California · #12 metro by population

Home energy audits in Riverside

Where to get a home energy audit in the Riverside area, what it costs, which rebates are open now and where California stands on the federal Home Energy Rebates. Every program links to its official page and was checked on October 12, 2026.

Metro area: Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

An energy advisor’s kit on a front-hall bench: infrared camera, pressure gauge with tubing, tape measure, headlamp and a floor sketch
Start here Assessor’s price less a $250 rebate Home Energy Score California (statewide)
Rebates and incentives open now 6 of 9 3 closed or fully reserved
Federal Home Energy Rebates Closed What that means here

Riverside at a glance

Climate zone 3B

IECC 2021 climate zone for Riverside County, CA. PNNL ↗

Heating and cooling 1,386 HDD · 1,854 CDD

Heating and cooling degree days, base 65°F, 1991–2020 normals at RIVERSIDE MUNI AP, CA US (USW00003171). NOAA ↗

Homes 1976 median year built

56.8% of occupied homes are owner-occupied. Riverside city, California, 2020–2024 ACS 5-year. Census ↗

Radon EPA zone 2

moderate potential: predicted average 2–4 pCi/L (Riverside County, CA). EPA says not to use the zone to decide whether to test: high levels turn up in all three zones, so test every home. Radon testing guide · EPA ↗

What energy costs here

State Electricity¢ per kWh · July 2026 Natural gas$ per therm · 2025 average Heating oil$ per gallon · week of Oct 5, 2026 Propane$ per gallon · week of Oct 5, 2026
California 33.6¢ $2.12 $22.01 per thousand cu ft Not reported Not reported
  • Electricity: EIA’s average residential price, July 2026 (preliminary; released September 24, 2026). The U.S. average was 18.3¢ per kWh. EIA ↗
  • Natural gas: EIA’s 2025 average residential price per thousand cubic feet, which EIA says includes taxes and delivery, divided by 10.36 therms per thousand cubic feet (EIA’s 2025 average heat content of 1,036 Btu per cubic foot). A full-year average is used because summer months run far higher. EIA ↗
  • Heating oil and propane: EIA’s weekly residential prices, excluding taxes, for the week of October 5, 2026. EIA surveys them only in some states. EIA ↗

Utilities in the Riverside area

Utility efficiency programs follow the company that delivers your power or gas, so check your bill before you book anything.

Electric

  • Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) City of Riverside (city-owned electric and water utility) Source ↗
  • Southern California Edison (SCE) Most of Riverside and San Bernardino counties outside municipal-utility areas; SCE serves 15 million people across 50,000 sq mi of central, coastal and Southern California Source ↗
  • Moreno Valley Utility (MVU) Public electric service within MVU's mapped service area in Moreno Valley Source ↗

Natural gas

  • Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) Most of the metro; 21.1 million consumers in 500+ communities across Central and Southern California Source ↗
  • Southwest Gas Says it serves 'portions of California'; its About page does not list which Inland Empire communities Source ↗

RPU's own income-qualified programs pair RPU electric service with a SoCalGas gas account, so RPU rebates and SoCalGas programs can both apply to a Riverside home. Other municipal and district utilities serve parts of the two counties (for example Imperial Irrigation District, which says it serves more than 150,000 customers, but its page did not state its territory), so check your bill.

How to get a home energy audit in Riverside

3 programs in our research, open ones first. Prices are as each program publishes them. If you want a full diagnostic audit outside these programs, look for a certified auditor: how to find one and what audits cost.

SCE Home Performance Plus

CLEAResult under contract with Southern California Edison

Open
Free Select areas

Cost, as published Free home energy assessment and Energy Advisor guidance

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Who qualifies
SCE residential electric customers who rent or own a single-family detached home or a unit in a building of 4 units or less located in a Disadvantaged or Low-Income community (not available to RPU-only electric customers)
What you get
On-site visit by an Energy Specialist, a custom report with recommendations and available rebates, and access to more than $5,000 in program rebates
How to book
Schedule with an Energy Advisor via homeperformanceplusca.com/sce or call 888-662-1637 (9am-5pm PT, Mon-Fri)

Equitable Building Decarbonization (EBD) Direct Install - Southern California

County of Los Angeles as Southern Region administrator for the California Energy Commission

