What Riverside Public Utilities pays
These figures come from the heat pump and air conditioning rebate page of Riverside Public Utilities (RPU), which we read on October 2, 2026. Only residential RPU electric customers qualify, and funding is limited.
Electric heat pump
For an electric heat pump rated 15.2 SEER or greater.
Central air conditioner
$150 per ton at 15.2 to 15.9 SEER and $250 per ton at 16 SEER or greater. A plain air conditioner earns far less than a heat pump.
HVAC tune-up
Must include a refrigerant level check.
Smart thermostat
For a Wi-Fi enabled smart programmable thermostat.
What that looks like in dollars
A 3-ton heat pump earns 3 x $750 = $2,250. A 4-ton unit earns $3,000. The same size as a plain 16 SEER air conditioner would earn 3 x $250 = $750, so choosing a heat pump over a cooling-only unit adds $1,500 for a 3-ton system. RPU's page does not state a per-home cap.
The paperwork RPU wants
The unit must be 15.2 SEER or better, with a matching condenser and evaporator coil, and the inside and outside coils of a split system must match so RPU can verify efficiency. The dated sales receipt must show the make, model number, serial number, tonnage and SEER rating. You apply after installation by mail or email to Riverside Public Utilities, Programs and Services, 3025 Madison Street, or [email protected], within 90 days of the purchase date. Nothing needs approval before the work starts.
Why Riverside is different from SCE cities
RPU is the city's own utility and sets its own list, so its rebates are separate from those in nearby San Bernardino, Ontario or Moreno Valley, where Southern California Edison supplies the power (see San Bernardino). Before you plan anything, check that your electric bill names Riverside Public Utilities. RPU also lists a Mobile-Home and Multi-Family Energy Efficiency Program and the SHARE income-qualified program among its assistance options.
Permits in Riverside
The City's Building and Safety division says some permits can be issued same day over the counter, including simple water heater change-outs, and others need plan review. Its Public Permit Portal lets contractors submit applications and plans online and schedule inspections. A heat pump swap needs a mechanical permit. See the City's permits page, and ask your contractor who pulls it.
Climate and sizing
Riverside's average January low over 2015 to 2024 was 6.8°C (about 44°F), with a coldest recorded day of -2.5°C, and it gets about 5.4 peak sun hours a day. Summers are long and hot, so a heat pump here is mostly about cooling that also heats, and size is driven by the cooling load. Ask your installer for a written load calculation and the AHRI certificate for the exact indoor and outdoor combination.
Other money
The federal 25C and 25D tax credits ended after December 31, 2025. TECH Clean California and the federal HEEHRA program are fully reserved for single-family homes and take new requests on hold only. Other RPU rebates can sit alongside this one: see Riverside insulation and window rebates and Riverside battery rebates.
Installers in Riverside
These Riverside heat pump and HVAC companies have the best Google ratings, listed by rating and then review count. We are not paid to list anyone. Ask each for the model's SEER, the tonnage and the serial numbers RPU needs.
See all Riverside installers →
How to claim the RPU rebate
- Confirm that Riverside Public Utilities is your electric utility.
- Choose an electric heat pump rated at least 15.2 SEER, with a matching condenser and coil.
- Have it installed under a City mechanical permit.
- Keep the dated sales receipt showing make, model, serial number, tonnage and SEER.
- Complete RPU's application and mail it or email it to [email protected] within 90 days of purchase.
- RPU verifies the receipt and pays the rebate.
Common questions
How much does RPU pay for a heat pump?
$750 per ton for an electric heat pump rated 15.2 SEER or greater.
Is Riverside served by SCE?
No. Riverside has its own utility, Riverside Public Utilities. Check your electric bill.
When do I apply?
After installation, within 90 days of the purchase date. Nothing needs approval before the work starts.
What proof does RPU want?
A dated receipt showing make, model, serial number, tonnage and SEER rating, with matching coils on a split system.
Is there an extra rebate for a tune-up?
Yes. $25, and it must include a refrigerant level check.
What to do next
See RPU's heat pump rebate page, or compare all Riverside offers on our Riverside hub.
By Sam Menard. Sources, last read October 2, 2026: Riverside Public Utilities heat pump and air conditioning rebates, Riverside Public Utilities rebates and programs, City of Riverside Building and Safety permits. All Riverside rebates → Every Riverside Public Utilities rebate →