Before quoting a job, many foreign owners ask us whether there are grants or subsidies available for installing more efficient air conditioning in the Valencian Community. The honest answer is: sometimes, yes — but programmes change every year, have limited budgets, and very specific rules. Here's how they generally work and where to check the official details, without promising you a figure we can't guarantee.
What kind of grants tend to exist
In the Valencian Community, the reference body for energy efficiency and air conditioning grants is IVACE (Institut Valencià de Competitivitat Empresarial), which periodically manages incentive programmes linked to regional, national (often channelled through IDAE, Spain's national energy institute) or European funds. Depending on the year, there may also be specific programmes for replacing old units with high-efficiency ones — typically heat pump systems with a high energy rating.
The grant amount, the percentage of the installation cost it covers, and the technical requirements of the equipment (minimum energy class, refrigerant type, maximum subsidised power) all vary by call for applications — which is why we deliberately avoid quoting you a fixed "up to X%" figure here. The right approach is to check the official terms of whichever programme is open at the time you're planning to install.
Requirements these programmes usually share
Although each call for applications has its own conditions, this type of grant tends to ask for some common elements:
- A minimum energy rating for the equipment installed (typically A++ or higher).
- Installation carried out by an authorised installer, with the corresponding installation certificate.
- In many cases, the application must be submitted before work starts, or within a specific window after the invoice date.
- Keeping an itemised invoice, the installer's certificate and, sometimes, photos of the old unit removed if it's a replacement.
How we handle this with our clients
When a client asks about currently available grants, we tell them which programmes we know to be active at that time and recommend confirming the details directly on the IVACE website or with their gestor, since conditions can change during the process. What we can guarantee is that choosing a higher-end, well-rated unit gives you a better chance of qualifying for whatever grant programme is published — on top of lower electricity bills for the life of the equipment.
How to check yourself whether a call for applications is open
Before assuming a grant is available, we'd recommend checking two sources directly: the grants and subsidies section of the official IVACE website, and the DOGV (Diari Oficial de la Generalitat Valenciana), where the official terms and exact deadlines for each call are published. When reading the terms, pay attention to three things: the opening and closing dates of the application window, the total budget available (many programmes run out before the official deadline, on a first-come, first-served basis), and the technical requirements demanded of the equipment. If you're not confident interpreting the terms of a specific call, a licensed gestor can usually confirm within minutes whether your project qualifies — well worth it if English isn't the language the terms are published in.
Other ways to reduce the cost
Beyond direct grants, there are other routes that can lower your effective cost, depending on your situation:
- Reduced VAT: under certain conditions, renovation works on private homes over two years old can qualify for a reduced 10% VAT rate instead of the general 21% — check with your gestor whether your case meets the requirements, as it depends on the specific nature of the work and the client.
- Medium-term energy savings: a high-efficiency unit (A++ or above) uses noticeably less electricity than an old one, which offsets part of the higher upfront cost within a few years of use — especially with the long summers typical of the Vega Baja.
Our recommendation
If your air conditioning installation project could benefit from an active grant, mention it during the technical visit — we provide the itemised invoice and certificate typically required to apply, and point you towards where to check the current IVACE requirements. If you also live in a community of owners, take a look at our guide on community rules and air conditioning before installing.