SHARE Program incentives help qualifying Alameda and Santa Clara County homeowners upgrade to battery-enabled heat pump technology at a substantially reduced cost. The program connects efficient home heating and cooling equipment to a broader energy network that can reduce electricity demand during busy periods without sacrificing indoor comfort.
SHARE stands for Smart Home Assets for Reliability and Efficiency. It is a new virtual power plant program created to make modern energy equipment more accessible while helping Northern California’s electrical grid respond to growing demand.
What Is the SHARE Program?
The SHARE Program brings participating homes together through connected energy equipment. Instead of relying only on large power plants and utility infrastructure, the program uses equipment already installed inside participating homes to help manage electricity demand.
This coordinated group of home energy devices is known as a virtual power plant. The equipment remains inside each homeowner’s property, but its smart controls can adjust when electricity is drawn from the grid.
SHARE is designed to support several goals:
- Make high-efficiency home equipment more affordable
- Reduce electricity demand during peak-use periods
- Help participating homeowners manage energy costs
- Improve home heating and cooling efficiency
- Support a more reliable regional electrical grid
- Provide dependable comfort during periods of high demand
The program is not currently available throughout California. Initial eligibility is limited to qualifying addresses in Alameda County and Santa Clara County.
How Much Is the SHARE Heat Pump Incentive?
Eligible homeowners can receive $5,000 off a qualifying Carrier Performance Series Variable-Speed Heat Pump with EnerSync. The first 25 qualifying households may receive a larger introductory discount of $10,000.
The incentive applies to a specific battery-enabled heat pump system. It is not a general rebate that can be applied to every brand or type of heating and cooling equipment.
Potential program benefits include:
- A $5,000 discount on the qualifying system
- A $10,000 discount for the first 25 qualifying households
- High-efficiency heating and cooling from one system
- Built-in energy-storage capabilities
- Smart operation during periods of high grid demand
- More consistent year-round indoor comfort
Discount availability does not guarantee that every household will qualify. Homeowners must meet the program requirements and live at an eligible address.
What Is a Battery-Enabled Heat Pump?
A traditional heat pump uses electricity to transfer heat rather than producing heat through combustion. During winter, it moves available heat from the outdoor air into the home. During warmer weather, it reverses operation and moves heat outside.
A battery-enabled heat pump adds energy-storage and smart-control technology. The qualifying SHARE system can store energy and shift when it draws electricity from the grid.
This allows the system to continue heating or cooling the home when electricity demand is high. The program is designed to make these adjustments without changing the homeowner’s thermostat setting or noticeably affecting comfort.
Homeowners considering a conventional or battery-enabled system can learn more about modern heat pump options and how they compare with other heating systems.
Who May Qualify for the SHARE Program?
SHARE eligibility is based on the property, its location and the homeowner’s current energy equipment. Living in Alameda or Santa Clara County does not automatically make a household eligible.
A homeowner may qualify if they:
- Live at an eligible address in Alameda or Santa Clara County
- Own a single-family home or townhome
- Own and occupy a two-to-four-unit residential property
- Have owned and lived in the property for at least one year
- Currently have central air conditioning
- Do not have rooftop solar installed
- Do not have a whole-home battery
- Are not enrolled in another demand-response program that shifts electricity use
Eligibility is address-specific. Two homes in the same city or ZIP code may receive different eligibility results because the program targets particular areas where flexible home energy equipment could provide the greatest grid benefit.
Where Is the SHARE Program Available?
At launch, qualifying properties must be located in Alameda County or Santa Clara County. The program may include eligible addresses in communities such as San Leandro, Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, Berkeley and San Jose.
These city names describe the general launch area, not guaranteed eligibility. A homeowner must still complete the address verification and satisfy the remaining household requirements.
Before planning a system replacement around the incentive, homeowners should confirm:
- The exact property address is included
- The existing HVAC system meets program requirements
- The home has the necessary electrical capacity
- The qualifying equipment is suitable for the property
- The available incentive has not changed or reached its participation limit
- The proposed installation meets local permitting requirements
How Does SHARE Help the Electrical Grid?
Electricity use rises and falls throughout the day. Demand can become especially high when many homes, businesses and vehicles use electricity at the same time.
Connected heat pumps, batteries and smart devices can reduce or shift some of that demand. When thousands of devices work together, they function like a distributed energy resource that gives the grid more flexibility.
SHARE is intended to help:
- Reduce strain during high-demand periods
- Make better use of existing electrical infrastructure
- Create additional capacity for growing communities
- Support reliable electric service
- Test new approaches to regional energy management
- Provide information for possible future programs
The program is expected to continue through 2027. Its performance will help determine how similar virtual power plant programs could be used in other communities.