Open accepting interest forms in select communities; CEC expected first focus-area retrofits in Summer 2026; a community application process for other areas is expected late 2026
Free Income-qualified

Cost, as published No cost to eligible households

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Who qualifies
Households up to 80% of area median income in single-family, multifamily or manufactured homes built before January 1, 2020 that heat space or water with gas, propane or another fossil fuel, in an initial community focus area. Inland Empire focus areas: Hesperia, Indio, Moreno Valley, Riverside/Highgrove, San Bernardino and Victorville/Apple Valley.
What you get
Eligibility screening, a home assessment, then no-cost heat pump and/or heat pump water heater plus possible insulation, air sealing, duct sealing, induction stove, electric dryer and panel work
How to book
Interest form at socalebd.org or call 1-424-285-6602

Home Energy Score California (statewide)

Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) and Earth Advantage; funded by PG&E, SDG&E, SoCalGas and SCE ratepayers under the CPUC

Open · limits apply open (statewide program page live; no closing date stated)
Assessor’s price less a $250 rebate

Cost, as published Cost varies by assessor (BayREN says it depends on factors such as location and home size); the program FAQ says customers who get gas and/or electricity from a CCA or investor-owned utility are eligible for a $250 rebate toward it (Berkeley residents excepted because of BESO)

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Who qualifies
California homeowners can hire a certified assessor; the $250 rebate is for customers who receive gas and/or electric service from an investor-owned utility (such as PG&E, SCE, SoCalGas or SDG&E) or a community choice aggregator
What you get
Certified assessor walk-through (most take 45-90 minutes, including attic and crawlspace), a U.S. DOE 1-10 Home Energy Score, a report with energy-use, cost and emissions estimates, and prioritized upgrade recommendations
How to book
Find a certified assessor on homescoreca.org and ask for a score through the HES California program; confirm rebate eligibility and cost with the assessor

Rebates and incentives now

9 offers in our research for the Riverside metro; 6 are open as of October 12, 2026. Many require the program’s own contractor or an audit first, so read the terms before you buy.

Whole-home upgrades 1 open of 1

SCE Home Performance Plus rebates

CLEAResult for Southern California Edison

Open open; the rebates page gives no status or end date

Official page ↗ · verified October 19, 2026

Amount Attic insulation $1.07/sq ft; wall insulation $1.06/sq ft; heat pump water heaters $500-$1,350; ducted heat pump $667/ton; ductless mini-split $600/ton or $1,144.80/ton; induction cooktop $424

Who qualifies SCE residential electric customers in single-family homes or buildings of up to 4 units; work through program trade allies. The program's main page limits it to Disadvantaged or Low-Income communities, but the rebates page does not mention that limit, so it could not be re-confirmed. Heat pumps must be rated 16 SEER2 or higher. A ducted heat pump must replace a central AC rated 13 SEER (12.4 SEER2) or lower and a gas furnace rated 80% AFUE or lower; a ductless one must replace a gas wall furnace with no blower fan rated 67% AFUE or lower.

Insulation and air sealing 1 open of 1

RPU Weatherization Rebate Program

Riverside Public Utilities

Open open (subject to fund availability)

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Amount Attic insulation 10 cents/sq ft (R-19), 15 or 20 cents/sq ft (R-30 or R-38+); exterior wall insulation (R-13+) 15 cents/sq ft; whole house fan $100; solar attic fan $100 (limit 2); electric attic fan $50 (limit 2); full insulated duct replacement (R-6 min) $150; cool roof $0.10/sq ft; ENERGY STAR windows/glass doors $1/sq ft; window film $1/sq ft; solar window screens $1/sq ft

Who qualifies All RPU residential electric customers; apply within 90 days of purchase

Heat pumps 1 open of 3

RPU Residential Heating and Cooling Rebate Program

Riverside Public Utilities

Open open (subject to fund availability; may be cancelled at any time)

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Amount Electric heat pump (15.2 SEER or greater) $750 per ton; central AC $150/ton (15.2-15.9 SEER) or $250/ton (16 SEER+); HVAC tune-up with refrigerant check $25; whole-house evaporative cooler $150; room evaporative cooler $50; Wi-Fi smart thermostat $50

