California’s major HVAC incentive programs do not share one application, one funding pool, or one definition of approval. For a San Diego project in 2026, the central facts are these: TECH’s single-family heat pump incentive budgets are fully reserved, HEEHRA’s single-family rebates are fully reserved statewide, SDG&E’s Golden State retail offers ended, and the federal Section 25C credit does not cover equipment placed in service in 2026.
Check before you purchase. A published program cap or eligible product list does not establish that funds are available for a new project. Confirm the program, applicant, property, equipment, contractor, reservation, and installation-date rules with the program administrator.
2026 San Diego HVAC money: confirm live status, then bid
TECH single-family heat pump incentives have been fully reserved since November 14, 2025. HEEHRA single-family is fully reserved statewide as of February 24, 2026. Section 25C does not cover 2026 placed-in-service dates. SDG&E Golden State retail offers ended. A quote that still subtracts those stacks is not current. Program caps in older flyers are not open offers.
Checklist
- Open the live TECH, CEC HEEHRA, IRS, and SDG&E pages the day you sign.
- Keep reservation PDFs separate from contractor estimates.
- See SDG&E heat pump rebates.
- See heat pump vs AC.
- Ask the matched contractor to itemize base price with zero assumed incentive.
Related: Heat pump service and AC installation.
California HVAC incentive comparison for 2026
| Program | Who or what it covers | Current status | Can a new San Diego project count on it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| TECH Clean California single-family incentives | Qualifying heat pump HVAC and heat pump water heater projects under program rules | Fully reserved since November 14, 2025; no new reservations | No, unless TECH confirms a valid existing reservation for the project |
| HEEHRA single-family | Income-qualified households replacing an existing primary heating source with a qualifying heat pump | Fully reserved statewide since February 24, 2026; no new income-verification applications | No for a new application at the current status |
| HEEHRA multifamily | Income-qualified multifamily properties and listed electrification measures | Funding is reported available, but new Stage 1 submissions are paused | No new Stage 1 submission while the pause remains in effect |
| SDG&E Golden State retail offers | Retail products under the closed coupon program | Retail rebate offers ended | No |
| Federal Section 25C | Qualifying property placed in service during the federal eligibility period | Ended for property placed in service after 2025 | No for a 2026 installation |
This table reports program status, not a determination for a specific household. Status can change after publication.
TECH Clean California
TECH Clean California says its single-family heat pump HVAC and heat pump water heater incentives were fully reserved on November 14, 2025, and it stopped accepting new reservations.
This is a funding status. It is separate from whether a contractor is enrolled or equipment is technically eligible. Do not accept an eligible model number or a contractor’s enrollment as proof that money has been reserved for your job. Climate Pros SD is a referral service and does not claim that every contractor in its network participates in TECH.
HEEHRA single-family
California administers the federal Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates program as HEEHRA. The California Energy Commission reports that single-family rebates were fully reserved statewide as of February 24, 2026, and no new income-verification requests are being accepted.
When funded, the single-family program design allows up to $8,000 for a household below 80 percent of area median income and up to $4,000 for a household from 80 to 150 percent of area median income. The household must be replacing an existing non-heat-pump primary heating source with a qualifying heat pump. These are caps under program rules, not current offers to new applicants.
HEEHRA reservations must be approved before installation. The program is not retroactive. Confirm current contractor, enrollment, and reservation rules on the official program pages. Do not assume a referral means the company is enrolled.
HEEHRA multifamily
Multifamily has a different status from single-family. TECH’s HEEHRA page says multifamily funding is available for listed equipment and electrical work, but the program has paused new HEEHRA Multifamily Application Stage 1 submissions while it processes applications already received.
Both facts matter. An available budget does not mean a property owner can submit a new Stage 1 application during the pause. Check the program page before planning a project around those funds.
SDG&E retail offers
The SDG&E rebates page says the Golden State Rebates Program’s retail rebate offers have ended. An older product and amount table remains on the page. Do not use that table as proof of a current retail offer.
If another SDG&E offer appears in a quote, verify it by program name and official link. Confirm the exact product, customer requirements, purchase channel, deadline, and whether approval is required before purchase.
Federal Section 25C
The IRS says the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit can be claimed for improvements made through December 31, 2025. Qualifying 2025 installations may fall within the credit period; property placed in service after December 31, 2025 does not.
For a qualifying 2025 project, the annual limit was $2,000 for qualified heat pumps and heat pump water heaters. The credit is nonrefundable. The IRS also requires the taxpayer to report the product’s Qualified Manufacturer Identification Number, or QMID, for qualifying property placed in service in 2025. Ask a tax professional how the credit applies to your return.
Can these programs be stacked?
There is no universal stack for a new 2026 San Diego project because several programs are closed or fully reserved. Program rules also restrict some combinations. TECH states that, as of July 15, 2025, a project cannot receive both a TECH incentive and a HEEHRA rebate.
Build a project budget from the equipment and installation price first. Add an incentive only after you have verified all of the following:
- The program is accepting the required application or reservation.
- The address, household, measure, and equipment qualify.
- The selected contractor has any required current enrollment.
- The reservation or preapproval is documented before purchase or installation when required.
- The quote labels pending and approved amounts separately.
- The same measure is allowed to receive every incentive shown in the proposed stack.
Keep program correspondence, reservation approvals, product identifiers, invoices, and payment records. For contractor licensing, use the California Contractors State License Board check.
Frequently asked questions
Are California heat pump rebates available for a new single-family project?
The two major programs reviewed here are not open as ordinary new funding sources. TECH’s single-family heat pump incentives are fully reserved, and HEEHRA single-family rebates are fully reserved statewide with no new income-verification applications. Recheck both official pages because funding status can change.
Does California’s HEEHRA cap mean I will receive that amount?
No. The cap describes the most the program may provide under specific income, property, equipment, cost, contractor, and approval rules. It is not a quote or a funding reservation.
Is multifamily HEEHRA open because funding remains?
TECH reports available multifamily funding but also says new Stage 1 submissions are paused. A property owner should wait for the program to confirm that submissions have reopened before relying on the funds.
Can I claim Section 25C for HVAC installed in 2026?
No. The IRS eligibility period ended before 2026. A qualifying 2025 purchase may still be relevant to a 2025 return, subject to the rules, credit limits, and QMID. Ask a tax professional.
Who confirms whether an incentive is approved?
The program administrator controls enrollment, reservations, approvals, and payments. A contractor can provide project documents and, where authorized, submit materials, but a quote should not present a pending application as approved money.
For system options, see our heat pump service and AC installation pages. Climate Pros SD can refer you to a licensed local contractor at (442) 777-6440. Ask for a quote that separates the project price from every confirmed or conditional incentive.