Commercial Buildings
Get up to 100% of your project costs covered when you upgrade to an ultra-efficient heat pump water heater.
Building Efficiency Accelerator
Ava’s Building Efficiency Accelerator program is offering generous rebates to commercial, industrial, and municipal customers who upgrade their traditional water heaters to high-efficiency heat pump water heaters (HPWHs).
Switching to a HPWH can dramatically lower your energy use and reduce your carbon footprint – and with Ava’s rebate, your upgrade could be fully covered.
This program is funded by the California Public Utilities Commission Public Purpose Program (PPP). Ava serves as the administrator of these funds to deliver energy efficiency programs that benefit our commercial, industrial, and municipal customers.
Eligibility
Applicant must be:
- A commercial, industrial, or municipal customer receiving service from Ava
- Located within Ava’s service territory
- Currently using a gas water heating system
Rebate Details
- $8.50 per therm saved (the rebate total often covers most or all project costs, including the cost of any necessary upgrades to electrical supply equipment)
- Rebate is capped at full installation cost
- Rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted
Qualifying Equipment
See the Deemed Rebate Catalogue with associated installation requirements.
- Offer is valid for qualifying equipment installed and fully commissioned before April 30, 2026.
- All requested documentation must be provided before April 30, 2026.
- Installation must follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and instructions.
- All necessary permits must be obtained by the customer, with copies of closed permits provided upon request.
- Existing natural gas equipment must be decommissioned and removed from the site, and natural gas lines supplying replaced equipment permanently capped.
- Should CPUC revise workpapers on which this rebate offer is based, Ava Community Energy and Cascade Energy reserve the right to withdraw Conditional Rebate Reservations and/or modify this rebate offer.
Deadline
Funds are limited—rebates are first-come, first-served! Final documentation must be received by and equipment must be installed by April 30, 2026.
How it Works
Confirm Eligibility
Email a copy of your latest utility bill to avahpwh@cascadeenergy.com. We’ll quickly verify if you are eligible to receive a rebate. If you qualify, you will be connected with an Energy Manager who will guide you through each of the following steps and provide all required documentation.
Choose Your Contractor and Get a Quote
You can use your own contractor or ask us for a list of participating contractors. Once you have a quote, send it to us along with photos of your existing water heating system.
Reserve Your Rebate
We’ll send you a rebate application and a conditional rebate reservation showing your approved incentive amount. You’ll review, sign, and return the paperwork to lock in your rebate.
Install Your HPWH
Install your HPWH using your contractor or one of the participating contractors. If you use a participating contractor, the rebate can be applied directly to your invoice to reduce your upfront cost.
Submit Final Documentation
After installation, send us photos of the installed equipment, contractor invoice, and copies of any required permits. We may also schedule a quick verification visit.
Receive Your Rebate
If you used a participating contractor, your rebate will already have been deducted from your invoice. If you used your own contractor, Ava will send you the rebate check directly. Rebates will be mailed within 4 weeks of completing the final documentation.
Building Efficiency Accelerator Pre-2025
A prior iteration of this program included tailored support to help building owners and managers effectively save and earn money by identifying low- to no-cost energy efficiency opportunities to optimize buildings, reduce energy consumption, minimize carbon emissions, and earn incentives.