Orlando AC rebates in 2026: Duke, OUC and KUA. What's actually real.
The federal credit is gone. Your utility is not.
The $2,000 federal tax credit ended December 31, 2025. What still pays you back in 2026 is your electric utility — and the amounts are real, published, and claimable. Here is exactly what each one pays, what qualifies, and the one step each requires before the install.
The short version
- Duke Energy Florida: $300 for an AC replacement, $500 for a heat pump replacement, up to $1,000 when replacing electric strip heat with a heat pump. Free Duke Home Energy Check required first.
- OUC (Orlando and St. Cloud): $45–$1,150 on a 15.2 SEER2 or better heat pump, scaled by tonnage and efficiency. A typical 3-ton 16 SEER2 system lands around $400–$600.
- KUA (Kissimmee): $250 bill credit for a 16 SEER / 12.5 EER / 8.5 HSPF or better heat pump, plus 50% up to $200 on duct repair and 50% up to $100 on a smart thermostat. KUA home energy audit required first.
- Stack it: utility rebates apply on top of Carrier Cool Cash and special financing. We file the utility paperwork for you.
Duke Energy Florida
Duke's residential program pays on replacements, not new construction. The amounts: $300 for a straight AC replacement, $500 when you replace with a heat pump, and up to $1,000 when you retire electric strip heat in favor of a heat pump. The catch most people miss: Duke requires its free Home Energy Check before the install is scheduled. Do it first; it takes about an hour and unlocks the rebate.
OUC — Orlando and St. Cloud
OUC pays by capacity and efficiency, so the range is wide: $45 at the low end to $1,150 for large, high-efficiency heat pumps at 15.2 SEER2 or better. For the system most Orlando homes actually buy — 3 tons at 16 SEER2 — expect roughly $400–$600. Ask us to run your exact number from the OUC table before you choose a tier; sometimes the next efficiency step pays for itself in rebate alone.
KUA — Kissimmee
KUA credits your bill: $250 for a qualifying heat pump (16 SEER / 12.5 EER / 8.5 HSPF or better), 50% up to $200 on duct repair, and 50% up to $100 on a smart thermostat. KUA requires its home energy audit before the work; we schedule around it.
What we do, and what you do
- You book the utility's free energy check or audit (we tell you which one and how).
- We size the system with a load calculation and quote good, better and best on one page, with the rebate shown on each line.
- We file the utility rebate paperwork after the install. Duke and KUA credit your bill; OUC pays by check or credit depending on program year.
Can I still get the federal tax credit?+
No. The 25C credit ended December 31, 2025 and does not apply to 2026 installs. Anyone advertising it is wrong or out of date.
Do rebates apply to repairs?+
No. All three programs pay on system replacement or efficiency upgrades, not repairs. Maintenance plans and repairs are priced separately.
Can I combine the utility rebate with Cool Cash?+
Yes. Carrier Cool Cash and the special financing are the manufacturer's program; the utility rebate is separate. They stack.
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