Last checked: October 15, 2026. Rebate and incentive programs change often, sometimes with little notice. Statuses below are what we confirmed on that date. Programs change, so we'll check current eligibility with you before you decide.
As of October 15, 2026, the major heat pump incentives most San Diego County homeowners relied on are closed. The federal 25C tax credit ended for equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025. TECH Clean California's single-family incentives have been closed to new reservations since November 14, 2025. The HEEHRA rebate is fully reserved and no longer accepting new reservations. SDG&E keeps its current offers on its rebates page.
Fallbrook Heating & Air installs heat pumps, air conditioners and furnaces across North County. We'd rather tell you plainly what's closed than have you plan a project around money that isn't there. This page lists dates, not dollar amounts, because amounts change too often to keep accurate.
What's open and what's closed right now?
Of the four programs San Diego homeowners ask about most, two are closed (the federal 25C credit and TECH Clean California single-family incentives), one is fully reserved and closed to new reservations (HEEHRA), and one, SDG&E's own rebate list, changes during the year and should be checked directly. Status as of October 15, 2026.
| Program | Who runs it | Status | Key date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) | Federal (IRS) | Ended | No credit for equipment placed in service after Dec 31, 2025 |
| TECH Clean California single-family incentives | State program | Closed to new reservations | Closed since Nov 14, 2025; no committed reopening date |
| HEEHRA (Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates) | Federally funded, run by TECH Clean California | Fully reserved; no new reservations | Single-family since Feb 24, 2026; status as of Oct 16, 2026 |
| SDG&E rebates and offers | SDG&E | Varies by offer; check sdge.com/rebates | Changes during the year |
Did the federal HVAC tax credit end?
Yes. The 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit ended for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. A heat pump, AC or furnace installed in 2026 doesn't qualify. If yours was installed and running by the end of 2025, ask a tax professional whether you can still claim it on that year's return.
"Placed in service" generally means installed and ready to use, not when you paid a deposit or signed a contract. We can't give tax advice, so please check your situation with a tax preparer.
What happened to TECH Clean California?
TECH Clean California's single-family heat pump incentives stopped taking new reservations on November 14, 2025, and as of October 15, 2026 they had not reopened, with no committed date. If funding returns, it may come with different rules, so check the program's website rather than relying on older articles.
Can I still get the HEEHRA heat pump rebate?
Probably not soon. HEEHRA, the federally funded Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates program run through TECH Clean California, has been fully reserved for single-family homes statewide since February 24, 2026, and for multifamily since September 1, 2026. As of October 16, 2026, the program says it is no longer accepting new reservations, so don't build it into your budget.
HEEHRA was designed around household income, so even when funds were available, not every household qualified. Check the program's page for current eligibility rules.
What SDG&E rebates are available?
SDG&E lists its current residential rebates and offers at sdge.com/rebates. Offers change during the year and can depend on the equipment, the installer and your account type. Check that page for what's live today; we'll also look up current eligibility with you during your estimate.
A few practical tips if you find an offer that fits:
- Read the deadline and the order of steps. Some programs need a reservation or pre-approval before installation.
- Check equipment requirements. Offers often require specific efficiency ratings or certified models.
- Check installer requirements. Some require a participating contractor.
- Keep your paperwork. Invoices, model numbers, the permit and Title 24 verification records are often required.
Should a rebate decide which equipment I buy?
Not on its own. Choose the system that fits your house, your fuel and how you use heating and cooling, then see whether any current program applies. A rebate tied to equipment that's wrong for your home, or that needs a bigger system than you need, can cost more over the system's life than it saves up front.
When rebates were widely available, some homeowners rushed into equipment to meet a deadline. With the main programs closed, you can make the decision on its merits: comfort, running cost, the age of your current system, and the permit and Title 24 testing every replacement needs. If a program reopens before you install, we'll tell you what it requires.
Is a heat pump still worth it without rebates?
It can be. Incentives were never the only reason to choose a heat pump. In our mild climate a heat pump can handle all your heating and replaces your AC at the same time. Whether it pays off depends on your current fuel, SDG&E rates and the age of your existing system.
Our heat pump vs furnace guide walks through the trade-offs, and our heat pump page covers installation. Also note that California's 2025 Energy Code does not require a heat pump when you replace an existing AC or furnace, so you're free to choose.
How do I budget for a replacement now?
Plan on the full installed cost, then treat any rebate you find as a bonus. Published 2026 San Diego cost guides give ranges for AC replacement; our cost guide lists them with sources and explains what drives the price. Get quotes that include the permit and the required Title 24 duct testing.
See our AC replacement cost guide and our AC installation page. For heating, see furnace installation.
How often is this page updated?
We plan to review this page monthly and update the "Last checked" date each time. If you spot a program change before we do, call us at (760) 728-8716 and we'll take a look.
Frequently asked questions
Is there still a federal tax credit for a new heat pump or AC in 2026?
Not for most homeowners. The federal 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit ended for equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025. If your system was installed and running by that date, talk to a tax professional about claiming it. Systems installed in 2026 don't qualify.
Is TECH Clean California still offering heat pump incentives?
Not to new applicants, as of our last check on October 15, 2026. TECH Clean California's single-family incentives have been closed to new reservations since November 14, 2025, with no committed reopening date. Check the TECH Clean California website for the current status before you plan around it.
What is HEEHRA, and can I still get it?
HEEHRA is the federally funded Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates program, run in California through TECH Clean California. Single-family rebates have been fully reserved statewide since February 24, 2026, and as of October 16, 2026 the program is no longer accepting new reservations, so don't count on it when budgeting.
Does SDG&E offer rebates for a new AC or heat pump?
SDG&E publishes its current rebates and offers on its rebates page, and they change during the year. Eligibility often depends on the equipment, the installer and your account. We don't list amounts because they change. Programs change, so we'll check current eligibility with you during your estimate.