Altadena SWITCH Rebates: Wiring for Heat Pumps & Induction

If you're rebuilding or repairing a home in Altadena after the Eaton Fire, SCE's SWITCH program will pay toward an induction range, heat pump water heater, heat pump dryer, heat pump HVAC and a smart thermostat. The catch is that every one of those appliances needs the right circuit, and the whole house has to fit on your panel. SWITCH pays for the equipment. It doesn't pay for wiring that was never planned. We're a licensed C-10 electrical contractor working on Altadena rebuilds, and this guide covers what SWITCH pays, who qualifies, the circuits each appliance needs, and the permit and paperwork steps that get the check mailed. Planning a rebuild now? Request a free estimate or call 747-255-8595.

What SCE SWITCH Pays in 2026

SWITCH (Simplified Wildfire Incentives for Transforming Customer Homes) is SCE's incentive for homes in the Eaton and Palisades fire areas. SCE's program page currently lists these maximum amounts:

Heat pump water heater: up to $2,417 each
Heat pump HVAC (whole-home, ducted): up to $2,373 per ton
Induction range or cooktop: up to $1,518 each
Heat pump clothes dryer: up to $940 each
Smart thermostat: up to $100 each

You can claim more than one technology, but only one of each type per SCE service account. Equipment must be purchased and installed on or after August 1, 2026, so earlier receipts don't count. The program runs through 2028 or until funds run out. You don't have to cap your gas to qualify. SWITCH can't be combined with another utility or statewide rebate for the same appliance. Amounts and rules can change, so confirm current terms on the SCE SWITCH page before you buy.

Who Qualifies (and Who Doesn't)

SWITCH is for owners of single-family homes, and individually owned condos and townhomes, inside the Eaton or Palisades fire perimeter. SCE checks the address against official fire perimeter and damage data. You can apply while you're still rebuilding, even before power is back on, as long as the property has an SCE service account in the owner's name that was active during the fire, when power was shut off, or now.

Renters, tenants and landlords with single-family rentals aren't eligible. Multifamily buildings owned by a management company or HOA are out, too.

One local detail matters here. Altadena and Sierra Madre are SCE territory, but parts of the Eaton Fire area are inside the City of Pasadena, which is served by Pasadena Water & Power. SWITCH needs an SCE account, so a PWP home can't use it. Our PWP vs SCE guide shows how to tell which utility you have.

The Wiring Each SWITCH Appliance Needs

Every SWITCH appliance has an electrical requirement. We size each circuit from the model's nameplate and installation manual, so pick models before rough-in if you can.

Induction range or cooktop. Usually a dedicated 240-volt circuit, often 40 or 50 amps, depending on the model. SWITCH also requires an ENERGY STAR induction unit with four or five burners. See our electric range wiring guide.
Heat pump water heater. 240-volt models typically need their own 240-volt circuit. 120-volt models plug into a dedicated outlet. Leave room around the tank, because SWITCH asks for a photo of the control display in a heat pump mode, not electric-only or high-demand mode. More in our heat pump water heater guide.
Heat pump dryer. Some run on a standard 120-volt outlet and some need a 240-volt dryer circuit. Check the model before the walls close.
Heat pump HVAC. The outdoor unit needs a dedicated 240-volt circuit sized from its nameplate and a disconnect near the unit. The indoor air handler may need its own circuit, especially with backup heat. SWITCH only covers ducted whole-home systems, so ductless mini splits don't qualify. See heat pump electrical wiring.
Smart thermostat. Low-voltage wiring, and many models need a common (C) wire run during rough-in.

Plan the Panel Before You Buy Appliances

Going all-electric adds a lot of load at once. Before you order equipment, your electrician should run a load calculation under NEC Article 220 to confirm the service and panel can carry everything. Our electrical load calculation guide explains how it works.

For Eaton Fire rebuilds, the state's Executive Order N-29-25 waives the rooftop solar and battery requirement, but the home still has to be solar-ready. The LA County implementation sheet lists a minimum 200-amp electrical service with a two-pole breaker space reserved for a future solar connection. Plan the SWITCH circuits so they don't use up that reserved space. Some all-electric homes need more than 200 amps, and a panel upgrade or larger service is easier to plan now than after move-in.

LA County requires an SCE Application Identification Number for every rebuild, new ADU, new panel and temporary power request, so start that early. For the full rebuild sequence, see our Altadena rebuild and panel upgrade guide.

Permits and Paperwork That Get You Paid

Altadena is unincorporated, so permits go through LA County Public Works, Building & Safety. The County says permit fees are waived for qualifying owners rebuilding a single-family home who owned and lived there before January 7, 2025. It also says it's advantageous to have the permit issued to your licensed contractor. We pull the electrical permit under our C-10 license.

SWITCH pays on paperwork, so keep these for every appliance:

A paid invoice or receipt with purchase date, total cost and model information
A photo of the installed appliance
A photo of the nameplate showing manufacturer, model and serial number
For heat pump HVAC, a permit closure from the County, plus photos of both the outdoor and indoor units
For the water heater, a photo of the control display showing the operating mode

You can apply in your sce.com My Account before you buy to reserve funds (reservations are valid for 365 days but don't guarantee payment), or apply after installation with your documents. SCE says approved incentives are usually paid by check within about 30 days, and some projects get a random phone inspection. We can't promise approval or timing, because SCE decides both.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does SCE SWITCH pay in Altadena?

SCE currently lists up to $2,417 for a heat pump water heater, $2,373 per ton for heat pump HVAC, $1,518 for an induction range or cooktop, $940 for a heat pump dryer and $100 for a smart thermostat. Confirm current amounts with SCE before you buy.

Do I have to cap my gas line to get SWITCH?

No. SCE says capping your gas service isn't required. You can qualify for one appliance or several while keeping gas.

Can renters or landlords use SWITCH?

No. The program is for owners of eligible homes in the Eaton or Palisades fire perimeter. Renters, tenants and landlords with single-family rentals aren't eligible.

Will my panel handle induction and heat pumps?

It depends on your service size and total load. A load calculation shows whether your panel can carry the new circuits. Eaton Fire rebuilds must have at least a 200-amp service under the solar-ready rule.

Does my Pasadena home qualify for SWITCH?

Only if it's on SCE. Homes inside the City of Pasadena are served by PWP, so SWITCH doesn't apply. Altadena homes are on SCE.

Wire Your Altadena Rebuild for SWITCH

911 Construction & Electric Inc. is a licensed, bonded and insured C-10 electrical contractor (CA Lic. #1027421) at 1308 E Colorado Blvd Ste 141, Pasadena, CA 91106, serving Pasadena, Altadena, Glendale, Burbank, Arcadia, the San Gabriel Valley and greater Los Angeles. We plan the load, wire the circuits for induction, heat pumps and solar-ready provisions, and pull the County permit on Altadena rebuilds and new construction. Request a free estimate, call 747-255-8595 or visit https://911electrics.com. 24/7 emergency service available.