New Hampshire Heat Pump Rebates & Incentives (2026)
New Hampshire heat pump incentives have two layers active right now: NHSaves utility rebates (up to $2,000 per ton for electric resistance replacement) and the new $650 NE Heat Pump Accelerator. Federal tax credits expired December 31, 2025, and the state's HEAR program has not launched yet. This guide covers all major New Hampshire heat pump incentives available in 2026, including NHSaves, the NE Accelerator, HEAR status, and financing options. Here's what's actually available.
Last verified: March 22, 2026
Rates and program availability may change after this date.
New Hampshire
Open
NHSaves rebates of $250–$1,250/ton are the primary incentive, plus a new $650/unit NE Heat Pump Accelerator. HEAR rebates (up to $8,000) are approved but not yet launched — expected mid-Summer 2026. Federal 25C/25D expired Dec 31, 2025. Projects started before HEAR launch are not eligible. R-410A banned from NHSaves qualified list for 2026.
The Short Version
✓ NHSaves Utility Rebates
$250/ton standard or up to $2,000/ton replacing electric resistance (Eversource/Liberty/Unitil, as of 3/23/2026). NHEC offers up to $1,250/ton. $900 for heat pump water heaters.
✓ NE Heat Pump Accelerator: $650/Unit
$650 per cold-climate heat pump outdoor unit plus $300 per HPWH. Instant point-of-sale discount through participating distributors. Stacks with NHSaves.
✓ Total Potential Savings
$900 (standard oil replacement) to $10,650+ (electric resistance replacement with Accelerator). If HEAR launches, income-qualified households could reach ~$11,000+ total incentives.
✗ Federal Tax Credits Expired
Section 25C ($2,000) and Section 25D (30% geothermal) both expired December 31, 2025. No replacement legislation exists.
⚠ HEAR Approved But Not Launched — Projects Before Launch Don't Qualify
New Hampshire's $34.7 million HEAR allocation is approved but the program has not launched. NH DOE expects mid-Summer 2026. Projects started before the official launch date are not eligible for retroactive rebates. R-410A systems are banned from the NHSaves Qualified Product List for 2026 — only R-32 or R-454B qualify.
Federal Tax Credits Have Ended
Section 25C (Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit) and Section 25D (Residential Clean Energy Credit) both expired on December 31, 2025, under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21). The 25C credit previously covered up to $2,000 for qualifying heat pumps. The 25D credit covered 30% of installed cost for geothermal heat pumps with no dollar cap. Neither credit is available for systems installed in 2026. For details, see our federal heat pump tax credit explainer.
Equipment purchased in 2025 but not installed until 2026 does not qualify. The "placed in service" date is when installation was complete and the system was operational. Homeowners who completed installations before the deadline but lacked sufficient tax liability may carry forward unused credit amounts.
NHSaves Utility Rebates — Active Now
NHSaves is the umbrella energy efficiency program coordinating across New Hampshire's four electric utilities: Eversource, Liberty, Unitil, and NH Electric Cooperative. The 2026 program year covers installations through December 30, 2026, with rebate forms due by January 30, 2027.
2026 Refrigerant Change
R-410A is no longer on the NHSaves Heat Pump Qualified Product List. Only systems using R-32 or R-454B refrigerant qualify for rebates. Confirm your contractor is installing eligible equipment before signing a contract.
Eversource, Liberty, and Unitil (Identical Structure)
| Equipment | Rebate | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Air-source heat pump — standard tier | $250/ton | Replacing oil, gas, or propane. No pre-approval needed. |
| Air-source heat pump — enhanced tier | $2,000/ton | Replacing electric resistance. Pre-verification required at NHSaves.com/GetVerified. Effective 3/23/2026 ($1,250/ton for installs 1/1–3/22/2026). |
| Heat pump water heater | $900 | ENERGY STAR certified, UEF ≥ 3.30 (or ≥ 2.80 for 120V/15A). |
| Central air conditioner | $70/ton | ENERGY STAR certified. |
| Wi-Fi thermostat (with HP) | $85 | Limit 1 per zone per account. |
Maximum 5 tons per account ($1,250 at standard tier / $10,000 at enhanced tier). Rebate is calculated as AHRI cooling capacity (BTU) ÷ 12,000 × per-ton rate.
NH Electric Cooperative — Different Structure
NHEC uses an adder system rather than a single enhanced tier. All adders require the heat pump to offset at least 80% of total heating load:
| Tier | Amount | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $250/ton | Same as other utilities |
| + Whole-house adder | +$250/ton | ≥80% heating load, replacing fossil fuel |
| + Weatherization adder | +$250/ton | Also completing Home Energy Performance work same year |
| Max for fossil-fuel switchers | $750/ton | Standard + whole-house + weatherization |
| Electric resistance retrofit | $1,250/ton | Separate path, requires ≥80% load offset |
Equipment Requirements (All Utilities)
| Metric | Ducted | Ductless |
|---|---|---|
| SEER2 | ≥ 15.2 | ≥ 16.0 |
| EER2 | ≥ 10.0 | ≥ 9.0 |
| HSPF2 | ≥ 8.1 | ≥ 9.5 |
| COP at 5°F | ≥ 1.75 | ≥ 1.75 |
New England Heat Pump Accelerator — $650 Per Unit
Launched February 2026, this $450 million five-state regional program (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI) provides instant point-of-sale discounts through participating distributors. It operates as a "midstream" incentive — distributors receive the payment and pass savings through to contractors and consumers.
| Equipment | Incentive | Valid Through |
|---|---|---|
| Cold-climate ASHP (<5.4 tons) | $650/outdoor unit | Q3 2029 |
| ENERGY STAR HPWH | $300/unit | Q3 2029 |
These incentives stack with NHSaves rebates (different funding sources — ratepayer vs. federal CPRG grants). However, they will likely not stack with HEAR when it launches, since both are federally funded.
⚠ Common Mistake: Assuming the Accelerator Applies Automatically
Not all distributors are enrolled in the Accelerator program yet. Ask your contractor to confirm the $650 discount is applied at purchase. If they're unfamiliar, point them to nehpa.org.
HEAR Rebates: Approved But Not Yet Launched
New Hampshire's HEAR program (Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates) has been approved by the U.S. Department of Energy. The state's $34.7 million allocation has been received, but the NH Department of Energy is still selecting a program implementer. Launch is currently expected mid-Summer 2026.
| Income Level | Coverage | Max HP Rebate | Household Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below 80% AMI | 100% of project cost | $8,000 | $14,000 |
| 80–150% AMI | 50% of project cost | $8,000 | $14,000 |
| Above 150% AMI | Not eligible | — | — |
Financing Options
| Program | Rate | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHSaves Energy Efficiency Loan (Eastern Bank) | 0% APR | $1,000–$15,000, 12–84 months | Available |
| Eversource Clean Energy Fund Loan (NEIF) | 0% APR | Up to $10,000, 10-year term | Fully subscribed |
The NHSaves loan requires a Home Energy Performance audit first. The Eversource Clean Energy Fund is currently not accepting new applications.
How Programs Stack
NHSaves (ratepayer-funded) stacks with the NE Accelerator (federal CPRG). When HEAR launches, it should stack with NHSaves but likely not with the Accelerator (both federally funded). The scenarios below show a typical 3-ton ducted cold-climate system installed for $15,000.
Above 150% AMI — Replacing Oil (Today)
- NHSaves standard tier (3 × $250): $750
- NE Heat Pump Accelerator (1 outdoor unit): $650
- Federal tax credit: $0 (expired)
- HEAR: $0 (not eligible above 150% AMI)
Realistic maximum: ~$1,400
80–150% AMI — Replacing Oil (After HEAR Launches)
- HEAR (50% of $15,000, capped at $8,000): $7,500
- NHSaves standard tier (3 × $250): $750
- NE Accelerator (may not stack with HEAR): $0–$650
Realistic maximum if HEAR launches: ~$8,250–$8,900
Below 80% AMI — After HEAR Launches (Best Case)
- HEAR (100% of costs, up to $8,000): $8,000
- NHSaves standard tier (3 × $250): $750
Realistic maximum: ~$8,750+
NHSaves Income-Eligible services (up to $15,000) may cover remaining costs for lowest-income households through Community Action Agencies.
What You'll Actually Pay
For a 3-ton system installed for $15,000: most homeowners above 150% AMI pay $13,600 out of pocket today (NHSaves + Accelerator only). Electric resistance replacements at Eversource/Liberty/Unitil pay as little as $8,350 ($6,000 enhanced rebate + $650 Accelerator). When HEAR launches, income-qualifying households could see costs drop to $6,100–$6,750 or less.
Income-Eligible Programs and Weatherization
NHSaves Income-Eligible Energy Assistance provides up to $15,000 in total services including energy audits, insulation, heating/cooling equipment, and appliance upgrades. Delivered through Community Action Agencies.
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) provides free weatherization services for households at or below 60% of State Median Income. Recipients of SSI, TANF, LIHEAP, or aid for families with children auto-qualify. Heat pumps can be installed through the Building Weatherization Program if the energy audit demonstrates cost-effectiveness.
✓ Best Candidates for a Heat Pump in New Hampshire
Homeowners replacing oil or propane heating (58% of NH households — highest fuel cost savings). Homeowners replacing electric resistance heat ($2,000/ton enhanced rebate at Eversource/Liberty/Unitil). Income-qualifying households who can wait for HEAR (up to $8,000). Anyone with a failed system who needs immediate replacement — $1,400+ available today.
