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Electrificación del hogar completo — la jugada energética más inteligente en TX. Cuando su AC muera, reemplace el AC y la calefacción con una bomba de calor. Luego agregue solar para alimentarla. Juntos, ahorran más que cualquiera por separado.
Tanto el crédito solar federal (25D) como el crédito de bomba de calor (25C) expiraron el 31 de diciembre de 2025. Esta guía le muestra cada incentivo que realmente funciona en 2026, las matemáticas reales del paquete, y la secuencia de instalación correcta.
Costo del paquete
$30K–$47K
Solar + BC combinado
Ahorro anual
$2,500–$4,000
Reducción de costo energético
Créditos federales
$0
25D + 25C ambos expirados
Reembolsos Austin
$5,500+
Mejor paquete de servicios en TX
Ambos créditos federales desaparecieron: 25D (solar) y 25C (bomba de calor) expiraron el 31 de diciembre de 2025.
Los propietarios que compran solar o una bomba de calor con efectivo o préstamo en 2026 reciben $0 en créditos fiscales federales. Muchos sitios web aún anuncian estos créditos. Esta guía usa solo datos verificados de 2026. Qué pasó con los créditos federales
Texas es un estado dominado por la refrigeración — aproximadamente el 80% de su energía HVAC va al aire acondicionado. Eso hace que el argumento del paquete sea únicamente fuerte aquí.
Una bomba de calor reemplaza tanto su AC como su calefacción. En Texas, eso significa que retira su unidad central de AC vieja y calefacción a gas e instala un solo sistema que calienta y enfría. Ahorro en equipo: $2,000–$5,000 versus comprar ambos por separado.
La mayor objeción a las bombas de calor es "mi factura eléctrica subirá." Solar elimina esa preocupación por completo. Sus paneles producen los kWh extra que necesita la bomba de calor, haciendo el aumento de factura eléctrica insignificante o cero.
Un reemplazo de AC + calefacción cuesta $8,000–$14,000. Una bomba de calor cuesta $8,000–$18,000 pero hace ambos trabajos. Está pagando una cantidad similar por equipo que es más eficiente y elimina su factura de gas por completo.
La mayoría de hogares en TX pagan $800–$1,500/año por gas natural (calefacción, calentador de agua, estufa). Una bomba de calor elimina la porción de calefacción. Agregue un calentador de agua con bomba de calor y estufa de inducción, y puede desconectarse del gas por completo.
Solar + bomba de calor + batería = hogar completamente electrificado e independiente de la red. Durante apagones de ERCOT, su batería alimenta cargas esenciales y la bomba de calor mientras el solar recarga la batería durante el día.
Winter Storm Uri dejó 4.5M de hogares sin energía. La red ERCOT está aislada — ningún estado vecino puede ayudar. Un sistema solar + BC + batería proporciona verdadera independencia energética para propietarios texanos.
El detonante del paquete en TX: cuando muere su AC
La mayoría de los propietarios texanos consideran una bomba de calor cuando su unidad de AC falla (vida útil promedio de AC en TX: 10–15 años). Ese es el momento perfecto para el paquete. En vez de gastar $5,000–$8,000 en un nuevo AC solamente, gaste $8,000–$12,000 en una bomba de calor que también reemplaza su calefacción, luego agregue solar para alimentarla. Aborda la necesidad inmediata y asegura décadas de ahorro.
Aquí está lo que realmente cuesta y ahorra el paquete en Texas en 2026, usando datos de precios reales. No se incluye ningún crédito federal porque tanto 25D como 25C están expirados.
Solar de 10kW + bomba de calor canalizada de 3–4 toneladas. Compra en efectivo, sin créditos federales.
| Componente | Rango de costo | Notas |
|---|---|---|
| Reemplazo tradicional de AC + calefacción | $8,000–$14,000 | Dos sistemas separados, dos instalaciones |
| Bomba de calor en su lugar (reemplaza ambos) | $8,000–$18,000 | Un sistema, una instalación. Central canalizada. |
| Ahorro en equipo vs AC + calefacción | $2,000–$5,000 | Ahorra al reemplazar dos sistemas con uno |
| Sistema solar de 10kW | $22,000–$28,500 | Market $2.2/W – NuWatt $2.85/W |
| Créditos fiscales federales (25D + 25C) | $0 | Ambos expiraron Dic 31, 2025 |
| Total Bundle Cost | $30,000–$46,500 | Solar + heat pump, no federal credits |
Annual Energy Savings
$2,500–$4,000
Solar production + HP efficiency + eliminated gas bill
Payback Period
8–12 years
Cash purchase, no federal credits, avg TX rates
Property Tax Savings
$400–$600/yr
100% solar exemption under TX Tax Code §11.27
Austin Energy Customers: The Best Bundle Deal in Texas
Austin Energy offers ~$3,000 in heat pump rebates (Power Saver program) plus $2,500 for solar, totaling $5,500+ in local rebates. Add the Value of Solar export credit at 9.91¢/kWh, and Austin bundle payback drops to approximately 6–8 years. Income-qualified customers may receive even more.
