Heat Pumps

Energy-efficient heat pumps are electric heating and cooling systems that move heat from the outside air during heating mode and remove heat from inside your house during cooling mode. This technology can keep you comfortable using a fraction of the energy of standard electric heating systems. They have many benefits:

• Lower heating costs by 25 - 50% compared to standard electric heating systems.
• Improved air quality and health by using electricity with a net-zero carbon footprint and reducing the use of carbon-based fuels like natural gas. The system’s air filters can also reduce the impurities in the air you breathe.
• Ultra-quiet fans evenly circulate air, reducing hot and cold spots in rooms.
• Built-in air conditioner included - keeping you cool on hot summer days.
• Units are easy to control via wireless remote and/or an app, making it quick and easy to adjust temperatures as needed.

Instant Contractor Discounts

When your contractor purchases a high-efficiency heat pump they can receive an instant discount that they are able to pass on to you in their bid. Contractor instant discounts are available only through participating distributors. Do-it-yourself installations are not eligible for a heat pump rebate.

For Qualifying Air Source Heat Pumps

Size <5.4 tons, SEER2 15.2

• • • HSPF2 8.1 or higher – $300 instant discount
    • HSPF2 8.5 or higher – $400 instant discount

Size <5.4 tons, SEER2 16.0

• • • HSPF2 9.5 or higher – $600 instant discount

For more information about heat pump terminology, visit AHRI's Air-Conditioning and Heat Pump Efficiency 101.

To get started with upgrading your heating and cooling system, contact a qualified installer or contractor. We recommend getting at least three bids to ensure you are receiving the best quality and price. Be sure to ask your contractor about a City Light discount on your project.

Seattle Clean Heat Program - Oil to Electric Heating

Seattle households heating with oil can receive a $2,000 instant rebate when converting to a qualified heat pump system and using a participating contractor.

The rebate is instantly applied at the time of invoice by the contractor. This rebate is offered through the Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment.

Income-eligible Seattle households can receive a no-cost conversion from oil furnace to an electric heat pump through the Seattle Office of Housing Clean Heat program.

HomeWise Weatherization Program

Income-eligible customers may qualify for a free heating and cooling system and insulation upgrades through the City of Seattle's HomeWise Program.

Heat Pump Water Heaters

Heat pump water heaters (HPWH), also known as hybrid electric water heaters, move heat from the surrounding air to the water tank instead of generating heat directly and are 2 - 3 times more energy-efficient than conventional water heaters. Some of the benefits of heat pump water heaters include:

• The most energy-efficient water heating systems on the market, reducing energy use by up to 70%.
• Saving you energy and money, using less energy typically lowers your utility bill by about 10%.
• Providing you with smart programming options such as "vacation mode," saving you energy while you're not at home while ensuring you have hot water when you return.
• Dehumidifying damp spaces, such as your garage or basement, where they are often installed.

A properly sized hybrid heat pump water heater is more likely to meet your expectations of performance and savings. To choose the right size water heater, you'll need to think about the amount of hot water you need and where you will place the tank.

For additional questions about energy-efficiency solutions, contact an Energy Advisor.

Discounts & Rebates

To assist customers with lowering the cost of buying a heat pump water heater, we provide three options for receiving a City Light financial incentive.

Working with a Contractor | DIY Instant Rebate | DIY Post-Purchase Rebate

1. Homeowner Working with Contractor

When your contractor purchases a qualified HPWH from a participating distributor, they can receive an instant discount that they are able to pass on to you in their bid and invoice.

To get started with upgrading your old water heater, contact a qualified installer or contractor. We recommend getting at least three bids to help ensure you receive the best quality and price. Be sure to ask your contractor about a City Light discount on your project.

• • Contractor discounts are available only through participating distributors.
  • Contractor Rebate - $500 per home
  • Tier 3 or 4 model on the qualified product list

2. Homeowner DIY Installation (instant discount)

If you choose to purchase and install a qualified HPWH from The Home Depot or Lowe's store in the Puget Sound area, you can download an instant digital coupon for use at the store.

• • Instant Discount - $500
  • Download an instant digital coupon for use at the register when you purchase a qualifying HPWH.
  • Check with a store associate or store website for details on which products qualify.
  • Install your water heater in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications by using these Do-It-Yourself Tips.

3. Homeowner DIY Installation (rebate form)

If you choose to purchase and install a qualified HPWH yourself online or in-store from a supplier other than The Home Depot or Lowe's, you can apply for a $500 rebate directly from City Light.

• • Rebate - $500
  • The new water heater must be ENERGY STAR® rated and on the list of qualified models.
  • Install your water heater in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications by using these Do-It-Yourself Tips.
  • Submit your online rebate form, with an image of your retail invoice, to City Light no later than 90 days from the date of purchase.
  • Only one rebate per customer.
  • Water heaters purchased at The Home Depot or Lowe’s are NOT eligible for any additional incentives.

