What Boulder homeowners can claim
Amounts below reflect the most recently confirmed Xcel Energy figures, plus statewide Colorado Energy Office programs. All amounts are in US dollars. Programs marked "confirm status" don't have a single published current amount — call the program directly before assuming a figure is live.
🔥 Heat Pump
Xcel Energy pays $2,250 per ton of heating capacity for a qualifying cold-climate heat pump (a 3-ton system nets $6,750; a 4-ton system nets $9,000), or $900 per ton for a standard-efficiency heat pump. No income qualification is required. Add Colorado's $1,000 state heat pump tax credit (claimed by your contractor, once per address). Front Range homeowners can also stack DRCOG's Power Ahead Colorado rebate (up to $1,500, no income limit, launched June 29, 2026). Xcel Energy — Colorado residential rebates → Colorado Dept. of Revenue — DR 1322 Heat Pump Tax Credit → UniColorado — DRCOG Power Ahead Colorado heat pump rebate →
🟫 Insulation & Air Sealing
Xcel Energy pays up to $600 for qualifying attic and wall insulation, plus a 25% bonus across all standard efficiency rebates when you install three or more qualifying measures within two years of enrolling. Xcel Energy — Colorado residential rebates →
☀️ Solar
Xcel Energy's Solar Rewards program pays $300 per kW of installed solar capacity, capped at $1,500 per home. Note: the federal 30% residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired for installations after December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — it no longer applies to systems installed in 2026. Xcel Energy — Colorado residential rebates → ENERGY STAR — federal tax credit status →
🔌 Battery Storage
Xcel Energy's Renewable Battery Connect program pays an upfront incentive of $250 per kW (up to $5,000 per application) plus $100 per year, in exchange for letting Xcel dispatch up to 60% of your stored battery energy up to 60 times a year during peak demand. Eligible equipment includes Tesla Powerwall and Enphase battery/inverter combos. Funding is limited and has historically filled quickly. Colorado's 10% Innovative Energy Storage state tax credit stacks on top. Namasté Solar — Xcel Renewable Battery Connect guide → Colorado Dept. of Revenue — DR 1322 Heat Pump Tax Credit →
💧 Water Heater
Xcel Energy pays a flat $2,250 rebate for a qualifying heat pump water heater, with no income qualification required for the standard rebate. Xcel Energy — Colorado residential rebates →
🌡️ Smart Thermostat
Xcel Energy offers up to $50 for a qualifying ENERGY STAR smart thermostat, one rebate per account holder, at participating retailers or by mail-in application. Xcel Energy — Colorado residential rebates →
🚘 EV Charger
Xcel Energy covers up to $1,300 of home wiring costs for a Level 2 EV charger, rising to $2,300 for income-qualified customers or homes in a designated Disproportionately Impacted Community. Enrollment in a Time-of-Use rate plan or Xcel's smart-charging program is required to qualify. Xcel Energy — Colorado residential rebates →
🟩 Windows & Doors
Neither Xcel Energy nor your city utility publishes a windows/doors rebate as of this writing, and the federal 25C tax credit that used to cover ENERGY STAR windows and doors expired for installs after December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Ask your utility directly in case a new program has opened since this was published. ENERGY STAR — federal tax credit status →
How to claim it
- Confirm the current Xcel Energy rebate amount and that funding is still open
- Get quotes from local licensed contractors
- Work is installed by a qualified contractor
- Submit the utility rebate application, typically within 60–90 days of installation
- If a contractor is registered with the Colorado Energy Office, they claim the $1,000 state heat pump tax credit on your behalf at point of sale
Sources
- Xcel Energy — Colorado residential rebates
- Colorado Dept. of Revenue — DR 1322 Heat Pump Tax Credit
- UniColorado — DRCOG Power Ahead Colorado heat pump rebate
- ENERGY STAR — federal tax credit status
- Namasté Solar — Xcel Renewable Battery Connect guide
- Colorado Energy Office — Home Energy Rebates (HEAR/HOMES) status
Other Colorado cities
Denver Colorado Springs Aurora Fort Collins
Renting or living in a condo? Here's what actually applies to you
If you rent
Utility rebates go to whoever owns the equipment — usually your landlord. Ask your landlord about a free home energy audit through Xcel Energy, which can come with a no-cost smart thermostat. Point them to this page if they want to pursue the bigger upgrades.
If you own a condo unit
In-unit upgrades you control — a heat pump water heater, an in-suite mini-split — can qualify for the rebates above, usually with your association's sign-off for anything touching shared walls or exterior equipment. Get that approval in writing before your contractor applies.
Next steps
View all Colorado rebate programs → or read our heat pump buyer's guide →