Is your AC working overtime in the Dallas heat while your bills keep climbing? If you are planning an HVAC upgrade or tightening up insulation, you do not have to shoulder the full cost alone. Oncor offers energy-efficiency rebates that can offset parts of your project, improve comfort, and reduce peak energy use across North Texas. In this guide, you will learn what qualifies, how the process works, how to find participating contractors, and how to combine rebates with other incentives. Let’s dive in.
What Oncor rebates cover
Oncor funds energy-efficiency programs that help reduce peak demand and overall electric use for homes across Dallas and Dallas County. If your property is in Oncor’s electric service territory, you may have access to incentives. You can confirm program status on the official Oncor site under its energy efficiency pages. For background and current links, start with the main Oncor website.
Typical home measures include:
- HVAC replacements and upgrades for high-efficiency central air conditioners and heat pumps. Some years include mini-split systems.
- HVAC tune-ups, duct sealing, and duct insulation to improve performance and reduce losses.
- Insulation and air sealing, including attic insulation and weatherstripping.
- Smart thermostats and controls that support savings and peak-load management.
- Water heating upgrades, which may include heat pump water heaters depending on the program year.
- Whole-home or “home performance” pathways, offered as prescriptive or custom projects.
Programs are delivered in a few ways:
- Prescriptive rebates provide fixed incentives for specific measures that meet set specifications.
- Custom rebates are calculated from modeled or measured energy savings for non-standard or combined projects.
- Participating contractor model requires installation by a registered provider who follows program specifications and usually manages the rebate application for you.
Because program budgets and eligible measures change each year, confirm the current list of offerings before signing a contract.
Who qualifies in Dallas
To qualify, you must be an Oncor electricity distribution customer with a service address in its territory. Most residential programs target single-family homes, though some measures can apply to multi-family, manufactured homes, or rental properties when the owner consents.
Some years also include income-qualified options that focus on weatherization and deeper efficiency work. These are typically run through community or program partners and require income documentation. For regulatory context on utility energy-efficiency programs in Texas, you can review the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
When you plan a project, check the current program year’s technical requirements. Equipment must meet minimum efficiency ratings, which often align with ENERGY STAR or equivalent standards. For product guidance and qualification basics, see ENERGY STAR’s consumer resources.
How the rebate process works
Here is the typical workflow for homeowners in Dallas:
- Confirm availability. Review current Oncor program details and active measures for this year on Oncor’s site.
- Choose a participating contractor. Use the program’s contractor list or portal during active periods, or verify a local provider’s current registration.
- Install to spec. Your contractor installs qualifying equipment and follows technical requirements for sizing, commissioning, and documentation.
- Submit the application. The contractor usually submits the rebate with your invoice, model numbers, installation date, and Oncor account information. Some measures require pre-approval.
- Verification. Oncor or its program administrator may request a site visit or documentation check before payment.
- Receive payment. Rebates are paid after approval. Timelines vary by measure and program volume.
Important: Many prescriptive measures allow post-installation submission, but custom or higher-value projects can require pre-approval. Confirm what applies to your project before scheduling work.
Find a participating contractor
Oncor maintains a list or portal for participating contractors during active program periods. You can also locate programs through the DSIRE database, which summarizes incentives and typically links to administrator portals. If you consider a local HVAC or insulation company, ask them to confirm their current Oncor trade-ally status for the specific measure you want.
Questions to ask
- Are you a current Oncor participating contractor for this measure?
- Will you submit the rebate application on my behalf, and when will I see a copy?
- What efficiency ratings will my equipment meet, and can you provide AHRI and any ENERGY STAR documentation?
- Do you include proper sizing, commissioning, and any duct sealing or insulation steps required by the program?
- Will you handle any needed pre-approval?
- What permits, inspections, and warranties are included in your price?
Red flags and best practices
- Red flag: a contractor promises a rebate but will not provide model numbers, efficiency ratings, or written confirmation they will manage the application.
- Best practice: get at least two written estimates that list equipment model numbers, efficiency ratings, expected rebate eligibility, and a statement of the contractor’s current Oncor participation.
- Best practice: confirm they understand Oncor specifications, such as duct leakage limits or insulation R-values, if those apply.
