FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Rebates, rules and how this site works
Is IrrigationRebates.com free?
Yes. Looking up rebates is free, and you don't need an account.
How do you know the rebates are real?
We list only programs we can confirm on an official utility or government page. Every program links to its source, quotes it and shows the date we last checked it.
Do you get paid?
Some product links are Amazon affiliate links, and we may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. It never affects which rebates we list. See our affiliate disclosure.
How do I know which utility runs my program?
Check who you pay your water bill to. Programs are limited to that utility's customers. Seminole County, for example, says your bill must be paid directly to Seminole County Utilities, not a city or private utility (Seminole County), and Toho says the same for Toho customers (Toho).
Should I buy first or apply first?
Read your program's rules first, because they differ. Miami-Dade says retrofits done before the free pre-assessment do not qualify (Miami-Dade WASD), and Leesburg requires pre-approval before purchase (City of Leesburg). Seminole County, on the other hand, requires the product to be installed and photographed before you apply (Seminole County).
Does a WaterSense label guarantee a rebate?
No. EPA says WaterSense “does not provide any rebates for products” and tells you to contact your local water provider (EPA WaterSense Rebate Finder). Each utility sets its own rules. OUC, for example, pays only for standalone WaterSense controllers, not plug-ins or add-ons (OUC).
Do I need a licensed contractor to get a controller rebate?
It depends on the program. Tampa Bay Water Wise's smart controller rebate requires installation by a licensed irrigation contractor (Tampa Bay Water Wise). OUC lets you install it yourself or hire a professional (OUC). Check your program page before you buy.
Does Florida law require a rain sensor?
Florida law says anyone who operates an automatic landscape irrigation system must “properly install, maintain, and operate technology that inhibits or interrupts operation of the system during periods of sufficient moisture” (s. 373.62, Fla. Stat.). UF/IFAS explains that this can be a rain sensor or another shutoff device, such as a soil moisture sensor controller or an ET (weather-based) controller (UF/IFAS AE221).
Do I still need a rain sensor with a smart (Wi-Fi) controller?
Under the statute, a properly working soil moisture or ET controller can serve as the shutoff technology (UF/IFAS AE221). UF/IFAS still recommends adding a rain sensor to an ET controller unless the controller measures rainfall on site, because Florida rainfall varies so much from place to place (UF/IFAS smart controller recommendations). Some rebate programs set their own rule: Lakeland, for example, requires an operating rain sensor at inspection (City of Lakeland).
Can I get a rebate if I irrigate with reclaimed, well or pond water?
Often not. Tampa Bay Water Wise's sprinkler parts rebates exclude homes on reclaimed, well or pond water (Tampa Bay Water Wise), and Toho excludes systems using wells, lakes and ponds (Toho). Toho does accept systems on its own irrigation or reclaimed service.
Can rebate money run out?
Yes. Several programs say funds are first-come, first-served until they run out, including Seminole County (Seminole County) and Toho Water Authority (Toho). Confirm with your utility before you buy.
Can a Rachio controller be mounted outside?
Rachio says an enclosure is required for hard-wired and/or outdoor installation (Rachio support). Rachio sells a weatherproof enclosure separately.
Each answer links to its official source. Programs change, so check the program page before you buy.