Who May Qualify?
Owner-occupants with household income at or below 120% of Chelan County AMI, subject to PUD requirements.
CHELAN COUNTY REBATE GUIDE • UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2, 2026
Chelan PUD Income-Qualified Heat Pump Rebates & HVAC Assistance
Chelan PUD has announced enhanced rebates for qualifying Chelan County homeowners, including up to $4,300 for a qualifying ducted heat-pump conversion. Alpine Aire Heating & Cooling can help with the HVAC portion of your project while Chelan County PUD determines program eligibility and rebate approval.
Program Update — September 2, 2026
Chelan PUD currently lists the enhanced Income-Qualified Rebate Program as Coming Soon for fall 2026. Published rebate amounts and income limits are available, but the income-verification process and exact application opening date have not yet been released. Standard 2026–27 residential rebates are already available.
Quick Program Summary
Chelan PUD Income-Qualified Rebates at a Glance
What May Qualify?
Certain ducted and ductless heat pumps, heat-pump water heaters, duct sealing and weatherization measures.
Approval Before Work?
A first-time ducted heat-pump conversion requires contractor pre-authorization before installation.
Who Approves It?
Chelan County PUD determines program and rebate eligibility. Alpine Aire handles the HVAC project.
Understanding the Program
What Is the Chelan PUD Income-Qualified Rebate Program?
Chelan PUD's Income-Qualified Rebate Program is designed to provide larger energy-efficiency rebates to qualifying low- and moderate-income households. Published improvements include heat pumps, ductless systems, heat-pump water heaters, duct sealing, insulation and windows.
Chelan County PUD is the utility and program administrator. Alpine Aire Heating & Cooling is an independent HVAC contractor. Alpine Aire can evaluate, recommend and install HVAC equipment and complete applicable contractor-side documentation, but it does not approve household eligibility, control program funding or guarantee rebate payment.
Who May Qualify?
Chelan PUD currently says homeowners whose combined household income is at or below 120% of Chelan County Area Median Income may qualify for the enhanced rebate tier.
| People in Household | Maximum Annual Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $83,250 |
| 2 | $95,150 |
| 3 | $107,050 |
| 4 | $118,950 |
| 5 | $128,450 |
| 6 | $137,950 |
| 7 | $147,500 |
| 8 | $157,000 |
- The homeowner must occupy the home as a primary residence.
- The home must use permanently installed electric heat as its primary winter heating source.
- Individual rebate-measure requirements still apply.
- Customers receiving Chelan PUD's 25% bill assistance discount will automatically qualify for the enhanced rebate tier once available.
Heating & Cooling Incentives
HVAC & Heat-Pump Improvements That May Qualify
The enhanced amounts below have been published by Chelan PUD but remain marked for the fall 2026 income-qualified program launch.
| Improvement | Standard | Income-Qualified |
|---|---|---|
| Electric forced-air furnace → qualifying ducted heat pump | $3,300 | $4,300 |
| First-time ductless conversion — single-family | $1,600 | $2,100 |
| First-time ductless conversion — manufactured home | $2,000 | $2,700 |
| Ductless conversion — multifamily 5+ units | $1,000 | Same as standard |
| Variable-speed heat-pump upgrade | $600 | Same as standard |
| Heat-pump water-heater conversion | $1,300 | $1,800 |
| Duct sealing — site-built single-family | $500 | $700 |
| Duct sealing — manufactured home | $700 | $1,200 |
Rebates cannot exceed total project cost. Eligibility, amounts and funding are subject to Chelan PUD requirements and availability.
Before You Replace an Electric Furnace: Check the Rebate First
Chelan PUD requires contractor pre-authorization before installation for a qualifying first-time ducted heat-pump conversion. Do not assume the authorization can be obtained after the new system is installed.
How the Chelan PUD Heat-Pump Rebate Process Works
Confirm Basic Eligibility
Verify your electric utility, residence and current program status with Chelan PUD.
Identify Current Heat
Electric furnace, baseboard, existing heat pump and other configurations can qualify differently.
Evaluate the HVAC System
Review system type, sizing, ductwork, electrical needs and potential qualifying equipment.
Get Pre-Authorization
Required before installation for qualifying first-time ducted heat-pump conversions.
Select Qualifying Equipment
Current minimum heat-pump efficiency is 7.5 HSPF2 and 14.3 SEER2.
Install & Document
Maintain required photos, invoice, model information, AHRI certificates and contractor documentation.
Submit the Application
The contractor submits ducted applications; customer or contractor may submit ductless applications.
PUD Review
Standard complete applications currently take roughly 6–8 weeks to process.
Contractor Support
How Alpine Aire Can Help
Alpine Aire focuses on the HVAC project itself while Chelan PUD remains responsible for rebate eligibility and approval.
