Energy Programs Outside Austin Energy's Territory

A common mistake in the Austin suburbs is planning an HVAC or insulation project around Austin Energy's rebates, then discovering the house isn't served by Austin Energy. The metro is a patchwork of electric providers, each with different programs or none. Before you budget for a rebate, look at the top of your electric bill.

Who serves where (in general)

Service boundaries don't follow city limits exactly. Neighbors on the same street can have different providers.

Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC)

PEC is the largest electric cooperative in Texas and serves much of the western metro. Its public resources emphasize energy-saving tips, online energy audits and phone energy assessments. Before replacing HVAC or adding insulation, check PEC's site for any current member programs. As of this writing, its site doesn't publish a broad residential rebate menu like Austin Energy's. Contractor ads sometimes advertise "PEC rebates". Ask for the program name and confirm it on PEC's site.

City of Georgetown

Georgetown residents are served by a community-owned electric utility run by the city. Check the city's utility pages for current residential programs, and coordinate service upgrades (for EV chargers, heat pumps or additions) with the utility early.

Competitive-market areas (Oncor delivery)

In the competitive market, you choose a retail electric provider, but efficiency programs come through the transmission and distribution utility. Oncor runs a residential Home Energy Efficiency program with incentives for eligible HVAC and insulation upgrades, paid to approved participating contractors and passed on to customers. Program funding is set annually and can run out before the year ends, so ask a participating contractor whether funds are currently available. Some retail providers also offer their own promotions.

Bluebonnet and other co-ops

Electric cooperatives set their own member programs. Check your co-op's website or call member services before you buy equipment.

Programs that don't depend on your electric utility

• Water utility rebates. Austin Water customers have landscape and water-saving rebates, and other water providers may have their own. See Austin Water landscape rebates.
• Insurance discounts for impact-resistant roofs. Ask your insurer.
• Manufacturer promotions on HVAC equipment.
• Federal credits ended for property placed in service after 2025.

How to check in five minutes

1. Find your provider's name on your bill.
2. Search the provider's site for "rebates," "energy efficiency" or "save energy."
3. Note the requirements: participating contractor, pre-approval, equipment ratings.
4. Ask contractors whether they participate, and get it in writing.

Planning without a rebate

If no rebate applies, the priorities are the same; only the payback changes:

• Air sealing and attic insulation are inexpensive and effective in hot climates.
• Duct sealing is often the biggest hidden loss in attic-ducted homes.
• Right-sized HVAC from a Manual J load calculation. See our HVAC guide.
• Solar screens on west windows.

How to find your provider

Your electric bill shows your utility or retail provider. Your wires company (Oncor, Pedernales Electric Cooperative, Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and others) is the one that usually runs efficiency programs. Check its website for current offers before choosing equipment.