Who is eligible for Xcel HVAC Rebates?

Xcel Energy gas account holders in Colorado (gas-only or gas+electric). Electric-only customers do not qualify.

How does the Xcel Rebate work?

The Xcel Energy Rebate is provided to UniColorado customers upfront as a discount. The rebate will be assigned to us.

Is the rebate separate from what I pay UniColorado?

No, the Xcel Rebates are typically shown in total as discounts. Please double check your estimate to see whether your rebate is assigned to us or not.

Can I get the Xcel HVAC rebates myself?

No; the application must be submitted by a qualified Xcel Rebate Partner such as UniColorado Heating & Cooling.

Who does the paperwork for Xcel Rebates?

The original installing contractor. For our customers, UniColorado will do all the paperwork for our customers.

What is the payment method for Xcel rebates?

For most installations with us, the rebate is paid to UniColorado and provided as a discount up-front. For others, Xcel can send a check or issue a bill credit. For rental properties, the recipient can be the property owner as long as they're listed as a property owner on the account. This is contingent upon the contractor completing the application and choosing the right system.

What's the difference between the standard and cold climate rebate?

Cold climate heat pumps must maintain at least 70% of rated heating capacity at 5°F with a COP of 1.75 or higher. The rebate is $2,250/heating ton vs $900/cooling ton for standard units. In Colorado, cold climate units are what you want.

How long do Xcel rebates last?

The Clean Heat Plan bonus portion ($1,500/ton) is available while funds last but may be pulled at any time subject to funds availability. Standard rebate amounts can change at any time. Current amounts are effective as of February 2026.

Does Xcel offer rebates for water heaters?

Yes. Xcel Energy offers $2,250 for heat pump water heaters that are Energy Star certified. The rebate is applied upfront as a discount by registered contractors like UniColorado, who handle the paperwork and submit it to Xcel.

What Xcel thermostat rebates are available?

Xcel offers rebates for smart thermostats through their Energy Efficiency programs. Check co.my.xcelenergy.com for current thermostat rebate amounts and qualifying models. UniColorado can help identify which thermostats qualify with your heat pump system.

Are Xcel furnace rebates still available in 2026?

Xcel does not offer rebates for gas furnaces alone. However, dual-fuel systems (heat pump + gas backup) qualify for the cold climate heat pump rebate of $2,250/ton. The heat pump becomes your primary system, with the furnace as backup only.

Can I get both the Xcel and federal tax credit?

The federal 25C credit ended December 2025. Xcel rebates are still active and applied by your contractor at the point of sale, reducing your out-of-pocket cost immediately. On top of Xcel, the Colorado state tax credit ($1,000) is also applied as a contractor-claimed discount, and HEAR (up to $8,000) if income-qualified. Each program has separate eligibility; qualifying for Xcel doesn't guarantee the others. We verify all programs before quoting your price.

How does Xcel Energy calculate 'rebates per ton'?

Xcel's rebate is based on your heat pump's capacity. One ton equals 12,000 BTU/hour. Cold climate rebates are measured at 5°F (heating tons), while standard rebates are measured at 95°F (cooling tons). A 3-ton cold climate system at $2,250/ton = $6,750. Your contractor determines the exact capacity from the equipment's published performance data.

How long does Xcel take to process heat pump rebates?

Xcel typically processes rebates in 6-8 weeks after the contractor submits the application. At UniColorado, you don't wait: we apply the rebate as an upfront discount on your invoice and handle the Xcel paperwork ourselves.

Do I need an energy audit for Xcel's Whole Home Efficiency bonus?

Yes. An energy audit from an Xcel-approved contractor is required to qualify for the Whole Home Efficiency 25% bonus rebate. The audit identifies which upgrades count toward the three-project minimum.

Available Now

Xcel Rebates for Colorado

Name: Xcel Energy Rebates
Brand: Xcel Energy
Rating: 5 (1074 reviews)

Xcel Energy offers the largest utility rebates in Colorado for heat pumps and water heaters. Cold-climate heat pump rebates are $2,250 per heating ton at 5°F, with typical savings of $6,400-$9,000. No income qualification required.

Updated February 9, 2026•By Editorial Staff

Get Free Estimate (303) 250-1000

Status

Available Now

Income Requirement

None

Who Qualifies

All Xcel Gas Customers

Typical Savings

$6,400-$9,000

Xcel Energy Heat Pump Rebates for 2026

Xcel Energy gas account holders (gas-only or gas+electric) are eligible. Electric-only customers do not qualify.

