Exact Xcel, Mountain, and Colorado HEAR Rebates – One Simple Page
If your home currently uses natural gas as the primary heat source, you may qualify for powerful Xcel Energy rebates, special Mountain Energy Project incentives in select ZIP codes, and Colorado HEAR income-based rebates when you switch to a high-efficiency heat pump or mini-split with Mini-Splits by Joseph.
Standard Xcel Energy Heat Pump & Water Heater Rebates
These rebates apply to qualifying single-family homes, duplexes, and four-plexes in Xcel territory. The higher “bonus” amounts are available to customers with a fuel-burning system (natural gas or propane) when they install a qualifying heat pump or heat pump water heater.
| Equipment | Minimum Qualifying Standards | Rebate with Fuel-Burning Bonus | Standard Rebate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP), Ducted Heat pump |
15.2 SEER2, 11.7 EER2, 7.8 HSPF2 | $900 per cooling ton at 95 °F | $300 per cooling ton at 95 °F | Core ducted ASHP rebate tier. |
|
ASHP, Non-Ducted (Mini-Split) Heat pump |
15.2 SEER2, 11.7 EER2, 7.8 HSPF2 | $900 per cooling ton at 95 °F | $300 per cooling ton at 95 °F | Wall-mounted ductless systems. |
|
ASHP, Mixed Ducted + Non-Ducted Heat pump |
15.2 SEER2, 11.7 EER2, 7.8 HSPF2 | $900 per cooling ton at 95 °F | $300 per cooling ton at 95 °F | Combination ducted & ductless heads. |
|
Cold Climate ASHP, Non-Ducted Cold-climate |
16 SEER2, 9 EER2, 9.5 HSPF2, COP ≥ 1.75 at 5 °F; ≥ 70% of 47 °F heating capacity at 5 °F. |
$2,250 per heating ton at 5 °F | $750 per heating ton at 5 °F | Best rebate level for non-ducted mini-splits. |
|
Cold Climate ASHP, Ducted Cold-climate |
15.2 SEER2, 10 EER2, 8.1 HSPF2, COP ≥ 1.75 at 5 °F; ≥ 70% of 47 °F heating capacity at 5 °F. |
$2,250 per heating ton at 5 °F | $750 per heating ton at 5 °F | Cold-climate ducted systems. |
|
Cold Climate ASHP, Mixed Ducted + Non-Ducted Cold-climate |
15.2 SEER2, 10 EER2, 8.1 HSPF2, COP ≥ 1.75 at 5 °F; ≥ 70% of 47 °F heating capacity at 5 °F. |
$2,250 per heating ton at 5 °F | $750 per heating ton at 5 °F | Hybrid ducted / ductless cold-climate systems. |
|
Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) Ground source |
16 EER2, 3.3 COP, full load | $3,300 per heating ton | $1,100 per heating ton | Geothermal loop systems. |
|
Heat Pump Water Heater (HPWH) Water heating |
ENERGY STAR® | $2,250 | $750 | Standalone heat-pump water heater. |
Xcel Insulation & Air Sealing Incentives
Xcel also provides rebates for air sealing and insulation, with higher bonuses when you heat with Xcel natural gas and coordinate upgrades with a rebate-qualifying heat pump project.
| Measure | Minimum Standard | Standard Rebate (Gas or Electric Heat) | Bonus for Xcel Gas Heat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Sealing | ≥ 20% reduction in CFM50 | 30% of project cost, cap $400 | 1.5 × standard rebate |
| Wall Insulation | Empty cavity pre-job; post-job R-13+ | 30% of project cost, cap $350 | 1.5 × standard rebate |
| Attic Insulation | Pre-job R < 24; post-job R-60+ | 30% of project cost, cap $500 | 1.5 × standard rebate |
Mountain Energy Project Rebates (Select ZIP Codes)
In certain high-altitude communities (including Breckenridge 80424, Dillon 80435, Frisco 80443, Grand Lake 80447, Leadville 80461, Silverthorne 80497/80498, and Red Cliff 81649), Xcel offers very high “Mountain Energy Project” rebates for cold-climate heat pumps, ground-source systems, and heat pump water heaters.
| Equipment | Scenario | Mountain Energy Rebate (Up To) |
|---|---|---|
| Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump | Early replacement | $7,500 per heating ton at 5 °F |
| Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump | Replace on burnout | $4,000 per heating ton at 5 °F |
| Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump | New construction | $1,500 per heating ton at 5 °F |
| Cold Climate Mini-Split Heat Pump | Early replacement | $7,500 per heating ton at 5 °F |
| Cold Climate Mini-Split Heat Pump | Replace on burnout | $4,000 per heating ton at 5 °F |
| Cold Climate Mini-Split Heat Pump | New construction | $1,500 per heating ton at 5 °F |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | Early replacement | $20,000 per heating ton |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | Replace on burnout | $15,000 per heating ton |
| Gas Furnace | Early replacement | $3,000 |
| Gas Furnace | Replace on burnout | $1,000 |
| Gas Boiler | Early replacement | $3,000 |
| Gas Boiler | Replace on burnout | $1,000 |
| Heat Pump Water Heater | Early replacement | $4,000 |
| Heat Pump Water Heater | Replace on burnout | $2,250 |
| Attic Insulation | — | $2,550 |
| Air Sealing | — | $1,125 |
| Wall Insulation | — | $1,800 |
Colorado HEAR (Home Energy) Rebates – Income-Based
Colorado’s HEAR rebates provide income-based support for high-efficiency electric upgrades: heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, electrical service upgrades, insulation, and more. HEAR is separate from Xcel’s programs and is based on your household income as a percentage of Area Median Income (AMI).
| Income Level | Rebate Level | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Below 80% of AMI | Up to 100% of qualified project cost (capped at HEAR maximums) | For many qualifying homes, HEAR can effectively cover the full cost of eligible measures. |
| 80–150% of AMI | Up to 50% of project cost (capped at HEAR maximums) | Significant cost-share for moderate-income households. |
HEAR can often be combined with Xcel rebates, subject to each program’s rules and caps. During your quote, we check both your AMI tier and your utility territory to outline how much of the project can be covered by HEAR plus Xcel incentives.
For a deeper dive into eligibility documentation, AMI charts, and application steps, visit our dedicated Colorado HEAR heat pump rebates guide.
How Mini-Splits by Joseph Builds a Rebate-Ready Project
Rebates – Frequently Asked Questions
This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Program eligibility, rebate amounts, and requirements can change at any time. We confirm current program terms as part of your quote and recommend you consult your tax professional for any tax-related questions.
See How Much of Your Project Rebates Can Cover
Tell us a little about your home, your current heating system, and your goals. We’ll design a heat pump or mini-split system, match it to the appropriate Xcel, Mountain, and HEAR rebate tiers, and show you a clear estimate of your net cost.
Xcel energy information links.
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Is Joseph authorized to install ducted heat pumps?
Yes. Mini-Splits by Joseph is fully authorized to install ducted heat pumps that meet Xcel Energy’s qualifying efficiency standards. We handle AHRI-matched systems, ensure your installation meets Xcel rebate requirements, and provide all documentation needed for rebate submission and warranty support.
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Link to other program’s