The South Coast Air Quality Management District Governing Board has approved an additional $60 million for its GO ZERO Incentive Program, which offers rebates to residents replacing gas-powered furnaces and water heaters with zero-emission heating systems. This decision, made by the Governing Board on Friday, expands a program that serves communities across the district, including Irvine, by making it more affordable for homeowners and property managers to upgrade to heat pumps for space and water heating.
The additional funding builds upon an initial $21 million pilot program launched in September 2025. According to the agency, this pilot phase demonstrated significant demand for such upgrades. The program assisted more than 3,000 single-family homes and 700 multifamily units in transitioning from gas appliances. Funding allocated for multifamily properties was fully reserved within two weeks of the program’s launch, while the allocation for single-family homes was exhausted in less than six months. This rapid uptake indicated a strong community desire for these energy-efficient solutions.
Michael A. Cacciotti, Governing Board Chair for South Coast AQMD, noted the community's readiness for these changes. The expansion, he stated, allows the agency to build on that initial momentum and extend the opportunity to more residents across the region. The newly approved $60 million will be strategically allocated to continue addressing this demand.
Under the expanded GO ZERO program, $20 million is earmarked specifically for single-family home rebates, and another $20 million is designated for multifamily rebates. An additional $20 million will remain flexible, available to either category based on the actual demand experienced. This flexible approach aims to ensure that funds are distributed efficiently where they are most needed.
Rebate amounts for most single-family households will range from $500 to $1,000, varying by the type and size of the new heating system installed. For single-family homes located in communities identified by the agency as overburdened, higher rebates ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 will be available. Similarly, multifamily properties can receive rebates ranging from $500 to $1,000 per unit, with a maximum limit of $300,000 per property. A significant portion of the funding, at least 75% for both single-family and multifamily properties, will continue to be prioritized for applicants in these overburdened communities, according to South Coast AQMD.
Beyond the increased funding, the expanded program introduces new eligibility criteria. Solar water-heating systems are now included among the eligible technologies for rebates. Furthermore, incentives will now be provided for smaller heat pump systems, such as mini-split and window units, broadening the range of viable upgrades for residents. To qualify for this new round of rebate funding, units must have been installed on or after September 4. The agency stated that applications and further information, including details on when the application portal will reopen, will be made available through its official channels.
