Heat Pump or Solar First in the Inland Empire?

Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario, Moreno Valley: here's how to think through this decision with SCE's rebate and your hot summers in mind.

On this page
  1. Quick quiz: California rebates
  2. Good News: This One's a Bit Easier
  3. Why Heat Pumps Make Extra Sense Here
  4. Where Solar Still Fits
  5. Decision Checklist
Quick quiz

Quick quiz: California rebates

A few questions from the programs we track. Tap an answer to see why.

1. The most this program can pay: Burbank Water & Power: heat pump water heater. How much?

Burbank Water & Power: heat pump water heater pays up to $1,500. Official page, checked October 2, 2026.

2. The most this program can pay: SMUD Charge@Home. How much?

SMUD Charge@Home pays up to $600. Official page, checked October 2, 2026.

3. The most this program can pay: SMUD partner battery enrollment. How much?

SMUD partner battery enrollment pays up to $6,000. Official page, checked October 2, 2026.

4. The most this program can pay: Pasadena Water & Power: heat pump water heater. How much?

Pasadena Water & Power: heat pump water heater pays up to $500. Official page, checked September 28, 2026.

5. The most this program can pay: LADWP heat pump water heater. How much?

LADWP heat pump water heater pays up to $2,500. Official page, checked October 2, 2026.

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Good News: This One's a Bit Easier

In the Inland Empire — Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario, and Moreno Valley — the big heat pump incentive used to be TECH Clean CA, but TECH Clean California's single-family heat pump incentives have been fully reserved and closed to new reservations since November 14, 2025. Check SCE's current offers before you plan around a rebate. That, combined with your region's hot summers, tilts the decision more clearly than it does in some other parts of California.

Why Heat Pumps Make Extra Sense Here

A heat pump also runs in reverse as an efficient air conditioner. In a region with genuinely hot summers, that dual-purpose function matters a lot. You're not just buying winter comfort; you're replacing an old, inefficient AC unit at the same time, often with the same rebate covering both functions.

Where Solar Still Fits

None of this means skip solar. If your summer electric bills spike from AC use, solar can offset a big chunk of that cost, and a heat pump running efficiently pairs well with solar generation during peak summer sun hours. Many Inland Empire homeowners do best treating this as "heat pump now, solar next" rather than picking one forever.

Decision Checklist

  1. Check your current SCE/TECH Clean CA rebate eligibility, including DAC and hard-to-reach bonuses, at sce.com.
  2. If your AC is old, prioritize the heat pump — it replaces two systems at once.
  3. Budget solar as your next project once the heat pump rebate is locked in.

Full rebate breakdown: SCE Rebate Guide. Also see: Why the Inland Empire Is Underrated.

Local pages: Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario, Moreno Valley, Inland Empire hub.

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