How much you get
Boulder homeowners fall under the same Xcel Energy rebate catalog as Denver and Aurora: cold-climate and standard heat pumps, ducted and ductless, plus heat pump water heaters. HRV and ERV equipment doesn't appear in that lineup, and no Boulder-specific city program fills the gap either.
Boulder has pushed some of the strictest energy codes in Colorado for new construction and deep energy retrofits, aiming for near-airtight building envelopes. That's exactly the kind of home where a heat recovery ventilator stops being optional and starts being how you keep indoor air breathable — the city's own building code is quietly making the case that its rebate catalog doesn't.
The federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) expired December 31, 2025 and never covered HRV or ERV equipment while it was active, so there's no federal credit to rely on either. An HRV or ERV in Boulder is currently a full out-of-pocket cost.
Source: Xcel Energy Colorado residential rebates, UniColorado, IRS Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C)
Source
Xcel Energy — Colorado residential home rebates →
UniColorado — Xcel Energy HVAC Rebates Colorado →
Installers
Browse HVAC and ventilation installers near Boulder →
Common questions
Does Xcel Energy offer an HRV or ERV rebate in Boulder?
No. Xcel Energy's residential rebate catalog covers other equipment, but heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) and energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) aren't a funded category as of this writing.
What should a Boulder homeowner do instead of waiting for an HRV rebate?
Treat it as a straight equipment-and-install cost, get quotes from a couple of local installers, and fold it into a broader retrofit plan rather than delaying for a rebate that doesn't currently exist. See our general guide to HRV and ERV systems for how the equipment works and what it costs.
Other rebates in Boulder
Ventilation is one piece of a whole-home retrofit. See what else Boulder homeowners can claim:
- Heat Pump Rebates in Boulder
- Insulation Rebates in Boulder
- Solar Rebates in Boulder
- Battery Storage Rebates in Boulder
- Water Heater Rebates in Boulder
- Smart Thermostat Rebates in Boulder
- EV Charger Rebates in Boulder
- Windows & Doors Rebates in Boulder
Next steps
View all Boulder rebate programs → or get matched with local installers through our free quote tool →. Read our general HRV & ERV guide → for how the equipment works, or see all Colorado coverage →.