Who qualifies RPU residential electric customers; matched condenser and coil required; apply within 90 days of purchase

South Coast AQMD GO ZERO single-family heat pump rebate

South Coast Air Quality Management District

Closed closed: reopened August 28, 2026, portal closed September 4, 2026 at 5:00 PM; new single-family and multifamily applications are still not being accepted. AQMD's Governing Board approved Phase 2 on October 2, 2026 for up to $60.2 million; the relaunch is 'forthcoming', with no date given

Official page ↗ · verified October 19, 2026

Amount Standard $1,000-$2,000 per unit; up to $3,000 in overburdened communities

Who qualifies Single-family homeowners in the South Coast AQMD area (which includes large areas of Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley) replacing gas or propane equipment with heat pumps

TECH Clean California single-family heat pump HVAC and heat pump water heater incentives

TECH Clean California (Energy Solutions, under contract with SCE on behalf of California utilities, CPUC oversight)

Closed fully reserved since November 14, 2025; not accepting new reservations

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Amount Not published

Who qualifies California single-family homes through enrolled contractors

Appliances and equipment 2 open of 2

RPU ENERGY STAR and new-technology rebates

Riverside Public Utilities

Open

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Amount ENERGY STAR heat pump water heater $200; heat pump dryer $200; refrigerator $200 with recycling of old unit ($100 without; $50 recycling only); clothes washer $75; dishwasher $50; room AC $50; ceiling fans $25 each (max 4); high-efficiency electric water heater $50

Who qualifies RPU residential electric customers buying new qualifying products

SoCalGas Home Energy Efficiency Rebate Program (2026)

SoCalGas

Open · limits apply open; first-come, first-served until December 31, 2026 or until funds run out

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Amount ENERGY STAR furnace (AFUE 92%+) $1.40-$25 per kBTUh; tankless water heater $80-$1,500; storage water heater $300-$575; other gas appliances listed

Who qualifies SoCalGas residential customers installing qualifying gas appliances in an existing home

Income-qualified offers 0 open of 1

HEEHRA Phase I heat pump rebates (California's IRA Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates)

California Energy Commission, delivered through TECH Clean California

Closed closed to new applicants: single-family rebates fully reserved statewide since February 24, 2026 (unapproved requests waitlisted; no new income verifications); multifamily fully reserved since September 1, 2026 per TECH

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Amount Single-family: up to $8,000 (household income under 80% AMI) or up to $4,000 (80-150% AMI) for a qualifying heat pump HVAC system; multifamily up to $14,000 per unit

Who qualifies Income-qualified owners (or landlords renting to income-qualified households) replacing a non-heat-pump heating system; only through HEEHRA-trained, TECH-certified contractors with a pre-approved reservation

Financing 1 open of 1

GoGreen Home Energy Financing

State of California GoGreen Financing program (the page links to the State Treasurer's residential portal); utilities named do not lend

Open open (page modified October 6, 2026)

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Amount Loan amounts and rates not stated on the page; it advertises below-market rates, extended terms, no property lien, up to 30% of financing for other improvements, and 0% financing for heat pump heating, cooling and water heating in qualifying communities

Who qualifies Owners (and tenants with owner permission) of single-family homes, townhomes, condos, 2-4 unit buildings and manufactured homes on a site-built foundation who are customers of PG&E, SDG&E, SCE, SoCalGas or City of Palo Alto Utilities; customers of other publicly owned utilities 'may finance most measures'

Statewide rebate programs and federal options: rebates and programs.

Heat pumps in Riverside → What one costs to run against gas here, each heat pump rebate with the equipment rule that decides which models qualify, and the certified systems and brands that suit the climate.

Federal Home Energy Rebates in California

The two federal rebate programs, HOMES (whole-home efficiency) and the high-efficiency electric home rebates (HEAR, renamed HEEHR in 2026), are run by each state, so availability depends on the state. DOE rewrote the rules effective May 29, 2026 (Program Notice 26-2 ↗): no more federal rebates for switching from gas, oil or propane to electric equipment, and insulation and air sealing come before heating and cooling upgrades unless a home already meets a state-set level.

