HVAC Rebates in Southern California: A Complete Financial Assistance Guide by County
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Upgrading or repairing a heating and cooling system in Southern California can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over $15,000, depending on the system. Fortunately, homeowners and renters across Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, and San Diego Counties often have access to a layered set of rebates, tax credits, and financial assistance programs — from the federal government, the State of California, and local utility companies.
Because these programs run on limited annual budgets and change frequently, this HVAC rebates in Southern California guide is structured in three layers:
- Federal programs (apply to all of Southern California)
- California statewide programs (apply to all five counties)
- County- and utility-specific programs (vary by where you live — see the linked county guide below)
Why HVAC Rebates Exist
Heating and cooling account for a significant share of residential energy use in California. Federal, state, and utility programs subsidize efficient equipment — particularly heat pumps — to lower household energy costs, reduce strain on the electric grid, and cut greenhouse gas emissions. That’s why most rebate dollars are weighted toward heat pump HVAC systems and heat pump water heaters rather than standard gas furnaces or air conditioners
Federal HVAC Rebate and Tax Credit Programs
Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (Section 25C)
Historically, this federal tax credit allowed homeowners to claim 30% of the cost of qualifying HVAC equipment, including:
Heat pumps and heat pump water heaters (up to $2,000/year.
Central air conditioners, furnaces, and boilers meeting efficiency tiers (up to $600 per item, $1,200/year combined cap.
Legislation passed in 2025 changed the future availability of this credit. Confirm current eligibility, expiration dates, and dollar caps directly at irs.gov/credits-deductions/energy-efficient-home-improvement-credit [3].
Home Efficiency Rebates (Homes) and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEEHRA)
Created under the Inflation Reduction Act and administered state-by-state, these income-qualified rebate programs were designed to offer:
Up to $8,000 for heat pump HVAC installation (HEEHRA, income-qualified households)
Additional rebates for electrical panel and wiring upgrades needed to support a heat pump
As of July 2026, HEEHRA in California has already been fully reserved.
Funding, eligibility rules, and California’s rollout timeline for these programs have been subject to change. Confirm current status through the California Department of Community Services & Development and energy.gov/save/rebates [4][5].
California Statewide Programs
TECH Clean California
A statewide incentive program that provides point-of-sale rebates for heat pump HVAC and heat pump water heater installations through participating contractors, with higher incentive tiers for income-qualified households. Rebate amounts vary by equipment type, county, and income level. Check current rebate tiers at techcleanca.com [6].
Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP)
Administered by the California Department of Community Services & Development, LIWP provides no-cost home energy upgrades — including HVAC replacement in some cases — for qualifying low-income households, including those in disadvantaged and tribal communities. Details at csd.ca.gov/liwp [7].
CARE and FERA Utility Bill Discounts
While not HVAC-specific, the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) programs reduce monthly utility bills by 20–35% for qualifying households, which can offset the operating cost of a new HVAC system. Available through SCE, SDG&E, and SoCalGas [8].
Find HVAC Rebates in Your County
Utility-run rebate programs are typically the most generous — and the most localized. Your available rebate amount depends heavily on which utility company services your address, not just which county you live in. Select your county below for a full breakdown of local programs, current rebate amounts, and how to apply.
| County | Utility Providers | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside County | SoCalGas, Southern California Edison (SCE) | Page link coming soon |
| San Bernardino County | SoCalGas, Southern California Edison (SCE) | Page link coming soon |
| Orange County | SoCalGas, Southern California Edison (SCE), Anaheim Public Utilities | Page link coming soon |
| Los Angeles County | SoCalGas, Southern California Edison (SCE), LADWP, Glendale Water & Power, Burbank Water & Power | Page link coming soon |
| San Diego County | San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) | Page link coming soon |
Each county page is updated on its own schedule and includes current rebate amounts, eligibility requirements, participating cities, and direct application links.
How To Check Your Elegibility
- Identify your utility provider(s) — check a recent gas and electric bill; some cities (like Los Angeles, Anaheim, and Burbank) have municipal utilities with their own separate rebate programs.
