California heat pump rebates are still available in 2026, but there is no single statewide check that everyone gets. What you qualify for depends on three things: which utility serves your home, whether the equipment you choose meets the program's efficiency and eligibility list, and whether the installation is done and documented the way the program requires, which usually means a permit, matched equipment with an AHRI reference and, for some programs, approval before work begins.
The fastest way to find your rebates is to start with your electric bill, check your utility's current heat pump offerings, look at statewide programs like TECH Clean California, and then pick equipment that meets every requirement. This guide explains each step for Los Angeles homeowners, what paperwork a contractor should handle, and the common mistakes that get claims denied. We deliberately do not list dollar amounts, because they change too often to be trusted in a blog post.
Start with your utility: California heat pump rebates by LA-area provider
Most heat pump incentives in Southern California run through electric utilities, because a heat pump shifts heating from gas to electricity. Los Angeles is served by several, often within a few miles of each other.
| Utility | Who it typically serves | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| LADWP | City of LA neighborhoods, including Hollywood Hills, Studio City, Sherman Oaks and much of the Valley | Residential efficiency and heat pump programs, equipment lists, application deadlines |
| SCE | Many cities across the region, including Beverly Hills and West Hollywood | Heat pump incentives (often delivered through statewide or third-party programs), contractor participation rules |
| Burbank Water and Power | City of Burbank | Local efficiency rebates and eligible equipment criteria |
| Glendale Water & Power | City of Glendale | Local rebates, documentation requirements, timing rules |
| Pasadena Water and Power | City of Pasadena | Local heat pump and efficiency incentives |
Gas in most of the region is provided by SoCalGas, which has its own efficiency programs. Because a heat pump typically replaces gas heating, the electric utility is usually where the heat pump incentive lives, but it is worth checking both.
Statewide programs: TECH Clean California and others
TECH Clean California is a statewide initiative focused on accelerating heat pump adoption for space and water heating. It has provided incentives through participating contractors in many utility territories. Funding has opened and paused at different points, and availability can differ by region, so the right approach is to check its current status when you are planning your project rather than assuming it is open.
Other statewide and regional efforts have targeted specific groups or building types, such as multifamily buildings or homes switching from gas to electric. These come and go. A contractor who regularly files rebate paperwork will usually know what is active in your territory this season.
Income-qualified programs
California and several utilities have run programs specifically for income-qualified households. Depending on the program, these can cover a larger share of the cost, provide equipment and installation through designated providers, or bundle a heat pump with weatherization and electrical upgrades. Eligibility is typically based on household income relative to area median income, and sometimes on participation in other assistance programs.
If your household might qualify, check before you get conventional quotes. Some income-qualified programs require you to use their own enrolled contractors, and you may not be able to combine them with standard rebates after the fact.
Federal 25C tax credit: where it stands
For several years, the federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (section 25C) let homeowners claim a credit for qualifying heat pumps and central air conditioners. That credit expired for equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025. For a heat pump installed in 2026, you should not plan your budget around 25C.
If your installation was completed and placed in service in 2025, or you are unsure how the timing applies to you, check with a tax professional. Tax rules are specific to your situation, and a contractor is not the right person to give tax advice.
What equipment qualifies for California heat pump rebates
Rebate programs do not pay for "a heat pump." They pay for specific equipment that meets their criteria. Common requirements include:
- Minimum efficiency ratings such as SEER2, EER2 and HSPF2 thresholds, often above the code minimum. Since California is in the DOE Southwest region, code minimums for central AC already include an EER2 requirement, and rebate thresholds may go further. See our explanation of SEER2 efficiency ratings in California.
- A matched system with an AHRI reference number that ties the outdoor unit to a specific indoor coil or air handler. Mixing components can make a system ineligible even if each part is efficient.
- Equipment type rules. Some programs treat ducted heat pumps, ductless mini splits and multi-zone systems differently, or require that the heat pump be the primary heating source.
- Replacement conditions. Some programs focus on fuel substitution (replacing a gas furnace) and may not pay for replacing an existing heat pump.
This is why quotes should always list exact model numbers. Without them, nobody can confirm eligibility. If you are considering moving off gas heat, our guide on replacing a gas furnace with a heat pump in California covers what that switch involves.
Planning a new system? Get a free in-home estimate with a load calculation and a written quote with exact model numbers. Call (818) 230-4038 or use the form — or text us a photo of your current system.
Why California heat pump rebates get denied
Most denied claims come down to a short list of avoidable mistakes:
- Wrong equipment. The system did not meet the efficiency threshold, was not on the eligible list, or was a mismatched combination without a valid AHRI reference.
- No permit. Many programs require proof of a permitted installation, and some require a final inspection. An unpermitted job is often ineligible outright.
- Missing documentation. No AHRI certificate, no itemized invoice with model and serial numbers, missing HERS or Title 24 compliance documents, or photos that were never taken.
- Applying too late. Some programs require pre-approval or a reservation before installation. Applying after the work is done, when pre-approval was required, means no rebate.
- Missed deadlines. Post-install programs usually have a submission window. Paperwork that sits in a drawer for months can expire.
- Program closed or funds exhausted. A program can run out of funding between quote and install. Confirm status close to your install date.
- Contractor not participating. Some incentives are only paid through enrolled contractors.
Nearly all of these are preventable with planning before the equipment is ordered.
