Ductless mini split rebates in California come from a few local utilities in 2026, not from a statewide program. LADWP pays by the ton on the pages DuloCore checked on October 13, 2026: $1,500 to $2,500 per ton for a ductless heat pump. SMUD pays up to $3,000 for a heat pump system. PG&E and SCE list no mini-split rebate.
Which California Utilities Pay a Rebate for a Ductless Mini-Split?
LADWP and SMUD do, as of October 13, 2026. LADWP pays $1,500 to $2,500 per ton for a ductless heat pump, and SMUD pays up to $3,000 for a qualifying heat pump system.
| Utility or program | What its official page lists, October 13, 2026 |
|---|---|
| LADWP | $1,500 to $2,500 per ton for ductless, mini-split and multi-split heat pumps, on the LADWP Consumer Rebate Program page |
| SMUD | Up to $3,000 for a qualifying heat pump system, on the SMUD heating and cooling rebates page |
| PG&E | No heat pump or mini-split rebate listed |
| SCE | No mini-split or heat pump heating and cooling rebate listed |
| TECH Clean California | Single-family heat pump incentives fully reserved since November 14, 2025 |
Other cities and community energy providers run their own programs. The rebate calculator checks the verified ones for a specific address.
How Much Is the LADWP Mini-Split Rebate?
LADWP pays $1,500 to $2,500 per ton for a ductless, mini-split or multi-split heat pump. The amount rises with the unit's efficiency ratings.
LADWP's rebate page says the higher amounts apply to equipment purchased and installed on or after November 1, 2025. SEER2 is the cooling rating and HSPF2 the heating rating.
| The unit's ratings are above | Rebate per ton |
|---|---|
| 15.2 SEER2 and 7.8 HSPF2 | $1,500 |
| 16 SEER2 and 8.1 HSPF2 | $1,650 |
| 16.9 SEER2 and 8.3 HSPF2 | $1,800 |
| 17.8 SEER2 and 8.5 HSPF2 | $1,950 |
| 18.7 SEER2 and 8.7 HSPF2 | $2,100 |
| 19.6 SEER2 and 8.9 HSPF2 | $2,250 |
| 20.5 SEER2 and 9.1 HSPF2 | $2,500 |
LADWP's rules on the same page:
- New construction and accessory dwelling units aren't eligible.
- Packaged terminal heat pumps aren't eligible.
- The application needs a paid itemized invoice, an AHRI certificate for the system and a final approved Building and Safety permit.
DuloCore's LADWP programs page lists the other LADWP rebates verified on official pages.
How Much Does SMUD Pay for a Heat Pump?
SMUD pays $3,000 for a variable-stage heat pump that replaces gas heating, $2,000 for a two-stage one, and $1,000 for an electric-to-electric upgrade.
SMUD's heating and cooling rebates page doesn't set a separate amount for mini-splits. The system has to be a qualifying two-stage or variable-stage heat pump, and a two-stage system needs a SEER2 of at least 15.2.
Three conditions matter:
- A participating contractor from the SMUD Contractor Network must install the system and submit the rebate.
- Rebates depend on available funding.
- SMUD says mini-splits must service the entire home and meet its minimum system requirements.
What Does a Mini-Split Cost to Install?
SMUD reports a median of $19,584 for a mini-split heat pump installed in a gas-to-electric conversion, and $17,147 for an electric upgrade.
Those figures come from the average pricing chart on SMUD's heating and cooling rebates page. SMUD says the chart shows what its customers are paying. SMUD says the data covers single-measure projects in its rebate program over the past 12 months and is refreshed each quarter. It doesn't state the number of projects.
| SMUD project type, mini-split | Median | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas-to-electric conversion | $19,584 | $3,500 | $51,814 |
| Electric upgrade | $17,147 | $7,250 | $26,500 |
The range is wide, so one home's price can sit far from the median.
Has the Statewide TECH Clean California Incentive Closed?
Yes. TECH Clean California's single-family heat pump incentives have been fully reserved since November 14, 2025 and aren't accepting new reservations.
The fully reserved notice is on the TECH Clean California incentives page. So a 2026 mini-split project can't count on that program.
Do PG&E or SCE Offer a Mini-Split Rebate?
No. On October 13, 2026, neither PG&E's nor SCE's rebates page listed a rebate for a mini-split or a heat pump heating and cooling system.
PG&E's rebates and incentives page lists offers for backup power, electric vehicles and clean energy. The PG&E programs page covers what DuloCore has verified for PG&E customers, and the eligibility check shows the programs for a specific household.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you claim a mini-split on your taxes?
Not for a 2026 installation. The federal 25C home energy credit ended for property placed in service after December 31, 2025.
The guide to the federal home energy credits that ended has the details.
Do I need a permit for a mini-split in California?
LADWP requires a final approved Building and Safety permit with its rebate application. Permit rules are local, so ask the city or county building department.
Does the LADWP rebate cover more than one unit?
LADWP says a home may be eligible for a rebate on more than one unit if they are applied for at one time.
Planning a mini-split? See the verified rebates for your address with the free rebate calculator.