HECO’s New Backup Power Rebate: A Smart Move Every HVAC-Reliant Business Should Act On

Alltemp
Oct 26
3 min read

Alltemp HVAC Air Conditioning Refrigeration Additional Solar Baterry being installed HECO Rebate

Hawaiian Electric’s new Backup Power Rebate Program, announced October 22, is one of the best opportunities yet for Hawaii’s commercial sector to strengthen resilience—and it directly affects every business that depends on refrigeration, cooling, or air conditioning to operate.

At Alltemp Hawaii, we’re encouraging our clients to take advantage of this program immediately. Why? Because this is a rare moment when preparedness, cost savings, and sustainability all align—and waiting could mean missing out.

About the HECO Backup Power Rebate Program

002 Alltemp HVAC Air Conditioning Refrigeration HECO inspecting power lines Hawaiian Electric

Hawaiian Electric’s proposed program offers:

Commercial customers: up to $400 per kilowatt rebate toward a qualifying backup system
Residential customers: up to $1,000 for battery systems or $500 for generators
Focused on wildfire-risk and Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) zones where outages are most likely

This is a two-year pilot meant to help communities stay operational during pre-emptive or weather-driven power outages.

For HVAC-R-reliant industries, this isn’t just a rebate—it’s a resilience tool.

Batteries Make Sense for HVAC-Reliant Operations

As an HVAC service company, we see first-hand how power loss impacts cooling and refrigeration systems—spoiled products, equipment stress, restarts, and comfort issues.

003 Alltemp HVAC Airconditioning Refrigeration Commercial storage battery

That’s why, while both generators and battery systems qualify for HECO’s rebate, we lean toward battery-based backup systems for most commercial clients.

Here’s why:

Batteries work seamlessly with renewable energy. Many businesses in Maui and Oahu already use or plan to add solar or wind power. Batteries integrate cleanly with those systems, storing surplus energy for HVAC loads during outages—no fuel or noise required.
Cleaner and lower-maintenance. Generators require fuel storage, periodic testing, and emissions compliance. Batteries operate silently and automatically, reducing service needs and potential downtime during an outage.
Positioned for future incentives. Hawaii’s Green Fee program and other sustainability grants favor renewable and low-emission solutions. Businesses choosing battery systems today could qualify for additional funding or tax credits later—a future-ready investment.

We don’t sell these systems, but as the company that keeps your HVAC and refrigeration running, we care about the infrastructure that powers them. A reliable, clean backup system supports what we do best—keeping your environment controlled, efficient, and protected.

Where This Matters Most

The HECO rebate will initially focus on wildfire-risk and PSPS-eligible zones, including:

Maui:

Upcountry (Kula, Makawao, Pukalani)
West Maui and Lahaina perimeter areas
Kihei–Wailea region, where renewable integration is expanding

Oahu:

Wai‘anae to Mākaha
Kapolei and Kunia uplands
North Shore corridor (Kahuku to Haleʻiwa)

These regions experience the most power instability risks—and are home to businesses that rely heavily on refrigeration, climate control, and continuous HVAC operation.

Preparedness Is Profit Protection

005 Alltemp HVAC air conditioning refrigeration restaurant supermarket walk-in refrigerators

Just this past week, Hawaiian Electric reaffirmed Red Flag warnings and possible Public Safety Power Shutoffs across high-risk zones. These proactive outages are meant to protect the grid, but they can stop operations in their tracks.

For HVAC-R-dependent businesses—resorts, supermarkets, restaurants, cold-storage, healthcare, and logistics facilities—the cost of downtime can be severe. HECO’s rebate provides a cost-shared solution: it helps fund a backup system that keeps your cooling running when the grid goes down.

Delaying could mean missing limited rebate funding and facing future outages unprepared.

Alltemp’s Role: Proactive Support for Resilient Operations

Alltemp HVAC air conditioning refrigeration technicians inspecting AC condensers on a hawaiian rooftop

At Alltemp, we’ve always believed that smart maintenance and monitoring are only part of resilience. Energy stability matters just as much.

That’s why we’re guiding our clients to explore this rebate and choose the best-fit backup option—preferably battery-based where possible, especially for companies already invested in solar or sustainable operations.

Our goal is to help HVAC-R-reliant businesses:

Protect cooling systems during outages
Avoid costly downtime or spoilage
Prepare for future renewable integration
Make the most of HECO and state sustainability incentives

This program aligns with our philosophy: proactive partnership, smarter preparation, and shared success.

