2026 incentives
What's available for heat pumps in 2026
| Incentive | 2026 status |
|---|---|
| Colorado heat pump tax credit, air-source | $1,000 credit |
| Colorado heat pump tax credit, ground-source | $2,000 credit |
| Colorado heat pump water heater credit | $250 credit |
| Federal 25C tax credit | Ended Dec 31, 2025 |
| Xcel Energy rebates | Available; amounts vary by system. Ask your installer. |
The Colorado credit is claimed by a state-registered contractor, who must pass at least a third of it to you as a discount at installation. That means at least $333 off an air-source heat pump. Ask any installer whether they're registered and how much of the credit they pass on.
Sources: Colorado Energy Office (2026 amounts dropped from $1,500/$3,000/$500 in 2024–2025). Incentives change; confirm before you buy.
Is a heat pump right for your Thornton home?
- Good fit: your A/C is old or you have no central air, your ducts are in decent shape, and you want to cut gas use.
- Dual fuel: keep or install a gas furnace for the coldest nights and let the heat pump do the rest. This is common along the Front Range.
- Ductless mini-splits: good for additions, basements or older homes without ducts.
Swamp cooler homes
Plenty of older Thornton homes still cool with an evaporative cooler. Replacing it with a heat pump adds central air and efficient heating in one project.
Questions
Good to know
Do heat pumps work in Thornton winters?
Cold-climate heat pumps are designed to keep heating well below freezing. Many Front Range homes pair one with a gas furnace that takes over on the coldest nights, which is called a dual-fuel or hybrid system.
Is the federal heat pump tax credit still available?
No. The federal 25C credit ended for heat pumps placed in service after December 31, 2025. Colorado's state credit and utility rebates are still available in 2026.
How do I get the Colorado heat pump credit?
You don't file anything. A contractor registered with the state claims the credit and must pass at least a third of it to you as a discount at installation.
How do you choose companies?
We only work with locally owned companies that hold a current City of Thornton contractor license, carry insurance and have strong, recent Google reviews. If a company stops meeting that bar, we stop sending them customers.
Who are you, and is this free?
Thornton Home Pros is a local referral service, not a contractor. It's free for you: the company we connect you with pays us a referral fee. All quotes, work and warranties come directly from that company.
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