Both credits that previously made bundling more affordable expired under the OBBBA (signed July 4, 2025). Here is the current status.
Section 48/48E: Still Available for Solar Lease/PPA
If you go with a solar lease or PPA, the third-party system owner (the financing company, NOT the installer) can claim the 30% commercial ITC on the solar portion. This credit is available for projects beginning construction before July 4, 2026. It does not apply to heat pumps. On a $22,000 TX solar system, the lessor receives $6,600 in credits, which they pass to you via lower monthly payments.
Compare cash vs lease in TXHEAR Rebates: PENDING in Texas (Not Available)
Texas received a $690 million HEAR allocation. SECO (State Energy Conservation Office) is still in the RFP phase for a third-party administrator — proposals were due February 5, 2026. The launch date is TBD. When active, HEAR could provide up to $8,000 for low-income (≤80% AMI) and $4,000 for moderate-income (80–150% AMI) households for heat pump installation.
SECO warns against signing agreements for HEAR-dependent projects before official program launch.
With federal credits gone, utility rebates are the only direct financial incentives for the bundle. What you can get depends entirely on your utility territory. Here is the stack for each major TX utility.
| Territory | Solar Rebate | Heat Pump Rebate | Total Stack | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin EnergyBest | $2,500 flat upfront | ~$3,000 (Power Saver) | $5,500+ | Best deal in TX. Value of Solar 9.91¢/kWh for exports. Income-qualified may receive more. |
| Oncor (DFW, Waco) | None (REP buyback only) | $300–$600/unit | $300–$600 | Take a Load Off Texas program. Choose a REP with good solar buyback (Chariot ~10¢, Green Mountain ~9.7¢). |
| CenterPoint (Houston) | None (REP buyback only) | Up to $500/unit | Up to $500 | CenterPoint Standard Offer Program (SOP) provides up to $500 per qualifying ENERGY STAR heat pump. REP buyback for solar. |
| CPS Energy (San Antonio) | Residential solar rebate ended | $100–$275/ton (Casa Verde) | $500–$1,375 | HP rebate via Casa Verde. SEER2 16+ = $275/ton. Solar buyback at avoided cost only. |
| AEP Texas / TNMP | None | None confirmed (central HP) | Minimal | TNMP offers $400–$500 for heat pump water heaters only. No central HP or solar rebate. |
Rebates subject to funding availability and program changes. HEAR is NOT included (pending in TX). Verify current amounts with each utility before purchase.
The order in which you install matters. The heat pump changes your electric usage profile, which determines how much solar you need. Get this wrong and you will either overspend on solar or undersize it.
Have a professional energy audit and Manual J load calculation done. This determines the correct heat pump size for your home and helps identify insulation or duct issues to fix first.
Address your HVAC need first. The heat pump replaces both your AC and furnace in one installation. This changes your electric usage profile immediately.
Now that your electric profile reflects the heat pump load, size your solar system accurately. A heat pump adds 2,000–4,000 kWh/year but eliminates the gas bill. Size 1–2kW larger than a non-HP home.
Complete the electrification triangle. A 10–13.5kWh battery provides 8–16 hours of backup, powers the heat pump during outages, and enables ERCOT DRRS participation.
Why Heat Pump First, Solar Second?
A heat pump changes your home's electric consumption significantly. It adds 2,000–4,000 kWh/year of electric usage while eliminating your gas bill. If you install solar first based on your current electric profile, you will undersize the system for your post-heat-pump needs. Installing the heat pump first lets you measure your actual new electric load, then size solar precisely to cover it. This results in a more accurate system and better ROI.
Adding a heat pump changes your electric profile. Here is how to size your solar system correctly for a heat-pump-equipped TX home.
Before Bundle
12,000 kWh/yr
Electric only (old AC)
Gas Bill
$1,100/yr
Heating + water heater
After HP Install
14,500 kWh/yr
No more gas bill
Solar System
11kW
~16,500 kWh/yr produced
Net Cost
~$0/yr
Solar covers everything
Solar + heat pump is a strong duo. Adding a battery creates the complete electrification triangle: generate, condition, and store your own energy. In Texas, the grid resilience argument alone justifies the investment.
During an ERCOT outage, your battery powers essential loads including the heat pump (most modern inverters support reduced- capacity HP operation). Solar recharges the battery each day. A 10–13.5kWh battery provides 8–16 hours of backup for essential loads.
During a multi-day winter event like Uri, solar panels still produce electricity (reduced in cloudy/icy conditions, but not zero). Even at 30–50% capacity, solar recharges a battery enough to run the heat pump for several hours daily — preventing pipe freezes and maintaining livable temperatures.
ERCOT is launching the Distributed Resource Registration System (DRRS) in 2026. This will register residential batteries and solar for potential demand response payments and grid services revenue. Battery owners may earn additional income by participating in grid balancing programs.
Battery Cost
$10,000–$16,000
10–13.5kWh installed
Full Bundle Cost
$40K–$63K
Solar + HP + battery
Outage Protection
8–16 hours
Essential loads + HP
DRRS Revenue
TBD in 2026
New ERCOT program
Deep dives into every aspect of heat pumps in Texas — rebates, costs, comparisons, utility programs, and installation guidance.
