A new city program encourages San Francisco residents to upgrade to clean, efficient water heaters by offering bill credits of up to $1,200.

Why it matters: Heat pumps are up to seven times more efficient than a gas-powered water heater and reduce exposure to pollution and fire risk, city officials say.

Driving the news: Customers of CleanPowerSF, the city-run energy choice program that sources from renewable energy, can apply to the upgrade program and receive a $50 monthly bill credit for two years.

• Customers on a discount program like CARE/FERA get the credit for up to three years.
• "We're budgeted for about 1,000 participants every year," Tim Minezaki, who works on CleanPowerSF's customer programs team, told Axios. "We hope this new, different approach helps break through some of the customer barriers."

By the numbers: Standard heat pump installation costs from $6,000 to $9,000 in San Francisco — compared with $2,000 to $3,000 for a traditional gas-powered unit, Minezaki said.

• But heat pumps use less electricity than conventional heating, making them an important tool for curbing emissions, while helping save money long term, studies have found.

How it works: Rather than relying on burning fuel, heat pumps absorb heat from the surrounding air and transfer it to water in an enclosed tank.

• They can also help reduce energy use during expensive peak hours by heating water during off-peak periods and storing it for later.

Between the lines: Other incentives can also help reduce upfront costs for switching to a heat pump, including federal tax credits, California's TECH Program and Golden State Rebates.

The big picture: Residential and commercial gas use constitutes more than one-third of San Francisco's greenhouse gas emissions, per CleanPowerSF.

• In residential homes, "the two highest sources of direct gas are going to be turning on a furnace or heating your water," Minezaki said.
• The upgrade program aligns with the city's larger goal of getting more people to switch from gas to cleaner appliances, SF Public Utilities Commission spokesperson Nancy Crowley told Axios.

Share this story

The Presidio's newest addition — the Outpost Meadow — opens today, exactly three years after Tunnel Tops first debuted.

State of play: The scenic 1.5-acre site offers views of the Golden Gate Bridge and recreational space for up to 240 people, with picnic tables, barbecue grills, water fountains and a large lawn surrounded by gardens.

What they're saying: "It expands one of the most successful projects in our park-making history," Mark Buell, chair of The Presidio Trust Board, said at a ribbon cutting ceremony yesterday.

By the numbers: Construction was funded by a $12 million state grant, per The Presidio Trust.

Between the lines: The area, situated near the Sports Basement, was created as an extension to the kids nature playground and Field Station discovery lab.

• It features expanded bicycle and car parking and is within walking distance to the Presidio's food trucks, Crissy Field and the 30 Stockton bus stop.
• Picnic tables are available on a first-come, first-serve basis through October and a reservation system will launch later this fall.

Tell a friend

📚 San Francisco Unified School District will expand its Chinese language programs and open a new K-8 Mandarin immersion school thanks to an anonymous benefactor. (SF Chronicle)

🚐 The Board of Supervisors voted to ban long-term oversized vehicle parking across the city. (KQED)

🏛️ A jury found a couple guilty on charges stemming from the 2017 fatal shooting of a man in the Bayview district. (SF Chronicle)

📻 KQED slashed 15% of its workforce to address financial concerns. (Mission Local)

Inside an unassuming storefront with a discreet "Puzzle Shop" sign on 16th Street in the Mission, you'll find Lore, a speakeasy and escape room bringing an "Alice in Wonderland"-inspired immersive experience.

How it works: Guests have one hour and 40 minutes to solve a series of puzzles in numerous rooms, filled with interactive games and live actors. A flight of three cocktails or mocktails is included.

• Visitors can also skip the escape room and head straight to the speakeasy, which serves Asian fusion dishes and cocktails inspired by dishes like Korean cold noodles.

Zoom in: After spending her life savings on opening Lore, founder and owner Vy Tran took to Reddit to share her journey on becoming a first-time business owner.

What they're saying: "It just seemed like a really good time to build something six months ago, when I heard about all these programs that San Francisco was doing to fill their vacant storefronts," Tran tells Axios.

My thought bubble: I'm a huge fan of escape rooms. I especially liked the Lord of the Rings-themed room.

Best sips: I loved the signature old-fashioned ($25) made with A5 Wagyu steak fat-washed bourbon, which was subtly infused with truffle oil.

If you go: Open Wednesday through Sunday at 3065 16th St. Bookings start at $89.

Tell a friend

Thousands of people will hit the streets next weekend for the 48th annual San Francisco Marathon.

State of play: The two-day event features a half marathon, 10K and 5K, in addition to a full marathon.

• The scenic courses take runners across the city and past iconic landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Presidio.
• An expo at Fort Mason will be held all weekend, featuring pre-race activities, vendor booths and a Q&A with Olympian Alexi Pappas. Runners can also join a Puma-sponsored run to test the brand's latest gear.

Between the lines: Expect road closures at the main entrances to Golden Gate Park and in neighborhoods like the Haight, Mission, Richmond and the Marina.

If you go: July 26-27. Register by July 20 to avoid a ticket price hike.