CenterPoint Energy HVAC Rebates and the Free ComfortCheck AC Tune-Up

Published October 16, 2026 · Reviewed October 16, 2026

Part of our HVAC financing guides.

Program details change — confirm current terms on CenterPoint Energy's site.

What are CenterPoint Energy HVAC rebates?

CenterPoint Energy HVAC rebates are utility incentives that lower the installed price of a qualifying central air conditioner, heat pump or mini-split for residential customers in the CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric service area. According to CenterPoint Energy, residential HVAC incentives "start at $200 and may increase depending on your installation."

The incentive is not a check you apply for. CenterPoint Energy applies it directly to the installation invoice when the work is done by a participating contractor. Homeowners do not file their own rebate application for this program.

What is the free ComfortCheck AC tune-up?

ComfortCheck is a CenterPoint Energy program that provides a free tune-up for an existing central air conditioner or heat pump. A technician checks the system and makes adjustments meant to improve its output and efficiency. Based on CenterPoint Energy's program information, a home is eligible when:

• The home is served by CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric.
• The home is not an apartment.
• The central AC or heat pump is at least one year old and working.
• The home has not had a ComfortCheck tune-up in the past 5 years.

Sign up through CenterPoint Energy's heating and cooling program page. If you want to know what a thorough tune-up should cover, see what happens during an AC tune-up.

Who qualifies for CenterPoint HVAC incentives?

CenterPoint Energy HVAC incentives apply to residential customers in the CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric service area who install qualifying equipment through a participating contractor. Most of Greater Houston is in that service area, but not all of it. Your electric bill or your retail electric provider can confirm which utility delivers your power.

Which equipment qualifies?

Central air conditioners, heat pumps and mini-splits can qualify, but only specific efficiency levels do. Published figures for the minimum efficiency rating have not been consistent, so ask your contractor which models qualify under the current program before you sign.

Is there a program for income-qualified households?

Yes. CenterPoint Energy runs a separate program for income-qualified homeowners in its Houston Electric territory. Eligibility includes household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, among other routes. It is a different program from the standard HVAC incentive, with its own application, so start from CenterPoint Energy's page for it.

What about The Woodlands?

The Woodlands is split between two electric utilities: Entergy Texas and CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, depending on the address. Entergy Texas runs a midstream program that pays incentives to HVAC distributors when qualifying equipment is installed in its territory. That is not a homeowner rebate you claim. The Woodlands Township offers an address lookup to confirm which utility serves a home.

What can go wrong with a CenterPoint rebate?

The most common way to miss a CenterPoint incentive is to hire a contractor who is not participating in the current program. Because the incentive is applied on the invoice, there is no way to claim it yourself afterward. Other ways it goes wrong:

• The equipment doesn't qualify. A system below the program's efficiency level gets no incentive.
• The home is outside the territory. Entergy Texas addresses in The Woodlands are not CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric customers.
• The program changed. Amounts and rules can change, and program funds can run out.
• Assuming a gas furnace rebate. We could not verify a current CenterPoint Energy gas furnace rebate amount for the Houston area, so we do not quote one. Ask CenterPoint Energy directly.

How can you confirm a contractor participates?

Ask any contractor you are considering whether they are a participating contractor in CenterPoint Energy's current residential HVAC program. Then confirm it on CenterPoint Energy's own site, which lists approved heating and cooling contractors. Get the answer in writing on your estimate, along with the model numbers, so you can check that the equipment qualifies before work starts.

A participating contractor applies the incentive on the invoice — if it isn't on the invoice, ask why before you pay.

It also helps to check the contractor's license. Texas air conditioning contractors are licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). JHC Cooling & Heating, LLC holds TDLR license TACLA75082C, is family owned and operated, and has served Greater Houston since 2016.

What should you do next?

Start with the free option: if your system qualifies, sign up for a ComfortCheck tune-up through CenterPoint Energy. If you are planning a replacement, get written estimates that list the equipment model numbers, ask each contractor whether they participate in the CenterPoint program, and check the current incentive on CenterPoint Energy's site.

To get an estimate from JHC Cooling & Heating, request service or call (832) 447-3233. If you would rather spread out the cost of a replacement, financing through FTL Finance is available, subject to credit approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the CenterPoint Energy HVAC rebate?

CenterPoint Energy says residential HVAC incentives start at $200 and may increase depending on your installation. The final amount depends on the equipment and the current program rules. Confirm current terms on CenterPoint Energy's site.

Do I apply for the CenterPoint rebate myself?

No. CenterPoint Energy applies the incentive directly to the installation invoice when you use a participating contractor. That is why it matters to ask any contractor whether they participate before you hire them.

Is the ComfortCheck tune-up really free?

CenterPoint Energy offers ComfortCheck as a free AC tune-up for eligible homes. The home must be a CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric customer, not an apartment, with a system at least one year old and no ComfortCheck in the past 5 years.

Which SEER2 rating do I need for the rebate?

Published thresholds have not been consistent, so we don't state one. Ask your contractor which models qualify under the current program, and check the model numbers on your estimate against CenterPoint Energy's program information.

I live in The Woodlands. Do I qualify?

It depends on your address. Part of The Woodlands is served by Entergy Texas, whose HVAC program pays distributors rather than homeowners, and part by CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric. The Woodlands Township has an address lookup to confirm your utility.

Is there help for lower-income households?

CenterPoint Energy runs a separate program for income-qualified homeowners in its Houston Electric territory, including households at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. It has its own application. Start from CenterPoint Energy's page for that program.

Sources

1. CenterPoint Energy — Heating and Cooling (residential incentives and ComfortCheck) — incentives "start at $200", applied on the invoice through a participating contractor; ComfortCheck eligibility (as of October 16, 2026)
2. CenterPoint Energy — Residential electric efficiency programs — Houston Electric residential program overview (as of October 16, 2026)
3. CenterPoint Energy — Agencies in Action — income-qualified program, household income at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines (as of October 16, 2026)
4. Entergy Texas 2026 Distributed Products Program HVAC Program Guide — distributor (midstream) incentive program (as of October 16, 2026)
5. The Woodlands Township — Utilities — Entergy Texas or CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric depending on address (as of October 16, 2026)
6. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation — License Search — contractor license lookup (as of October 16, 2026)