Tacoma Power (part of Tacoma Public Utilities) offers meaningful rebates for HVAC upgrades in the city of Tacoma. They are not the same programs as PSE, and eligibility depends on whether TPU is your electric utility. Here is what is available right now and how to actually collect.
Who Qualifies for TPU Rebates
You need to be a current Tacoma Power customer, which means the electric bill on the property is from Tacoma Public Utilities and not PSE. This is address-specific. Some Tacoma neighborhoods on the edges are actually served by PSE, not TPU. Check your electric bill or look up your address on the TPU service area map before assuming.
Current Tacoma Power Residential Heat Pump Rebates (2026)
Tacoma Power rebates depend on your existing primary heat source. Homes with electric heat get the biggest amounts. Installation must be by a Tacoma Power Participating Contractor. [TPU heat pump program]
Existing zonal or electric forced-air heat
- $1,000 ductless heat pump (up to 4 indoor units) [TPU heat pump program]
- $650 ductless heat pump (5 or more indoor units) [TPU heat pump program]
- $1,000 air-source (ducted) heat pump [TPU heat pump program]
- $2,000 variable-speed heat pump replacing an electric forced-air furnace [TPU heat pump program]
Existing non-electric heat (gas, propane, oil)
- $1,000 variable-speed heat pump [TPU heat pump program]
- Standard ductless and standard air-source heat pumps are not eligible when the existing primary heat is non-electric. [TPU heat pump program]
0% interest loans (in place of rebate)
- Tacoma Power offers 0% interest loans for qualifying ductless and central heat pump projects, and deferred no-payment loans for income-qualified households. Call TPU or ask us to check current loan caps for your address. [TPU heat pump program]
Weatherization
- Attic, floor, and wall insulation, air sealing, and duct sealing rebates paid per project or per square foot. Doing weatherization first often unlocks a bigger heat pump rebate. [TPU home programs]
Income-qualified programs
- TPU runs separate income-qualified programs with higher amounts, deferred loans, and in some cases free weatherization. Ask us to help you check eligibility. [TPU home programs]
The Application Process, Step by Step
- Confirm you are a TPU electric customer. Look at your electric bill. If it says PSE, this article does not apply and you want the PSE rebate guide instead.
- Get a qualifying installer. Not every contractor is on TPU’s participating list. Ask up front. GreenFlow is enrolled in the current programs.
- Confirm equipment meets current tier requirements. Your installer should provide the AHRI certificate showing the model matches the required HSPF, SEER2, and rated capacity numbers.
- Manual J load calculation. For higher tier rebates, TPU wants documentation that the system is sized correctly. This is standard practice for us; verify your bid includes it.
- Get the work done and inspected. Some cities require permits. Tacoma does for HVAC replacement. Permits and inspections are part of the paperwork trail.
- Submit the rebate application within the deadline. Usually within 90 days of installation. Some contractors handle this for you; we do for our customers. If not, you submit yourself with invoices, AHRI certificate, and permit info.
- Wait 6 to 10 weeks. Rebate arrives as a check or bill credit.
Common Reasons Applications Get Rejected
| Rejection Reason | How to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Wrong equipment model, not on approved list | Verify AHRI number before install; ask installer to confirm before ordering |
| Missing permit or failed inspection | Ensure installer pulls the permit and closes it out with inspection |
| Non-participating contractor | Ask up front. Not every HVAC company is enrolled in every utility program. |
| Not a TPU electric customer | Check your electric bill provider before applying |
| Application submitted too late | Submit within 90 days of install completion |
| Load calc not provided for higher tier | Confirm your bid includes a Manual J |
Can I Stack TPU Rebates with Other Programs?
In many cases yes. TPU rebates often stack with:
- Federal Home Electrification & Appliance Rebate (HEAR) programs when funded. Currently paused; check status before quoting.
- Manufacturer rebates (occasional Mitsubishi Electric or American Standard promotions)
- Financing incentives (Wisetack promotional terms)
You cannot always stack multiple utility rebates for the same project, and federal incentives have their own rules. Ask your installer to walk through the math with you before you sign.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are TPU rebates instant or after the fact?
After the fact. You pay full price at install, then the rebate comes 6 to 10 weeks after your application is approved. Some contractors offer to advance the rebate amount as a discount up front, but most do not.
Do rebates cover the whole project or just equipment?
They are typically flat dollar amounts per qualifying installation, not a percentage of your project total. So they help but they do not cover the whole cost.
What if my address is in Tacoma but my electric is PSE?
Then you go through PSE’s rebate program, not TPU’s. See our PSE vs TPU guide for how to figure out which utility serves your address.
What if I already installed my heat pump last year?
Depends on the program deadline. Some rebates are strict 90-day windows; others allow retroactive within a year. Call TPU with your install date and AHRI number to check.
Does GreenFlow submit the rebate paperwork for me?
Yes. For all our qualifying installations, we prepare and submit the TPU rebate application on the customer’s behalf. You sign one form; we handle the rest.
Questions? Real people answer.
Call GreenFlow Heating & Cooling. No pushy sales pitch, just a technician who can look at your system.