Knob-and-tube rebates help Bay Area homes with EASE Home upgrades

BayREN’s EASE Home program is making it easier for Bay Area homeowners to access energy efficiency upgrades, thanks to a new rebate that addresses a common barrier: knob-and-tube wiring.

Knob-and-tube wiring, an obsolete residential electrical system used from the 1880s to the 1940s using ceramic spools or "knobs" to secure wires, is often found in older homes. It can prevent homeowners from moving forward with new energy-saving upgrades because the old systems struggle to handle modern electrical loads and can lead to fire risks. 

Addressing knob-and-tube wiring is an important step, but it can also be costly and difficult to navigate. To help more customers participate in the EASE Home program, BayREN is introducing two limited-time rebates for 2026:

• Up to $2,000 to remediate active knob-and-tube wiring
• $300 to obtain certification that knob-and-tube wiring is inactive

These rebates are applied directly to a customer’s EASE Home project, reducing out-of-pocket costs and helping more households move forward with upgrades.

How it works: 

The first step is to schedule an inspection with a licensed electrician to confirm whether your knob-and-tube wiring is inactive or active and requires remediation. You can find a licensed electrician near you using the Switch is On website. To receive the rebate, a homeowner needs to:

• Provide a copy of an electrician’s invoice (for remediation or inspection), and
• Submit certification of knob-and-tube inactivity from a licensed electrician

Documentation must be submitted to EASEHome@BayREN.org. The EASE Home team reviews materials and guides customers through the next steps. 

By addressing a common and costly barriers in older homes, these limited-time rebates are helping expand access to energy efficiency improvements—making it easier for more Bay Area residents to participate in EASE Home and upgrade their homes with confidence.

BayREN is a regional collaboration between the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties.