How much can rebates stack up to?
Income-eligible households can stack HEEHRA (up to $8,000), a state heat pump incentive ($1–3K), a utility rebate ($300–$2K/ton), and the Federal 25C tax credit (up to $2,000). Most projects qualify for at least a few thousand dollars; income-qualified projects can reach $8–10K off.
Who qualifies for HEEHRA?
HEEHRA is income-based. Households at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) qualify for up to 100% of project cost; 80–150% AMI qualify for up to 50%. Each state administers its own application.
Do I have to apply for rebates myself?
It depends on the program. Point-of-sale rebates like HEEHRA are often applied directly by a participating contractor, so you never front the cost. Utility rebates and the federal tax credit usually require a separate application or tax filing.
Can I combine multiple rebates?
Yes, most programs are designed to stack, for example HEEHRA plus the Federal 25C credit plus a utility rebate on the same heat pump. Confirm each program's stacking rules, since some cap total assistance as a percentage of project cost.
Are rebates available for AC, or only heat pumps?
The largest rebates target heat pumps specifically, since they electrify heating as well as cooling. Standard high-efficiency AC and furnaces still qualify for some utility rebates and, in some cases, the Federal 25C credit.
Is the tax credit different for a geothermal heat pump?
Yes, and it's more generous. Air-source heat pumps use the capped 25C credit (up to $2,000/yr). Ground-source (geothermal) systems instead qualify for the Residential Clean Energy Credit, Section 25D, the same credit solar panels use: 30% of total project cost including installation, with no dollar cap.