Cost · 7 Min Read

HVAC Rebates & Incentives in San Diego (2026 Status)

The current status of TECH Clean California, the federal 25C credit and SDG&E programs, and how to check what's actually funded.

By the Superior Air team · CSLB #669421 · Updated September 22, 2026

Key points

The federal 25C tax credit ended for HVAC installations completed after December 31, 2025.
TECH Clean California's Southern California single-family funds were fully reserved in early 2026.
Utility and regional programs open, close and change funding levels through the year.
Check current status directly before counting on a specific incentive amount for your project.

Why this page doesn't list a dollar figure

Rebate and incentive programs for HVAC equipment, especially heat pumps, changed significantly heading into 2026, and figures that were accurate a year ago are not reliable today. Rather than publish a number that may already be wrong by the time you read this, this guide explains the current status of the major programs and how to verify what's actually available before you rely on it.

Federal: the 25C credit

The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (Section 25C of the federal tax code) previously allowed a tax credit for qualifying HVAC equipment, including heat pumps meeting certain efficiency thresholds. That credit ended for equipment installed after December 31, 2025. If your installation was completed before that date, a tax professional can confirm what applies to your specific filing; for anything installed after, the 25C credit is not available.

State: TECH Clean California

TECH Clean California has offered point-of-sale incentives for heat pump water heaters and HVAC systems as part of the state's electrification push. Its single-family incentive funds for Southern California were fully reserved in early 2026, meaning new applications were not being funded at that time. Program funding can reopen in new cycles, so this status should be confirmed at the time of your project rather than assumed from this article, which reflects the situation as of publication.

Utility programs

SDG&E and other California utilities periodically offer their own rebates for qualifying equipment, sometimes independent of state programs and sometimes coordinated with them. These programs change measure eligibility and funding levels over time. The most reliable way to check current status is directly with SDG&E or through the state's incentive marketplace, not from a contractor's marketing page.

How Superior Air handles incentives

We don't advertise a specific rebate or credit amount on our service pages, because doing so risks showing homeowners a number that's no longer accurate. Instead, during your consultation, we check what's currently funded for your address and equipment, and if something genuinely applies, it's shown as a line item on your written proposal, not as a marketing claim beforehand. This is the same standard applied throughout our replacement cost guide and heat pump installation cost guide.

What to check yourself, and when

Before you commit to a project, check the current status of TECH Clean California and any SDG&E program directly, since availability can change between when you start researching and when you're ready to install.
If you're filing taxes for a completed installation, confirm the exact rules and deadlines with a tax professional rather than relying on a summary here or elsewhere.
At your consultation, ask directly what, if anything, currently applies to your project. That answer is more reliable than any incentive figure published online, including this page, since program status can change month to month.

When you're ready to talk about equipment options and can confirm what's currently funded for your address, schedule a consultation.

Is the federal tax credit for HVAC equipment still available?

The federal 25C energy efficient home improvement credit ended for equipment installed after December 31, 2025. Installations completed before that date may still have been eligible; check with a tax professional about your specific situation and filing.

Is TECH Clean California still funding heat pump rebates?

TECH Clean California's single-family incentive funds were fully reserved in Southern California in early 2026. Programs sometimes reopen with new funding cycles, so availability should be checked at the time of your project rather than assumed from this article.

Does SDG&E offer its own rebates?

Utility rebate programs change over time and vary by measure. Check directly with SDG&E or the California statewide marketplace for current program status rather than relying on a figure that may be outdated by the time you read it.

Why doesn't Superior Air advertise a specific rebate amount?

Because programs open, close and change funding levels through the year, and advertising a figure that's no longer accurate does homeowners a disservice. We confirm what's currently funded for your address during the consultation and show it on the proposal only if it actually applies.