You qualify if

Xcel Energy gas & electric customers

Xcel Energy gas-only customers

Single family homes, duplexes, four-plexes

Installing qualifying heat pump or water heater

Not eligible if

Electric-only customers (no gas service)

Already have heat pump or electric baseboard

DIY installations (contractor must apply), with the exception of minisplits and HPWH

Equipment Requirements

System Type	Requirements	Rebate
Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) - Ducted	15.2 SEER2, 11.7 EER2, 7.8 HSPF2	$900/cooling ton at 95°F
Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump (ccASHP) - Ducted	15.2 SEER2, 10 EER2, 1.75 COP @ 5°F, 70% Cold Heat	$2,250/heating ton at 5°F
MiniSplit Heat Pump (MSHP)	15.2 SEER2, 11.5 EER2, 7.8 HSPF2	$900/cooling ton at 95°F
Cold-Climate MiniSplit Heat Pump (ccMSHP)	16 SEER2, 9 EER2, 1.75 COP @ 5°F, 70% Cold Heat	$2,250/heating ton at 5°F
Heat Pump Water Heater	Energy Star Certified	$2,250

How much is the Xcel rebate? (2026)

Cold climate heat pumps qualify for $2,250 per heating ton at 5°F through Xcel's Clean Heat Plan. Most Denver-area homes need a 3-4 ton system. Standard (non-cold-climate) units qualify for $900/cooling ton.

All three brands we install (Mitsubishi, Bosch, Carrier) have qualifying models with Xcel rebates ranging from $5,000 to $10,000+. To estimate your annual energy savings after switching from gas, use our energy calculator.

Cold climate = what you want in Colorado

System Size	Standard ASHP ($900/ton)	Cold Climate ($2,250/ton)
2 ton	$1,800	$4,500
2.5 ton	$2,250	$5,625
3 ton	$2,700	$6,750
3.5 ton	$3,150	$7,875
4 ton	$3,600	$9,000
5 ton	$4,500	$11,250

What Do Xcel Rebates Mean for Your Bottom Line?

Here is what it looks like in practice: a 3-ton cold climate heat pump that replaces your furnace and AC has a gross price around $21,000. After the Xcel rebate ($6,750), Colorado state tax credit ($1,000), and any HEAR qualification, your net invoice can drop to $13,000 or less. That is comparable to replacing just a furnace and AC with no rebates at all.

Our customers saved an average of $8,200 through Xcel rebates alone in 2025. The rebate is not a reimbursement you wait for. It is an instant discount on your invoice. You sign the estimate, we subtract the rebate, and you pay the net price. Xcel pays us directly. No forms to fill out, no checks to chase.

How do I get my Xcel rebate?

Get Your Quote

Rebate shown as discount on your estimate

Pay Net Price

Your invoice reflects the discounted amount

We Handle Paperwork

UniColorado submits the Xcel application

Xcel Pays Us

Rebate goes to UniColorado, not you

You don't pay full price and wait for reimbursement. UniColorado applies the rebate as an upfront discount on your invoice. We handle all paperwork and Xcel pays us directly.

What equipment qualifies for Xcel rebates?

Five categories of equipment qualify. The biggest rebates go to cold climate ducted and ductless systems because they're measured "per heating ton at 5°F" - meaning capacity in real Colorado winter conditions, not summer cooling specs.

Cold climate ducted heat pumps (ccASHP) - $2,250/heating ton. Must maintain 70% capacity at 5°F with COP ≥ 1.75. This is what most Denver homes get.
Cold climate ductless mini-splits (ccMSHP) - $2,250/heating ton. Same cold climate requirements. Good for additions, garages, or homes without ductwork.
Standard ducted heat pumps (ASHP) - $900/cooling ton. Lower rebate because it's measured at 95°F, not 5°F.
Standard ductless mini-splits (MSHP) - $900/cooling ton. Same as standard ducted.
Heat pump water heaters - $2,250 flat. Must be Energy Star certified.

All three brands we install - Mitsubishi, Bosch, and Carrier - have qualifying models in each category. Your contractor determines the exact heating capacity at 5°F from the equipment's published data, which sets your rebate amount.

Get a 25% Bonus: Xcel Whole Home Efficiency Program

Xcel's Whole Home Efficiency program adds a 25% bonus on the standard rebate portion ($750/ton) if you complete 3+ qualifying projects within two years. Requires an Xcel-approved energy audit first.

Qualifying projects include air sealing, insulation, heat pump water heaters, and more. There's an additional $600 bonus if you complete air sealing and insulation before the heat pump installation.

For those who want to maximize savings

Component	Per Ton	3-Ton Example
Standard rebate portion	$750	$2,250
Clean Heat Plan bonus	$1,500	$4,500
WHE 25% bonus (on standard)	$187.50	$562.50
Total with WHE bonus	$2,437.50	$7,312.50

Why UniColorado for Xcel Rebates

UniColorado is a certified Xcel Energy Trade Ally and one of the most active heat pump contractors in Xcel's rebate program. We apply the rebate as an upfront discount on your invoice, so you never pay full price and wait for reimbursement.

The difference between a $6,750 rebate and a $4,500 rebate often comes down to equipment selection and sizing. Cold-climate heat pumps are measured at 5°F (heating tons), while standard units are measured at 95°F (cooling tons). A properly sized cold-climate system almost always qualifies for the higher rebate tier. We run Manual J load calculations on every project to confirm the right system size, then select equipment from Mitsubishi, Bosch, or Carrier that maximizes your rebate.

We handle the entire Xcel application. You don't file anything, don't wait for reimbursement, and don't chase paperwork.

How It Works