How to Get the TECH and HEEHRA Rebates: A Guide for Contractors

California contractors can access valuable rebates for homeowners through two major programs: TECH Clean California and the High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act (HEEHRA). These incentives reduce homeowners’ costs for upgrading HVAC and water heating systems to energy-efficient heat pumps. This article outlines what contractors need to know to get the rebates: what the programs cover, recent updates, essential steps to secure the money, and key takeaways and next steps.

By the end of this article, you’ll know how to apply for TECH and HEEHRA rebates. If you’re overwhelmed by the paperwork but ready to claim rebates, try Resolv’s free 30-day trial – we deal with the paperwork so you can focus on your business.

What are the TECH and HEEHRA Programs?

Update – Tuesday, November 12: as of today, the updated TECH rebates and new HEEHRA rebates for HVAC heat pumps are available!

The TECH Clean California initiative offers rebates for energy-efficient, electric heat pumps. Currently, TECH offers rebates of $1,000-$1,500 per system for new HVAC heat pumps (max. 2 per household), and new incentives will be available for heat pump water heaters soon.

HEEHRA, funded through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), supplements TECH’s HVAC heat pump incentives for low- and middle-income homeowners. The new HEEHRA rebates are substantial – households making 80% to 150% Area Median Income (AMI) are eligible for $4,000, and those below 80% AMI are eligible for $8,000.  

With these rebates slashing upfront costs to homeowners, there’s never been a better time to be a heat pump installer – especially because these rebates can be stacked with other incentives.

Stacking Rebates to Maximize Savings

One of the main advantages of the TECH and HEEHRA programs is the ability to layer incentives. Contractors can stack these rebates with others from utilities, local governments, and manufacturers, as well as the federal tax credit. Total incentives for a project could range from $2,000 to over $10,000, depending on equipment and location.

By securing all available rebates for homeowners, contractors can provide the lowest quotes possibleto win more bids while streamlining operations and cutting costs. Not sure what other rebates might be available? Check out Resolv’s rebate finder to match rebates for your projects.

Essential Steps to Secure Rebates:  

Ready to get TECH and HEEHRA rebates for your customers? Here are the key steps you’ll need to take.

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1. Get Certified to Offer TECH and HEEHRA Rebates

Homeowners cannot apply for TECH and HEEHRA rebates themselves; certified contractors must apply on behalf of customers. For contractors, the first step to be able to provide these rebates is to fill out the Enrollment Form through Switch Is On (takes ~20 minutes). Be ready to provide your CSLB license number, company contact info, area of service, and services you provide.  

After completing the form, you’ll be directed to the Electrification Knowledge Hub to complete a few onboarding training videos. Required trainings vary depending on programs and projects types. Review the enrollment instructions to learn more.

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2. Check Project Eligibility Requirements

Both TECH and HEEHRA have eligibility criteria that contractors need to use in determining whether projects will qualify for rebates and, if so, how much. The key elements for qualification include:

• Existing Conditions and Project Scope: For TECH, rebate amounts depend on whether there was a previous AC system, and/or whether the previous furnace will be left as a backup or decommissioned.

• New Equipment Specs: New systems must be ENERGY STAR® listed and either 2-stage or variable capacity. To see if your equipment qualifies, try our free Eligibility Checker, or filter Switch Is On’s Product Finder for TECH to see a full product list.

• Demand Response: Customers must enroll in a demand response (DR) program to claim incentives (TECH only). If no DR programs are available, customers are exempt.  

• Income Verification: Only required for HEEHRA. Homeowners must verify that they fall within 80-150% AMI. Contractors should guide customers through verification in the Income Verification Portal (coming soon), where they can upload income documents or proof of enrollment in programs like SNAP or LIHEAP.

Learn more about the full list of requirements before you scope projects and include rebates in your estimates.

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3. Make a Reservation for Funding

UPDATED Process for Making a Claim: contractors are now required to make a reservation for TECH and HEEHRA rebates. This is critical for guaranteeing rebate availability.  

As soon as a project contract is signed, contractors should create a pre-approval reservation in Iris, which will secure project funds. Submit project details and upload required documents, including the project contract and Customer Terms and Conditions, both signed by the customer.

Reservations are valid for 120 days from approval. You’ll need to submit your final claim within this timeframe, or the funds may expire and need to be re-requested​. Learn more about reservations here.

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4. Install and Document the Project

Once your reservation has been approved, you can move forward with your project. During installation, gather the following materials and information to ensure your final application goes smoothly:

• Pre-installation photos of the existing equipment before you remove and replace;

• Site information, such as electrical panel capacity and home square footage; and

• Post-installation photos of the new equipment and the capped gas line.

Be sure you understand and follow all program guidelines, such as testing requirements for HEEHRA (more information below).  

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5. Complete and Submit Your Rebate Application

After installation, you can complete your full rebate application in the Iris portal. To minimize delays, we recommend double-checking everything before submitting; make sure all information is included and accurate, and that all documents have been uploaded. TECH will notify you of any status updates. Feel free to reach out with questions or for help.

Meeting HEEHRA’s Special Requirements

HEEHRA rebates come with specific requirements, including pre- and post-installation testing to ensure home safety and efficiency:

• Safety Assessments: Perform pre- and post-installation combustion appliance zone (CAZ) testing if combustion appliances are present.

• Itemized Statement of Work: Submit an itemized breakdown of equipment and labor costs to avoid processing delays​. Importantly, this itemized statement does not need to be shared with customers; it’s for program administrators only.

Key Takeaways for Contractors

To recap, here are key steps to ensure you successfully secure TECH and HEEHRA rebates:

1. Review Program Guidelines: Understand all requirements before starting a project.

2. Reserve Funding Early: Initiate reservations as soon as possible to lock in funds.

3. Assist with Income Verification: Help homeowners complete the HEEHRA income eligibility and verification process to ensure it goes smoothly and quickly.

4. Stay Compliant with Requirements: Adhere to eligibility criteria, required documentation, and mandatory testing to avoid rebate delays and rejections.

5. Leverage Stacking Opportunities: Combine and layer rebates wherever possible.

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By following these steps, contractors can ensure the rebate process goes smoothly, incentives are maximized, customers are happy, and more jobs are sold.

Want to Simplify Your Rebate Applications?  

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