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NH Heat Pump and Energy Rebates in 2026

Updated 2026-10-10 · 7 min read

What NH homeowners can get in 2026: NHSaves heat pump and weatherization rebates and loans, the pending HEAR program, and the end of federal tax credits.

The big picture for 2026

There have been big changes since 2025. The federal tax credits many homeowners relied on for heat pumps, insulation and solar ended at the close of 2025. The main help available in New Hampshire now comes from NHSaves, the energy efficiency programs run by the state's electric and gas utilities, plus no-cost weatherization for income-eligible households through Community Action Agencies. A new income-qualified state rebate program funded by the federal government (HEAR) has been announced but had not opened as of the state's latest update.

All amounts below were listed on the program pages in October 2026. Rebates are offered while funding lasts and can change at any time, so check the linked program page before you sign a contract.

NHSaves heat pump rebates

NHSaves offers mail-in rebates on qualifying air-source heat pumps to residential customers of participating utilities: Eversource, Liberty, Unitil and the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC members have their own rebate table and efficiency minimums on the page). For 2026, the equipment must be installed in 2026, and the rebate paperwork must be postmarked by January 30, 2027. Check the end-of-year installation date on the form itself, since the page lists both December 30 and December 31. As listed on the NHSaves heat pump page in October 2026:

Standard rebate: $250 per ton for qualifying ducted or ductless air-source heat pumps. NHSaves says customers switching from oil, natural gas or propane systems are eligible if they meet all the other criteria.
Enhanced rebate for homes heated mainly by working, permanent electric resistance heat (such as electric baseboard): up to $2,000 per ton in total for installations on or after March 23, 2026. You must pre-verify your existing electric heat at NHSaves.com/GetVerified before the heat pump is installed.
Wi-Fi thermostat installed with a qualifying heat pump: $85 per unit, limited to one per heat pump zone.
Tonnage is the unit's rated (AHRI) cooling capacity in BTUs divided by 12,000. Eversource, Liberty and Unitil limit rebates to 5 tons per account.
Equipment must meet minimum efficiency requirements. NHSaves publishes a qualified product list and a heat pump checklist, along with questions to ask installers. NHSaves has announced that, starting January 1, 2026, heat pump models using R-410A refrigerant are removed from its qualified product list and aren't eligible for a rebate (NHSaves), so confirm the exact model qualifies before you buy.

Heat pump water heaters

As of October 2026, NHSaves offers a $900 rebate on new ENERGY STAR certified heat pump water heaters up to 85 gallons that meet minimum efficiency ratings. The unit must be purchased in 2026, and mail-in or online claims must be submitted by January 31, 2027. For tanks of 55 gallons or less, NHSaves says the rebate is applied instantly when the unit is bought through a participating distributor; for 56 to 85 gallons, you file a mail-in or online form. If you already got the instant discount, you can't also claim the mail-in rebate.

Instant discounts through contractors

NHSaves notes that some distributors and contractors may also offer point-of-sale discounts on heat pumps through the New England Heat Pump Accelerator. That's a state-led regional initiative funded by a federal grant and is not run by the NHSaves utilities. Ask your installer whether it applies to the equipment they're quoting. NHSaves also says that if you get equipment incentives through another efficiency program offered by your electric utility, you can't get its heat pump rebate for the same equipment (NHSaves heat pump terms).

Insulation, air sealing and energy audits

Through Home Energy Performance, NHSaves offers energy audits and weatherization incentives such as insulation and air sealing. A free online Home Heating Index tool checks whether your home qualifies for an audit. You'll need your last 12 months of heating fuel use, your conditioned square footage, your fuel type and utility, and your zip code (NHSaves weatherization). NHSaves says the program can mean up to $6,000 in rebates on overall improvement costs.

Financing: as of October 2026, Home Energy Performance participants can apply for efficiency loans through participating banks and credit unions. NHSaves lists 0% APR for Eversource customers and 2% APR for Liberty, NHEC and Unitil customers, with loans from $1,000 to $15,000 and maximum terms up to 7 years depending on the amount. You request a loan authorization form from your utility, and the lender decides whether you qualify.

