California home energy rebates for 2026
Use this California guide to pre-check heat pump, heat pump water heater, induction cooking, wiring, panel, insulation, EV charger, and whole-home rebate opportunities before requesting contractor quotes.
ZIP utility pre-check
Enter the first 3–5 digits of your ZIP to see which in-state utility guides may apply. Confirm on your bill before purchase.
Best first checks in California
- TECH Clean California HEEHRA heat pump quote with a trained contractor
- Investor-owned or municipal utility heat pump and HPWH rebates (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, LADWP, SMUD)
- HEEHRA reservation or waitlist status before contract signature
- Panel and wiring scope for induction, HPWH, or EV charging adders
- EV charger utility rebate plus 30C timing if placed in service by June 30, 2026
Homeowner context
California homeowners usually compare TECH Clean California HEEHRA paths, investor-owned utility electrification rebates, and reservation timing before signing a heat pump or panel quote—especially when single-family HEEHRA funding is waitlisted or reservation-only.
Default electricity-rate assumption for calculators: $0.32 per kWh. Replace with the user's actual utility rate.
California program status and local checks
Local verification steps
- Open the California Energy Commission IRA residential rebate hub and TECH Clean California HEEHRA page for the latest reservation rules.
- Use a TECH Clean California-certified, HEEHRA-trained contractor when pursuing HEEHRA rebates—verify training status on official lists.
- Do not share bank statements with a contractor; official income verification should produce a code or approval document you can reference on the quote.
- Check your IOU or municipal utility rebate page separately—California utilities often run electrification offers outside HEEHRA.
- If the project includes an EV charger, confirm utility EV rebates and whether 30C still applies for your placed-in-service date and census tract.
Modeled incentive stack
| Program | Modeled value | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| HEAR heat pump | Up to $8,000 | Low- and moderate-income households where the state or tribal program is active. |
| HEAR heat pump water heater | Up to $1,750 | Often paired with utility rebates and installation requirements. |
| HEAR induction cooking | Up to $840 | May stack with wiring and panel support if program rules allow. |
| HEAR wiring and panel support | $2,500 wiring / $4,000 panel | Subject to the $14,000 household cap and income tier. |
| HOMES whole-home efficiency | Modeled savings; up to $8,000 in many low-income cases | Requires program-specific energy savings calculation. |
| Utility rebates | Varies | High priority in California because investor-owned and municipal utilities often run separate electrification programs. |
| 25C tax credit | Not counted for 2026 installs here | Do not count by default for 2026 installs. IRS guidance says qualifying improvements were claimable for improvements made through December 31, 2025. |
| 30C EV charger credit | 30% up to $1,000 | For qualifying residential EV charging property placed in service from January 1, 2023, to June 30, 2026, subject to location and other IRS rules. |
Use the calculators
Heat Pump Rebate Calculator
Estimate HEAR heat pump rebates and compare 2025 tax-credit timing.
Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate Calculator
Estimate heat pump water heater rebates, wiring adders, and out-of-pocket cost.
EV Charger Rebate and Fuel Savings Calculator
Estimate utility rebates, 30C timing, and home charging fuel savings.
Induction Stove Rebate Calculator
Estimate HEAR cooking appliance rebates and wiring support.
Whole-Home Rebate Planner
Stack heat pump, water heater, induction, wiring, panel, and insulation rebates.
California utility pages
PG&E rebates
Northern and Central California: heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and EV charging.
SCE rebates
Southern California: EV charging, appliance rebates, and rate plans.
SDG&E rebates
San Diego and southern Orange County: EV charging, heat pump water heaters, and rate plans.
LADWP rebates
Los Angeles: EV charging, appliance rebates, and water-energy savings.
SMUD rebates
Sacramento County region: heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and induction cooking.
SoCalGas rebates
Southern California natural gas: water heating, furnaces, and appliance rebates.
Pre-contract checklist
Most homeowners comparing rebates across our 50 state guides confirm these items in writing before a deposit—not because a quote promised a subsidy, but because missed pre-approval, wrong stacking order, or equipment outside an approved list are the usual reasons applications stall after install.
Modeled, not guaranteed: WattRebate summarizes paths and federal caps; only official programs approve funding. Pair this list with the links below and our methodology—we do not submit applications or promise eligibility.
- Written confirmation of HEEHRA or utility reservation status before the deposit due date.
- Contractor name matches TECH HEEHRA-trained contractor requirements when claiming HEEHRA.
- Line-item split for equipment, labor, panel, wiring, and permit costs tied to rebate categories.
- Rebate amount shown as estimated until official approval—not guaranteed in the contract total.
- Utility service account holder matches the rebate applicant when required by IOU programs.
Official sources to verify
- California Energy Commission IRA Residential Energy Rebate Programs
- TECH Clean California HEEHRA rebates
- The Switch Is On incentive resources
- California energy office or official energy program
- DOE Home Energy Rebates
- DOE Home Upgrades portal
- ENERGY STAR HEAR program summary
- NASEO Home Energy Rebates launches
- ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder
- IRS Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit
- IRS Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit
- DSIRE incentives database
Common questions
What rebates should California homeowners check first?
California homeowners should check state-administered Home Energy Rebates, local utility programs, ENERGY STAR product eligibility, and any project-specific requirements before signing an installation contract.
Does California have the same rebate amounts as every other state?
No. Federal program caps are national, but state launch status, application workflow, approved contractors, utility programs, and remaining funding vary by location.
Should I count the 25C tax credit for a 2026 project?
WattRebate does not count the 25C credit by default for 2026 installs because IRS guidance says qualifying improvements were claimable for improvements made through December 31, 2025.
Should California homeowners check TECH Clean California before counting HEEHRA rebates?
Yes. California HEEHRA rebates are routed through TECH Clean California and trained contractors, and funding or reservation status can change by region and property type.
Can California utility rebates stack with HEEHRA on the same heat pump project?
Often yes, but each program has its own eligibility, equipment list, and payment timing. Confirm stacking rules on both the utility rebate page and TECH Clean California before you sign—some combinations require pre-approval in a specific order.
What should I ask a California contractor about HEEHRA before deposit?
Ask whether a reservation or waitlist slot is required, whether they are HEEHRA-trained, which rebate amount is modeled versus guaranteed, and which official portal will confirm your income tier.
Does WattRebate count California-specific rebate dollars automatically?
No. Enter known utility or state amounts only after you verify them on official pages. Calculators model federal HEAR caps and income tiers; California program dollars must be confirmed locally.
Is California HEEHRA accepting new single-family heat pump reservations?
As of early 2026, TECH Clean California reports single-family HEEHRA funding fully reserved statewide with new reservations waitlisted. Check the TECH HEEHRA page and California Energy Commission notices before assuming an $8,000 rebate on your quote.
Can I still claim the federal 25C heat pump tax credit for a 2026 installation in California?
No for equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025. California homeowners in 2026 should focus on utility rebates, any approved HEEHRA reservation, and other live programs—not a federal 25C heat pump credit on that year's return.
Bring this checklist into your next quote
Skip the planner step and you still risk treating modeled dollars as approved. Use it to stack likely California incentives, official links, and contractor questions—then re-verify before you sign.
Plan a rebate stack Stacking checklist