash Multifamily Buildings’ Carbon Emissions

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