Summary:

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s new Ultra-High Efficiency Toilet Rebate gives residential and commercial customers up to $200 back on qualifying low-flow toilets. People who own and occupy single-family homes or units (like apartments or condos) can claim up to two toilets per property. There’s no cap on the amount you can apply for if your toilets are in a commercial, industrial, institutional, or shared space, like an apartment lobby. Projects must meet all terms and conditions to qualify.

Time to Read	~6-9 Minutes
What You’ll Learn	How the SFPUC’s Ultra-High Efficiency Toilet Rebate works Program differences for single-family and other applicants Where to find the flush rating for your existing toilet When and how to apply for the rebate on SFPUC’s portal
Next Steps	Call Caccia Home Services for guidance and help Follow the instructions to file your application Schedule your toilet swap with Caccia’s licensed pros

Most people don’t pay much attention to how much water their toilet uses, as long as the bowl flushes the way it should. That’s why so many of our customers are surprised when we tell them that older fixtures can chug through up to 5 gallons per flush!

For context, that’s about the same amount of water you’ll find in a 5-gallon water cooler jug. Picture one standing beside a 1-gallon drinking jug, which is roughly how much newer toilets use by comparison, and it’s easy to see how much water an outdated toilet can waste.

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s (SFPUC) new Ultra-High Efficiency Toilet Rebate (UHETR) can help you save money on upgrades by giving you up to $200 back on the upfront cost. Find out how the rebate works, who qualifies, and how we can help with the swap below.

What You Need to Know About the Rebate

The UHET rebate is the latest initiative in the SFPUC’s broader effort to help people reduce water waste. It’s available to commercial and residential customers within SFPUC’s service area, but the number of toilets you can claim and the application process depend on the property type.

The total amount you get also depends on the flush rating of the new toilet.

You can get:

• $100 back when you choose a qualifying toilet rated at 1.1 gallons per flush (GPF)

OR

• $200 back when you choose an ultra-high efficiency toilet rated at 0.8 GPF or less.

California currently limits new toilets to a maximum of 1.28 GPF, so both rebate options are designed to use less water than the state standard. The one catch is that the amount of the rebate can’t exceed the cost of the toilet, not including sales tax, shipping, or installation.

ProTip: This may not be the only home plumbing or electric rebate you qualify for. Check out our Available Rebates for California Homeowners list for more info.

For Single-Family Homes or Individual Units

This category mainly applies to houses, apartments, condos, and other individual dwellings within multi-family buildings you personally own. You can still apply if you rent, but you’ll need to get written permission from the property and/or SFPUC account holder first.

If you’re applying under this category:

• The toilet must be inside the home or unit itself, not in a shared or communal space.
• You can claim up to two qualifying toilets within the same home or unit.
• If you own more than one property, the same two-toilet limit applies individually to each one.

For most homeowners, this will be the easiest upgrade path. Any toilets that fall under the next category will need to be submitted on a separate application.

For Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, and Shared Toilets

This category includes any commercial, industrial, or institutional properties that aren’t directly owned by the occupant. Examples include restaurants, plants, clinics, offices, apartment complexes, rental condos, and toilets in shared or communal spaces like apartment lobbies.

Rebates work a little differently for these properties:

• There’s no cap on the number of rebates you can apply for.
• This is still true even if all toilets exist on the same property or in the same building.
• The upgrade process will depend on the number of rebates you’re claiming at once

With no cap on this category, large upgrade jobs become a lot more rewarding. You can tackle every toilet in one stretch, save time, avoid displacing your tenants, and pull back as much rebate money as possible.

The General Terms and Conditions

Some of SFPUC’s terms and conditions apply across the board regardless of the property type. It’s worth exploring these before you start planning your project so you don’t run into any hiccups.

