CA Utility Programs That Pay for No-Cost Home Insulation

Many California households may qualify for no-cost home energy improvements through utility-funded programs, but many eligible customers are unaware these benefits exist.

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), SoCalGas, and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) administer Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) programs that may provide qualifying households with energy-efficiency improvements such as attic insulation, air sealing, weatherstripping, and other weatherization measures at no cost.

This guide explains how these programs work, who may qualify in 2026, what improvements are commonly available, and how to begin the application process.

Why California Utilities Offer No-Cost Home Energy Improvements Which California Utility Programs Offer No-Cost Insulation?

California's investor-owned utilities are required by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to provide the Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) program for income-qualified customers. Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) program for income-qualified customers.

The goal of the program is to help reduce household energy use, improve home comfort, and lower utility costs while supporting California's long-term energy efficiency goals.

Unlike rebate programs, eligible ESA services are provided at no cost to qualifying households. However, the specific improvements installed depend on the results of a home energy assessment and the program requirements for each utility.

Which California Utility Programs Offer No-Cost Insulation?

PG&E Energy Savings Assistance Program

PG&E offers the ESA program throughout its Northern and Central California service territory. Eligible customers may receive improvements such as:

• Attic insulation (when appropriate)
• Air sealing and caulking
• Weatherstripping
• Duct sealing or duct repair
• Other qualifying energy-efficiency improvements identified during the assessment

Applications can be submitted online through PG&E or by calling the utility directly.

Southern California Edison

SCE offers the ESA program SCE's Energy Savings Assistance Program provides eligible households with weatherization improvements designed to reduce energy consumption. Depending on the home's needs, qualifying measures may include:

• Attic insulation
• Weatherstripping
• Caulking
• Building envelope improvements
• Other approved energy-saving measures

Not every home receives every measure. Improvements are determined after a no-cost home assessment.

SoCalGas Energy Savings Assistance

SoCalGas administers its own ESA program for natural gas customers. Eligible improvements may include:

• Attic insulation
• Duct sealing
• Air sealing
• Additional weatherization improvements based on the home's condition

Customers served by both SCE and SoCalGas may receive services coordinated through each utility's ESA program, subject to program rules and eligibility.

SDG&E Energy Savings Assistance

SDG&E's ESA program includes Whole Home weatherization services for qualifying households. Depending on the assessment, eligible improvements may include:

• Attic insulation
• Floor insulation
• Wall insulation
• Air sealing
• Other approved weatherization measures

As with all ESA programs, improvements are based on the home's existing conditions and program guidelines.

Income requirements and who actually qualifies

2026 ESA income thresholds by household size

ESA eligibility is set at 250% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For the June 2026 to May 2027 program year, the income limits are as follows:

• 1-person household: $39,900

• 2-person household: $54,100

• 3-person household: $68,300

• 4-person household: $82,500

• 5-person household: $96,700

• 6-person household: $110,900

• 7-person household: $125,100

• 8-person household: $139,300

• Each additional person: add $14,200

For households larger than eight people, add $14,200 for each additional household member. Because these income limits are higher than many people expect, some working families who do not consider themselves low income may still qualify.

You May Also Qualify Through Other Assistance Programs

Many households can qualify without submitting income documentation if someone living in the home participates in an eligible public assistance program.

Examples include:

• Medi-Cal
• CalFresh
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• LIHEAP
• TANF
• WIC

Utilities verify eligibility according to current program requirements.

Can Renters Qualify?

Renters can qualify for no-cost insulation upgrades, but the property owner's written permission is generally required because the work is done on the building itself. Manufactured and mobile home residents are eligible under the ESA program, and some utilities have dedicated weatherization services tailored to that housing type. Multifamily buildings up to four units may qualify depending on the utility's current program structure, with larger buildings handled through a separate owner or manager application process. If you rent and want to pursue this, ask your contractor or program implementer to assist with landlord outreach, Synergy Companies routinely helps coordinate that communication as part of the enrollment process.

What insulation and weatherization work actually gets covered

Specific measures included under ESA

Yes.

Renters, manufactured homes, and many mobile homes may qualify for ESA services. Because insulation and weatherization improvements affect the building itself, property owner approval is generally required before work can begin. Program availability for multifamily properties depends on the utility and the type of building.

What Improvements Are Covered?

The exact scope of work varies by utility and by home. Common ESA weatherization measures include:

• Attic insulation
• Air sealing
• Weatherstripping
• Caulking
• Duct sealing
• Duct repair

Some utilities may also offer wall or floor insulation when appropriate. A certified contractor performs a no-cost home assessment to determine which improvements are eligible under the program. Not every home will qualify for every measure.

No-Cost Programs vs. Rebates

It's important to distinguish between ESA and utility rebate programs.

Energy Savings Assistance (ESA)

• No cost to eligible households
• No repayment required
• Improvements installed after eligibility verification and assessment

Rebate Programs

• Homeowner pays for improvements first
• Utility reimburses a portion of eligible costs
• Available regardless of income in many cases

If you do not qualify for ESA, your utility may still offer rebates for insulation or other efficiency upgrades.

How to apply for no-cost home insulation from California utilities

Steps to start the application process

The application process generally follows these steps:

1. Confirm which utility serves your home.
2. Apply through your utility's ESA program or an approved program contractor.
3. Verify eligibility through income documentation or participation in a qualifying assistance program.
4. Schedule a no-cost home energy assessment.
5. If your home qualifies, eligible improvements are scheduled for installation.

Application methods and timelines vary by utility.

Working With an Approved Contractor

Many California utilities work with approved contractors to perform home assessments and install eligible energy-efficiency improvements.

Synergy Companies is one contractor that participates in utility-administered programs across multiple California service territories. Customers who choose to work with an approved contractor can often receive assistance understanding eligibility requirements, completing paperwork, scheduling assessments, and coordinating approved installations.

Regardless of whether you apply directly through your utility or through an approved contractor, eligibility decisions and covered measures are determined under the utility's program rules.

How Synergy Companies navigates this for you

Synergy Companies is a certified contractor operating across all four major California utility territories: PG&E, SCE, SoCalGas, and SDG&E.  Rather than contacting each utility separately or figuring out which program applies to your home, you can start with a no-cost home assessment through Synergy.  Their team confirms eligibility, identifies the right utility program for your address, handles the paperwork with the utility, and completes the insulation and weatherization installation.

For homeowners who qualify for programs they didn't know existed, this single point of contact removes the barriers between the program and the upgrade. There's no need to navigate utility websites, and no guesswork about which measures your home qualifies for. Working with these utility programs daily means the process moves efficiently and the scope of work is maximized for each home assessed.

Taking the next step toward no-cost home insulation

No-cost home insulation in California isn't a one-off promotion or a limited grant run. It's a CPUC-mandated program funded by major utilities and designed to serve income-qualified households across the state on an ongoing basis. If your household falls under 250% of the federal poverty level, or if you're already enrolled in a public assistance program, you very likely qualify for no-cost attic insulation, air sealing, and additional weatherization through your utility.

Starting is straightforward, Synergy Companies works with PG&E, SCE, SoCalGas, and SDG&E customers through these exact programs every day. A no-cost home assessment is where it starts, and many participants receive their first upgrades within weeks, depending on scheduling and contractor availability. To find out what California utility programs pay for home insulation at no cost and whether your household qualifies, schedule a no-cost assessment or contact your utility today.  If your home is uncomfortable or your energy bills feel too high, the program that covers the fix is very likely already available to you, the only step left is claiming it.