Comprehensive solar guides for Texas — buyback plans, costs, property tax, financing, and ERCOT battery backup.
Answers to the most common questions about bundling solar panels with a heat pump in Texas in 2026, including costs, credits, installation order, and battery backup.
Yes. In Texas, your AC is your single biggest energy cost. A heat pump replaces both your AC and furnace with one more-efficient system, and solar panels power that system with free electricity. Even without the expired federal tax credits (25D and 25C are both $0 in 2026), the combined energy savings of $2,500–$4,000/year and equipment savings of $2,000–$5,000 (replacing two systems with one) make the bundle financially strong, especially in Austin where $5,500+ in utility rebates are available.
No. Both Section 25D (residential solar ITC) and Section 25C (energy efficiency / heat pump credit) expired December 31, 2025 under the OBBBA signed July 4, 2025. Homeowners who purchase solar or heat pumps with cash or a loan receive $0 in federal credits in 2026. However, if you go with a solar lease or PPA, the third-party system owner can still claim the 30% ITC under Section 48/48E for projects beginning construction before July 4, 2026.
A typical bundle costs $30,000–$46,500: $22,000–$28,500 for a 10kW solar system plus $8,000–$18,000 for a ducted central heat pump. Adding a battery adds $10,000–$16,000. Austin Energy customers can reduce this by $5,500+ in utility rebates. The bundle often costs less than buying a separate AC, furnace, and solar system individually.
Install the heat pump first. The heat pump changes your electric usage profile significantly — it adds 2,000–4,000 kWh/year of electric usage while eliminating your gas bill. By installing the heat pump first, you can then size your solar system to match your actual new electric load, which results in a more accurately sized (and cost-effective) solar installation.
Typically 1–2kW larger than without a heat pump. A heat pump adds 2,000–4,000 kWh/year to your electric bill, but it also eliminates your gas bill ($800–$1,500/year). The net electric increase is modest. Most TX bundle homes install a 10–12kW solar system paired with a 3–4 ton heat pump.
It varies by territory. Austin Energy offers the best stack: ~$3,000 for heat pumps (Power Saver program) plus $2,500 for solar, totaling $5,500+. Oncor offers $300–$600 for heat pumps only. CPS Energy offers $100–$275/ton for heat pumps via Casa Verde. CenterPoint and AEP Texas offer minimal direct rebates. There is no statewide solar or heat pump rebate in Texas.
HEAR (Home Energy Assessment and Rebate) is PENDING in Texas. The state received a $690 million allocation, but SECO (State Energy Conservation Office) is still in the RFP phase for a third-party administrator as of February 2026. When launched, HEAR could provide up to $8,000 for low-income households and $4,000 for moderate-income. Do not factor HEAR into your 2026 budget — the launch date remains TBD.
A heat pump is essentially an air conditioner that can run in reverse. In summer, it cools your home exactly like a traditional AC. In winter, it reverses the refrigerant cycle to extract heat from outdoor air and pump it inside. In Texas’s mild winters, a standard heat pump handles heating efficiently without supplemental heat. You remove your old AC and furnace and install one heat pump system that does both jobs.
Yes. Texas exempts 100% of the added value of solar panels from property tax under TX Tax Code §11.27. This applies regardless of whether you also install a heat pump. File Form 50-123 with your county appraisal district by April 30. A $22,000 solar system saves $9,000–$12,000 in property taxes over 25 years.
With the full solar + heat pump + battery triangle, you have significant grid independence. During an ERCOT outage: your battery powers essential loads including the heat pump (most can run on reduced capacity from a battery inverter), your solar panels recharge the battery during daylight hours, and you can sustain essential operations for days. During Winter Storm Uri, homes with solar + battery maintained power while 4.5 million homes went dark. The DRRS program launching in 2026 may also provide revenue for battery participation in grid services.
Get a personalized estimate for your whole-home electrification bundle. We will size the heat pump, the solar system, and the optional battery based on your actual home, usage, and utility territory.
Or call us: 781-235-8180
Solar pricing: EnergySage Solar Marketplace (January 2026), NuWatt Energy TX installation data. Market rate $2.20/W, NuWatt $2.85/W.
Heat pump pricing: NuWatt Energy TX installation data, HVAC industry averages, individual utility program guidelines (Austin Energy, CPS Energy, Oncor).
Utility rebates: Austin Energy Power Saver (austinenergy.com), CPS Energy Casa Verde (cpsenergy.com), Oncor Take a Load Off Texas (takealoadofftexas.com).
HEAR status: SECO (comptroller.texas.gov/programs/seco), RFP phase as of February 2026.
Federal tax credits: OBBBA (signed July 4, 2025). Section 25D expired Dec 31, 2025. Section 25C expired Dec 31, 2025. Section 48/48E active for third-party system owners beginning construction before July 4, 2026.
Property tax: Texas Comptroller, TX Tax Code §11.27, Form 50-123.
ERCOT: DRRS program documentation (ercot.com).
Last updated: February 2026. Sources verified against official utility and government program documentation.