If you plan to replace your air conditioner, furnace, heat pump, or water heater in Southern California, you can still save money in 2026. The key is knowing which programs are available and what they require. Whether you live in Chatsworth (91311), Northridge (91325), Simi Valley (93065), or anywhere else in Los Angeles or Ventura Counties, your rebate options mostly depend on your utility provider and the equipment you select.
Some programs are still active and offer significant savings, while others are paused, fully reserved, or closed for good. This guide explains the confirmed 2026 status of each major program, what you need to qualify, and how Affordable Heating and Air can help Southern California homeowners get the most out of every rebate.
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| Program | Status | Amount | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| LADWP Heat Pump HVAC | ✅ Active | Up to $2,500/ton | LADWP residential customers replacing heating or cooling |
| LADWP Heat Pump Water Heater | ✅ Active | Up to $2,500/unit | LADWP customers replacing water heaters |
| LADWP Standard AC Rebate | ✅ Active | $100–$120/ton | High-efficiency central AC (non-heat pump) |
| 3C-REN — Ventura County | ✅ Active | $750–$1,500+/measure | Ventura, Santa Barbara, SLO County homeowners |
| SCE Smart Thermostat | ✅ Active | $75 bill credit | SCE customers in demand-response program |
| Golden State Rebates | ✅ Active — selected products | Varies | Smart thermostats, room AC, heat pump water heaters |
| SoCalGas Rebates | 🔄 Active until funds run out | Varies | High-efficiency gas appliances and thermostats |
⚠️ Not available for new 2026 projects: The federal 25C tax credit ended on December 31, 2025, so it does not apply to installations in 2026. TECH Clean California and HEEHRA are no longer accepting new single-family reservations. Do not install equipment expecting reimbursement unless you already have an approved reservation. South Coast AQMD GO ZERO is also paused and not accepting new applications. For 2025 installations, check the Federal Tax Credit section below.
Rebate approval is not guaranteed. Your eligibility depends on your address, utility provider, equipment model, installation date, permit status, and whether program funds are still available. Make sure to check all requirements before buying equipment.
If the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power serves your home, the LADWP Consumer Rebate Program is currently the most valuable California HVAC rebate available in Southern California. Most homes in the City of Los Angeles — including the San Fernando Valley communities of Chatsworth, Northridge, Granada Hills, and Porter Ranch — are LADWP customers.
Eligible LADWP residential customers may qualify for up to $2,500 per ton on qualifying heat pump HVAC systems, including central ducted heat pumps, split systems, ductless mini-splits, and multi-split systems. Packaged terminal heat pumps do not qualify.
Rebate tiers by efficiency rating:
Typical Net Cost Example: A 4-ton high-efficiency heat pump system in Los Angeles usually costs $12,000 to $16,000 installed, which includes equipment, labor, permits, and ductwork adjustments. With the maximum LADWP rebate of up to $10,000 (subject to approval, eligibility, and available funding), your estimated net cost could drop to about $2,000 to $6,000 before financing, manufacturer promotions, or other incentives. The final rebate amount depends on your specific equipment, efficiency ratings, and program rules at the time you apply.
A note on electrical requirements: Some heat pump installations need an electrical panel upgrade, a dedicated circuit, or wiring changes, especially in older San Fernando Valley homes built before the 1980s. During your free pre-installation consultation, our team checks your electrical system to help you avoid unexpected costs after the project begins.
📞 Call before you install. Choosing the right equipment and preparing your documentation can make the difference between an approved and a denied application. Check out our detailed guide on Los Angeles HVAC rebates to discover location-specific savings.
Eligible LADWP customers may also qualify for up to $2,500 per unit on qualifying ENERGY STAR heat pump water heaters. Rebate amount depends on unit size and UEF efficiency rating.
For high-efficiency central AC upgrades that meet LADWP requirements but are not heat pump systems, the rebate is $100–$120 per ton.
Many homes in Los Angeles County that are not in the LADWP service area, as well as most homes in Ventura County, get their electricity from Southern California Edison.
If you are an SCE customer, your primary incentive paths are:
✅ Smart Thermostat: $75 bill credit when you enroll a qualifying smart thermostat in an eligible demand-response program.
✅ Golden State Rebates: Instant coupon-based rebates for qualifying smart thermostats, ENERGY STAR room air conditioners, and heat pump water heaters at participating retailers. No contractor involvement required for most coupons.
⚠️ A note on Comfortably CA: This program gives incentives to distributors and retailers, not directly to homeowners. You might benefit if your contractor passes along a discount, but this is not a guaranteed rebate for customers. Ask for any expected savings in writing before you buy.
⚠️ ESA Program (Income-Qualified): SCE’s Energy Savings Assistance Program may provide free or deeply discounted HVAC upgrades for qualifying income-eligible households. Ask our team if you may be eligible.
Confirm your SCE rebate options — free consultation.