To be eligible:

• The property must be attached to an SFPUC water service account.
• You must either be the owner/account holder or have their written permission to apply.
• The existing toilet must be a tank-style fixture with a flow rating of no less than 1.6 GPF.
• The new toilet must be on SFPUC’s Qualified Product List (don’t worry; it’s extensive!)
• SFPUC may ask to inspect the work or ask for visual proof of the work before issuing your rebate

You’ll also need the right documentation, including an itemized receipt or invoice that shows the date of purchase, the make and model of the old and new toilet, and the total dollar amount of purchase. You don’t technically need before-and-after photos, but they’re useful to have in your records.

How to Apply for the Rebate

The application process depends on how many toilets you’re replacing at the same property.

Start with Step 1 either way. If you’re replacing 1-4 toilets, continue to Step 2 afterwards. If you’re replacing 5 or more, skip to Step 5 after Step 1 instead.

Step 1: Find the Flush Rate of the Existing Toilet

Start by looking for the flush rating on the toilet itself. Depending on the brand, it may be stamped into the porcelain, printed inside the tank, or listed on a sticker or label.

Common spots include:

• Inside the toilet tank
• On the underside of the tank lid
• Behind the seat hinge
• Along the back of the bowl
• On the manufacturer’s label or stamp

The rating may appear as GPF, gpf, gal/flush, or gallons per flush. If you can’t find it, look for the brand and model number instead so you can confirm the rated flush volume through the manufacturer.

Step 2: Pick a Toilet From the Qualified Product List

Once you’ve confirmed the old toilet’s flush rating, it’s time to start exploring your options. You can approach this in two ways: find a toilet you like first, then confirm if it’s on the Qualified Product List product list, or use the list as your starting point instead.

You’ll also need to consider:

• Rough-in size. Measure from the wall behind the toilet to the center of the floor bolts. Common sizes are 10, 12, and 14 inches, with 12 being most common.
• Clearance. The toilet shouldn’t crowd the vanity, tub, shower, door swing, or nearby walls. The worst time to realize the bathroom door won’t open all the way is after the install.
• Bowl shape. Most toilets today have an elongated bowl, but the degree of elongation varies. Round bowls are less popular but can work better in tight spaces.
• Seat height. Standard-height toilets sit lower to the ground, which can be tough for tall people or anyone with mobility issues. “Chair” or “comfort” height is usually easier.
• Flush performance. A low-GPF toilet still needs to clear the bowl well. American Standard performs particularly well here.
• Installation needs. Sometimes the supply line, shutoff valve, flange, floor, or sewer line needs to be repaired or replaced at the same time.

Not comfortable poking around in the bathroom? Whether you just aren’t a DIYer, or you just don’t want to do it, we’re happy to handle it for you. Just give us a call at (650) 294-8592 to start the process.

Step 3: Buy and Install the New Toilet

There are no specific rebate rules that prevent you from removing the old toilet and installing the new toilet yourself, but we still just don’t recommend it. So much can go wrong along the way, and when it does, you can end up spending a whole lot more on than you would for a simple install job.

When you trust us to handle it for you, all you have to do on install day is let us in!

Our licensed plumbers will take care of everything else, including:

• Making sure the water is turned off
• Taking the old toilet out carefully so the floor and plumbing stay protected
• Checking the flange, bolts, shutoff valve, and supply line before the replacement goes in
• Installing a fresh wax seal and setting the toilet into position
• Securing the toilet, leveling it, and connecting it to the water supply
• Filling the tank and testing the flush, refill, and drain
• Checking the base, tank, shutoff valve, and supply line for leaks
• Cleaning up the bathroom before wrapping up
• Giving you the documentation you need for your rebate

When we’re done, you’ve got a toilet that’s clean, up to code, and ready for whatever the household throws at it. (And hopefully, “whatever” means the usual 1 and 2, toilet paper, and absolutely nothing else.)

ProTip: Did you start on the work on your own and run into trouble? Don’t worry! We won’t judge you. Send us a message so we can help you turn that plumbing emergency around.

Step 4: Submit Your Application

Start here if you’re upgrading five or more toilets.

There is a mandatory pre- and post-work inspection for large projects like these, so you’ll need to apply for the rebate first. Once SFPUC signs off on it, you can head back to Step 2 to pick your toilets and book your installs. Just make sure you finish the work within 90 days!