Eversource customers with household income at or below 100% of state median income may qualify for an enhanced version with no-cost services such as health and safety checks, air sealing, insulation and certain energy-efficient equipment. NHSaves lists the income limits by household size on its weatherization page, and you apply through its income verification portal.

Help for income-eligible households

The NHSaves Income-Eligible Energy Assistance Program says it covers 100% of the cost to weatherize the homes of income-eligible homeowners and renters and replace inefficient equipment. Eligibility depends on household income and size. To apply, contact the Community Action Agency in your county.

The state also runs a Weatherization Assistance Program for low-income households, funded by federal grants and delivered locally by Community Action Agencies. Once you're found income eligible, you go on a waiting list for an energy audit, and qualifying improvements such as attic air sealing and insulation are installed. Your Community Action Agency can tell you which programs you qualify for and how they work together.

Not open yet: NH's federal HEAR rebates

The NH Department of Energy's Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) program is funded by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. As of its July 29, 2026 update, the department expected to launch it in fall 2026 and said funding was not yet available to consumers. Check the page for the current status. Listed rebate amounts include:

$8,000 for a heat pump for space heating and cooling
$1,750 for a heat pump water heater
$4,000 for an electrical panel (load center) upgrade, $2,500 for wiring, and $1,600 for insulation, air sealing and ventilation
$840 each for an electric stove, cooktop, range or oven, or a heat pump clothes dryer
A $14,000 maximum per household for projects with multiple items

HEAR eligibility and the HER program

The department says HEAR rebates will only be available to households earning up to 150% of area median income. Households between 80% and 150% can get up to 50% of project costs, and those under 80% up to 100%, within the caps above. The department says the rebates won't be retroactive: only projects started after the program officially launches will qualify. If you think you may be income-eligible, check the HEAR page for its launch status before you start a project. You can subscribe to updates by emailing IRARebates@energy.nh.gov with "Subscribe" in the subject line.

A companion whole-home program, Home Efficiency Rebates (HER), is not yet available in NH. The department says its planned amounts haven't been approved by the U.S. Department of Energy and could change.

Federal tax credits ended after 2025

The 2025 federal tax law (Public Law 119-21, signed July 4, 2025) ended two popular homeowner credits early, according to the IRS:

The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C), which covered heat pumps, insulation, windows and doors, isn't allowed for property placed in service after December 31, 2025.
The Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D), which covered solar, geothermal heat pumps and batteries, isn't allowed for expenditures made after December 31, 2025. The IRS treats an expenditure as made when installation is completed.
If your project was finished in 2025, it may still count for your 2025 taxes. Ask a tax professional. Be skeptical of any contractor who promises a federal tax credit for work done in 2026.

No state solar rebate right now

The NH Department of Energy says its Residential Renewable Electrical Generation Rebate Program, which gave rebates for home solar and small wind, is permanently closed after a 2024 law repealed it. Separately, under RSA 362-F:10, until July 1, 2027, the up to $1 million a year that the state's Renewable Energy Fund puts toward thermal and electrical renewable energy can't be used for individual residential solar projects. The department's wood pellet boiler and furnace rebate is also closed to new projects until further notice. Check the NH Department of Energy's homeowner funding page for anything new before you count on a rebate.

Finding a contractor and getting your rebate

Before you sign, ask the installer to confirm the exact model numbers qualify for NHSaves, whether you need pre-verification, and who will file the paperwork. Get the equipment's AHRI certificate and an itemized invoice. NHSaves's heat pump page has a checklist and installer questions to help.

You can browse HVAC contractors and electricians in our directory, or request quotes. For hiring basics, see our contractor hiring checklist, and for comparing systems see choosing a heating system.

This guide is general information, not tax or financial advice. Program rules and amounts change, so confirm the details with NHSaves, your utility or the NH Department of Energy before you buy.