California Heat Pump Incentives: TECH Clean CA, HEEHRA, and IRA

Ready to ditch those old heaters and AC units without ditching all your savings? TECH Clean CA has rolled out some incredible incentives and rebates to make upgrading to energy-efficient heat pumps easier than ever. We’re talking serious cash back, folks.

TECH Clean California is a statewide initiative funded by the California Public Utilities Commission. Its mission is to help Californians save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by making it easier and more affordable to adopt clean energy technologies – like heat pumps.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about California’s heat pump incentives and rebates, including:

• TECH Clean California’s Single-Family HVAC Incentives: We’ll explore how you can score $1,000-$1,500 (or more) for upgrading to a heat pump system.
• HEEHRA Rebates for Income-Qualified Households: Find out if you qualify for up to $8,000 in extra savings.
• Incentives for Multifamily Properties: Attention, property owners. Learn how you can cash in on major rebates for your building.
• Steps to Access Incentives: We’ll walk you through the process, from eligibility to finding the right contractor.

Step #1: Select a qualified contractor through “The Switch is on” Website

Ready to find out what you qualify for?

Info@freedomacandheating.org

And if you’re in the Anaheim Hills, Chino, Riverside, or Yorba Linda area, Freedom AC and Heating can help you navigate these rebate programs and get your new heat pump system up and running. We’re experts at installing high-efficiency heat pumps that’ll keep you comfy year-round and slash those energy bills.

Step #2: Complete your income verification by clicking the link below, when prompted include our contractor email:

TECH Clean California: Your Ticket to Heat Pump Savings

This awesome program is all about making energy-efficient heat pumps more accessible to Californians. Think of it as a golden opportunity to upgrade your home, save money, and help the environment. It’s a win-win-win.

Here’s the lowdown: TECH Clean California offers some sweet incentives to homeowners who want to ditch their old heating and cooling systems and go with energy-efficient heat pumps. We’re talking $1,000 to $1,500 back in your pocket just for making the switch. And guess what? You can get incentives for up to two systems per household. So, if you need to replace both your heating and cooling systems, you can double the savings.

What is TECH Clean California Actually?

How TECH Clean California Works

TECH Clean California provides incentives (aka cash back) to homeowners who install eligible heat pump systems. These incentives can significantly reduce the upfront cost of upgrading to energy-efficient HVAC systems, making them a more budget-friendly option.

Eligibility and Requirements

• Who’s eligible? Any homeowner with a single-family home (including those with ADUs) in California can apply.
• What qualifies? You’ll need to install a qualifying heat pump system. These are typically high-efficiency, ENERGY STAR®-certified units. (Don’t worry; we’ll talk more about qualifying systems later).
• How do I get the incentive? You’ll need to work with a TECH Clean California-enrolled contractor (like Freedom AC and Heating). They’ll handle all the paperwork and make sure you get your incentive.

Stack those savings

One of the coolest things about TECH Clean California is that these incentives can often be combined with other rebates and tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), like the HEEHRA rebates, which we’ll discuss later. This means you could potentially get even more money back.

Okay, so we’ve covered TECH Clean California, but guess what? There’s another way to save big on your heat pump upgrade: HEEHRA rebates.

HEEHRA Rebates: Even More Savings for Your Heat Pump

HEEHRA stands for the Home Energy Efficiency and Electrification Rebate Act. It’s a federal program designed to help folks make their homes more energy-efficient (and save money in the process). And yes, heat pumps are included.

How Much Can You Save?

Here’s where things get really exciting. If you’re an income-qualified household, you could be eligible for up to $8,000 in HEEHRA rebates when you install a heat pump system. That’s on top of any other incentives you might qualify for.

• Moderate-income households with incomes below 80% of the area median income (AMI): You could get up to $8,000.
• Households with incomes between 80% and 150% AMI: You could get up to $4,000.

To find out your area’s AMI and see if you qualify, you can use the handy-dandy pre-screening tool on the TECH Clean California website.

Stacking Rebates for Maximum Savings

Remember those TECH Clean California incentives we talked about? Well, you can often combine them with HEEHRA rebates. This means you could potentially get a massive chunk of your heat pump upgrade costs covered.

For example, let’s say you qualify for the maximum $8,000 HEEHRA rebate and the $1,500 TECH Clean California incentive. That’s $9,500 in total savings. Not too shabby, right?

Important Things to Know About HEEHRA

• Work with a qualified contractor: To get your HEEHRA rebate, you’ll need to work with a TECH Clean California-enrolled contractor who is also participating in the HEEHRA program.
  • Freedom AC and Heating is here to help.
• Demand response may be required: While demand response enrollment isn’t required for the HEEHRA rebate itself, it is required if you’re also getting a TECH Clean California incentive.