Status for the Riverside metro
Closed closed to new applicants (waitlist only): HEEHRA Phase I single-family fully reserved statewide since 2026-02-24 and multifamily since 2026-09-01 (per TECH); HEEHRA Phase II not yet available; HOMES not available as rebates (some HOMES funds pay for no-cost EBD Direct Install retrofits in selected low-income communities) Official page ↗ verified October 12, 2026

Program: HEEHRA (Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates) and HOMES (Home Owner Managing Energy Savings)

Run by: California Energy Commission (HEEHRA Phase I delivered by TECH Clean California; EBD Direct Install run by three regional administrators)

California received $590 million in total for Home Energy Rebates ($290 million HEEHRA awarded June 2024; $291 million HOMES approved January 2025). HEEHRA Phase I paid up to $8,000 (under 80% AMI) or $4,000 (80-150% AMI) toward a heat pump HVAC system through TECH-certified contractors; it launched October 2024, paused February 2025, resumed March 2025, was fully reserved in June 2025, reopened October 2025 and was fully reserved again on February 24, 2026. The HOMES award is split between EBD Direct Install ($130.3 million, no-cost retrofits for low-income households, projects must model at least 20% savings) and a statewide Pay for Performance program ($90.8 million) that has not launched (solicitation concept workshop held August 8, 2025). Note: the CEC Q&A still says multifamily HEEHRA rebates are available, but TECH's incentives page says they were fully reserved as of September 1, 2026.

StateHEAR / HEEHR (electric appliances)HOMES (whole-home efficiency)
California California rebate guide
Closed single-family: fully reserved, waitlist only (since Feb. 24, 2026); multifamily: open while funds last; Phase II not launched Official page ↗ verified October 12, 2026
Not open yet not launched ('HOMES rebates are not yet available') Official page ↗ verified October 12, 2026

How the programs work: Home Energy Rebates explained · every state’s status.

Help for lower-income households

Weatherization Assistance Program / LIHEAP - Riverside County

Community Action Partnership of Riverside County (951-955-4900), a CSD local service provider

Home weatherization, bill payment help and energy-crisis assistance for income-eligible households in Riverside County.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Weatherization Assistance Program - San Bernardino County

Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (909-723-1500), a CSD local service provider

Home weatherization, energy-crisis help and residential lead-based paint hazard control (per CSD's directory).

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

RPU Energy Savings Assistance Program (with SoCalGas)

Riverside Public Utilities with SoCalGas; installs by RPU contractor Synergy

Income-qualified RPU renters and homeowners who first qualify through SoCalGas ESA can get no-cost refrigerator replacement, LED lighting, AC tune-ups, ECM motors, smart thermostat, insulation, weather-stripping, duct sealing and testing, and whole house fans (home size limits apply). Call 1-800-818-4298.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

RPU Mobile-Home and Multi-Family Energy Efficiency Program

Riverside Public Utilities with SoCalGas (contractor Synergy Companies)

No-cost measures (refrigerator, smart thermostat, LED lighting, ECM motors, crossover duct replacement for mobile homes) for RPU electric customers in mobile homes or multifamily housing with an active SoCalGas account; subject to funding.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

SCE and SoCalGas Energy Savings Assistance (ESA)

Southern California Edison; SoCalGas

No-cost efficiency upgrades for households at or below 250% of federal poverty guidelines (e.g., $82,500 for 4 people, June 1, 2026-May 31, 2027) or enrolled in qualifying public programs. SCE's Building Electrification program closed in September 2026 and the ESA Whole Home pilot is closed to new projects and ends with 2026.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Farmworker housing energy efficiency and solar

La Cooperativa Campesina de California & MAROMA Energy Services (CSD provider for Riverside and San Diego counties), 833-367-5497

Installation of energy-efficiency and weatherization upgrades, rooftop solar and solar water heaters for farmworker housing.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Equitable Building Decarbonization Direct Install (Southern California)

County of Los Angeles for the California Energy Commission

No-cost retrofits for households up to 80% AMI in focus areas including Moreno Valley, Riverside/Highgrove, Indio, San Bernardino, Hesperia and Victorville/Apple Valley.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Local energy rules

None of the 2 rules we found reach ordinary homes.

Not for ordinary homes

California Building Energy Benchmarking Program (AB 802)

Who it applies to Large buildings only: commercial buildings over 50,000 sq ft with no residential utility accounts, and multifamily buildings over 50,000 sq ft with 17 or more utility accounts. Does not affect ordinary homeowners.

