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Sunny HVAC Rep Guide
03 Job Types

Decommissioning — overview

A decommissioning job is one where the existing fossil-fuel heating system is being retired and replaced with heat pumps. This is what unlocks the Con Edison Clean Heat rebate.

There are two flavors of decommissioning.

The two types

Section titled “The two types”
  1. Gas boiler decommissioning — leave the shell or remove the boiler entirely.
  2. Oil decommissioning — full tank removal plus an electric water heater swap. Always both.

What every decommissioning job requires

Section titled “What every decommissioning job requires”

Site survey is mandatory. Con Edison requires a Manual J + cool calc submission with square footage and BTU heating/cooling rating. The survey verifies boiler condition, water-tank isolation from oil, and unit sizing.

  • Electrical + mechanical + plumbing permits (see Permits)
  • Mechanical permit is required because heat pumps become the primary heating source
  • All existing 410A refrigerant units must be replaced — non-negotiable (see R32 vs 410A)
  • Heat pump central air defaults to 5 tons to cover full-home BTU
  • Layout entered accurately in the Newtonian app ahead of survey

Rebate eligibility

Section titled “Rebate eligibility”

The rebate is calculated based on number of meters, not number of units or how the building is zoned on paper. See Home type & meter rules for the full math.

Quick examples:

  • 4-family zoning + 2 meters = treated as 2-family = $8,000 credit ($4,000 × 2)
  • PLPs (private legal porches/units) and basement units do not count

Use the in-app pricing calculator for exact figures based on home type, DAC status, and rebate amounts.

Financing decommissioning jobs

Section titled “Financing decommissioning jobs”

NYSERDA / EFS only approves jobs that go through Clean Heat — meaning decommissioning is required to use NYSERDA. See NYSERDA / EFS.

For non-decommissioning financing alternatives, see Choosing financing.

Decommissioning pitfalls

Section titled “Decommissioning pitfalls”

Leaving 410A units in the home. Even functional units on 410A must be replaced. The homeowner can sell their old units to anyone — Sunny doesn’t buy them. See R32 vs 410A.

Underselling on unit count. A room with a door and a bed needs a unit. Decently-sized livable rooms count even if no one currently sleeps there. See Room requirements.