Will SHARE Control the Temperature in My Home?
The qualifying battery-enabled system is designed to shift energy use without changing the homeowner’s thermostat setting. Its controls can store energy or adjust when the equipment draws power from the grid while continuing to maintain the requested indoor temperature.
Homeowners continue to control their comfort settings. The smart features primarily manage the timing and source of the system’s electricity use.
Actual operation can depend on the equipment, household settings, weather and program requirements. Homeowners should review the participation agreement so they understand how the system will operate and what data may be shared.
Is a Heat Pump Right for Every Home?
A heat pump can provide efficient heating and cooling, but the equipment must be selected and sized for the individual property. Square footage alone is not enough to determine the correct system.
A professional evaluation should consider:
- The home’s size and layout
- Insulation and air leakage
- Window size and orientation
- Existing ductwork condition
- Available electrical service
- Current furnace and air conditioner capacity
- Household comfort preferences
- Local permitting requirements
Some homes are good candidates for a central heat pump connected to existing ductwork. Properties without usable ducts may be better suited to ductless heating and cooling systems.
Should I Replace My Furnace With a Heat Pump?
The SHARE incentive may make a qualifying heat pump attractive, but the best choice still depends on the home. The age and condition of the existing furnace, air conditioner, ductwork and electrical system should all be evaluated.
A homeowner may want to consider replacement when:
- The existing system needs frequent repairs
- Heating or cooling costs have increased
- Some rooms remain uncomfortable
- The furnace or air conditioner is approaching the end of its service life
- The homeowner wants one system for heating and cooling
- A major repair would cost a significant portion of replacement
Homeowners comparing options can review professional heating replacement services. Those who prefer gas heating or do not qualify for SHARE may also want to compare modern furnace options.
What Should Homeowners Ask Before Enrolling?
Participation should begin with a clear understanding of the equipment, installation and program agreement. A large incentive is valuable, but it should not replace a complete evaluation of the home.
Ask the following questions before moving forward:
- Is my exact address eligible?
- Which equipment model qualifies?
- How much of the project cost does the incentive cover?
- What installation expenses remain my responsibility?
- Does my electrical panel need an upgrade?
- Will my existing ductwork need repairs or replacement?
- What happens if I sell my home?
- Can I leave the program after enrolling?
Homeowners should also request a written proposal that identifies the equipment, labor, permits, warranties and total out-of-pocket cost.
Get Help Evaluating Your SHARE Program Options
Comfy Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. can evaluate your current HVAC equipment, explain available heat pump options and help determine whether the SHARE system is appropriate for your home. A professional assessment can also identify ductwork or electrical concerns before installation begins.
Call 877-772-6639 to discuss your heating and cooling options. You can also send Comfy HVAC a message to request more information.
Homeowners researching a local HVAC provider can view the Google Maps profile for Comfy Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. and read feedback from customers throughout the East Bay and Tri-Valley areas.
FAQ
What does SHARE stand for?
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SHARE stands for Smart Home Assets for Reliability and Efficiency. It is a virtual power plant program that connects qualifying home energy equipment to help manage regional electricity demand.
How much does the SHARE Program offer for a heat pump?
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Qualifying homeowners may receive $5,000 off an eligible battery-enabled heat pump system. The first 25 qualifying households may receive an introductory discount of $10,000.
Is the SHARE Program available throughout California?
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No. The initial program is limited to qualifying addresses in Alameda and Santa Clara counties. Living in one of those counties does not guarantee eligibility.
Can renters participate in the SHARE Program?
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The current homeowner requirements state that participants must own and have lived in the property for at least one year. Renters generally would not meet that ownership requirement.
Can I qualify if my home has solar panels?
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The initial program requirements state that participating homes cannot already have rooftop solar. Homeowners should confirm the current rules because eligibility requirements may change as the program develops.
Can I qualify if I already have a home battery?
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The initial eligibility rules exclude homes that already have a whole-home battery. The program is focused on qualifying homes that do not currently have this type of energy storage.
Will the SHARE system change my thermostat temperature?
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The qualifying system is designed to store and shift energy use without changing the homeowner’s thermostat setting. Homeowners should review the final participation agreement for complete operating details.
How can I find out whether my home qualifies?
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Eligibility must be checked using the property’s exact address. Homeowners can also call Comfy Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. at 877-772-6639 or use the online contact form to discuss the qualifying heat pump and installation requirements.
Wednesday, October 7th, 2026 at 10:48 am | Categories: Electrical
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