Aside from the timing, the application process is more or less the same.

How to Apply

Applications go through SFPUC’s online portal. Filling out the form itself isn’t complicated, and it should only take you a few minutes, but you do need to complete it in one sitting.

Follow these steps to apply:

1. Register for the portal. If it’s your first time using the portal, you’ll be prompted to create an account when you click “Apply Now.”
2. Or, use your existing credentials. You may have an account already if you’ve applied for other rebates under the conservation program in the past.
3. Upload your supporting documents.  The system will accept most common file types, with the exception of HEIC files (iPhone photos). Use this online  tool to convert them to JPG first.

That’s it!

It’s worth noting that tax laws prevent SFPUC from issuing the rebate to you if the Controller’s Office doesn’t have a W-9 form on file for you. If you aren’t sure if they have yours, you can either email one to supplier.management@sfgov.org or contact the office directly to confirm.

Rebate checks are typically issued within eight weeks, but often come sooner.

Comparing Popular Options on SFPUC’s List

Every toilet in the tables below is on SFPUC’s list of approved fixtures, and while flush performance isn’t something they spell out as a requirement, it’s effectively built in.

1.0-1.1 GPF Models ($100 Rebate)0.8 GPF Models ($200 Rebate)

Brand	Model	Bowl	Height	MaP	GPF	Cost
American Standard	H2Optimum	Elongated	ADA	600	1.1	$230
American Standard	Cadet Pressure-Assist	Elongated	Standard	1000	1.1	$320
Kholer	Highline Classic	Elongated	ADA	1000	1.0	$600
Niagra	THE ORIGINAL™	Elongated	ADA	1000	0.95	Varies By Quote

0.8 GPF Models ($200 Rebate)

Brand	Model	Bowl	Height	MaP	GPF	Cost
Gerber	Viper Select	Elongated	ADA	800	0.8	$290
Niagra	Shadow With Stealth	Elongated	ADA	800	0.8	Varies By Quote
PROFLO	GREENLEE	Elongated	ADA	1000	0.8	$100
TOTO	Aquiva IV	Elongated	ADA	800	0.8	$1,000

Get Money Back on Going Green With Caccia’s Help

The Ultra-High Efficiency Toilet Rebate is one of the easiest ways to offset the cost of a long-overdue bathroom upgrade. The hardest part for most homeowners is usually the install itself, and that’s exactly where we come in.

Caccia Home Services has over 45 years of experience handling jobs like these for your neighbors right here in the Bay Area and most surrounding areas. We know SFPUC’s program inside and out, so if you’re ready to go green in your bathroom, just send us a message.

Frequently Asked Questions About SFPUC’s Ultra-Efficient Toilet Rebate

Can I apply for the rebate if I already replaced my old toilet?

Maybe! The program launched in July 2025, so any toilet purchased and installed before definitely won’t qualify, even if it meets the rest of the criteria. You may be able to file a claim for under 5 toilets in single-family dwellings or units as long as you installed them less than 90 days ago.

We recommend contacting SFPUC to confirm before you apply.

Are dual flush or flushometer toilets eligible?

No. SFPUC’s rebate covers single flush, tank-type toilets only. Dual flush models, flushometer-valve toilets, and tankless wall-hung toilets are all excluded, even if they meet the 1.1 or 0.8 GPF rating, mostly because of the variability they can have in flow rate.

Do I need a licensed plumber to install the toilet for the rebate to count?

No, not technically. If you’re handy or you’re a plumber yourself, there’s no reason you can’t handle it on your own other than the risk involved. That said, a poor install can void the toilet’s manufacturer warranty and lead to leaks that cost more than the rebate is worth, so we still recommend going pro.

My old toilet is already low flow. Does it qualify?

It depends on what you consider “low flow.” The existing toilet has to be rated at 1.6 GPF or higher to qualify. If yours is already below that, the rebate doesn’t apply. Even replacing a 1.28 GPF toilet with a 0.8 GPF one is excluded, since the goal of the program is to get older, higher-flow models out of service.