What Pasadena Water and Power pays
These figures come from PWP's ceiling insulation page, which we read on October 2, 2026. Only residential PWP electric customers qualify, and the work must be in an existing home.
Base rebate
For insulation added to the attic, the crawl space above the ceiling, or the roof of a non-vented attic.
Local contractor or Pasadena purchase
Added when you use a qualified local contractor or buy in Pasadena.
Bill Payment Assistance
For customers enrolled in PWP's income-qualified Bill Payment Assistance program.
Limit
One rebate per property every 15 years.
A worked example
Insulating 1,500 square feet of ceiling pays 1,500 x $0.10 = $150. With a local contractor it is 1,500 x $0.15 = $225. A customer on Bill Payment Assistance could reach 1,500 x $0.25 = $375 if all three amounts add up, which PWP does not state outright. On a typical attic job that is a small share of the cost, so treat it as a bonus.
What does not qualify
PWP excludes new construction and any retrofit where Title 24 requires the insulation upgrade anyway. Households that already received insulation through PWP's Home Improvement Program are also out. The insulation must raise the ceiling to R-30 or higher, so adding a thin layer on top of an already decent attic may not clear the bar. Ask the contractor for the existing R-value and the finished R-value in writing, because PWP asks for proof of the final number.
Your utility: Pasadena Water and Power
PWP runs this rebate for its electric customers. It is also the reason to check your bill first, since a Pasadena mailing address does not guarantee PWP service. PWP's page notes that the Southern California Gas Company may have additional incentives. We did not read that page and cannot quote an amount, so check it the week you book the work.
Why insulation comes before a new system
Pasadena's average January low over 2015 to 2024 was 7.5°C (about 45°F), so heat loss is mild here. The case for insulation is more about summer, when a hot attic pushes heat down into the rooms below. Sealing and insulating the attic before you buy a heat pump can let you choose a smaller unit, and a smaller unit costs less and runs more evenly. If you plan both, do the attic first and ask the installer to size the system after.
Look at the ducts too. Ducts in an uninsulated attic lose a lot of heat or cooling before it reaches a room. Sealing and insulating them is often worth doing in the same visit, though PWP's rebate pays for ceiling insulation only.
Local help and permits
Insulation itself often needs no permit, but any wiring or ventilation work around it can. Ask the contractor what they will pull. The City of Pasadena Permit Center is the place to ask. PWP's residential rebates page lists every program that might stack with it.
How to claim the PWP rebate
- Check that PWP is your electric utility. The name is on your electric bill.
- Get the existing R-value of your attic measured, and make sure the finished value will reach R-30 or higher.
- Hire a qualified local contractor if you want the extra $0.05 per square foot.
- After the work, log in to your PWP account and choose Apply for Rebate. Upload the paid invoice with the square footage, product and model number, proof of final R-value, dates and the product specification sheet.
- Apply within 180 days of the purchase date.
- PWP says the check arrives 6 to 8 weeks after approval.
Common questions
How much is the insulation rebate in Pasadena?
$0.10 per square foot, plus $0.05 with a qualified local contractor or a Pasadena purchase, and $0.10 more for customers on Bill Payment Assistance.
What R-value do I need?
The finished ceiling insulation must reach R-30 or higher.
Which parts of the house count?
The attic, the crawl space above the ceiling, or the roof of a non-vented attic. Walls and floors are not covered by this rebate.
Can I claim it twice?
PWP limits it to one rebate per property every 15 years.
Does it apply to new construction or code-required work?
No. New construction does not qualify, and neither do retrofits where Title 24 requires the upgrade.
What to do next
See PWP's ceiling insulation page for the application, or compare all Pasadena offers on our Pasadena hub. If you plan a new heating system next, read Pasadena heat pump rebates.
By Sam Menard. Sources, last read September 28, 2026: PWP ceiling insulation rebate, PWP residential rebates and programs, City of Pasadena Permit Center. All Pasadena rebates → Every Pasadena Water and Power rebate →