How Santa Cruz Homeowners Can Get Up to $3,000 in Heat Pump Rebates Before They’re Gone

If you’ve been thinking about replacing your gas furnace or aging air conditioner, right now might be the most financially rewarding time to make the switch. Central Coast Community Energy (CCCE) is offering cash rebates of up to $3,000 for qualifying heat pump HVAC installations — and the current rebate window closes September 30, 2026.

At Bellows Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric, we help Santa Cruz County homeowners navigate these programs every day. We’re going to break down exactly what’s available, who qualifies, and why working with a knowledgeable contractor makes all the difference.

What Is the CCCE Electrify Your Home Program?

Central Coast Community Energy (CCCE) is a community-run electricity provider serving Santa Cruz County and much of the Central Coast. Their Electrify Your Home rebate program pays cash directly to homeowners who replace fossil-fuel heating appliances with electric heat pump alternatives.

The rebates currently available include:

Heat Pump HVAC (Heating & Cooling Systems)

• Standard rebate: $2,000
• Income-qualified rebate: $3,000
• Limit: Up to two outdoor units per electric account per fiscal year

Heat Pump Water Heaters

• Standard rebate: $1,000
• Income-qualified rebate: $1,500

Induction Cooktop or Range

• Standard rebate: $300
• Income-qualified rebate: $500

Pre-Wiring Rebate (can be paired with heat pump or cooktop installations)

• Standard: $1,000
• Income-qualified: $1,000

Portable Heat Pump Space Conditioner (renters and single-family homes)

• Standard: $150
• Income-qualified: $200

Rebate amounts shown reflect current single-family program tiers. Multifamily rebates are also available. Income qualification is based on CARE/FERA enrollment or household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

The Deadline You Need to Know

For heat pump water heaters and heat pump HVAC systems installed between June 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026, applications must be submitted by September 30, 2026. Induction cooktops and portable heat pump units installed between October 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026 share the same deadline.

That means if you’re considering an upgrade, time matters. CCCE updates eligibility dates each summer, so the current terms may shift for the next fiscal year.

Does Your Home Qualify?

The CCCE rebate program is available to residential customers who are 3CE customers (most Santa Cruz County homeowners are). Here’s what matters for heat pump HVAC eligibility:

• Your existing system must be gas, propane, or another non-electric source — you’re replacing fossil fuels with clean electric heat pump technology
• The new unit must be fully electric, ENERGY STAR® certified, and use a dual-stage or variable-speed compressor
• Dual-fuel systems with a gas backup do not qualify
• Proof of permitting is required

Not sure if you’re a CCCE customer? Call 1-877-455-2223 Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm.

Why Rebates Are Confusing — And Why You Need Bellows

We’ll be honest with you: rebate programs are complicated. The amount you qualify for depends on:

• Your specific home location and utility account
• What equipment you currently have
• What replacement equipment you choose
• Your household income level
• Permitting and installation compliance

This is exactly why Bellows exists. Our comfort advisors walk every homeowner through the full picture before you make any decisions. We work with CCCE and other major rebate programs including TECH Clean California, Marin Clean Energy, Silicon Valley Clean Energy, Peninsula Clean Energy, and The Switch is On. We don’t quote rebate amounts over the phone because every situation is different — but we do make sure you don’t leave money on the table.

What Heat Pump Systems Does Bellows Install?

We carry industry-leading equipment built for Central Coast conditions. Our lineup includes Lennox Elite Series heat pumps with variable-capacity inverter compressors, the Friedrich Breeze heat pump system featuring up to 19 SEER2 efficiency, Goodman built by Daiken heat pumps, and Mitsubishi mini-split and ducted systems for homes where traditional ductwork isn’t ideal. All of our recommended systems are ENERGY STAR certified and designed to qualify for current rebate programs.

Santa Cruz’s coastal climate is ideal for heat pump performance. Unlike colder inland climates, our mild winters mean heat pumps operate at peak efficiency year-round — delivering consistent comfort while reducing your energy bills.

How the Process Works With Bellows

1. Call us and schedule a free in-home assessment with one of our comfort advisors
2. We evaluate your current system, home layout, duct condition, and rebate eligibility
3. We recommend the right system and walk you through your combined rebate and incentive potential
4. We handle the installation including permitting, which is required for rebate applications
5. We support your rebate application — our team helps you gather the documentation checklist required by CCCE
6. You collect your rebate — applications are processed within 60 days by CCCE

Act Before the Window Closes

The current rebate terms run through September 30, 2026. Whether you’re replacing an old gas furnace, adding central cooling for the first time, or upgrading a system that’s struggling to keep up, now is the time to move.

Bellows Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric serves all of Santa Cruz County including Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, Capitola, Watsonville, Aptos, Soquel, and the surrounding communities.

Call Bellows today to schedule your free consultation and find out exactly how much you could save.

Serving Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, Sonoma, and Napa Counties.

Sources: Central Coast Community Energy Electrify Your Home Program — 3cenergy.org/rebates/electrify-your-home/