This is the most underutilized Ventura County heat pump incentive in 2026.
The Tri-County Regional Energy Network (3C-REN) covers Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties. As of January 2026, approximately $9.5 million in funding is available for single-family homes in these counties.
✅ Eligible upgrades under 3C-REN:
Incentive amounts: Typically $750–$1,500 or more per qualifying measure.
Equity-eligible households — including CARE and FERA program participants — qualify for higher amounts and may receive additional support.
Most Ventura County homeowners in communities like Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Camarillo, and Oxnard are served by SCE and SoCalGas, not LADWP.
Do not assume LADWP rebate amounts apply to your home. Our Simi Valley team helps customers confirm 3C-REN eligibility based on address, utility, and project scope.
Explore Ventura County HVAC services.
SoCalGas takes part in Golden State Rebates and offers rebates for qualifying high-efficiency gas appliances, smart thermostats, and related products. Funding is first-come, first-served, so a rebate listed today may not be available when your project is finished. Check current availability before you buy.
Sometimes you can, but stacking rebates means you need to check each program’s rules, documentation requirements, and compatibility on your own before assuming they can be combined.
Realistic stacking examples:
Some programs lower your rebate if you use another incentive. Others require pre-approval before any work starts, or have restrictions based on income, equipment, or utility compatibility.
Always check program compatibility, documentation requirements, and eligibility for every incentive you want to combine before installation, not after.
The federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (Section 25C) is not available for HVAC equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025.
For qualifying 2025 installations: If you installed eligible HVAC equipment before the December 31, 2025, deadline, you may still be able to claim the credit on your 2025 federal tax return — up to $2,000 for qualifying heat pumps and heat pump water heaters, subject to IRS income and eligibility requirements. IRS Form 5695 is used to claim residential energy credits.
Visit irs.gov or consult a qualified tax professional to confirm your eligibility before filing.
Affordable Heating and Air does not provide tax advice. We can give you equipment and installation documentation, but you should make tax eligibility and filing decisions with your tax professional.
Rebates only help if you qualify, and your system still needs to be designed, sized, and installed correctly.
Affordable Heating and Air is a trusted Southern California HVAC company serving Los Angeles County from our Chatsworth office and Ventura County from our Simi Valley office. Here is what we bring to every project:
✅ C-20 Licensed, Bonded & Insured — CSLB License #1081403
✅ NATE-Certified Technician on Staff — Verified in the NATE national contractor directory
✅ BBB Accredited with A+ Rating — Better Business Bureau
✅ Woman-Owned Local Business — 20+ years of combined HVAC industry experience
✅ Rebate-Aligned Equipment Selection — SEER2, HSPF2, ENERGY STAR, and AHRI compliant
✅ California Title 24 Compliance and Permit Coordination
✅ Rebate Documentation Support — Invoices, equipment specs, and permit records
✅ Flexible Financing and Care Club Maintenance Plans Available
We do not guarantee rebates, and no contractor should. What we do is help you choose the right equipment and timing so your application has the best possible chance of being approved.
Request a Free Rebate Assessment and Equipment Quote →
📞 Los Angeles County: (818) 722-1332 | Ventura County: (805) 755-4074
Yes. LADWP, 3C-REN, SCE Smart Thermostat, Golden State Rebates, and SoCalGas programs are currently active. TECH Clean California and HEEHRA are not accepting new single-family reservations, GO ZERO is paused, and the federal 25C tax credit expired December 31, 2025.
Eligible LADWP residential customers may qualify for up to $2,500 per ton on qualifying systems. Basic eligibility requires at least 15.2 SEER2 / 7.7 HSPF2; the maximum rebate tier requires at least 20.5 SEER2 / 9.1 HSPF2. A typical 4-ton system at the maximum tier can receive up to $10,000 in LADWP rebates, subject to program approval and eligibility.
Yes. The primary program for most Ventura County residents is 3C-REN, which currently has approximately $9.5 million available for single-family homes. Incentives range from $750–$1,500 or more per qualifying measure. Equity-eligible households receive higher amounts. LADWP rebate amounts generally do not apply to Ventura County homes.
Yes. Qualifying ductless mini-split and multi-split heat pump systems may be eligible if they meet required efficiency ratings, have a valid AHRI certificate, and installation is permitted and documented.
Most programs require: paid itemized invoice, contractor name and license number, manufacturer make and model, AHRI certificate, final approved building and safety permit, proof of utility account, and the completed application. Missing the AHRI certificate or permit is the most common cause of denial.
The credit expired for installations completed after December 31, 2025. If you installed qualifying equipment in 2025, you may still be able to claim it on your 2025 federal return using IRS Form 5695. Confirm with a qualified tax professional — Affordable Heating and Air does not provide tax advice.
Verify current program status through official sources before purchasing:
Rebate program availability, amounts, and eligibility rules change frequently. Always verify the current status before purchase and installation.