Insulation Rebates in California (2026)

Find insulation rebates and incentives in California for 2026, including the federal HOMES and HEAR programmes, state incentives and utility rebates.

Only partly available in California. HEEHRA single-family rebates have been fully reserved statewide since 24 February 2026, though multifamily remains available. The HOMES whole-home program has not launched. Availability can be limited by region, by housing type or by remaining funds, so check the official page for the current terms before committing to a project. Source: California Energy Commission (CEC).

Programme status and income limits on this page were last checked against official state and federal sources on 31 July 2026. These programmes change without notice.

Varies Max HEAR Rebate

Not launched yet HOMES Status (CA)

Launched, funds reserved (waitlist) HEAR Status (CA)

4 Utility Programs

HEAR Insulation Rebate in California

Status: Launched, funds reserved (waitlist)

HEAR has launched in California but is launched, funds reserved (waitlist), so availability for insulation rebates is limited. Check the official programme page for the current terms.

HOMES Rebate for Insulation in California

Status: Not launched yet

California's HOMES programme is not available today. When it launches, a insulation installed as part of a whole-home retrofit could qualify for rebates up to $8,000.

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Insulation in California: What’s Available in 2026

Insulation and air sealing are eligible for up to $1,600 in HEAR rebates and play a critical role in whole-home energy efficiency. Better insulation reduces the workload on your heating and cooling system, and when combined with other upgrades, can help you qualify for larger HOMES program rebates based on total energy savings.

Insulation Rebates in 2026

The HEAR program allocates up to $1,600 for insulation, air sealing, and ventilation improvements. This is a combined category, so the $1,600 cap covers all weatherization work together rather than each type individually.

For households at or below 80% AMI, the full cost is covered up to $1,600. For households between 80-150% AMI, 50% of the cost is covered up to the cap. Given that attic insulation typically costs $1,500-$3,500 and wall insulation runs $2,000-$6,000, the rebate covers a meaningful portion of most projects.

Insulation is also one of the most impactful upgrades for the HOMES program. Since HOMES rebates are based on whole-home energy savings (up to $8,000 for low-income households), adding insulation can push your total home improvement past the energy savings thresholds needed to unlock larger rebates. Many energy auditors recommend insulation as the first step in any home performance upgrade.

Types of Insulation That Qualify

Several insulation methods qualify for the HEAR rebate. The right choice depends on your home's construction, existing insulation levels, and where the biggest air leaks are:

Blown-in attic insulation: The most common and cost-effective upgrade. Cellulose or fiberglass is blown into the attic floor to reach R-38 to R-60 levels. Typical cost: $1,500-$3,000.
Wall cavity insulation: Dense-pack cellulose or injection foam can be added to existing walls through small holes. Important for older homes with little or no wall insulation.
Spray foam insulation: Open-cell or closed-cell spray foam provides both insulation and air sealing. More expensive but highly effective for rim joists, crawl spaces, and cathedral ceilings.
Air sealing: Caulking, weatherstripping, and sealing around penetrations (pipes, wires, ducts) often delivers the highest return per dollar spent. Frequently done alongside insulation.
Duct sealing and insulation: Leaky ductwork can waste 20-30% of conditioned air. Sealing and insulating ducts in unconditioned spaces significantly improves system efficiency.

A home energy audit can identify where insulation upgrades will have the greatest impact. Many state programs offer free or subsidized energy audits as part of the HEAR rollout.

Weatherization Assistance Programs

Beyond HEAR, the federal Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) provides free insulation and energy efficiency improvements for low-income households. WAP has been operating for decades and received additional funding through the Inflation Reduction Act.

WAP eligibility is based on the federal poverty level rather than area median income. Households at or below 200% of the federal poverty level may qualify for fully funded weatherization services including insulation, air sealing, furnace repair or replacement, and other efficiency measures.

WAP services are delivered through a network of local community action agencies. Wait times can be long (months to over a year in some areas), but the work is done at no cost to qualifying households. Contact your state's WAP provider to apply.

If you qualify for both WAP and HEAR, you may be able to use both programs for different improvements. For example, WAP might cover insulation and air sealing while HEAR covers a heat pump installation. Coordination between programs varies by state, so ask your state energy office about how to maximize both.

California State Programs for Insulation

TECH Clean California

Statewide incentive program for heat pump HVAC and water heating systems. Single-family incentives closed to new reservations November 14, 2025 (all regions fully exhausted by February 2026). Multifamily program may still have budget. Visit techcleanca.com for status updates and to find a participating contractor for future phases.

Amount: Was up to $5,800 for heat pump HVAC, up to $4,885 for heat pump water heater (closed to new single-family reservations)

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Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP)

Provides rebates for battery storage systems paired with solar. All ratepayer-funded SGIP budgets (General Market, Equity, Equity Resiliency) closed December 31, 2025. Income-qualified households at or below 80% AMI can join the RSSE AB 209 waitlist. Historical tier amounts: $150/kWh general, $850/kWh equity, $1,000/kWh equity resilience (high fire-risk areas).

Amount: Waitlist only -- check selfgenc.com for RSSE AB 209 availability

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CalSHAPE (Schools Healthy Air, Plumbing, and Efficiency)

While focused on schools, this program improves HVAC and plumbing in public school buildings, indirectly benefiting communities.

