The incentive picture changed substantially for Florida homeowners in 2026. The former federal HVAC tax credit ended, FPL currently offers a specific $200 instant rebate, and Florida's larger income-qualified rebate programs are still being rolled out. This guide was fact-checked against official program pages on July 18, 2026 so you can build a replacement budget around programs that are real—not outdated headlines.
2026 Incentive Snapshot
- Federal Section 25C HVAC credit: Not available for property placed in service after December 31, 2025.1
- FPL residential AC rebate: $200 instant invoice credit when all current equipment, property, and contractor requirements are met.2
- Florida HEAR rebates: The official Florida portal describes the pilot as expected to launch in the future; applications are not yet generally open.3
- Florida HOMES rebates: The official portal says they will be available at a future date.4
- FPL On Call: An optional demand-response program with recurring bill credits; it is not an equipment-purchase rebate.5
The Federal 25C Credit Ended for 2026 Installations
The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit once offered up to $600 for qualifying central air conditioners and up to $2,000 for qualifying heat pumps. That information remains on many HVAC and consumer websites, but it is no longer valid for a system placed in service in 2026.
The IRS states that Section 25C is not allowed for property placed in service after December 31, 2025.1 In practical terms, an AC or heat pump installation completed in 2026 does not qualify for the former credit. Paying a deposit in 2025 does not turn a 2026 installation into a 2025 project.
If your system was completed during 2025, keep the itemized invoice, model information, AHRI certificate, and manufacturer documentation, and ask a qualified tax professional whether you can claim the credit on the appropriate return. This guide is general program information, not tax advice.
FPL's Current $200 AC Rebate
FPL currently advertises a $200 instant rebate for qualifying residential AC replacements.2 Its published requirements say the project must include:
- A new AC system, including both indoor and outdoor units
- A system rated SEER2 15.2 or higher
- A residential installation
- Installation by an FPL-approved Participating Independent Contractor
The participating contractor applies the rebate as a credit on the invoice. A licensed contractor is not automatically an FPL participant, so verify the contractor's status and the exact matched-system rating before signing. Also recheck FPL's terms on the day you purchase because utility programs can change.
Florida HEAR Heat-Pump Rebates: Promising, but Not Yet Open
Florida's Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates program is designed for households below 150% of area median income. The published maximums include up to $8,000 for an eligible heat pump used for space heating or cooling, up to $4,000 for an eligible electric load service center, and up to $1,600 for eligible insulation, air sealing, and ventilation.3
Those maximums are not a promise that every household will receive that amount. The project must use qualified products and contractors, household eligibility must be verified, and the rebate cannot exceed the applicable share of qualified project cost. Households below 80% of area median income may qualify for up to 100% of qualified cost; households from 80% to 150% may qualify for up to 50%.
Most importantly, Florida's official portal currently says the HEAR pilot is expected to launch in the future and the full program is expected later. Do not authorize an installation on the assumption that a future rebate will be retroactive. Register on the official Florida Energy Saver portal and wait for written eligibility and program instructions before relying on HEAR funds.
Florida HOMES Program Status
The Home Efficiency Rebates program takes a whole-home approach, with eligibility and rebate value tied to modeled or measured energy savings. Florida's official FAQ says HOMES rebates will be available at a future date.4 Until applications open and the state publishes its final workflow, any contractor's projected HOMES amount should be treated as an illustration rather than money available today.
FPL On Call Is a Separate Bill-Credit Program
FPL's On Call program provides bill credits in exchange for allowing FPL to temporarily manage enrolled equipment during high-demand or emergency conditions. FPL currently advertises AC participation at $6 per month from April through October and says combined enrollment can save more than $90 per year, subject to its terms.5
This program can reduce ongoing bills, but it does not reduce the purchase price of a new system unless the separate $200 AC rebate requirements are also met.
A Safe Way to Budget Your 2026 Replacement
- Start with the full installed price. Include permits, electrical work, drain or platform changes, duct repairs, thermostat, disposal, and any financing cost.
- Subtract only confirmed incentives. For an eligible FPL project, that may be the current $200 invoice credit. Do not subtract the expired federal credit or an unopened state rebate.
- Verify the matched system. Ask for indoor and outdoor model numbers, the AHRI certificate, and the SEER2 rating before installation.
- Compare total financing cost. A low monthly payment can hide substantial interest or a long repayment term. Review the amount financed, APR, term, fees, and total of payments.
- Keep every document. Save the proposal, final invoice, permit record, warranty registration, AHRI certificate, rebate confirmation, and financing disclosures.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign
- Are you currently listed as an FPL-approved Participating Independent Contractor?
- Does this exact indoor-and-outdoor equipment match meet FPL's current SEER2 requirement?
- Where is the $200 rebate shown on the written proposal and final invoice?
- Is any state rebate in this quote already open and approved, or is it only a possible future program?
- What is the full installed price before rebates and the total cost if I finance it?
- Which parts of this quote could change after the site inspection or permit review?
Get a Replacement Estimate Based on Current Programs
Central Air Systems can identify equipment options, show the complete installed scope, and explain which current contractor or utility requirements apply to the proposal. Tax eligibility must be confirmed with a qualified tax professional, and state-rebate eligibility must come from the official Florida program.
For a Palm Beach County AC replacement estimate, call 561-585-6819, review our AC installation service, or explore financing options. We will keep confirmed savings separate from programs that are not yet open.