Most commercial facilities managers know that utility companies offer rebates for new energy-efficient equipment. Far fewer know that many of those same utilities pay rebates for maintaining the equipment you already have — coil cleaning, refrigerant charge optimisation, economiser repair, and controls calibration.

The logic is straightforward: a well-maintained HVAC system uses 15–30% less energy than a neglected one. That energy savings reduces peak demand on the grid, which is worth real money to utilities. They pass some of that value back to you as a rebate.

Here is what is available, by utility.

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Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) — California

Programme: PG&E Business Energy Efficiency — Retrocommissioning

What qualifies:

• HVAC tune-ups on rooftop units (RTUs) 5 tons and above
• Qualifying tasks include: coil cleaning, refrigerant charge optimisation, economiser inspection and repair, supply air temperature reset, controls calibration
• Demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) upgrades using CO₂ sensors

Rebate amounts:

• HVAC tune-up: $0.08–0.16 per kWh saved annually (calculated based on pre/post energy measurement)
• DCV upgrade: $0.10–0.20 per CFM of outdoor air reduced
• Typical rebate for a 10-ton RTU tune-up: $150–400

How to apply:

1. Contact PG&E's Business Energy Advisor at 1-800-468-4743 before scheduling work
2. Complete a pre-approval application — PG&E may conduct a pre-inspection
3. Have a qualified contractor perform the work and document pre/post conditions
4. Submit the rebate application with contractor invoices and measurement data within 90 days of project completion

Documentation required: Contractor invoice, pre/post energy measurements, equipment model and serial numbers

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Southern California Edison (SCE) — California

Programme: SCE Business Programs — Deemed Savings

What qualifies:

• HVAC tune-ups on RTUs 5 tons and above
• Qualifying tasks: coil cleaning, refrigerant charge verification, economiser repair, filter upgrade to MERV 13

Rebate amounts:

• HVAC tune-up: $50–150 per RTU (deemed savings — no measurement required)
• MERV 13 filter upgrade: $10–30 per unit

How to apply:

1. Find a SCE Trade Pro contractor (pre-approved by SCE) at sce.com/business
2. The Trade Pro handles the rebate application on your behalf
3. Rebate is typically paid within 8–12 weeks of project completion

Note: Using a SCE Trade Pro contractor simplifies the process significantly — they handle the paperwork and you receive the rebate as a credit on your bill.

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Xcel Energy — Colorado, Minnesota, Texas, New Mexico, Wisconsin

Programme: Xcel Energy Commercial HVAC Tune-Up

What qualifies:

• HVAC tune-ups on RTUs and split systems 5 tons and above
• Qualifying tasks: coil cleaning, refrigerant charge verification, economiser inspection, controls calibration

Rebate amounts:

• HVAC tune-up: $75–200 per RTU depending on unit size
• 5–10 ton RTU: $75
• 10–20 ton RTU: $125
• 20+ ton RTU: $200

How to apply:

1. Download the Xcel Energy HVAC Tune-Up rebate form at xcelenergy.com/business
2. Have a licensed HVAC contractor complete the work and sign the form
3. Submit with contractor invoice within 90 days of project completion

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Duke Energy — North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Florida

Programme: Duke Energy Commercial Energy Efficiency

What qualifies:

• HVAC tune-ups on commercial RTUs and split systems
• LED lighting upgrades (see our Commercial Lighting Maintenance guide)
• Compressed air system improvements

Rebate amounts:

• HVAC tune-up: $25–100 per unit depending on size and state
• Rebate amounts vary by state — North Carolina and Indiana programmes are the most generous

How to apply:

1. Contact Duke Energy's Business Solutions team at 1-800-777-9898
2. Request a free energy assessment — Duke Energy will identify all qualifying rebates
3. Complete the work with a licensed contractor
4. Submit the rebate application within 180 days of project completion

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Consolidated Edison (Con Edison) — New York City and Westchester

Programme: Con Edison Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency

What qualifies:

• HVAC tune-ups on commercial equipment
• Demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) upgrades
• MERV 13 filter upgrades

Rebate amounts:

• HVAC tune-up: $0.08 per kWh saved (measurement and verification required)
• DCV upgrade: $0.10 per CFM reduced

How to apply:

1. Contact Con Edison's Energy Efficiency team at 1-877-870-6118
2. Pre-approval is required before work begins
3. Con Edison may conduct pre- and post-inspections
4. Submit rebate application within 60 days of project completion

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Dominion Energy — Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia

Programme: Dominion Energy Commercial Energy Efficiency

What qualifies:

• HVAC tune-ups on commercial RTUs
• Economiser repairs and upgrades
• DCV upgrades

Rebate amounts:

• HVAC tune-up: $50–150 per RTU
• Economiser repair: $100–300 per unit

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How to Maximise Your Rebate Return

1. Always get pre-approval. Most utility rebate programmes require pre-approval before work begins. Starting work without pre-approval is the most common reason rebate applications are denied.

2. Document pre-conditions. Take photographs and measurements before the work starts — condenser approach temperature, refrigerant pressures, filter pressure drop. This documentation supports your rebate application and your service records.

3. Use a utility-approved contractor. Many programmes require or strongly prefer contractors on their approved list. Using an approved contractor often simplifies the application process and reduces the risk of denial.

4. Log everything in your equipment record. Your Maintain America service history is exactly the kind of documentation utility rebate programmes want to see — dated service entries with specific measurements and parts used.

5. Stack rebates where possible. A single HVAC tune-up may qualify for both a utility rebate and a state energy efficiency tax credit. Consult your accountant about the federal Section 179D deduction for commercial building energy efficiency improvements.

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The ROI Without Rebates

Even without a utility rebate, HVAC preventive maintenance pays for itself through energy savings alone. The US Department of Energy estimates:

• A dirty air filter increases fan energy consumption by 10–15%
• A fouled condenser coil increases compressor energy consumption by 10–30%
• A malfunctioning economiser wastes 15–20% of annual cooling energy

For a facility with 10 RTUs averaging 10 tons each, correcting all three issues can save $8,000–15,000 per year in energy costs — before any utility rebate.

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Ready to Simplify Your Maintenance Program?

Maintain America gives facilities teams one place to track HVAC equipment, log service history, store the documentation utility rebate programs require, and set maintenance reminders — across every system in your portfolio.

Start tracking your maintenance on Maintain America — or explore the member portal if you already have an account.

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Related Resources

• Fall HVAC Maintenance Checklist: Manufacturer-Recommended Steps Before the Cold Hits
• HVAC Filter MERV Ratings Explained: MERV 10 vs. MERV 11 vs. MERV 13
• Compressed Air Leaks Are Costing You More Than You Think
• Why Your Service Log Is Your Most Valuable Maintenance Asset