What is the Xcel Whole Home Efficiency Program?

It's a rebate program from Xcel Energy (in Colorado) that rewards you for making multiple energy-efficient home upgrades. If you complete three or more qualifying improvements (after an energy audit), Xcel adds a 25% bonus to the standard rebates for each measure.

Who is eligible for this program?

Any Xcel Energy residential customer in Colorado can participate (whether you have gas service, electric, or both). You just need to be the account holder of an Xcel Energy home, and you must complete the required energy audit first.

Is an energy audit required?

Yes, you must get an Xcel-approved home energy audit before installing any upgrades under Whole Home Efficiency. The audit identifies what improvements your home needs and ensures you qualify for the rebates. Xcel also rebates a portion of the audit cost, making it very worthwhile.

How do I schedule the energy audit?

Call 303-446-7910 (Option 2) to reach Xcel's Home Energy Squad (run by CLEAResult) and schedule an audit. Ask for the 'Home Energy Squad Plus' visit for a full energy audit. The audit typically costs around $100 (after instant discounts) and you'll get up to $100 back from Xcel later.

What counts as a 'qualifying measure' for the three upgrades?

Qualifying measures include insulation upgrades (attic or wall), air sealing, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems like heat pumps or efficient furnaces, efficient water heaters (heat pump water heaters), and ENERGY STAR appliances. Any improvement listed in Xcel's residential rebate programs (except windows) can count.

Do I have to install all three upgrades at once?

No, you can phase the projects within the program's timeframe. You might do one or two upgrades initially and the third a few months later. The key is that you complete at least three eligible upgrades within about a year (the program allows up to two years maximum) of your audit/enrollment to earn the bonus.

Can I use any contractor for the improvements?

You should use Xcel Energy participating contractors who are familiar with the Whole Home Efficiency requirements. Using experienced contractors (like UniColorado for heat pump installs) ensures the projects meet Xcel's standards and that your rebate paperwork will be handled correctly.

What if I only do one or two upgrades?

You'll still receive the standard Xcel rebates for those individual improvements, but you won't get the 25% bonus. The Whole Home bonus is only triggered once three or more qualifying measures are completed.

Can I combine these rebates with other incentives?

Yes! The Xcel rebates (and bonus) are independent of other incentives. Your contractor can also apply the Colorado state tax credit and HEAR rebates (if income-qualified) as additional invoice discounts. Note: The federal 25C tax credit for heat pumps ended December 31, 2025.

How long does it take to receive rebates?

Typically, you can expect the rebate check from Xcel in about 6-8 weeks after the final paperwork is submitted. Sometimes it's faster, but 1-2 months is a good rule of thumb.

Is the Whole Home Efficiency Program time-limited or capped?

The program is ongoing (active for 2026), but Xcel does have limited funding for rebates each year. It's wise to take advantage sooner rather than later, in case funding or rebate amounts change.

What kind of savings will I see on my energy bills?

Savings vary by home and the improvements you make. However, by addressing your home as a whole, you're attacking energy waste on multiple fronts. Many homeowners see significant reductions in heating costs after sealing and insulation (often 10-20% savings on heating bills) plus additional savings if switching from an old furnace or A/C to a heat pump.

What is the Whole Home Efficiency 25% bonus?

Complete 3+ qualifying upgrades and Xcel adds 25% to each rebate. For example, a $2,250 standard rebate becomes $2,812 with the bonus. The bonus is paid separately as a check to the homeowner after all three upgrades are complete.

Can I do the energy audit myself?

No. You must use an Xcel-approved auditor. UniColorado recommends CLEAResult (call 303-446-7910, Option 2). The audit costs $100 and Xcel rebates 60% of it ($60 back).

Does UniColorado handle the Whole Home Efficiency paperwork?

Yes. UniColorado handles the rebate application for the heat pump portion. We coordinate with your insulation contractor if needed to ensure all three measures are submitted correctly for the 25% bonus.

Available Now

How the Xcel Whole Home Efficiency Program Works (2026 Update)

Name: Xcel Whole Home Efficiency Program
Brand: Xcel Energy
Rating: 5 (1159 reviews)

Get an energy audit through an approved Xcel contractor, enroll in the WHE program, then install at least three qualifying measures within 2 years to get 25% bonus rebates. UniColorado is proudly part of the Xcel Whole Home Efficiency Program.

Updated February 27, 2026•By Editorial Staff

Get Free Estimate (303) 250-1000

Blue^TM AI Summary

Energy audit required first; call CLEAResult at 303-446-7910. The $600 heat pump + insulation combo bonus stacks on top of the 25%. UniColorado handles all paperwork.

Status

Available Now

Bonus Amount

25% Extra

Energy Audit

Required First

HP + Insulation Bonus

$600 Extra

Blue can make mistakes. Check important info.

Bonus Rebate

25%

Min Upgrades

3 required

Timeline

2 years to complete

Who Qualifies

Xcel residential customers

Qualifying Measures and Bonus Rebates

Complete three or more of these upgrades to unlock the 25% bonus on each rebate.