Amount: Varies by project

Learn more

Utility Insulation Rebates in California

These utility companies in California may offer additional rebates for insulation installations. Utility rebates can typically be stacked with HEAR and HOMES rebates.

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)

PG&E's rebates page no longer lists its own heat pump, water heater, thermostat or insulation rebates (checked 4 October 2026). Income-qualified households (at or below 200% federal poverty level) can get no-cost upgrades, including heat pump water heaters, through the Energy Savings Assistance Program. PG&E still lists EV-charging, used-EV and backup-battery rebates.

Southern California Edison (SCE)

Delivers heat pump incentives through the statewide TECH Clean California program (currently closed to new single-family reservations). Income-qualified customers can receive up to $4,200 for electrical panel upgrades through the Charge Ready Home program, and free weatherization and efficiency upgrades through the Energy Savings Assistance Program. Check sce.com for current rebate availability by equipment type.

Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP)

Home energy improvement rebates including up to $3,000 for central heat pumps and $500 for heat pump water heaters. Additional weatherization rebates available for insulation and air sealing. Visit ladwp.com/rebates for current program status and eligible equipment.

San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)

Primarily administers statewide TECH Clean California and SGIP programs for San Diego-area customers. Standalone utility rebate amounts vary by equipment and program cycle -- visit sdge.com/rebates for current incentives on HVAC, insulation, and water heaters. The CHERP (Customer Home Electrification Readiness Program) can help you identify and stack available incentives.

Income Eligibility for Insulation Rebates in California

Your eligibility for the maximum insulation rebate depends on your household income relative to the Area Median Income (AMI) in your area.

Area	80% AMI (Family of 4)	150% AMI (Family of 4)
Los Angeles County	$133,250	$249,800
Riverside County	$98,400	$184,500
San Diego County	$139,900	$262,300
Orange County	$148,850	$279,000
Alameda County	$135,750	$254,500
Sacramento County	$105,100	$197,000

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Before you spend money on this

Energy Rebate Calculator is an independent website. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the U.S. Department of Energy, California, or any other government agency, and nothing on this page is an offer, an application, or a promise of payment.

Federal and state rebate programmes launch, pause, change their amounts and run out of funds without notice, and eligibility rules differ by county, household size, housing type and sometimes by region within a state. Most programmes also refuse to pay for work completed before their launch date.

Confirm your eligibility and the current terms directly with the administering agency, and get written confirmation, before you sign a contract or buy equipment. Where this page cites an official source, that source governs. If you spot something out of date, tell us and we will correct it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can I get for a insulation in California?

Nothing yet. HEAR is launched, funds reserved (waitlist) in California, so no federal insulation rebate can be claimed there today, and rebates are generally not paid for work completed before a programme launches. Once it opens, the federal framework allows up to varies for households at or below 80% of Area Median Income, and 50% of the cost up to the same cap for households between 80% and 150% AMI. Utility rebates may be available now regardless.

Is the HEAR program open in California for insulation rebates?

The HEAR status in California is: Launched, funds reserved (waitlist). The programme has launched but availability is limited, so check the official programme page for the current terms.

Can I combine insulation rebates with other incentives in California?

Yes. In California, you can typically stack HEAR rebates with HOMES whole-home rebates (if you qualify for both), state-specific programmes like TECH Clean California, and with utility rebates. Combined incentives generally cannot exceed 100% of the project cost, and the same measure cannot always be claimed twice.

What income qualifies for the maximum insulation rebate in California?

To qualify for the maximum rebate, your household income must be at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) for your county in California. For example, in Los Angeles County, 80% AMI for a family of 4 is $133,250. Households between 80% and 150% AMI receive 50% of costs up to the cap.

How much is the insulation rebate under HEAR?

The HEAR program provides up to $1,600 for insulation, air sealing, and ventilation combined. Households at or below 80% AMI get 100% of costs covered up to the cap. Households at 80-150% AMI get 50% of costs covered. This is separate from any utility or state incentives you may also qualify for.

Does air sealing count as insulation for the rebate?

Yes. Air sealing, insulation, and ventilation improvements are grouped together under the same $1,600 HEAR rebate cap. This means a project that includes both blown-in insulation and air sealing would draw from the same $1,600 allowance.

Should I insulate before or after installing a heat pump?

Ideally, insulate first. A well-insulated home allows you to install a smaller, less expensive heat pump that doesn't have to work as hard. Better insulation also improves the energy savings calculations for HOMES rebates. Many energy auditors recommend addressing the building envelope (insulation and air sealing) before upgrading HVAC equipment.

Can I do the insulation work myself and still get the rebate?

HEAR rebates are generally designed to be applied at point of sale through participating contractors. DIY installations may not qualify for the HEAR rebate in most states, though policies vary. However, some utility rebate programs do accept DIY work with proof of purchase. Check your state's specific HEAR program rules and your utility's rebate requirements.

What is the Weatherization Assistance Program and am I eligible?

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is a federally funded program that provides free energy efficiency improvements, including insulation, to low-income households. You may qualify if your household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. WAP is administered by local community action agencies and services are provided at no cost. Contact your state's WAP provider to apply.