Xcel Mountain Energy Project Rebates 2025–2026 | Mini-Splits by Joseph
Effective Dec. 15, 2025 · Xcel Energy Program

Xcel Mountain Energy
Rebate Program 2025–2026

Colorado mountain homeowners can receive up to $30,000+ in rebates when upgrading to high-efficiency heat pumps and insulation through Xcel Energy’s Mountain Energy Project.

Potential Rebate Value Up to $30,000+
We apply your rebate upfront — no waiting. Your rebate is deducted directly from your installation invoice. You never have to wait weeks for a check from Xcel Energy.

Program is available in these mountain communities only

Breckenridge 80424 Dillon 80435 Frisco 80443 Grand Lake 80447 Leadville 80461 Silverthorne 80497 Silverthorne 80498 Red Cliff 81649

We Credit Your Rebate
Before You Pay

Most contractors make you wait 6–8 weeks to receive a rebate check from Xcel Energy after installation. We handle the paperwork and apply your full rebate directly to your invoice upfront — so you only pay the net amount out of pocket, on the day of installation.

Get Your Net Price Estimate
Example: 2-Ton Mini-Split Installation
Equipment & Labor $18,000
⚡ Xcel Rebate Applied Upfront − $15,000
You Pay at Installation $3,000
We file the rebate claim on your behalf. You’re done.

Eligibility Requirements

Before applying, confirm you meet all the following criteria. Your contractor (us!) will help verify eligibility during the estimate.

Required to Qualify

  • Residential account in one of the eligible ZIP codes above
  • Active natural gas service from Xcel Energy at the property
  • Replacing existing natural gas equipment that performs the same function
  • New qualifying equipment only — used, leased, or pre-owned is ineligible
  • Equipment invoiced and installed on or after Dec. 15, 2025
  • Equipment must be installed and operational before submitting application

Not Eligible

  • Customers with existing electric heating (e.g., baseboard heat) installing a heat pump — still eligible for standard Xcel rebates
  • Gas boiler upgrade if currently using hydronic baseboard distribution — heat pump rebate may still apply
  • Heat pump water heaters unless current setup uses a natural gas boiler for both space and water heating
  • Commercial equipment or window/wall AC units
  • Duplicate rebates for the same equipment under other Xcel programs

Early Replacement Bonus

  • Original equipment must be 10 years old or less and still operational
  • Both customer and contractor must certify the old equipment was working at time of removal
  • Manufacturer, model, and serial number of old equipment required
  • Customer must agree to Xcel Energy inspection — failure means repaying the difference between early replacement and burnout rebate amounts

New Construction

  • New construction projects are eligible — existing gas equipment replacement requirement is waived
  • Builder and buyer must agree in writing who receives the rebate
  • Equipment rebated through Mountain Energy Project cannot also be rebated under the New Home Construction program

Rebate Amounts

Rebates are paid per heating ton at 5°F for heat pumps, or as flat amounts for other equipment. Early replacement rebates apply when existing equipment is 10 years old or less and still operational.

Heating & Cooling
Insulation & Air Sealing
Equipment Minimum Requirements Early Replacement
≤10 Years Old & Operational
Equipment Failure /
Non-Early
Cold Climate Mini-Split
(ccASHP, Non-Ducted)
Gas removal required
Participating contractor
16 SEER2, 9 EER2, 9.5 HSPF2
COP at 5°F ≥ 1.75; heating capacity at 5°F must be ≥70% of 47°F rated capacity
$7,500
per heating ton at 5°F
$4,000
per heating ton at 5°F
Cold Climate Heat Pump
(ccASHP, Ducted)
Gas removal required
Participating contractor
15.2 SEER2, 10 EER2, 8.1 HSPF2
COP at 5°F ≥ 1.75; heating capacity at 5°F must be ≥70% of 47°F rated capacity. Commissioning form required.
$7,500
per heating ton at 5°F
$4,000
per heating ton at 5°F
Cold Climate Heat Pump
(ccASHP, Mixed Ducted)
Gas removal required
Participating contractor
15.2 SEER2, 10 EER2, 8.1 HSPF2
COP at 5°F ≥ 1.75; heating capacity at 5°F must be ≥70% of 47°F rated capacity
$7,500
per heating ton at 5°F
$4,000
per heating ton at 5°F
Ground Source Heat Pump
(GSHP, closed-loop only)
Gas removal required
16 EER2, 3.3 COP Full Load
Must be listed on AHRI or energystar.gov
$20,000
per heating ton
$15,000
per heating ton
Natural Gas Furnace
(High-Efficiency)
95%+ AFUE
Must replace a non-condensing furnace
$3,000
flat rebate
$1,000
flat rebate
Natural Gas Boiler
(High-Efficiency)
95%+ AFUE
Must replace non-condensing boiler. Not available for hydronic baseboard premises.
$3,000
flat rebate
$1,000
flat rebate
Heat Pump Water Heater
Replaces gas boiler providing both space & water heat
ENERGY STAR® rated
Max 80-gallon tank for residential. Listed on energystar.gov.
$4,000
flat rebate
$2,250
flat rebate
Important: Rebates cannot exceed actual equipment and labor costs. Total rebates from all sources (Xcel, state, local programs) cannot exceed your total project cost. Invoices must be dated after Dec. 15, 2025.

