The calculator
Run the xcel rebate eligibility checker
Pick the services you're considering, your utility, and a few qualifying conditions. The checker matches your scope against the active 2026 Xcel programs and flags Power Ahead Colorado (launching summer 2026) and the City of Golden Rebate Match where applicable.
Your project
3+ measures unlocks the Whole Home Efficiency Bonus (25% on top of standard rebates).
Pairs insulation + air sealing with a heat pump install for the $600 Combo Bonus (may sunset April-June 2026).
According to the Xcel Energy, “qualifying insulation and air-sealing rebates are paid as an upfront discount on the invoice when homeowners work with a participating Xcel Trades Ally contractor.”
How this works
How does the xcel rebate eligibility checker work?
The checker matches your selected services and qualifying conditions against the alive 2026 Xcel rebate programs documented in our editorial team's May 2026 verification of the Xcel program pages. Estimated rebate amounts are conservative ranges; actual payouts depend on the specific scope, R-value targets met, and program funding levels at the time of project completion.
Calibrated against the Xcel Insulation and Air Sealing program documentation as of May 2026. Re-verify with your Trades Ally contractor before scoping a project.
According to the Colorado Energy Office, “Colorado's Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) Single-Family Program closed for the Front Range on April 28, 2026, with Xcel Energy programs continuing as the primary residential rebate stack.”
Get a quote
Get a Quote Based on Your Numbers
30 seconds to fill out. We'll send your inputs along with the quote request so the contractor knows what you've already calculated.
We've Got It. Here's What Happens Next.
We've got your info. A local pro is reviewing it now. Expect a call within a few hours, or by tomorrow at the latest. While you wait, here's what to look for in the quote you receive: (1) R-value target — current Colorado code is R-49 to R-60 for attics, anything less is under-spec. (2) Air sealing scope — insulation alone does nothing if air leaks aren't sealed first. (3) Rebate handling — Xcel rebate paperwork should be handled for you, not by you. (The federal IRA Section 25C credit expired in 2025 and Colorado HEAR closed for the Front Range — Xcel programs are now the active rebate stack.) (4) Removal scope — pre-1990 homes often need old insulation removed before new install. If a quote skips all four, get another quote.
Related guides
Related services and calculators
According to the Xcel Energy, “homes participating in their Whole Home Efficiency program save an average of 15-25% on annual heating and cooling costs.”
Frequently asked
What do Denver homeowners ask about this calculator?
Should I use this calculator if my home was built after 2010?
Possibly — but interpret the output cautiously. Post-2010 Denver homes were built to recent code, so most calculator scenarios assume pre-1990 baselines and may overstate the project value for newer homes. If your bills are normal and your comfort is fine, the honest answer is usually: hold the money. The 10-15 year mark is when even code-compliant homes start showing settled batts.
Do you handle new construction insulation?
We focus on retrofit insulation for existing Denver homes. New construction insulation typically goes through your general contractor or builder, and the process is different — pricing structures, code compliance steps, and project timing all work differently for new builds. If you're working on a new build, we can refer you to a partner with new-construction experience.
Does this checker include the federal IRA Section 25C credit?
No — it expired December 31, 2025, accelerated by the One Big Beautiful Bill (Public Law 119-21). Colorado HEAR for Region 1 (Front Range) also closed April 28, 2026. Xcel Energy programs are the primary 2026 rebate stack, with Power Ahead Colorado launching summer 2026.
Why does the Whole Home Efficiency Bonus require 3+ measures?
Xcel structures the bonus to reward whole-home retrofits over single-measure jobs, since envelope improvements interact (insulation works better with air sealing, both work better with HVAC tuning). Three measures bundled within two years qualifies; a single attic top-up does not.
What does the $600 Combo Bonus pair with?
Insulation and air sealing completed within two years before a qualifying heat pump install. Designed to encourage envelope improvements before electrification — better for the homeowner (smaller heat pump suffices), better for the grid. May sunset April-June 2026; confirm with your Trades Ally contractor before scoping.
How does the Xcel IQ Program income tier work?
Four tiers based on Area Median Income (AMI). The lowest tier (Energy Efficient Plus) is geographic-eligibility-based with no income verification — if your address is in a qualifying ZIP, you're in. Higher tiers require income verification and can cover 80-100% of project cost. Worth checking even if you're unsure.
When does Power Ahead Colorado launch?
Summer 2026 per DRCOG (Denver Regional Council of Governments) program documentation. $1,500 rebate, no income limit, Denver metro residents. Not yet live as of May 2026 — included in this checker as a coming-soon flag so you can plan around the launch date.