What paperwork a contractor should handle
A good installer does most of the rebate legwork for you. Typically that includes:
- Confirming which programs apply at your address and whether pre-approval is needed.
- Selecting equipment that meets program criteria and providing the AHRI matched-system reference.
- Pulling the permit (LADBS in the City of LA, or your city's building department in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Burbank or Glendale) and closing it out.
- Completing Title 24 compliance and coordinating HERS verification when required.
- Producing an itemized invoice with model and serial numbers.
- Submitting the rebate application, or preparing it for your signature, along with photos and supporting documents.
You will usually still need to provide your utility account information and sign the application. Keep copies of everything. Our guide to AC replacement permits in Los Angeles explains the permit and HERS steps.
“They covered the floors, double checked everything, and explained what they did without me even asking.”
Bohdan Bodnar · Google review
Your California heat pump rebate checklist
Use this before you sign a contract:
- Identify your electric utility from your bill (LADWP, SCE, BWP, GWP or PWP).
- Check your utility's current heat pump programs and any statewide programs such as TECH Clean California.
- Check whether you may qualify for an income-qualified program before collecting standard quotes.
- Confirm whether pre-approval or a reservation is required before installation.
- Get a written quote with exact outdoor and indoor model numbers.
- Confirm the matched system has an AHRI reference number and meets program efficiency thresholds.
- Confirm the contractor will pull the permit and handle Title 24 and HERS requirements.
- Ask who files the rebate application and when it will be submitted.
- Keep the final invoice, permit sign-off, AHRI certificate and photos.
- Do not assume the federal 25C credit applies to a 2026 installation; ask a tax professional.
Ducted, ductless and multi-zone: does system type matter for rebates?
It can. Rebate programs are written around equipment categories, and those categories do not always line up with how homeowners think about systems. A few patterns to watch for:
- Ducted heat pumps replacing a gas furnace and AC are the classic fuel-substitution case, and many programs are built around them. Requirements often include matched indoor and outdoor equipment, Title 24 compliance and, where ducts are altered, HERS duct leakage testing.
- Ductless mini split heat pumps are frequently eligible, but some programs set rules about whether the system must replace the home's primary heating source, or how many zones must be served.
- Multi-zone systems may be rated as a combination of one outdoor unit with specific indoor heads. If the installed combination differs from the rated combination, eligibility can be affected. See our multi-zone mini split design guide for how these systems are put together.
- Hybrid or dual-fuel setups, where a heat pump is paired with a gas furnace as backup, are treated differently from program to program.
If you are still deciding on layout, read ducted vs ductless heat pumps in California, then confirm eligibility for the specific layout you choose.
Can you stack more than one rebate?
Sometimes. Utility programs and statewide programs have at times been combinable, and at other times one program disqualifies another for the same equipment. Income-qualified programs often have their own rules about combining. The only safe approach is to read each program's terms, or ask a contractor who files these regularly, before you assume two incentives will both pay out.
Timing your project around rebates
LA heat waves tend to hit from August through October, which is exactly when cooling systems fail and homeowners rush decisions. If your current system is limping along, planning a replacement in the cooler months gives you time to confirm programs, secure any pre-approval and schedule permits without pressure. Heat pumps also work very well in LA's mild winters, so a spring or winter install is not a compromise.
If your system has already failed, it is still worth a few days to confirm eligibility before ordering equipment. The difference between an eligible and ineligible system can be a single model number.
How HVAC Installation LA handles this
We file the utility rebate paperwork with LADWP, SCE, Burbank Water and Power and Glendale Water & Power when your equipment qualifies. Every quote starts with a Manual J load calculation and comes in writing with exact model numbers, scope and price, so you can check eligibility before you commit. We pull the permit and handle Title 24 and HERS testing, which are the documents most programs ask for. We can also quote options side by side, such as a heat pump versus an AC and furnace, so you can see how incentives affect each choice.
See our rebates page for current notes, our heat pump installation and ductless mini split installation services, or read what drives heat pump installation cost in Los Angeles. Free in-home estimates for installations: call (818) 230-4038, email estimates@hvacinstallationla.com, or contact us online.
Frequently Asked Questions
01Are there still California heat pump rebates in 2026?
Yes, but programs change often. Utility programs from LADWP, SCE, Burbank Water and Power, Glendale Water & Power and Pasadena Water and Power, plus statewide efforts like TECH Clean California, have offered heat pump incentives. Check current availability before you buy.
02Can I still claim the federal 25C tax credit for a heat pump?
The federal 25C credit for heat pumps and central AC expired for equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025. If your system was installed earlier, or you have questions about your situation, talk to a tax professional.
03How do I know which utility rebate applies to me?
Look at who sends your electric bill. City of LA neighborhoods like Hollywood Hills and Studio City are LADWP, many other cities including Beverly Hills and West Hollywood are SCE, and Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena run their own utilities.
04Do I need a permit to get a heat pump rebate?
Most programs require a permitted installation, and many ask for proof of permit or final inspection. An unpermitted install is one of the most common reasons claims are denied.
05Can I apply for a heat pump rebate after the installation?
Some programs accept applications after installation within a deadline, but others require pre-approval or a reservation before work starts. Read the program rules first, because applying late can disqualify you.
06Are there rebates for income-qualified households?
Yes. California and several utilities have run income-qualified programs that can cover more of the cost or provide equipment directly. Eligibility rules and funding vary, so check your utility and statewide programs.