Climate Context
New Hampshire is firmly cold-climate territory, and roughly 58% of households heat with petroleum fuels (oil and propane), making it one of the most compelling states for heat pump economics.
| Location | ASHRAE 99% Design Temp | Climate Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester | ~−2°F | 5A |
| Concord | ~−3°F | 6A |
| Berlin (northern NH) | ~−13°F | 6A |
At NH electricity rates ($0.22–$0.26/kWh), a cold-climate heat pump costs roughly $2,000–$2,300/year to operate a typical home — compared to $2,800–$3,200/year for oil or propane. Annual savings of $600–$1,200 depending on the fuel being displaced.
For more on how home batteries interact with heat pumps and time-of-use rates, see our home battery guide.
How to Apply
Since utility rebates are the primary active incentive, the application process depends on your electric utility:
Check Your Utility
Your electric utility determines your rebate structure. Find your utility on your electric bill or at nhsaves.com. Eversource, Liberty, Unitil, and NHEC each have different enhanced-tier structures.
If Replacing Electric Resistance: Pre-Verify
Go to NHSaves.com/GetVerified before installation to qualify for the enhanced tier ($2,000/ton at Eversource/Liberty/Unitil, $1,250/ton at NHEC).
Choose a Qualifying System
Confirm the system uses R-32 or R-454B refrigerant and appears on the NHSaves Heat Pump Qualified Product List. Ask your contractor about the NE Accelerator $650 discount at nehpa.org.
Submit Your Rebate Form
After installation, file your NHSaves rebate online or by mail. Processing takes 6–8 weeks. The Accelerator discount should already be applied at purchase.
What to Watch
HEAR Launch Date
NH DOE targets mid-Summer 2026. Monitor energy.nh.gov for the official announcement. Projects started before launch don't qualify for retroactive rebates.
IRA Funding Runway
HEAR and HOMES funds remain available until expended or September 30, 2031. The OBBBA did not repeal IRA rebate allocations. NH's HOMES program ($34.9 million) has not yet received DOE approval — no launch date set.
NE Accelerator Distributor Enrollment
The program is new and not all distributors are enrolled yet. If your contractor doesn't know about the $650 discount, point them to nehpa.org.
NHSaves Enhanced Tier Rate Change
As of March 23, 2026, the enhanced tier for electric resistance replacement at Eversource/Liberty/Unitil increased from $1,250/ton to $2,000/ton. NHEC remains at $1,250/ton. Confirm your utility's current rate before installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What heat pump rebates are available in New Hampshire in 2026?
NHSaves offers $250 per ton (standard) or up to $2,000 per ton (replacing electric resistance heat, Eversource/Liberty/Unitil as of March 23, 2026). NHEC offers up to $1,250 per ton for electric resistance replacement. The New England Heat Pump Accelerator adds $650 per outdoor unit. Heat pump water heaters receive $900 from NHSaves plus $300 from the Accelerator. There is no federal tax credit for 2026 installations. HEAR rebates (up to $8,000) are expected to launch mid-Summer 2026.
Can I stack NHSaves and HEAR rebates in New Hampshire?
NHSaves rebates (ratepayer-funded) can stack with HEAR (federally funded) since they come from different funding sources. However, the NE Heat Pump Accelerator (also federally funded via CPRG grants) likely will not stack with HEAR. Total combined incentives cannot exceed 100% of project cost.
What refrigerant is required for NHSaves rebates in 2026?
Starting in 2026, NHSaves requires R-32 or R-454B refrigerant. R-410A systems are no longer on the NHSaves Heat Pump Qualified Product List and do not qualify for any rebate. Confirm your contractor is installing equipment with an approved refrigerant before signing a contract.
Should I wait for HEAR before installing a heat pump in New Hampshire?
If you are replacing oil or propane and your current system still works, waiting for HEAR could save $7,500–$8,000 — far more than the ~$1,400 available today from NHSaves plus the Accelerator. However, if your system has failed or you are replacing electric resistance heat (which qualifies for up to $2,000/ton now at Eversource/Liberty/Unitil), installing sooner may make sense. Projects started before HEAR launches are not eligible.
Who administers New Hampshire’s heat pump programs?
NHSaves rebates are administered jointly by New Hampshire’s four electric utilities: Eversource, Liberty, Unitil, and NH Electric Cooperative. The NE Heat Pump Accelerator is administered by the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP). HEAR will be administered by the NH Department of Energy when it launches.
Disclaimer: This page covers the main utility, regional, and IRA heat pump incentives available to New Hampshire homeowners in 2026. It does not calculate savings, guarantee eligibility, or represent any incentive program. NHSaves rebate amounts differ between utilities (Eversource/Liberty/Unitil vs. NHEC) and changed effective March 23, 2026. We verify status regularly but programs can change without notice. Always confirm current amounts and eligibility with NHSaves, your electric utility, and your contractor before making decisions.