- Existing HVAC system evaluation
- Ducted and ductless heat-pump recommendations
- System sizing and load considerations
- Efficiency and cold-weather performance comparisons
- Ductwork and airflow evaluation
- Installation estimates
- Equipment and AHRI documentation
- Required ducted-project pre-authorization steps
- Professional heat-pump installation
- Commissioning and post-installation support
Why Heat Pumps Make Sense in Chelan County
North Central Washington combines very hot summers with cold winter weather. At Wenatchee Pangborn Field, the National Weather Service recorded a 2024 high of 105°F and a low of -10°F. A system serving this climate needs to be selected for both cooling demand and cold-weather heating performance.
Cold-Weather Capacity
Compare how equipment performs as outdoor temperatures fall, not simply its nominal size.
Proper Sizing
System capacity should reflect the home's actual heating and cooling requirements.
Ductwork & Envelope
Duct leakage, airflow, insulation and air leakage can all affect comfort and performance.
What Affects Heat-Pump Installation Cost in Chelan County?
There is no single responsible price for every home. Major variables include:
Home size & load
Ducted vs. ductless
Existing ductwork
Electrical capacity
Equipment efficiency
Number of zones
Equipment location
Installation complexity
Installed project cost − verified applicable incentives = estimated net project cost
Standard Rebates vs. Income-Qualified Rebates vs. ComfortPlus
| Standard Rebates | Income-Qualified | ComfortPlus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Available | Coming fall 2026 | Available |
| Income qualification | Standard measure rules | ≤120% Chelan County AMI | More restrictive low-income/high-energy-burden criteria |
| Benefit | Fixed rebates | Enhanced fixed rebates | Full cost of qualifying improvements may be covered |
Other HVAC Rebates & Incentives to Check
Washington's HEAR program is being delivered through local administrators and may provide additional electrification assistance where available. Washington's broader federal HOMES/HARP program has not yet reached statewide launch as of this update.
The former federal residential §25C heat-pump tax credit is not available for qualifying property placed in service after December 31, 2025. Never assume separate incentives can be combined; confirm stacking requirements with each administrator first.
Local HVAC Support
Serving Homeowners Throughout Chelan County
Alpine Aire is based in Wenatchee and serves homes throughout Chelan County and surrounding North Central Washington communities.
Wenatchee
Cashmere
Leavenworth
Chelan
Entiat
Monitor
Dryden
Peshastin
Plain
Malaga
Sunnyslope
Chelan PUD Rebate FAQs
Who qualifies for Chelan PUD income-qualified rebates?
Homeowners at or below 120% of Chelan County AMI may qualify, subject to primary-residence, electric-heating and individual measure requirements.
How much does Chelan PUD pay toward a heat pump?
The 2026–27 standard first-time ducted conversion rebate is $3,300; the published income-qualified amount is $4,300.
Can Chelan PUD pay for my entire heat-pump installation?
Standard or enhanced fixed rebates should not be presented as guaranteed full-cost assistance. The separate ComfortPlus program can cover full qualifying project costs for eligible households.
Do I need approval before installing a heat pump?
Contractor pre-authorization is required before installation for qualifying first-time ducted heat-pump conversions.
Are ductless mini-splits eligible?
Qualifying first-time conversions from zonal electric resistance heat may qualify. Amounts depend on home type.
Can I get a ductless rebate if I already have a heat pump?
Chelan PUD says homes with an existing ducted or ductless heat pump do not qualify for the first-time ductless conversion rebate.
Can renters qualify?
The published income-qualified program requires the homeowner to occupy the property as a primary residence. Renters should ask PUD about other applicable programs.
What efficiency does a heat pump need?
The current Chelan PUD heat-pump page lists minimum ratings of 7.5 HSPF2 and 14.3 SEER2.
Does Alpine Aire submit the rebate application?
Chelan PUD requires the contractor to submit ducted heat-pump applications. For ductless systems, the customer or contractor may submit. Chelan PUD makes all final eligibility decisions.
How long does the rebate take?
Chelan PUD currently estimates 6–8 weeks after receipt of a complete standard application. Enhanced-program timelines should be reconfirmed after launch.
Can I combine Chelan PUD rebates with other incentives?
Do not assume incentives stack. Confirm the rules of each applicable PUD, state or manufacturer program before calculating combined savings.
Next Step
Find Out Whether a Heat-Pump Upgrade Makes Sense for Your Home
Confirm program qualification with Chelan PUD, then let Alpine Aire help evaluate the HVAC options for your home.
Rebate disclaimer: Program eligibility, rebate amounts, funding availability and requirements are subject to change. Homeowners should confirm current requirements with Chelan County PUD before purchasing equipment or beginning work. Alpine Aire Heating & Cooling is an independent HVAC contractor and does not administer, approve, fund or guarantee Chelan PUD rebates.