Most heat pump rebates in Pierce County are not lost because the equipment did not qualify. They are lost on paperwork: an invoice missing a model number, no AHRI certificate, no before photo, or an application filed after the deadline. This guide lists what PSE and Tacoma Power ask for, based on their current published program requirements, so you know what to collect before, during, and after your install. Program rules change during the year, so always confirm against the current form for your program.
Step one: know which utility and which program
Your electric utility decides which program you apply to. Inside Tacoma Power territory, Tacoma Power programs apply. Much of the rest of Pierce County is served by PSE. If you are not sure, see PSE vs Tacoma Power: which rebate applies to my home. Within each utility, different programs cover different starting points, such as converting from electric baseboard, electric furnace, or gas heat, or upgrading an older heat pump, and each has its own form.
What Tacoma Power asks for
For homes with up to four units, Tacoma Power’s published requirements list these documents (Tacoma Power requirements, form 5060 and Tacoma Power heat pump program page):
- A completed application for your building type
- A contractor bid form that meets Tacoma Power’s bid requirements, signed by the homeowner
- An invoice that meets Tacoma Power’s residential invoice requirements
- The AHRI certificate for the installed system
- Heat load calculations for central heat pumps and whole home ductless systems
- Sizing and balance point calculations for central heat pumps
- Before and after photos that meet Tacoma Power’s photo requirements
Tacoma Power also requires a Tacoma Power Participating Contractor. DIY installs, new construction, and homes that already received a Tacoma Power heat pump incentive are not eligible.
What PSE asks for
PSE’s residential electric space heat rebate form asks for the indoor and outdoor model numbers, the AHRI certificate number, home square footage, total system tonnage, the number of indoor heads, the balance point for ducted systems, and the backup heat lockout temperature (PSE space heat rebate form). It also requires a paid installation invoice and receipt showing:
- Installation date and address
- Brand and model numbers of all rebated equipment, including the heat pump, air handler, and coil
- Amount paid
Some PSE programs require a PSE Recommended Energy Professional or Trade Ally to do the install, such as the heat pump upgrade rebate. Gas to heat pump conversions require the old gas equipment to be removed or decommissioned, and PSE’s moderate income program also has backup heat lockout and thermostat guidance requirements (PSE moderate income heat pump rebate).
Deadlines are short
| Program example | Published filing window | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PSE residential electric space heat rebate | Within 30 days of purchase | PSE form 6680 |
| PSE moderate income heat pump rebate | Within 30 days of install | PSE program page |
| Tacoma Power owner occupied rebate | Within 90 days of installation | Tacoma Power form 5030 |
A 30 day window goes fast if the invoice needs correcting. Ask for your paperwork packet the day the install is finished, not when the final bill is paid weeks later.
Why rebate applications get rejected
- Invoice missing the coil or air handler model. PSE asks for every rebated component, not just the outdoor unit.
- AHRI certificate does not match. The certificate is for a specific matched indoor and outdoor combination. A substituted coil can break the match.
- No before photo. Once the old baseboard or furnace is gone, you cannot take it.
- Backup heat lockout not set or documented. Several PSE programs require the lockout temperature on the form.
- Wrong contractor status. Programs that require a participating or Trade Ally contractor will not pay for an install by someone outside the network.
- Late filing. Deadlines are firm.
Your checklist
| When | What to collect |
|---|---|
| Before install | Utility account number, photos of the existing heating system, signed bid or bid form, confirmation your contractor meets program requirements |
| At install | Model and serial numbers of every component, AHRI certificate, load calculation and balance point worksheet, backup heat lockout setting |
| After install | Itemized paid invoice with date, address, models, and amount paid; after photos; completed application filed within the deadline |
Heat pump rebate paperwork: FAQ
What is an AHRI certificate?
It is a document from the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute showing the certified ratings for a specific matched indoor and outdoor combination. Utilities use it to confirm efficiency.
Does my contractor file the rebate for me?
It depends on the program. Some are filed by the homeowner with contractor documents, and some involve the contractor directly. Ask before the install who files.
Can I get a rebate if I install it myself?
Not for the PSE and Tacoma Power programs covered here. Both exclude DIY installs.
Where can I find current rebate amounts?
On the utility program pages. See our PSE heat pump rebates guide and Tacoma Power rebates guide.
Want the paperwork handled right?
We collect the photos, AHRI certificate, load calculation, and itemized invoice your program asks for, and we check your utility and program before you sign. Call (253) 370-8641 or send us a message.