Smart Thermostat Rebates 2026: How to Find Yours

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It’s the first cold morning of the fall. Someone turns the heat up to 74, someone else turns it down to 66, and the old thermostat on the hallway wall has been doing the same thing since 2009. A smart thermostat can end that, and in many places your utility will help pay for it. Here is where smart thermostat rebates come from, how to find yours in five minutes, and which thermostats usually qualify.

Smart thermostat rebates come from your electric or gas utility, not the federal government. They’re often $50 to $85 for an ENERGY STAR-certified model, sometimes as an instant discount, plus yearly credits if you join a peak-demand program. Find yours with the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder or your utility’s rebate page.

Prices change often. The prices below are what we saw at the maker or a major retailer in October 2026; check the current price before you buy. Rebate amounts are what each utility’s own page showed in October 2026 and can change or run out.

Where smart thermostat rebates come from

There is no federal smart thermostat tax credit in 2026, and there wasn’t a specific one before; the federal 25C home improvement credit ended for anything installed after December 31, 2025 (see the heat pump tax credit in 2026). The money for thermostats comes from utilities, because a home that heats and cools smarter uses less energy at the expensive peak hours. It shows up in three ways:

• Purchase rebates. A fixed amount back (mail-in or online) when you buy and install a qualifying model. Usually the model has to be ENERGY STAR certified.
• Instant discounts. Many utilities run an online store (a “marketplace”) where the rebate comes off the price at checkout.
• Enrollment rewards (“bring your own thermostat”). You get paid to let the utility nudge your thermostat a few degrees during a handful of peak-demand events, usually summer afternoons. You can override any event.

ENERGY STAR says certified smart thermostats are “independently certified, based on actual field data, to deliver energy savings,” and that its partners sponsor rebates on certified products. That certification is why it’s the first thing a rebate form asks about.

Real examples: what utilities paid in 2026

Program	What you get	The catch
Austin Energy, Power Partner Thermostat (Texas)	$50 thermostat rebate, $75 enrollment incentive per thermostat, $30 yearly bill credit (raised March 9, 2026)	Austin Energy may make brief adjustments at peak times; you can override
Con Edison, Smart Thermostat Program (New York)	$85 when you enroll an eligible thermostat; from year three, $25 a year if you take part in at least half of event hours	Needs central AC; events May to September, weekdays 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; listed models only
Google Nest Rush Hour Rewards (with partner utilities)	Varies by utility; Google says some partners give a Nest thermostat free or discounted	Only where your energy company partners with Google
ecobee rebates (with partner utilities)	Varies by utility; find by ZIP code at ecobee.com/rebates	Only where your utility offers one

Con Edison’s eligible list on its page included the Amazon Smart Thermostat, Sensi models (including the ST25 and ST76) and Honeywell Home T5 and T6 models, among others. That’s a good example of why you check the list before you buy: every program has its own.

How to find your smart thermostat rebate: do these next

1. ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder (energystar.gov/rebate-finder). Enter your ZIP code and pick thermostats. It lists rebates and special offers from ENERGY STAR partners near you.
2. Your utility’s website. Search the site for “thermostat rebate” or “marketplace.” Check both your electric and your gas utility; either may pay. Note the eligible models, the deadline after installation, and whether a pro must install it.
3. The maker’s rebate page. ecobee.com/rebates and Google’s Nest rebates and rewards page search by location. DSIRE (dsireusa.org) lists state and utility programs too. Always confirm on the utility’s own page before you buy.

Our top picks: smart thermostats that usually qualify

These are popular models that show up on utility rebate and enrollment lists. Most are ENERGY STAR certified per the maker; for the others, check the ENERGY STAR list and your utility’s list before you buy.

Rebate-friendly smart thermostats compared

Thermostat	ENERGY STAR	C wire	Subscription	About (Oct 2026)
ecobee Premium	Yes	Not required (Power Extender Kit in the box, per reviewers)	Optional (security)	$260 list; $210 on sale
ecobee Essential	Yes	May need Power Extender Kit (sold separately)	Optional (security)	$140 list; $110 on sale
Amazon Smart Thermostat	Yes	Required (adapter sold separately)	None	$80 list
Sensi Lite	Yes	Not on most systems; required for heat pumps	None	$90
Nest Learning (4th gen)	Check the ENERGY STAR list	Not required in most homes	None required	$280 list

1. ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium: best overall

ecobee’s top model comes with a SmartSensor you can put in the bedroom or the room you care about most, so the house heats and cools to where people actually are. It adds an air-quality monitor, radar occupancy sensing and built-in voice assistants. It’s ENERGY STAR certified, and ecobee runs a ZIP-code rebate finder for its partner utilities. ecobee listed it at $259.99 (on sale for $209.99) in October 2026.

• Good: room sensor in the box; ENERGY STAR; works with many utility programs; no subscription needed for the thermostat itself.
• Watch out: the priciest ecobee; the security subscription is an optional extra; confirm your wiring at ecobee.com/compatibility.
• Best for: homes with hot and cold rooms, and anyone who wants the most from a rebate program.

Check the ecobee Premium price on Amazon

2. ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential: best value

The Essential keeps ecobee’s app and scheduling and its ENERGY STAR certification at a lower price: $139.99 list, $109.99 on sale at ecobee in October 2026. With a $50 to $75 rebate, it can cost well under $100. ecobee says “No C wire, no problem,” but some homes need its Power Extender Kit, sold separately. It uses 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only and has no occupancy sensor.

• Good: ENERGY STAR at a low price; the ecobee app; good fit for rebate lists that name ecobee.
• Watch out: no sensor or occupancy detection; 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only; may need the extender kit.
• Best for: a simple upgrade from an old programmable thermostat.

