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 (planned for later in 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 (heat pump installed and invoiced by Dec. 31, 2026).
According to the Xcel Energy, “to receive a rebate, all insulation and air sealing upgrades must be completed by a participating 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 June 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. Xcel issues rebates as checks after application — budget for the full invoice up front.
Calibrated against the Xcel Insulation and Air Sealing program documentation as of June 2026. Re-verify with your participating 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 ENERGY STAR, “air sealing alone — before insulation upgrades — can reduce energy bills by up to 15% in older homes.”
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 (DRCOG) incentives planned for later in 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?
Rebate-qualifying insulation and air sealing installed before a qualifying space-heating heat pump, within two years of each other by invoice dates. Designed to encourage envelope improvements before electrification — better for the homeowner (smaller heat pump suffices), better for the grid. The qualifying heat pump must be installed and invoiced by December 31, 2026; confirm current program status with your participating contractor before scoping.
How does Xcel IQ Program eligibility work?
Four eligibility pathways, any one of which qualifies: existing Xcel bill assistance or discounts; LEAP, SNAP, or TANF participation; meeting state income guidelines; or living in a disproportionately impacted community — that last pathway is geographic, with no income paperwork. Depending on eligibility, 50-100% of upgrade costs can be covered, with insulation and air sealing up to 100%. Worth checking even if you're unsure.
When does Power Ahead Colorado launch?
DRCOG's program site says more incentives are planned for later in 2026 — an earlier launch target slipped, and no firm date is published. The published incentive policy funds heat pump and heat pump water heater incentives ($300-$3,000 and $300-$2,500 per unit); insulation and air sealing are recommended preparation steps, not incentivized measures. It appears in this checker as a coming-soon flag only; DRCOG's Building Decarbonization newsletter is the notification path.