Many homeowners are facing various financial gaps including the difference between what insurance covers and what it actually costs to rebuild. More than $22,000 in rebates is available but unfortunately, applying for them is not easy and it is easy to make mistakes. No one needs another maze to walk through, especially when that maze involves rebate forms, equipment specs and an understanding of new technology.

So let’s cut to the chase.

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And before I move on, I want to say this first so you don’t scroll past: You don’t have to fully electrify to qualify for incentives. I’ll get to that.

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If you are rebuilding in the Palisades, there are two major incentive programs you can stack for maximum savings: LADWP’s HOME LA program and the California Electric Homes Program, also called CalEHP.

The annoying part is that they don’t work the same way.

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CalEHP is a statewide program for all electric new construction. To qualify, the home has to be 100% electric. That means no gas appliances, fireplaces, grills, or pool heaters. The gas line can exist, but it must be capped.

There are also design requirements with CalEHP that get missed. For example, lighting and plug circuits need to be separated. In other words, it’s a small detail, but if it’s missed early, it can be expensive to fix later.

If you are still in the design phase, this is where CalEHP is especially useful. They offer free and thorough technical assistance and can help you get this right before anything gets locked in. For more details, visit the CalEHP website by clicking here.

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LADWP’s HOME LA program is more flexible. It was created for homes impacted by the January 2025 fires and offers incentives for electric equipment like heat-pump heating and cooling, heat-pump water heaters, induction cooking and heat-pump clothes dryers.

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They do require specific technology. Space heating and water heating must use heat- pump systems. Standard electric options that people might assume would qualify, like electric resistance heating or electric tankless water heaters, do not.

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But unlike CalEHP, you do not have to cap the gas line for the whole property. You can still qualify based on the systems you do electrify. For more information on the HOME LA program, click here to visit their website.

If you are early in the process, start with CalEHP even though the bulk of incentives are likely to come from HOME LA. If your plans are already in motion or construction is nearing completion, HOME LA is your best option. If you are aiming to fully electrify, be sure to use both.

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HOME LA will also review your application and determine whether the “Whole Home” or “Express” pathway will provide you the better incentive. In some cases, “Express” actually pays more.

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So the sanest path is this: Before you lock in your equipment, ask questions. Before you assume something qualifies, check. Before your contractor locks anything in, verify.

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Resilient Palisades can help you navigate this. We are not the incentive program. But we are your neighbors trying to make this process less overwhelming and help you avoid expensive mistakes.

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Rebuilding all electric is healthier, safer and more resilient. But first, we need to be able to understand it.

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Sara G. Marti is a board member and the communications director of Resilient Palisades. Published May 15, 2026 in the Palisadian Post.