Check the ecobee Essential price on Amazon

3. Amazon Smart Thermostat: best budget

Built with Honeywell Home technology and run from the Alexa app, the Amazon Smart Thermostat is ENERGY STAR certified and lists at $79.99 (often less). It works with most 24-volt systems, including heat pumps, and is on Con Edison’s eligible list. It needs a C wire; if you don’t have one, Amazon sells a C-Wire Power Adapter separately or in a bundle. It doesn’t work with line-voltage electric baseboard heat.

• Good: lowest price here; ENERGY STAR; no subscription; on many utility lists.
• Watch out: C wire required; Alexa app only; no room sensors.
• Best for: Alexa homes where a rebate could make it nearly free.

Check the Amazon Smart Thermostat price on Amazon

4. Sensi Lite (ST25): simple and no subscription

Sensi, made by Copeland, is a favorite of utility programs: Con Edison lists several Sensi models, and the Lite was about $89.99 on a utility marketplace in October 2026. It’s ENERGY STAR certified with no subscription and a 3-year warranty. Sensi says it doesn’t need a C wire on most systems, but it does for heat pumps and for heat-only or cool-only systems.

• Good: low price; ENERGY STAR; no subscription; common on rebate lists.
• Watch out: needs a C wire with a heat pump; no room sensors.
• Best for: furnace-and-AC homes that want a straightforward app thermostat.

Check the Sensi Lite price on Amazon

5. Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen): best for Nest homes

The 2024 Nest Learning Thermostat comes with a Nest Temperature Sensor, learns your schedule, and works with heat pumps. Google says fewer than 1% of homes need a C wire or its Nest Power Connector, and no subscription is required. It lists at $279.99. Google’s Rush Hour Rewards lets partner utilities pay you for easing off at peak times. We couldn’t confirm its ENERGY STAR status, so check the ENERGY STAR list if your rebate requires it.

• Good: sensor included; works without a C wire in most homes; Rush Hour Rewards with partner utilities.
• Watch out: highest price here; confirm it’s on your rebate’s eligible list; Google ended support for the 1st and 2nd generation Learning thermostats.
• Best for: homes already using Google Home.

Check the Nest Learning Thermostat price on Amazon

Ductless mini split or electric baseboard? Wall thermostats like these don’t control them. Look at plug-in controllers such as the Mysa for mini splits or line-voltage models for baseboards in the best smart thermostat for a mini split, and check your utility’s list, since fewer programs cover them.

How to choose a thermostat that gets the rebate

• Check the rebate list first, then shop. Programs name brands or exact models. Buying first and hoping is how rebates get denied.
• Look for ENERGY STAR. Most purchase rebates require it. Search the model on energystar.gov if the box doesn’t say.
• Check your wires. Take a photo of the wires behind your old thermostat before you buy. No C wire means you’ll need a model that works without one or an adapter. Heat pumps often need one.
• Mind the deadline. Many programs give you a set number of days after installation to apply. Keep the receipt and a photo of the installed thermostat.
• Know the deal on peak events. Enrollment rewards mean a few warmer summer afternoons (or cooler winter ones). You can override, but rewards may depend on taking part.
• Turn off power first. Swapping a low-voltage thermostat is a common DIY job if you switch off the HVAC breaker. Line-voltage (120/240 V) thermostats and any new wiring are a job for a licensed electrician or HVAC pro.

How much will a smart thermostat save?

ENERGY STAR says that on average, certified smart thermostats save about 8% of heating and cooling bills, or about $50 a year, and that savings can be greater depending on climate, comfort settings, how often the home is empty and your equipment. That’s an average, not a promise. Add a $50 to $85 rebate and an inexpensive model can pay for itself in a year or two in many homes. More in do smart thermostats save money and the best thermostat settings for winter and summer.

Keep exploring

Start with our smart thermostats guide, then see the best smart thermostats, ecobee vs Nest and the best smart thermostat without a C wire. For bigger savings, read home energy rebates by state and how to lower your electric bill. The science behind heating and cooling is in thermal energy explained. Browse all tax credit and rebate articles or our smart thermostat articles.

Smart thermostat rebate questions

Is there a federal tax credit for smart thermostats?

No. There is no federal smart thermostat credit in 2026, and the broader 25C home improvement credit ended for anything placed in service after December 31, 2025. Smart thermostat money comes from utilities and, in some states, state efficiency programs. Check the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder and your utility’s site.

How much is a typical smart thermostat rebate?

It varies by utility. In October 2026, Austin Energy paid a $50 rebate plus a $75 enrollment incentive, and Con Edison paid $85 to enroll an eligible thermostat. Some utilities offer instant discounts in their online stores. Many places offer nothing, so check before you count on it.

Can I get a rebate if I install it myself?

Usually yes; most purchase rebates don’t require a professional for a standard low-voltage thermostat. Some programs ask for proof of installation, such as a photo or the thermostat connected to Wi-Fi and registered with the maker. Read your program’s terms, and use a pro for line-voltage or new wiring.

Does my utility control my thermostat if I enroll?

Only a little, and only if you join a demand-response program. During peak events the utility shifts your setpoint a few degrees for a few hours. Austin Energy and Con Edison both say you can override any event from the app. A purchase rebate alone doesn’t require enrolling, unless the program says so.

Do renters qualify for smart thermostat rebates?

Often, if the electric or gas account is in your name, but you’ll need your landlord’s okay to change the thermostat. Keep the old one so you can put it back when you move. Check whether the program requires you to be the account holder.