How Xcel's Clean Heat Plan Tripled Heat Pump Rebates
Xcel Energy nearly tripled cold-climate heat pump rebates when Colorado's Clean Heat Plan went into effect. Here's the policy behind the change, what the new rebate amounts look like, and how long the increased amounts are expected to last.
Updated April 14, 2026•By Editorial Staff
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Stack with other rebate programs for even greater savings on your heat pump installation.
What Is Xcel's Clean Heat Plan?
Colorado's Clean Heat Plan is state legislation that requires gas utilities to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Xcel Energy, the largest gas and electric utility in the state, funds its share of that mandate partly by paying homeowners to replace gas furnaces with electric heat pumps. When the Clean Heat Plan took effect, Xcel nearly tripled its cold-climate heat pump rebates compared to what they had been the prior year. For a complete breakdown of current rebate amounts, see our Xcel Energy rebates guide.
Xcel's main Colorado service area is the Denver metro, though the utility also covers much of the Front Range. The Clean Heat Plan applies to all Xcel gas customers and runs through the utility's residential rebate programs.
The increased rebates are not guaranteed to continue indefinitely. Xcel has stated the higher amounts are expected to last while Clean Heat Plan funding is available and reserves the right to modify or end the program at any time.
Clean Heat Plan Rebate Amounts: Before and After
Under the Clean Heat Plan, a typical 3-ton cold-climate heat pump now qualifies for $6,750 in Xcel rebates, compared to $2,250 before the program ramped up. That's roughly a 3x increase on the largest single line item in most rebate-stacked projects.
Stacked with the Colorado heat pump tax credit and Power Ahead Colorado ($1,500, no income limit), UniColorado customers land total project savings in the $9,000-$13,000 range on typical Denver-metro heat pump installations. HEAR (up to $8,000, income-qualified) is no longer an option for new Front Range projects as of April 28, 2026 — Region 2 counties still have funding.
Why the Clean Heat Plan Tripled Rebates
The Clean Heat Plan directs Colorado gas utilities to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Converting a home from a gas furnace to an electric heat pump eliminates a large, recurring source of gas combustion, so Xcel hits its emissions targets more efficiently by paying for those conversions than by funding smaller efficiency measures.
The practical effect for homeowners is that the most aggressive rebates go to cold-climate heat pumps - the equipment that can realistically replace a furnace in Colorado winters. Lower rebates still apply to standard air-source heat pumps and heat pump water heaters, but the cold-climate tier is where the tripling actually happened.
Homeowners benefit on three fronts: lower upfront project cost, lower operating cost on the new equipment, and participation in Colorado's broader decarbonization targets.
How Homeowners Access Clean Heat Plan Rebates
What You Need to Qualify
- Active Xcel gas or gas/electric service at your property
- Installation by a certified contractor. UniColorado handles everything. Mini-splits and heat pump water heaters allow DIY installation.
- Contractor submits the rebate application to Xcel on your behalf. UniColorado provides the rebate as an upfront discount.
- Act early in the year - Clean Heat Plan funding is limited and terms can change
How the Clean Heat Plan Is Funded
Clean Heat Plan rebates are funded through a mix of utility initiatives and state mandates.
How the Funding Works
- Utility Efficiency Programs: Xcel allocates a portion of utility bill revenue to fund energy-saving programs, helping meet state efficiency and emission reduction targets
- Colorado's Clean Heat Plan: Legislation requires utilities to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Xcel invests in programs that encourage homeowners to switch to efficient systems.
- Shared Benefits: The overall goal is to reduce energy consumption and emissions, keeping future energy costs lower for everyone across Colorado
How Long Will the Increased Rebates Last?
The higher Clean Heat Plan rebate amounts remain in effect for 2026, but Xcel reserves the right to modify or end the program based on annual funding availability. Funding for residential rebate programs is allocated per year and can run out before the calendar year ends when demand is high.
How to Lock In Current Rebate Amounts
- Act early in the program year: most funding is claimed in the first half of the year
- First-come, first-served - the sooner you schedule your install, the better your chances of locking in the full amount
There's no guarantee the program will be renewed at the current levels in future years, and the Clean Heat Plan funding is a defined pot that gets spent down each year.
Stacking Other Programs on Top of the Clean Heat Plan
The Clean Heat Plan rebate is the largest single line item on most Colorado heat pump projects, but it's not the only incentive. Colorado homeowners can stack the following programs on top of Xcel's tripled amounts. The federal 25C tax credit ended December 31, 2025, so it is no longer part of the stack:
Stack These Programs With Xcel
Income-qualified federal incentives up to $8,000. Region 1 (Front Range) funds fully reserved Apr 28, 2026.
$1,500 heat pump rebate. No income limit. The path forward for new Front Range customers post-HEAR.
State tax credit available to all Colorado residents, regardless of income.
Complete breakdown of all Xcel Energy HVAC rebate amounts and requirements.
25% bonus on all rebates when you complete 3+ qualifying upgrades.
Ready to Claim Your Rebates?
UniColorado handles the rebate paperwork and applies your savings as an upfront discount.
Clean Heat Plan Rebate Amounts by System Type
Current rebate amounts for equipment qualifying under Xcel's Clean Heat Plan.
| System Type | Rebate | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) - Ducted | $900/cooling ton at 95°F | |
| Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump (ccASHP) - Ducted | $2,250/heating ton at 5°F | |
| MiniSplit Heat Pump (MSHP) | $900/cooling ton at 95°F | |
| Cold-Climate MiniSplit Heat Pump (ccMSHP) | $2,250/heating ton at 5°F | |
| Heat Pump Water Heater | $2,250 |
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