Owners report energy use to the California Energy Commission by June 1 every year.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Proposed · not in force

South Coast AQMD Proposed Amended Rules 1111 and 1121 (zero-emission furnaces and water heaters)

Who it applies to Would have affected homeowners replacing gas furnaces and water heaters in the South Coast air district; not adopted

The AQMD Governing Board voted 7 to 5 on June 6, 2025 not to approve the amendments; previously amended rule language remains in effect, so there is no new zero-emission appliance mandate.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Notes worth knowing

  • No city or county time-of-sale energy disclosure, benchmarking or building performance rule for homes was found for Riverside or the Inland Empire in the official pages reviewed.
  • The Inland Regional Energy Network (I-REN) runs a Residential Incentive Finder for Riverside and San Bernardino county residents but states it does not administer the residential programs it lists; its own programs target public agencies, workforce training and codes.
  • RPU's rebate amounts are modest (e.g., attic insulation 10-20 cents/sq ft) compared with SCE's Home Performance Plus ($1.07/sq ft), but Home Performance Plus is limited to SCE customers in disadvantaged or low-income communities.
  • We found no free in-home audit open to all RPU customers on RPU's rebate, assistance or conservation pages; RPU's no-cost assessments come through the income-qualified ESAP.

Riverside: common questions

How do I get a home energy audit in Riverside?

Start with Home Energy Score California (statewide). Run by: Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) and Earth Advantage; funded by PG&E, SDG&E, SoCalGas and SCE ratepayers under the CPUC. Cost: Cost varies by assessor (BayREN says it depends on factors such as location and home size); the program FAQ says customers who get gas and/or electricity from a CCA or investor-owned utility are eligible for a $250 rebate toward it (Berkeley residents excepted because of BESO). Who qualifies: California homeowners can hire a certified assessor; the $250 rebate is for customers who receive gas and/or electric service from an investor-owned utility (such as PG&E, SCE, SoCalGas or SDG&E) or a community choice aggregator. How to book: Find a certified assessor on homescoreca.org and ask for a score through the HES California program; confirm rebate eligibility and cost with the assessor. Our research lists 3 audit programs for the Riverside metro, checked October 12, 2026; all of them are on this page.

Are the federal Home Energy Rebates available in Riverside?

Closed to new applicants (waitlist only): HEEHRA Phase I single-family fully reserved statewide since 2026-02-24 and multifamily since 2026-09-01 (per TECH); HEEHRA Phase II not yet available; HOMES not available as rebates (some HOMES funds pay for no-cost EBD Direct Install retrofits in selected low-income communities). Checked October 12, 2026. Nationally, DOE rewrote the rules effective May 29, 2026: federal appliance rebates no longer pay for switching from gas, oil or propane to electric equipment, and homes must get insulation and air sealing before heating and cooling upgrades unless they already meet a state-set level.

Is there help for lower-income households in Riverside?

Yes. Programs for income-qualified households in the Riverside metro include Weatherization Assistance Program / LIHEAP - Riverside County, Weatherization Assistance Program - San Bernardino County, RPU Energy Savings Assistance Program (with SoCalGas), RPU Mobile-Home and Multi-Family Energy Efficiency Program, SCE and SoCalGas Energy Savings Assistance (ESA), Farmworker housing energy efficiency and solar and Equitable Building Decarbonization Direct Install (Southern California). Each one’s rules and contacts are listed on this page, with a link to its official page.

Which local energy rules affect homeowners in Riverside?

No local energy rule in our research applies to ordinary existing homes. One rule applies only to larger buildings. Proposed, not in force: South Coast AQMD Proposed Amended Rules 1111 and 1121 (zero-emission furnaces and water heaters).

Can I claim a federal tax credit for an energy audit in Riverside?

Not for an audit done in 2026. The federal credit of up to $150 for a home energy audit was part of the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C), and the IRS says it can’t be claimed for audits paid for or done after December 31, 2025. Public Law 119-21 ended 25C and the Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D) for 2026 work. An audit done in 2025 is claimed on the 2025 return (Form 5695).

Sources

Every source below was opened and checked on October 12, 2026.

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