Sustainability Program Rebates

The Golden Sustainability program offers a variety of residential and commercial sustainability upgrades. The following rebates are available until funds are exhausted. Please note, in many cases, proof of a City of Golden building permit is required. Limit one rebate per property.

Low-income qualifications:

  • Rebates apply to homeowner(s) only; renters are ineligible for the program.
  • Owners earning up to 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) annually and includes all adults over 18 living in household. Please see the Jefferson County AMI Income limits on the Guiding Golden or Energy Outreach Colorado.
  • Proof of low income status can be demonstrated through copies of Social Security statements or benefit letters, Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) participation, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation, copies of pay stubs, or copies of tax returns.
  • City of Golden rebates may be paid directly to contractors when proof of anticipated Xcel Energy rebate and a City of Golden building permit (if required) is submitted.
  • Limit three rebates per household.

Smart Irrigation Technology

A smart irrigation controller uses local weather conditions to tailor watering schedules to conditions on site. Watering schedules are also matched to each irrigation zones’ water needs. The user will need to input data about each irrigation zone such as soil type, exposure, vegetation type, sprinkler head type, and slope. On most smart controllers, this can be done from your mobile phone.

  • The City of Golden will issue a rebate for half the pre-tax price of a qualifying smart controller up to $100.

A rain sensor is an addition to an existing irrigation controller that acts like a switch and shuts down the sprinkler system when it rains. The user is required to input the amount of rain needed before the system shuts off, as well as how long the system will stay off once triggered.

  • The City of Golden will issue a rebate for the full pre-tax price of a qualifying rain sensor up to $50.

For more information on what technology qualifies please see the Smart Irrigation Rebate List.

Home Insulation

Xcel Energy offers rebates for the following projects in existing homes:  air sealing, attic insulation upgrades, and wall insulation upgrades. These rebates help offset the initial cost of insulation and air sealing upgrades that could save 10 to 20% on your heating and cooling bills. You’ll also experience improved comfort by reducing drafty spots in your home, reducing noise from the outside, and reducing the amount of pollen, dust, and insects entering your home.

Golden Sustainability will match the following Xcel rebates:

  • Wall insulation:  up to $400
  • Attic air sealing and insulation:  up to $500
  • General air sealing:  up to $200

For qualified low income owners, Golden Sustainability Rebates are double:

  • Wall insulation:  up to $800
  • Attic air sealing and insulation:  up to $1,000
  • General air sealing:  up to $400

Air and Ground Source Heat Pumps

An Air Source Heat Pump draws out the heat and humidity to cool your home, like a central air conditioning system. To heat your home, the heat pump draws heat from outside air and brings it inside. Air source heat pumps generally cost about 20% more than a central air conditioner of a similar capacity and efficiency and can save significantly over the course of its lifetime. Golden rebates apply to all-electric, whole-home, cold-climate rated high efficiency systems. Heat pumps associated with or connected to existing or new natural gas uses do not qualify.

A Ground Source Heat Pump is connected to closed loops in the ground, usually filled with a water-based solution. Below the frost line, ground temperature is constant, so the equipment doesn’t have to work as hard to transfer energy, which makes it more efficient. The installation price can be several times as much as an ASHP, but the lifetime estimate is 25 years for the equipment and 50+ years for the ground loop,* compared to 19 years for central AC or ASHP systems.

Mini-Split Heat Pump

The main advantages of a mini-split heat pump are their small size and flexibility for zoning of heating and cooling individual rooms as these systems do not require a central ventilation system. Simple installation and higher energy efficiency are the other two major advantages.

Golden Sustainability will match the following Xcel rebates:

  • Ground Source heat pump, whole home, standard efficiency:  up to $300
  • Air Source heat pump, whole home, high efficiency:  up to $300
  • Air Source heat pump with cold climate rating, whole home, high efficiency:  up to $1,000
  • Mini-split heat pump:  up to $300
  • Mini-split heat pump with cold climate rating:  up to $1,000

For qualified low income owners, Golden Sustainability Rebates are double:

  • Ground Source heat pump, whole home, standard efficiency:  up to $600
  • Air Source heat pump, whole home, high efficiency:  up to $600
  • Air Source heat pump with cold climate rating, whole home, high efficiency:  up to $2,000
  • Mini-split heat pump:  up to $600
  • Mini-split heat pump with cold climate rating:  up to $2,000

Electrical Panel Upgrades

Upgrading to a 200-amp electrical panel with a service is often necessary because homes today use more power than older properties can handle. Increasing amperage capacity allows you to use more power safely, with better performance from your electricity supply. Rebates do not apply to new panels.

  • For residential panel upgrades to at least 200 amps:  up to $500.
  • For low-income, qualified, residential owners:  up to $1,000.

Electric Heat Pump Water Heater

Heat pump water heaters use electricity to move heat from one place to another instead of generating heat directly.

  • For all-electric heat pump water heater:  up to $250
  • For low-income, qualified, residential owners:  up to $500

Smart Irrigation Technologies

A smart irrigation controller uses local weather conditions to tailor watering schedules to conditions on site and to each irrigation zones’ water needs. The user will need to input data about each irrigation zone such as soil type, exposure, vegetation type, sprinkler head type, and slope. On most smart controllers, this can be done from any mobile phone. The City of Golden will issue a rebate for half the pre-tax price of one or more qualifying smart controller(s) up to $100.

A rain sensor is an addition to your irrigation controller that acts like a switch and shuts down your sprinkler system when it rains. The user must input the amount of rain needed before the system shuts off, as well as how long the system will stay off once triggered.

  • The City of Golden will issue a rebate for the full, pre-tax price of a qualifying rain sensor up to $50.

The City of Golden will rebate commercial water customers for qualifying installations of these water saving technologies. For more information on what technology qualifies please see the Commercial Smart Irrigation Rebate List.

COG Mesa

 Golden has 402 acres of open space
and maintains 253 acres of parks right within the city itself.

Additional Resources

City of Golden, Colorado
COG Mesa
Skip to content