Don't have an electric water heater and want to switch to all electric? Contact a qualified installer to determine if converting to electric is possible.

Washers and Dryers

City Light provides rebates on high-efficiency laundry appliances for your home.

Clothes Washers

Energy Star® certified front-load washers are the most efficient way to clean your clothes. These washers save energy and water while being easier on your clothes. The high-speed spin cycle wrings more water out of clothing, so your dryer works more efficiently too.

Energy Star® Front-Load Washer Rebate

• • Rebate $35
  • Purchase a qualified product and complete the online rebate form.

Clothes Dryers

Clothes dryers are typically the number three energy user in a home, after space heating and water heating. Heat pump clothes dryers cut that energy use in half. The only way to dry clothes more efficiently is to hang them on the line.

Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) Tier 3 heat pump clothes dryers are the most efficient dryers on the market as verified by independent testing.

BPA Tier 3 Heat Pump Dryer Rebate

• • Rebate $175
  • Purchase a qualified product and complete the online rebate form.

Smart Thermostats for Electric Baseboard Heaters

Smart Thermostats for Baseboard Heaters works with these types of high voltage electric heating systems:

• Electric Baseboard
• Fan-forced (in-wall)
• Self-contained Hydronic Baseboard
• In-ceiling radiant

Rebate Requirements

• Available to eligible Seattle City Light residential customers only.
• $50/unit instant rebate courtesy of Seattle City Light.
• Maximum of 5 rebates per customer.
• Rebate runs through Dec. 31, 2024.
• Must be purchased online through the retailer's website.
• Subject to availability of funding.

Purchase a Mysa Smart Thermostat  Purchase a Sinopé Smart Thermostat

Thermostatic Shut-off Valves

Save hot water without changing your routine! With a Thermostatic Shut-off Valve installed, you can have your same hot shower without worrying about wasting hot water during the warm-up period.

How Does it Work

1. The valve fits between your shower arm and shower head. Installation takes just minutes and, in many cases, can be done without any tools.
2. Turn on the shower, letting the hot water run while it heats up to your ideal temperature.
3. Once the water reaches 95 degrees, the valve will kick in and slow the water flow to a trickle.
4. When you are ready to begin your shower, just pull the cord connected to the valve and the water flow will return to normal.

Rebate Requirements

• Purchase from our qualified product list at your local retailer, in-store or online.
• Available to eligible Seattle City Light residential customers only.
• $15/unit instant rebate courtesy of Seattle City Light.
• Maximum of 3 rebates per customer.
• Rebate runs through Dec. 31, 2024.

Apply for a Rebate

Home Electric Vehicle Equipment

Electric Vehicles (EV) typically come with a portable charger that can be plugged into a standard outlet for Level 1 charging (some portable chargers have an adapter for Level 1 and Level 2 charging). See our EV Charging 101 to learn more about charger levels, and explore which option best meets your needs.

Installing a Level 2 EV charger at your home allows for faster charging than from a standard outlet, reduces power losses, and can provide additional programming controls.

Discount on Level 2 Chargers Installed at Single-Family Homes

When your electrical contractor purchases a qualified Level 2 charger from a participating distributor, they receive an instant discount up to a $400 from City Light and can pass those savings on to you in their bid.

Have your contractor contact a participating distributor on your behalf to purchase discounted equipment through the Seattle City Light Residential Midstream EV Charger Program.

Discount Requirements

• • Contractors must purchase equipment through a participating distributor.
  • Chargers must be installed by an electrical contractor at a single-family property (1 – 4 dwellings) within City Light’s service area.
  • Equipment must be an ENERGY STAR certified Level 2 charger with a maximum Output Power of 11.6 kW (48 amps) or less. Visit ENERGY STAR to learn more and look up product eligibility.
  • Limit one electric vehicle charger per dwelling unit.
  • The discount cannot exceed 80% of the product’s regular retail cost.
  • Rebate runs through Dec. 31, 2024

Additional Incentive Programs

• Washington state currently offers retail sales tax exemption on purchases of EV fueling equipment.
• Federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding provides a tax credit of 30% for project costs up to $1,000 on EV charger installations that occur in low-income or rural census tracts. Some customers may be able to take advantage of this. See Internal Revenue Service Instructions for Form 8911.

While we do not provide contractor recommendations or endorsements, we do recommend that you get a minimum of three bids and always check references. Here are a few resources to help you find a contractor for your project:

Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heaters

• Hot Water Solutions NW
• Energy Star

Home Efficiency Improvement/Heating and Cooling

• Comfort Ready Home
• Building Performance Institute
• Better Built NW
• Air Conditioning Contractors of America

Solar Installers

• Washington Solar Energy Industries Association