Don’t Miss Out Incentives for Multifamily Properties

Calling all property owners. Did you know that you can get some serious incentives for upgrading your multifamily building with heat pumps and other energy-efficient tech? Yep, it’s true. Both TECH Clean California and HEEHRA offer some amazing opportunities to make your property more sustainable and comfortable for your tenants (while saving money in the process).

TECH Clean California for Multifamily

TECH Clean California has a whole section dedicated to multifamily properties. Here’s what you need to know:

• Central Heat Pump Water Heaters: You can get incentives starting at $900 per kilowatt-hour for installing a central heat pump water heater. Plus, there are extra “kickers” (aka bonuses) if you choose a system with a low Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerant.
• Equity Incentives: If your property qualifies as an “equity project” (meaning it serves disadvantaged communities), you can get even higher incentives.

HEEHRA Rebates for Multifamily

HEEHRA also offers rebates for multifamily properties, and they’re pretty generous. Here’s a taste of what you could get:

• Heat Pump HVAC: Up to $8,000 per unit for a variable-speed heat pump system.
• Heat Pump Water Heaters: Up to $1,750 per unit for in-unit heat pump water heaters or central systems.
• Other Electrification Upgrades: You can even get substantial rebates for things like electric load service centers (electrical panels), electric wiring, electric stoves, and heat pump clothes dryers.

Why Upgrade Your Multifamily Property?

Upgrading to heat pumps and other renewable energy-efficient technologies is a smart move for multifamily property owners. Here’s why:

• Lower operating costs: Heat pumps are super efficient and offer lower energy costs, which means you’ll save money on your energy bills.
• Happier tenants: Heat pumps provide consistent and comfortable heating and cooling, which your tenants will appreciate.
• Increased property value: Energy-saving upgrades can make your property more attractive to potential buyers or renters.
• Environmental benefits: You’ll be doing your part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve indoor air quality, and combat climate change.

How to Get Started

If you’re interested in taking advantage of these incentives, here’s what you need to do:

1. Check your eligibility: Make sure your property meets the requirements for TECH Clean California and HEEHRA.
2. Find a qualified contractor: You’ll need to work with a TECH Clean California-enrolled contractor who is also participating in the HEEHRA program.
3. Apply for the incentives: Your contractor can help you with the application process.

Ready to Go Green? Here’s How to Get Those Incentives

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:

1. Check Your Eligibility

First things first, make sure you and your property meet the eligibility requirements for the programs you’re interested in.

• TECH Clean California: Head over to their website and check out the eligibility criteria for single-family homes or multifamily properties. You’ll want to make sure your existing heat pump HVAC system qualifies for replacement.
• HEEHRA Rebates: Use the pre-screening tool on the TECH Clean California website to see if your household income qualifies for HEEHRA rebates.

2. Find a Participating Contractor

You can’t just go to any HVAC company to get these incentives. You’ll need to work with a contractor who is enrolled in the TECH Clean California program and, if you’re going for HEEHRA rebates, is also a participating HEEHRA contractor.

• TECH Clean California: You can find a list of enrolled contractors on their website.
• Freedom AC and Heating: Freedom AC and Heating is a TECH Clean California-enrolled contractor with expertise in high-efficiency heat pump installations. We can help you navigate the incentive process and ensure your new system is properly installed for optimal performance.

3. Get an Energy Audit (Recommended)

Before you install a new heat pump, it’s a good idea to get a home energy audit. This will help you identify any other areas where you could improve your home’s energy efficiency. You might be surprised at how much you can save.

4. Choose the Right Heat Pump System

Not all heat pumps are designed the same. You’ll want to choose a system that’s the right size and efficiency for your home. Your contractor can help you with this.

• Qualifying Products List: TECH Clean California has a Qualifying Products List (QPL) of eligible heat pump systems. Make sure the system you choose is on this list.

5. Apply for the Incentives and Rebates

Once you’ve chosen your system and contractor, it’s time to apply for those incentives and rebates. Your contractor will typically handle most of the paperwork, but you’ll need to provide some information and documentation.

6. Enjoy Your New Heat Pump (and Lower Energy Bills)

After your new heat pump is installed, sit back, relax, and enjoy the comfort of your energy-efficient home. You’ll also love seeing those lower energy bills.

Upgrade Your Home, Upgrade Your Savings

Ready to take the plunge and upgrade to a heat pump system? With California’s awesome incentives and rebates, there’s never been a better time.

Just remember these key takeaways:

• TECH Clean California: Offers incentives of $1,000-$1,500 for single-family homes and even more for multifamily properties.
• HEEHRA Rebates: Provides up to $8,000 in additional savings for income-qualified households.
• Stackable Savings: You can often combine TECH Clean California incentives with HEEHRA rebates for maximum savings.
• Find a Qualified Contractor: Work with a TECH Clean California-enrolled contractor to ensure a smooth process.

Speaking of qualified contractors… Freedom AC and Heating is here to help. We’re experts in high-efficiency heat pump installations and can guide you through the entire process, from choosing the right system to accessing those sweet incentives and rebates. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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