Home projects in Longmont

Longmont is the largest city in the St. Vrain Valley, and it does a few things that set it apart from most metro suburbs. The biggest for homeowners: the city owns its electric utility. Longmont Power & Communications (LPC) delivers power and runs its efficiency rebates through Efficiency Works, a partnership among the Platte River Power Authority and its member utilities in Longmont, Fort Collins, Loveland and Estes Park. If you're used to Xcel Energy's programs elsewhere in the metro, the rules here are different.

Housing ranges widely: late-1800s and early-1900s homes in the historic core around Main Street and the older east side, postwar ranches, big 1970s-90s subdivisions, and newer neighborhoods spreading east toward I-25 and into Weld County.

Rebates through Efficiency Works

The city says it offers rebates and efficiency programs to electric customers through Efficiency Works. For heating and cooling, the Efficiency Works HVAC incentive sheet effective January 1, 2026 lists:

The sheet sets minimum efficiency criteria (for example, a minimum of 15.2 SEER2 and 7.8 HSPF2 for ducted systems, with matched indoor and outdoor coils). Efficiency Works programs generally require using a participating service provider, and some projects need pre-approval. Rebates can change, so check current terms with Efficiency Works before you sign.

Colorado's state heat pump tax credit applies on top of utility rebates: for systems installed in 2026, the credit is $1,000 for air-source heat pumps, and registered contractors must pass a minimum $333 of it to you as an invoice discount.

Contractor licensing in Longmont

Longmont requires contractors to be licensed with the city. According to the city, general contractors (Class A, B and C) and mechanical contractors must pass exams, and Longmont accepts International Code Council (ICC) exam certificates for the currently adopted code or one prior cycle. Electricians and plumbers must submit current Colorado master's and contractor licenses. Applicants also submit a certificate of insurance. Applications and renewals run through the city's online portal.

For you, that means a quick check: ask for the contractor's Longmont license, then verify any electrician or plumber on DORA's license lookup.

Floodplains and the St. Vrain

The St. Vrain River and Left Hand Creek run through Longmont, and the city has been rebuilding its river corridors since the September 2013 flood. If your property is in a mapped floodplain, additions, basement finishes and substantial remodels can trigger floodplain review. Check the floodplain maps for your address before you design anything below grade or any addition near a creek.

What Longmont homes typically need

Older central homes. Wiring and plumbing updates, insulation, window restoration or replacement, and small kitchen and bath remodels. Heat pumps are a good fit for adding cooling without big duct runs.

1970s-90s subdivisions. Roofs and siding after hail, window replacement, furnace and AC replacement, kitchen updates, and finishing partly finished basements.

Newer east-side homes. Basement finishes, decks, fences and landscaping, usually with HOA review.

Across all of them, Longmont's own utility programs make HVAC electrification a project to price carefully. A heat pump with LPC's Efficiency Works rebate plus the state tax credit discount can change the math compared with a like-for-like AC replacement.

Planning tips

1. Confirm your electric provider. Most Longmont addresses are LPC customers, but some properties at the edges may be served by another utility, which changes the rebate program.
2. Ask your HVAC contractor whether they're an Efficiency Works participating provider.
3. Check floodplain status before designing below-grade or additions.
4. Get HOA approval for exterior changes in covenant-controlled neighborhoods.

Comparing bids

When you collect HVAC bids, ask each contractor to list the exact model numbers, the rated heating capacity at 5°F for cold-climate units, and which rebates and credits they've assumed in their price. Equipment that misses the Efficiency Works efficiency criteria won't qualify, and a bid that counts a rebate you can't get isn't a real price. For roofing and siding, ask for the Longmont license, the insurance certificate and a written scope covering tear-off, decking repairs, flashing and cleanup.