City of Ames Electric Services customers, Iowa · Rebate
City of Ames Smart Energy Residential Rebates
Run by City of Ames Electric Services (Smart Energy)
Ames Electric Services customers can get rebates on air-source heat pumps ($600 or $1,200), geothermal heat pumps ($400 to $1,000 per ton), heat pump water heaters ($500), central air ($200), attic insulation (up to $250), Level 2 EV chargers (up to $500), rooftop solar ($500 per kW), smart thermostats ($25) and ENERGY STAR appliances ($50).
Amounts
How much you get
Air-source heat pump: $1,200 for 17.2 SEER2+ or ENERGY STAR Cold Climate models, $600 for 15.2 to 17.1 SEER2 (mini-splits capped at $500). The amount depends on which of these fits your install.
| What you install | You get |
|---|---|
| 17.2 SEER2+ or ENERGY STAR Cold ClimateAir-source heat pump | $1,200 |
| 15.2 to 17.1 SEER2Air-source heat pump | $600 |
| 15.2 to 17.1 SEER2 (maximum)Mini-split heat pump | $500 |
| ENERGY STAR (per ton)Geothermal heat pump | $1,000 |
| Not ENERGY STAR (per ton)Geothermal heat pump | $800 |
| No new wells (per ton)Geothermal equipment replacement | $400 |
| 17.2 SEER2+Central air conditioner | $200 |
| Heat pump water heater | $500 |
| Smart thermostat (one per dwelling) | $25 |
| Attic insulation (50% of project cost) | 50% |
| Level 2 EV charger and installation (maximum) | $500 |
| Rooftop solar (per installed kW DC) | $500 |
| Electric dryer or refrigerator (each)ENERGY STAR washing machine | $50 |
| Induction range or cooktop | $50 |
| New battery electric lawn mower | $50 |
Eligibility
Do I qualify?
You need to meet all 2 of these.
Electric customer of City of Ames Electric Services.
Appliances must be ENERGY STAR certified; heat pumps and central air must meet the SEER2 levels listed.
Equipment
What equipment counts
The program sets these minimums for heat pumps and furnaces, ac and thermostats.
- Heat pumps
15.2 SEER2 or better ($600); 17.2 SEER2+ or ENERGY STAR Cold Climate certified ($1,200).
- Central air conditioners
17.2 SEER2+.
Applying
How to apply
You apply online.
- Check the rebate and its requirements on the Residential Rebates page.
- Buy and install the qualifying equipment.
- Submit the rebate online.
Each rebate has its own application in the city's online rebate portal. If you can't apply online, call 515-239-5177 to have a paper form mailed.
- Receive the rebate.
Forms and instructions, including for applying by mailCity of Ames Council Action Form 11-18-25: Updates to Smart Energy Rebate Program · City of Ames - Smart Energy
Questions about applying515-239-5177
Stacking
Use it with
Your address
Next steps
Check that it covers your address. Then, if you want, ask for a contractor quote.
Is it available at your address?
Before anything else
Your quote request is in If a contractor we work with serves your ZIP, they can contact you. We take one request per person; contact us to change it.
Get an email if this program changes
We'll write if its amount, status or deadline changes. Nothing else.
FAQ
Questions
How much does City of Ames Smart Energy Residential Rebates pay?
$25 to $1,200, depending on what you install. The table under How much you get lists each amount.
Do I need to be a City of Ames Electric Services customer?
Yes. It’s only for homes in City of Ames Electric Services customers, Iowa. See Do I qualify for the details.
Is it still available?
Yes. It was open when we last checked, on October 28, 2026.
Plain words
Words used on this page
- SEER2 and EER2
- Cooling efficiency ratings on the model’s spec sheet. Higher is better.
References
Sources
This page is built from these official pages, run by the program itself.
- City of Ames - Residential Rebates (Smart Energy)
- City of Ames Council Action Form 11-18-25: Updates to Smart Energy Rebate Program
- City of Ames - Smart Energy
When one of these pages changes, we re-check this page against it.
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