Qualifying Measure	Standard Rebate	With 25% Bonus
Air Sealing & Weather Stripping	30% of cost, up to $400	30% of cost, up to $500
Attic Insulation	30% of cost, up to $500	30% of cost, up to $625
Wall Insulation	30% of cost, up to $350	30% of cost, up to $438
Heat Pump (Standard) - 3 ton	$900 ($300/ton)	$1,125
Cold Climate Heat Pump - 3 ton	$2,250 ($750/ton)	$2,812
Heat Pump Water Heater	$750	$937
High-Efficiency Gas Furnace (95% AFUE)	$0	$0
ENERGY STAR Clothes Washer/Dryer	$30 each	$37 each

How to Get Started

You must get an energy audit through an approved Xcel contractor, enroll in the WHE program, then install at least three qualifying measures within 2 years to get 25% bonus rebates.

Xcel Energy's Whole Home Efficiency Program helps Colorado homeowners save energy and earn rebates by bundling at least three upgrades. This program is intended to incentivize homeowners to holistically improve energy efficiency in their home. You receive standard rebates for each improvement plus an extra 25% bonus, resulting in greater savings on insulation, heating, and cooling projects for a more efficient home.

UniColorado is proudly part of the Xcel Whole Home Efficiency Program (WHE).

Step 1: Start with an Energy Audit

Begin by scheduling a home energy audit. An audit identifies where your home can improve (think insulation, air leaks, heating/cooling efficiency) and is required by Xcel before you proceed. Xcel subsidizes most of the cost of the audit (covering 60% of it, up to $200), making it affordable.

UniColorado recommends CLEAResult for energy audits:

Call CLEAResult at 303-446-7910, Option 2 (fastest scheduling)
Email them at [email protected]
Schedule online here

Why we recommend CLEAResult: CLEAResult is the WHE program's administrator. The $100 visit includes blower door test. No sales pitch.

Every Whole Home Efficiency project starts with a home energy audit. Xcel Energy requires an energy audit (such as a blower-door test or Home Energy Squad assessment) before you install any improvements. The audit is like a check-up for your house; a certified energy auditor will inspect your insulation levels, test for air leaks, examine heating and cooling systems, and identify the best opportunities to save energy.

The audit provides a game plan for upgrades. You'll learn which improvements will have the biggest impact on comfort and savings. Plus, completing an Xcel-approved audit makes you eligible for rebates on the upgrades to come. Xcel helps with the cost of the audit: they'll rebate 60% of the audit price (up to $100-$200 back) depending on the type of audit you choose, so the audit ends up being very budget-friendly.

Step 2: Complete 3+ Qualifying Upgrades

You qualify if

Air sealing & weather stripping

Attic or wall insulation

Heat pump (standard or cold climate)

Heat pump water heater

High-efficiency gas furnace (95% AFUE)

ENERGY STAR clothes washer/dryer

Not eligible if

Windows (excluded from WHE)

Work by non-participating contractors

Step 3: Get Bonus Rebates

For each qualified upgrade, you'll receive the standard Xcel rebate plus an extra 25% of that rebate as a "Whole Home" bonus (available once you hit the three-project mark). The paperwork for rebates is typically handled by your contractor, so you get a refund check after the work is done.

Essentially, Whole Home Efficiency rewards you for tackling multiple projects in a coordinated way, maximizing your rebate dollars. The whole home efficiency rebate's 25% bonus rebate is provided as a check to homeowners and cannot be assigned to contractors.

The bonus 25% is added to your rebate check from Xcel after you've completed the three measures. You don't need to apply separately for it; it will automatically be calculated when your contractor submits the Whole Home Efficiency rebate application. For example, if you had a $400 rebate for insulation, your check would include an extra $100 (25%) for a total of $500.

Qualifying Measures and Rebates

What Counts Toward the Three-Upgrade Requirement

Air Sealing & Weather Stripping: 30% of project cost, up to $400. One of the most effective improvements for comfort and efficiency.
Insulation (Attic & Wall): 30% of cost rebated. Up to $500 for attic insulation, up to $350 for wall insulation.
Heat Pump (ASHP or ccASHP): Standard rebate is $750/ton (standard) or $750/heating ton (cold-climate). This is the biggest rebate item.
Heat Pump Water Heater: $750 rebate on a qualifying model. With the Whole Home bonus, ~$937 total.
High-Efficiency Gas Furnace (95% AFUE): $225 rebate. Smaller impact than a heat pump, but counts toward the three-upgrade minimum.
ENERGY STAR Appliances: $30 per washer or dryer. Smaller rebate, but useful if you're close to the three-upgrade threshold.

$600 Bonus for Heat Pump + Insulation Combo

Separately from the 25% Whole Home bonus, Xcel is offering a limited-time $600 bonus if you install qualifying insulation and air sealing within 6 months of your heat pump installation. Pairing a tighter, well-insulated home with a new heat pump means maximum energy savings.