- Check income-qualified tiers first — most programs (TECH Clean California, HEEHRA, LIWP) offer significantly higher rebates for low- and moderate-income households.
- Use a participating contractor — many rebates (especially TECH Clean California) are only available through enrolled contractors and applied at the point of sale.
- Stack programs where allowed — federal tax credits, state incentives, and utility rebates can often be combined, but combined caps sometimes apply. Confirm stacking rules per program.
- Apply before installation when required — some rebates require pre-approval; installing equipment first can disqualify you.
How We Keep This Page Current
HVAC rebate programs are typically funded on annual or biennial budget cycles and can pause, reopen, or change amounts with little notice. We review and update this page and all linked county guides every 6 months, and note the review date at the top of each page. If you find outdated information contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you do not see your question answered below, of you want us by your side as you get a loan for HVAC, feel free to call us at (951) 446-5968 and we will walk you through your options at no charge.
Are HVAC rebates still available in Southern California in 2026?
Yes, though specific programs and amounts vary. Utility-run rebates (SCE, SDG&E, SoCalGas) and TECH Clean California are generally the most consistently funded. Federal tax credit availability should be confirmed at irs.gov, as eligibility rules changed following 2025 federal legislation.
Which Southern California utility offers the best HVAC rebate?
It really depends on your income tier and equipment type. Heat pump systems generally qualify for the highest rebates across all providers, since state and federal policy prioritizes electrification. See your county-specific page for current comparisons.
Do I need a specific contractor to quality for HVAC rebates?
For point-of-sale programs like TECH Clean California, yes — the rebate is typically applied by an enrolled contractor at time of installation. Federal tax credits do not require a specific contractor but do require Energy Star-qualifying equipment and proper tax filing.
Can renters get HVAC rebate assistance?
Some programs, like LIWP and utility bill assistance (CARE/FERA), are available to renters. Equipment rebates for permanent HVAC installation are generally paid to the property owner, though renters can advocate for landlords to apply.
How often do these rebate amounts change?
Utility and state programs are typically reviewed annually; some (like TECH Clean California) update tiers mid-year based on remaining funding. This page is reviewed every 6 months.
What is electrification
Electrification in the context of HVAC means switching a home’s system from running on fossile fuels (natural gas, propane) to running on electricity instead.
In this light, we would replace a gas furnace with an electric heat pump which is a system that movest heat rather than burning fuel to create it, and runs entirely on electricity.
Government rebate programs (federal and California) are weighted heavily toward electrification because it aligns with climate goals -an electric heat pump can be powered by clean/renewable electricity, while a gas furnace always burns fossil fuel no matter what.
Is Eco Air Heating and Cooling a participating contractor?
Yes, Eco Air is a participating contractor. We will always find ways to help our community and the public.
Are there any other HVAC assistance programs other than government and utitilies?
Yes, Eco Air provides Assistance for disabled people in Riverside, CA. We will drive to the home and do the labor to change the filter at no charge. If the disabled owner does not have an air filter, we can provide a complete at loss discount price for an air filter -only $8. You can read more at https://ecoairheatandcool.com/hvac-assistance-for-disabled-people
Sources and Citation
[1] U.S. Department of Energy, “Heat Pumps” — energy.gov/energysaver/heat-pump-systems [2] California Energy Commission — energy.ca.gov [3] Internal Revenue Service, “Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit” — irs.gov/credits-deductions/energy-efficient-home-improvement-credit [4] U.S. Department of Energy, “Home Energy Rebates” — energy.gov/save/rebates [5] California Department of Community Services & Development — csd.ca.gov [6] TECH Clean California — techcleanca.com [7] California Low-Income Weatherization Program — csd.ca.gov/liwp [8] California Public Utilities Commission, CARE/FERA — cpuc.ca.gov
This page is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial or tax advice. Rebate amounts, eligibility, and program availability are set by the administering agency or utility and are subject to change without notice. Always confirm current details on the official program page before applying.
