What is open for Boulder homes in 2026
We read EnergySmart's rebate page on October 5, 2026. Xcel's amounts come from its 2026 rebate summary, last read September 29, 2026, because Xcel's pages would not load for our reader.
EnergySmart income-qualified rebate
For Boulder County households at or below 100% of area median income. Covers heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, induction cooktops, insulation, air sealing, panel upgrades and cellular shades.
Xcel heat pump
Cold-climate air-source heat pumps, counted at 5°F. The higher rate is for homes heated with Xcel natural gas.
Power Ahead Colorado heat pump rebate
ENERGY STAR cold-climate air-source heat pump in an existing building, through a verified contractor, approved before work starts.
State heat pump discount
$83 for a heat pump water heater. Taken off your invoice by a registered contractor.
Xcel heat pump water heater
The higher amount is for gas-heated homes. ENERGY STAR, 3.3 UEF. The state adds at least $83.
Xcel insulation and air sealing
Attic up to $500, walls up to $350, air sealing up to $400. Gas-heated homes get 1.5 times the caps.
Xcel EV charger and wiring
Level 2 charger and/or 240V wiring. Up to $800 in a Disproportionately Impacted Community and up to $2,300 for income-qualified homes. Sign up for Optimize Your Charge first.
Xcel Renewable Battery Connect
$250 per kW of continuous power, with a battery charged by solar. $100 a year for five years on top.
Xcel Solar Rewards
For income-qualified homes and homes in a Disproportionately Impacted Community only in 2026. Other homes get net metering without an upfront payment.
EnergySmart standard rebates
Retired in late 2025 to focus on income-qualified households.
State income-based rebates (HEAR)
Up to $14,000 per household while open. The single-family program is now closed.
Federal tax credits (25C, 25D)
Ended for spending after December 31, 2025.
Boulder's homes
The American Community Survey (2020 to 2024) counts 47,465 homes in Boulder. About 53% of households rent and 47% own. Only 39% of homes are detached houses, and about 9% are in buildings of two to four units. About 55% were built before 1980 and only 18% in 2000 or later.
Boulder has a smaller number of homes than the other four cities, an older stock and a renter majority. Many of the offers below start with the owner, so tenants should hand their landlord the Xcel and EnergySmart links.
Start with income
The first question in Boulder County is whether your household earns at or below 100% of area median income. If it does, EnergySmart pays half the cost of insulation, air sealing, heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, induction cooktops, panel upgrades and cellular shades, up to $2,000 a year, for site-built and manufactured homes. Funds are first come, first served, and work must be done and invoiced in 2026. If your income is higher, go to Xcel. See our Boulder heat pump page and insulation page for examples.
Xcel and others in the county
Xcel Energy customers get the Xcel offers on this page. EnergySmart's list of other rebate sources also names Longmont, Lyons, Erie, Poudre Valley REA and United Power, plus the Colorado RENU loan, so check your bill before relying on Xcel amounts. About 63% of Boulder households heat with utility gas and 33% with electricity.
What ended in 2026
The federal 30% credits ended after 2025. The Colorado Energy Office closed its single-family income-based rebate program in August 2026, and Boulder County sits in its Front Range region. The state's invoice discount remains but is at least $333 for an air-source heat pump, down from $499.95.
Boulder winters
Our climate file, built from ten Januaries (2015 to 2024), gives Boulder an average January low of about 17°F and a coldest day near minus 24°F. Cold-climate equipment that holds output at 5°F is what the Xcel and Power Ahead Colorado heat pump offers ask for.
Every rebate guide for Boulder
- Insulation rebates in Boulder
- Heat Pump rebates in Boulder
- Colorado battery rebates (same for the whole state)
- Colorado solar rebates (same for the whole state)
- Colorado ev charger rebates (same for the whole state)
- Colorado appliance rebates (same for the whole state)
- Colorado smart thermostat rebates (same for the whole state)
Top-rated installers in Boulder
Ranked by Google reviews (minimum five). We don't take referral fees or paid placements.
How to claim Boulder rebates
- Check your household income against 100% of area median income at energysmartyes.com.
- If you qualify, talk to an EnergySmart advisor before you hire a contractor.
- Check your bill to see whether Xcel supplies your electricity and gas.
- Choose a contractor who is Xcel participating, Power Ahead Colorado verified and registered for the state discount.
- Finish and invoice EnergySmart-funded work before December 31, 2026.
Common questions
What rebates can a Boulder homeowner get in 2026?
EnergySmart's income-qualified rebate (50% up to $2,000 a year), Xcel Energy offers, the $1,500 Power Ahead Colorado heat pump rebate, and the state invoice discount.
Did Boulder County end its rebates?
It retired its standard rebates in late 2025 and kept the income-qualified ones.
Does the city of Boulder have its own rebate?
We did not find a separate city rebate for homes. EnergySmart's list of other rebate sources names Xcel and other utilities, not a city program.
Are the Xcel heat pump amounts open yet?
Xcel's 2026 rebate summary lists them from October 1, 2026. Its page would not load for us, so confirm with Xcel.
Is the state's income-based program open?
No. The single-family program is closed.
What to do next
See Colorado-wide pages for home batteries, solar and EV chargers, and the Colorado rebate calculator.
By Sam Menard. Sources, last read October 5, 2026: Boulder County EnergySmart rebates, Boulder County EnergySmart other rebates, Xcel Energy Colorado residential rebates, Xcel Energy 2026 rebate summary, Power Ahead Colorado rebate overview, State heat pump tax credit page (Colorado Energy Office), Colorado Home Energy Rebate Program. All Boulder rebates → Every Xcel Energy Colorado rebate →