Don’t Miss Out

007 Alltemp HVAC air conditioning refrigeration hawaiian sunrise sunset

Funding for the HECO rebate program is limited and will be distributed across Hawaii’s wildfire-risk communities. For businesses that depend on HVAC-R systems, this is a must-act opportunity.

Backup power is no longer optional—it’s strategic insurance. And choosing battery backup now could position your company for even greater energy independence in the years ahead.

Hawaiian Electric’s new Backup Power Rebate Program, announced October 22, is one of the best opportunities yet for Hawaii’s commercial sector to strengthen resilience—and it directly affects every business that depends on refrigeration, cooling, or air conditioning to operate.

At Alltemp Hawaii, we’re encouraging our clients to take advantage of this program immediately. Why? Because this is a rare moment when preparedness, cost savings, and sustainability all align—and waiting could mean missing out.

About the HECO Backup Power Rebate Program

Hawaiian Electric’s proposed program offers:

Commercial customers: up to $400 per kilowatt rebate toward a qualifying backup system

Residential customers: up to $1,000 for battery systems or $500 for generators

Focused on wildfire-risk and Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) zones where outages are most likely

This is a two-year pilot meant to help communities stay operational during pre-emptive or weather-driven power outages.

For HVAC-R-reliant industries, this isn’t just a rebate—it’s a resilience tool.

Batteries Make Sense for HVAC-Reliant Operations

As an HVAC service company, we see first-hand how power loss impacts cooling and refrigeration systems—spoiled products, equipment stress, restarts, and comfort issues.

That’s why, while both generators and battery systems qualify for HECO’s rebate, we lean toward battery-based backup systems for most commercial clients.

Here’s why:

Batteries work seamlessly with renewable energy. Many businesses in Maui and Oahu already use or plan to add solar or wind power. Batteries integrate cleanly with those systems, storing surplus energy for HVAC loads during outages—no fuel or noise required.

Cleaner and lower-maintenance. Generators require fuel storage, periodic testing, and emissions compliance. Batteries operate silently and automatically, reducing service needs and potential downtime during an outage.

Positioned for future incentives. Hawaii’s Green Fee program and other sustainability grants favor renewable and low-emission solutions. Businesses choosing battery systems today could qualify for additional funding or tax credits later—a future-ready investment.

We don’t sell these systems, but as the company that keeps your HVAC and refrigeration running, we care about the infrastructure that powers them. A reliable, clean backup system supports what we do best—keeping your environment controlled, efficient, and protected.

Where This Matters Most

The HECO rebate will initially focus on wildfire-risk and PSPS-eligible zones, including:

Maui:

Upcountry (Kula, Makawao, Pukalani)

West Maui and Lahaina perimeter areas

Kihei–Wailea region, where renewable integration is expanding

Oahu:

Wai‘anae to Mākaha

Kapolei and Kunia uplands

North Shore corridor (Kahuku to Haleʻiwa)

These regions experience the most power instability risks—and are home to businesses that rely heavily on refrigeration, climate control, and continuous HVAC operation.

Preparedness Is Profit Protection

Just this past week, Hawaiian Electric reaffirmed Red Flag warnings and possible Public Safety Power Shutoffs across high-risk zones. These proactive outages are meant to protect the grid, but they can stop operations in their tracks.

For HVAC-R-dependent businesses—resorts, supermarkets, restaurants, cold-storage, healthcare, and logistics facilities—the cost of downtime can be severe. HECO’s rebate provides a cost-shared solution: it helps fund a backup system that keeps your cooling running when the grid goes down.

Delaying could mean missing limited rebate funding and facing future outages unprepared.

Alltemp’s Role: Proactive Support for Resilient Operations

At Alltemp, we’ve always believed that smart maintenance and monitoring are only part of resilience. Energy stability matters just as much.

That’s why we’re guiding our clients to explore this rebate and choose the best-fit backup option—preferably battery-based where possible, especially for companies already invested in solar or sustainable operations.

Our goal is to help HVAC-R-reliant businesses:

Protect cooling systems during outages

Avoid costly downtime or spoilage

Prepare for future renewable integration

Make the most of HECO and state sustainability incentives

This program aligns with our philosophy: proactive partnership, smarter preparation, and shared success.

Don’t Miss Out

Funding for the HECO rebate program is limited and will be distributed across Hawaii’s wildfire-risk communities. For businesses that depend on HVAC-R systems, this is a must-act opportunity.

Backup power is no longer optional—it’s strategic insurance. And choosing battery backup now could position your company for even greater energy independence in the years ahead.

At Alltemp Hawaii, we’re here to help our clients stay cool, stay compliant, and stay ready.

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