2024 City of Boulder Residential Rebates
Funded by the city’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) Tax and Solar Rebate Ordinance.
The following rebates are available to EnergySmart participants residing in the City of Boulder (sign up here). Rebates can be combined with any relevant county or utility incentive.
In order to receive a rebate residents must work with an EnergySmart advisor and pre-qualify before making a purchase or beginning a project. Rebates are available on a first-come first-served basis. Additional requirements are listed at the bottom of this page.
To get started, contact an EnergySmart advisor at 303-544-1000 or email info@EnergySmartYes.com. See our Rebate FAQs
Heat Pump Rebates
Up to $400
Requirements:
- HSPF2 ≥8.1 OR COP 1.75 @ 5°F OR maximum capacity operation @ 5°F at least 70% of BTU @ 47°F
Up to $400
Requirements:
- HSPF2 ≥8.1 OR COP 1.75 @ 5°F OR maximum capacity operation @ 5°F at least 70% of BTU @ 47°F
Up to $650, one upgrade per household
Requirements:
- 5.5 tons or smaller, 14.1 EER
- ENERGY STAR Certified
Up to $400, one upgrade per household
Requirements:
- 5.5 tons or smaller, 14.1 EER
- ENERGY STAR Certified
Up to $400, one upgrade per household
Requirements:
- Must have COP of 1.75 or higher
Up to $250, limit THREE $250 rebates per household
Requirements:
- HSPF2≥7.8
Up to $250, limit THREE $250 rebates per household
Requirements:
- HSPF2≥7.8
$500
Must be replaced by an air source or ground source heat pump.
*Boiler systems do not require physical removal if there is documentation from installer indicating heat pump installation is appropriately sized to meet the heating needs for the home.
This rebate is part of a “fuel switching” rebate category that is capped at $1500 per household. Check with your advisor to learn more.
$500
Add in a ducted split system with controls to use the heat pump as the primary heat source and the gas furnace as back-up or secondary heat source.
This rebate is part of a “fuel switching” rebate category that is capped at $1500 per household. Check with your advisor to learn more.
Weatherization Rebates
Up to $250, limit THREE $250 rebates per household
R-60 minimum required in the open attic; cathedral ceilings will vary with rafter depth but must meet requirements of 2012 IECC. Must perform air sealing* in attics before adding insulation.
*Air sealing requirements include the sealing of the void directly above all accessible exterior top plates in the attic space.
Blower Door testing must occur as a health/safety measure before and after the upgrade.
Combustion Appliance Zone (CAZ) testing, if applicable, must occur as a health/safety measure after the upgrade.
Up to $250, limit THREE $250 rebates per household
R-19 minimum; fill wall cavity where R-19 not possible. For solid walls such as brick or concrete, exterior rigid insulation must be added to a level of > R-10.
Blower Door testing must occur as a health/safety measure before and after the upgrade.
Combustion Appliance Zone (CAZ) testing, if applicable, must occur as a health/safety measure after the upgrade.
Up to $250, limit THREE $250 rebates per household
Crawlspace as outlined in the 2012 IECC. R-15 continuous or R-19 cavity insulation with a vapor-permeable air barrier over insulation. Crawlspaces must have sealed vapor barrier over dirt crawl space floor and ventilation, per 2012 IECC.
Blower Door testing must occur as a health/safety measure before and after the upgrade.
Combustion Appliance Zone (CAZ) testing, if applicable, must occur as a health/safety measure after the upgrade.
Up to $250, limit THREE $250 rebates per household
R-30 minimum, over unconditioned space only (i.e., cantilevers, floors over an unconditioned crawl, over the garage, etc.). Fill enclosed floor cavities when R-30 is not possible.
Blower Door testing must occur as a health/safety measure before and after the upgrade.
Combustion Appliance Zone (CAZ) testing, if applicable, must occur as a health/safety measure after the upgrade.
Up to $250, limit THREE $250 rebates per household
Air infiltration levels must be measured by a blower door before & after improvement. Mechanical ventilation is recommended if air changes/hour are below 0.35 NACH.
Blower Door testing must occur as a health/safety measure before and after the upgrade.
Combustion Appliance Zone (CAZ) testing, if applicable, must occur as a health/safety measure after the upgrade.
Up to $250, limit THREE $250 rebates per household
R-8 minimum, in unconditioned space only.