Smart timing and planning
Oncor programs operate with annual budgets and evolving criteria. Plan your project around program status and documentation requirements. For HVAC, aligning installation with milder shoulder seasons can be convenient, but availability matters more. If your system is failing in peak summer, confirm program rules and act quickly to secure funding within the active period.
Some larger or customized projects require pre-approval. If a pre-approval window applies, wait for written confirmation before proceeding to avoid losing eligibility. Prescriptive items like qualifying smart thermostats are more likely to allow post-installation submission, but always verify the current rules.
Documents to save
Keep a clean file from estimate through payment:
- Final invoice with installed equipment, model and serial numbers, installation date, and contractor details.
- AHRI certificates, product spec sheets, or ENERGY STAR documentation showing efficiency ratings.
- Your Oncor account number and service address on the application.
- Copies of pre-approval letters, submitted forms, and all program email correspondence.
- Any post-installation verification records or inspection notes.
Combine rebates and tax credits
Utility rebates often stack with federal tax credits for qualifying equipment such as high-efficiency heat pumps, insulation, and certain electrification upgrades. Stacking rules can vary, so read the program terms and consult a tax professional. For product efficiency guidance and federal incentive basics, use ENERGY STAR resources and general consumer guidance from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Manufacturer promotions may also apply, but they are separate from utility rebates. Keep each program’s paperwork distinct and follow each deadline.
Rentals and multifamily
Eligibility can differ when you are not the owner-occupant. For rental homes, the property owner or customer of record may need to apply or provide consent. Multi-family buildings can have separate pathways with unique contractor requirements. Review the current Oncor program details for your building type and secure the correct approvals ahead of time.
After installation: payment and follow-up
Rebate processing times vary by measure and program volume. Expect a processing period that can range from several weeks to a few months, especially if a post-install inspection is required. To avoid delays, make sure your application includes complete and accurate documentation.
After payment, keep your records for several years. Programs can perform quality assurance checks or audits later. If the installation does not meet specifications or documentation is missing, incentives can be denied or clawed back.
Verify current details
Program structures and incentive levels change. Before you schedule work, verify the latest requirements and approved measures:
- Check the current Oncor energy efficiency programs on the Oncor website.
- Cross-check active programs in Texas using DSIRE.
- For statewide regulatory context, review the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
- For product standards and installation guidance, use ENERGY STAR.
- For consumer education around weatherization and heat pumps, visit the U.S. Department of Energy.
How upgrades support resale
Energy-efficient upgrades can enhance daily comfort, reduce operating costs, and support buyer confidence at resale. Buyers value clear documentation, recent system upgrades, and verifiable efficiency improvements. If you expect to sell in the next few years, align your upgrades with current program criteria and maintain a well-organized file. This gives you a smoother disclosure process and a stronger story when it is time to market your home.
Ready to plan your next step?
If you are weighing an HVAC replacement or insulation project before your next move, take a strategic approach. Confirm eligibility, choose a participating contractor, and keep your documents tidy so you can capture the rebate and showcase the upgrade later. If you want help aligning home improvements with your selling timeline in Dallas County, reach out. Unknown Company can walk you through smart prep, market timing, and what today’s buyers value. Request a Personalized Consultation.
FAQs
How do Oncor HVAC rebates work in Dallas?
- Oncor offers incentives for high-efficiency HVAC upgrades installed by participating contractors, with eligibility and amounts set by the current program year. Confirm active measures on the Oncor website.
Do I need a participating contractor for rebates?
- Most residential measures require installation by a registered Oncor trade ally who follows program specs and often submits the application on your behalf.
Can I combine Oncor rebates with federal tax credits?
- Often yes, but stacking rules vary by program and year. Review current terms and consult a tax professional. For product guidance, see ENERGY STAR.
How long does rebate payment take after install?
- Timelines vary by measure and volume. Expect several weeks to a few months, especially if verification or inspection is required.
What documents will I need for my application?
- A detailed invoice, equipment model and serial numbers, AHRI or ENERGY STAR documentation, installation date, your Oncor account information, and any pre-approval letters if required.
Are there Oncor options for income-qualified households?
- Some program years include income-qualified weatherization pathways run through community partners with separate intake and documentation. Check current availability via Oncor and confirm eligibility requirements.
