GWP heat pump rebate
$1,000 per ton for an ENERGY STAR heat pump or mini-split replacing gas or electric HVAC or a gas furnace; $500 per ton when replacing an existing heat pump. Apply within 12 months; finaled mechanical permit required.
Local guide · independent publisher, not a contractor
AC installation in Glendale
Glendale runs its own utility and its own permits, and it is moving AC replacements toward heat pumps. Glendale Water and Power lists $1,000 per ton for a heat pump that replaces gas or electric heating, and HVAC change-out permits are issued online. Confirm both with the city before you rely on them.
Reviewed · 5 named sources · No named reviewer yet; see our editorial policy.
Glendale at a glance
$1,000/tonGWP heat pump rebate listed (verify)
55%of homes in buildings of 5+ units (ACS 2024)
33.5%of homes owner-occupied (ACS 2024)
How sure we are
Glendale's website refused our automated reads. The rebate, permit and reach-code lines on this page come from the city's own pages as shown in search results, so each carries a verify mark. Confirm with the city before signing.
What differs in Glendale
Online change-out permits
Glendale lists HVAC change-outs among simple residential permits issued online through GlendalePermits without office review; field inspectors check the work. Attach a CF1R energy form.
AC-to-heat-pump reach code
Adopted for replacements and new installs in single-family homes, duplexes and townhouses; the city says it takes effect after state review.
What the AC-to-heat-pump rule could mean for you
An "AC2HP" rule generally means that when you replace a central AC, the replacement should be a heat pump, which cools the same way and also heats. Glendale says its version covers single-family homes, duplexes and townhouses and takes effect after state review.
If it is in effect on your permit date
Expect the contractor to quote a heat pump rather than a like-for-like AC. The GWP rebate then applies at $1,000 per ton if gas or electric heating is replaced.
If it is not yet in effect
A straight AC replacement is still allowed. Price a heat pump anyway: with the rebate, the gap to a new AC can be small.
The GWP rebate, worked through
| Size | Replacing gas or electric heat ($1,000/ton) | Replacing a heat pump ($500/ton) |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 tons | $1,500 | $750 |
| 2 tons | $2,000 | $1,000 |
| 3 tons | $3,000 | $1,500 |
| 4 tons | $4,000 | $2,000 |
Our arithmetic from the listed per-ton amounts. Check GWP's page for any cap, which we could not confirm.
What Glendale homes are like
Glendale is more of an apartment city than its neighbors: 55% of homes are in buildings of five or more units, and 35% are single-family houses. Only 33.5% are owner-occupied.
1967median year housing in Glendale was built
27%of homes built before 1950
55%of homes in buildings of five or more units
Glendale homes by decade built
In a multi-unit building the outdoor unit's location, the line-set route and any wall penetrations need the HOA's or owner's approval. A long line set is published as an adder of $300–$1,500. See AC in condos and multifamily buildings.
How hot Glendale gets
NOAA has no 1991–2020 normals station inside Glendale. The closest is the Burbank–Glendale–Pasadena airport, a few miles northwest, at 53.9 days a year at 90 °F or above. Glendale's hillside and canyon neighborhoods vary around that.
Days a year at 90 °F or above
| Station | Days ≥90 °F | Days ≥100 °F | Avg summer high | Cooling degree days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAX airport USW00023174 | 4.8 | 0.2 | 74.6 °F | 720 |
| Downtown LA (USC) USW00093134 | 25.6 | 1.8 | 81 °F | 1,296 |
| Burbank–Glendale–Pasadena airport USW00023152 | 53.9 | 7.2 | 85.3 °F | 1,481 |
| Pasadena USC00046719 | 74.1 | 9.5 | 88 °F | 1,604 |
What installation costs
Los Angeles published ranges from 6 named LA sources, not Glendale quotes.
| Job | Published LA range, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Central AC, 3 tons, existing ducts | $8,000–$16,000 |
| Ducted heat pump, 3 tons | $12,000–$15,000 |
| Mini-split, 1 / 2 / 3 zones | $4,000–$7,500 / $9,000–$12,500 / $12,000–$16,500 |
Sources: AC installation cost in Los Angeles. The federal 25C credit applied to qualifying equipment placed in service before 31 December 2025. A system installed in 2026 does not qualify.
Getting the permit in Glendale
- Check the reach-code status for your permit date with the contractor or the city.
- The contractor applies online through GlendalePermits, in their name, with a CF1R energy form.
- Install and test to Title 24: duct sealing and test, refrigerant checks, third-party verification.
- Field inspection closes the permit.
- Apply to GWP within 12 months with the finaled mechanical permit.
Glendale installation checklist
- GWP electric account confirmed.
- Owner or HOA approval, if you are in a multi-unit building.
- Reach-code status checked for your permit date.
- ENERGY STAR heat pump, if you want the rebate.
- Permit online, CF1R attached, inspection booked.
- GWP application within 12 months.
Compare quotes in the quote comparison tool.
Sources
- Glendale Water and Power, Smart Home Rebate Program (retrieved 2026-10-18) — verify before relying on it
- City of Glendale, Permit Guidance (retrieved 2026-10-18) — verify before relying on it
- City of Glendale, Office of Sustainability, Heat Pump Information (retrieved 2026-10-18) — verify before relying on it
- NOAA NCEI, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual/seasonal station files (retrieved 2026-10-18)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 1-year, tables B25034, B25024, B25035, B25003 (via Census Reporter) (retrieved 2026-10-18)
Questions
How much does AC installation cost in Glendale?
There is no reliable Glendale-only figure, so use the Los Angeles published ranges: a 3-ton central AC at $8,000–$16,000, a 3-ton ducted heat pump at $12,000–$15,000, a one-zone mini-split at $4,000–$7,500. A GWP rebate can take a large share off a heat pump.
How much is the Glendale Water and Power heat pump rebate?
GWP lists $1,000 per ton for an ENERGY STAR heat pump or mini-split replacing gas or electric heating or a gas furnace, and $500 per ton when replacing an existing heat pump, for amounts effective 1 November 2025. Confirm on GWP's page.
How long do I have to apply for the GWP rebate?
GWP lists 12 months from purchase, and it requires a finaled mechanical permit.
What is Glendale's AC-to-heat-pump rule?
Glendale has adopted an "AC2HP" reach code covering AC replacements and new installs in single-family homes, duplexes and townhouses. The city says it takes effect after state review, so ask the contractor whether it applies on your permit date.
Does an AC change-out in Glendale need a permit?
Yes. Glendale lists HVAC change-outs among simple residential permits issued online through GlendalePermits without office review, with field inspection afterward.
Who issues HVAC permits in Glendale?
The City of Glendale, not LADBS. Glendale is a separate city.
I rent an apartment in Glendale. Can I install a mini-split?
Only with the owner's approval. 55% of Glendale homes are in buildings of five or more units, and only 33.5% of homes are owner-occupied, so most installs here go through a landlord or HOA.
How hot does Glendale get?
NOAA has no normals station in Glendale itself. The nearest, Burbank–Glendale–Pasadena airport, averages 53.9 days a year at 90 °F or above, against 4.8 at LAX.
Will a GWP rebate cover a new central AC?
The rebate described here is for heat pumps and mini-split heat pumps. A cooling-only AC is not on it.
Next step
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- Tell us about the job. Service, ZIP, property and timing. The form says right away if your ZIP is outside the area.
- We check the license first. Requests go only to contractors whose CSLB C-20 license we have matched on the state register. If none covers your ZIP yet, we email you and say so.
- Compare what comes back. Line the written quote up against the published ranges and the quote checklist.
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