Water Heating Rebates
Up to $250, limit THREE $250 rebates per household
Must be rated minimum of 2.00 Energy Factor. See Energy Advisor for list of qualifying equipment.
$500
Must be replaced with electric water heater.
This rebate is part of a “fuel switching” rebate category that is capped at $1500 per household. Check with your advisor to learn more.
Solar Rebates
Funds generated by the Solar Rebate Ordinance are used to provide grants for the installation of solar systems on individual housing units owned and occupied by low-to-moderate income-qualified residents within Boulder city limits according to the following structure:
- $1 per watt based on system capacity
- Limited to 50% of total project costs after other incentives are applied
- $8,000 maximum cap
For more information, please visit the city’s solar grant program page.
The City of Boulder offers a sales and use tax rebate on solar electric or solar thermal (hot water) systems. The city may rebate approximately 15 percent of the city sales and use tax paid on materials and permits for the solar installation. For more information, please visit the city’s solar tax rebate page.
$500
Requires removal of either a natural gas furnace or natural gas water heater in addition to Solar PV install.
This rebate is part of a “fuel switching” rebate category that is capped at $1500 per household. Check with your advisor to learn more.
Appliance and Other Rebates
$200
Replace with Electric Cooktop or Stove. Built-in, drop-in and freestanding units only (portable stoves not eligible). Proof of purchase, before and after installation photos required.
This rebate is part of a “fuel switching” rebate category that is capped at $1500 per household. Check with your advisor to learn more.
Up to $250, limit THREE $250 rebates per household
Must be ENERGY STAR certified.
$200
Must be replacing gas dryer with heat pump or electric dryer. Proof of purchase, plus before and after installation photos required.
This rebate is part of a “fuel switching” rebate category that is capped at $1500 per household. Check with your advisor to learn more.
Up to $250, limit THREE $250 rebates per household
Must be completed in conjunction with heat pump, induction, solar or EV charger upgrades. Proof of other upgrades required.
A PDF of all City of Boulder Rebates can be found here.
- Rebates are only available to EnergySmart participants and for the measures listed. Engagement in EnergySmart and pre-project qualification must occur before purchasing an eligible appliance or completing the energy efficiency project for which a rebate is being applied.
- Rebates and grants are only available for upgrades completed on residential units within the City of Boulder and are funded by the City of Boulder’s Climate Tax and Solar Rebate Ordinance.
- Rebate and grant funds are limited, subject to change, and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Rebates and grants will be awarded based on the levels published at the time that an invoice for work completed has been submitted to EnergySmart.
- To be eligible for EnergySmart services, rebates, and grants, all work must meet all applicable building or energy codes, all required permits must be obtained, and Combustion Appliance Zone (CAZ) testing must occur as a health/safety measure before and after the upgrade depending on the type of upgrade.
- Unless otherwise specified, any product or installation must meet current ENERGY STAR standards at minimum, if such standards exist for that given product or application.
- Rebates and grants cannot exceed the cost of the upgrade after all other rebates are applied.
- All upgrades must be for or directly benefit unit occupants. (e.g. Only upper units can receive an attic insulation rebate when applying for multiple unit rebates.
- Multi-family units of 5 or more are not eligible for these rebates. If your project includes upgrades to 5 unit or larger multi-family, please contact a Partners for a Clean Environment (PACE) Advisor for information on possible incentives at info@pacepartners.com or on the PACE website here.
- All work and eligible upgrades must be installed, completed, and invoiced between
January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, to qualify for these rebates. - Solar installations must be completed within 12 months of grant approval.
- Lifetime limit of 2 air source heat pump (including mini-split heat pump) rebates per house.
- Bundled fuel switching upgrades may require additional verification to ensure displacement and/or replacement. Please contact an EnergySmart Advisor early to discuss improvements and verification for these rebates. Invoices and pictures are part of the rebate process.
- For Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs): A thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) is required to help regulate refrigerant flow to the indoor components with precision and efficiency.
- For Attic Insulation and Air Sealing: Air sealing requirements include the sealing of the void directly above all accessible exterior top plates in the attic space.
Overwhelmed by rebates?
We get it–there’s a lot out there! That’s why we partnered with Canopy to bring you free, personalized guidance on where to start and match you with the rebates that work best for your home.