Air Sealing & Insulation Rebates

Air Sealing Up to $1,125
Wall Insulation Up to $1,800
Attic Insulation Up to $2,550
Total Potential Up to $5,475

Minimum Qualifying Standards

Air Sealing Minimum 20% reduction in CFM 50 blower door test. Must be performed before insulation is installed. Air sealing alone does not qualify without qualifying insulation.
Wall Insulation (P2) Wall cavity must be completely empty before work. Post-job R-value of 13 or greater required.
Attic Insulation (P1) Pre-job effective R-value must be less than R-24. Post-job R-value must reach R-60.
Participating Contractor Required: Air sealing and insulation rebates can only be offered through Xcel Energy Trade Network participating contractors. A blower door pre- and post-improvement test is required on all projects unless the home was already at or below 0.50 NACH pre-improvement.

Mountain Energy Home Energy Audit

Identify the best upgrades for your home before investing. Audits are available to natural gas customers in eligible ZIP codes.

Standard AuditRebate Available
Standard Audit with Blower DoorRebate Available
Infrared AuditRebate Available
Eligible once every two years. Must use a registered auditor from Xcel Energy’s preferred contractor list. Home must be single-family up to a fourplex.

How to Claim Your Rebate

We handle the technical paperwork and ensure every requirement is met for your maximum payout.

1

Confirm Eligibility

Verify your address ZIP code, active natural gas service, and that you have existing gas equipment to replace. Call us — we’ll confirm fast.

2

Get an Estimate

We assess your home, calculate heating tons, select AHRI-certified equipment meeting program specs, and provide a clear quote with estimated rebate.

3

Installation

Certified installation with full gas equipment removal, commissioning (ducted units), and a dated invoice — all required for your application.

4

Rebate Applied Upfront

Your rebate is deducted from your invoice on the day of installation. We file the claim with Xcel Energy — you’re done.

Program Requirements

Key rules to know before your project starts. We ensure compliance on every installation.

Heat Pumps (All Types)

  • Must be listed on ahridirectory.org (AHRI certified)
  • System must be matched and rated by AHRI — outdoor condenser and indoor evaporator coil must be designed to work together
  • No commercial or window/wall units allowed
  • Rebate paid per outdoor (condensing) unit, not per indoor head
  • Must replace existing natural gas equipment performing the same function
  • Full removal of old natural gas equipment must be certified by both customer and contractor
  • Ducted units require a commissioning form per ACCA 2015 Standard 5 QI spec (non-ducted/mixed ducted exempt)

Cold Climate Performance (COP at 5°F)

  • COP at 5°F must be ≥ 1.75 for all ccASHP types
  • Heating capacity at 5°F must be at least 70% of the 47°F rated heating capacity
  • These specs confirm the unit works in high-altitude Colorado winters
  • Combining a new or existing furnace with cooling equipment to boost SEER rating is permitted
  • Overall heat pump and AC rating must appear in the AHRI directory

Application & Documentation

  • Applications must be postmarked by September 30 of the year following installation
  • A dated purchase invoice or receipt is required — proposals or estimates are not accepted
  • Invoice must include description of what was purchased and total cost
  • All information on the invoice must exactly match the application
  • Submitting an AHRI certificate with your application is highly recommended
  • Submit to: Xcel Energy Rebate Operations, P.O. Box 829, Minneapolis, MN 55440-0829

Furnace & Boiler Rules

  • Must achieve 95%+ AFUE to qualify
  • New equipment must replace a non-condensing furnace or boiler
  • Gas boiler upgrades are not available for homes with hydronic baseboard heating distribution
  • Homes with hydronic baseboard may qualify for a heat pump rebate instead — full boiler removal certification required
  • Gas boiler upgrades with a sidearm water heater must note tank size on the application

Get Your Rebate Credited Before You Pay a Dime

We’re a certified Xcel Energy participating contractor serving Breckenridge, Frisco, Dillon, Silverthorne, Leadville, and surrounding mountain communities. Your rebate comes off your invoice — upfront.

FAQ

Contact Us

Join our thousands of satisfied customers in the Denver, CO, area and contact us today for all your air conditioning needs!



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