The first real cool-down of the season arrives this week, with rain likely Thursday night into Friday and overnight lows dropping into the high 40s by Friday, according to the National Weather Service forecast for Kennewick. That's the kind of drop that tends to remind Tri-Cities homeowners their furnace hasn't run since spring — and it's also a good moment to check whether a tune-up or upgrade this fall qualifies for a utility rebate.
Two utilities cover most of the region's heating rebates: Benton PUD, which serves electric customers in Kennewick and much of Benton County, and Cascade Natural Gas, which serves gas customers across the Tri-Cities. Franklin County and Pasco-area electric customers are generally served by Franklin PUD, which has its own rebate programs that homeowners should confirm directly with that utility. The first step for anyone hoping to save money on furnace or HVAC work this fall is figuring out which utility actually serves the address, since rebate eligibility, paperwork and contractor rules differ.
If you have electric heat: Benton PUD
Benton PUD's Residential Energy Efficiency Program offers rebates on weatherization and HVAC upgrades for electrically heated homes, including heat pumps, ductless heat pumps, duct sealing and insulation, according to the utility's residential rebates page. Rebates are credited directly on the customer's invoice from an approved contractor rather than paid out separately, which means the homeowner sees the discount up front rather than waiting on a mailed check.
That contractor requirement isn't optional. Benton PUD says all weatherization and HVAC rebate work must be performed by an "Approved Contractor," and the utility notes that rebate amounts and program requirements are "subject to change without notice," per Benton PUD's rebate pages. Homeowners should confirm a contractor's approved status with Benton PUD before signing any contract — doing the work first and asking questions later risks losing the rebate entirely.
The utility's current rebate schedule for weatherization and HVAC contractor work was revised Oct. 1, 2025, and is posted as a PDF on Benton PUD's site. Homeowners weighing a heat pump replacement or attic insulation this fall should pull up that schedule and check the dollar figures for their specific measure before getting quotes, since amounts can change without a public announcement.
Benton PUD also runs a Low-Income Energy Efficiency Program in partnership with Benton Franklin Community Action Connections for income-qualified households. Questions about either program go to the utility's Energy Efficiency Advisors at (509) 582-1234 or conservation@bentonpud.org, according to Benton PUD's low-income rebate page.
If you heat with natural gas: Cascade Natural Gas
Cascade Natural Gas offers rebates on residential furnaces, but the bar is high: only furnaces rated 95% AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) or higher qualify, according to the company's residential rebate application page. That rules out many mid-efficiency replacement units, so homeowners comparing furnace models should ask contractors for the AFUE rating up front rather than assuming any new furnace qualifies.
Eligibility also depends on billing and address type. To qualify, homeowners must be billed on residential rate schedule 503, and the installation has to be at a residential address — rebates aren't available for furnace work done at a business, per Cascade Natural Gas's residential rebate offerings page.
Timing matters here too. Cascade Natural Gas requires rebate applications to be submitted within 90 days of the final measure's installation, and the company advises allowing eight to 12 weeks to process an application, according to the company's terms and conditions. A homeowner who waits until January to file paperwork on an October furnace install could miss that 90-day window, so it pays to submit the application as soon as the installer finishes the job rather than setting it aside.
A fall checklist before you call a contractor
- Confirm which utility serves your address — Benton PUD or Franklin PUD for electric, Cascade Natural Gas for gas — since rebate rules and contacts differ.
- For electric-heat homes, verify a contractor is on Benton PUD's approved list before signing anything, and check the Oct. 1, 2025 rebate schedule for current dollar amounts on your specific project.
- For gas furnaces, ask the contractor for the unit's AFUE rating before buying; anything under 95% won't qualify for a Cascade Natural Gas rebate.
- Keep your installation paperwork and receipts, and file a Cascade Natural Gas rebate application within 90 days of the final install.
- Budget eight to 12 weeks for Cascade Natural Gas to process a rebate application, and don't expect a Benton PUD rebate outside the invoice credit from an approved contractor.
- If you're income-qualified, call Benton PUD's Energy Efficiency Advisors at (509) 582-1234 to ask about the Low-Income Energy Efficiency Program before paying for weatherization work out of pocket.
Frequently asked questions
Does Benton PUD pay a rebate check, or is it a discount? Benton PUD credits rebates directly on the invoice from an approved contractor, according to the utility's residential rebates page — homeowners don't file for reimbursement separately for that program.
What furnace efficiency rating do I need for a Cascade Natural Gas rebate? The furnace must be rated 95% AFUE or higher, per Cascade Natural Gas's rebate application page. Standard-efficiency furnaces below that threshold don't qualify.
How long do I have to apply for a Cascade Natural Gas rebate after installation? Ninety days from the date the final measure is installed, according to the company's terms and conditions. The company also says to expect eight to 12 weeks for processing once you apply.
What if I'm a Franklin PUD electric customer in Pasco? Franklin PUD runs its own rebate programs separate from Benton PUD's. Homeowners should contact Franklin PUD directly to confirm current rebate offerings, contractor requirements and contact information for that utility.
