West Virginia Heat Pump Rebates & Incentives (2026)
West Virginia's $88.2 million in IRA-funded Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) and Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) represent the state's primary heat pump incentives in 2026, covering up to $8,000–$20,000 depending on income and project scope. Federal tax credits ended December 31, 2025. Most homeowners can expect about $4,000 in incentives today. Low-income households may qualify for $14,000–$20,000. Utility rebates exist only in Appalachian Power territory. This guide covers all major West Virginia heat pump incentives available in 2026, including HEAR, HOMES, and Appalachian Power's TakeCharge WV program. Here's what's actually available.
Last verified: March 24, 2026
Rates and program availability may change after this date.
West Virginia
Limited / Region-Dependent
West Virginia’s $88.2M IRA programs (HEAR up to $8,000 and HOMES up to $20,000) are the primary incentives but launch status is unclear. Appalachian Power offers $300–$400 for mini-splits and HPWHs. Mon Power and Potomac Edison offer no rebates. Federal 25C/25D credits expired Dec 2025.
The Short Version
✓ HEAR rebates up to $8,000
The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates program covers up to $8,000 per heat pump for households at or below 150% of Area Median Income (AMI). Administered by the WV Office of Energy.
✓ HOMES rebates up to $20,000
Performance-based whole-home rebates cover up to $20,000 for low-income households achieving 35%+ energy savings. Available at all income levels, with smaller rebates for higher earners.
✓ Total potential: $4,000–$20,000+
$4,000 (above 150% AMI) to $20,000+ (below 80% AMI). Full electrification packages can reach ~$14,400 through HEAR or ~$20,400 through HOMES with utility rebates stacked.
✗ Federal tax credits expired
Section 25C and Section 25D both ended December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill. No federal tax credit is available for heat pumps installed in 2026.
⚠ HEAR and HOMES launch status unclear
The WV Office of Energy received DOE approval in January 2025 and has published contractor lists and qualification forms, but consumer-facing applications may still be in a pilot phase. Contact WVOE at 800-982-3386 to confirm current availability before starting any project.
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. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act accelerated their termination. A heat pump must have been fully installed and operational by December 31, 2025 to qualify — equipment purchased in 2025 but installed in 2026 does not count. No replacement legislation has been enacted.
For West Virginia homeowners, this means the former $2,000 heat pump tax credit and 30% geothermal credit are both gone. The remaining incentives are the IRA-funded HEAR and HOMES rebate programs (which survived the OBBB as DOE grants, not tax provisions) and utility rebates from Appalachian Power.
HEAR: Up to $8,000 Per Heat Pump
The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) program provides point-of-sale rebates for specific appliance upgrades. It is restricted to households at or below 150% of Area Median Income (AMI). Households below 80% AMI receive 100% of rebate amounts; those between 80–150% AMI receive 50%. The program is administered by the West Virginia Office of Energy with a $44 million allocation.
| Upgrade | Max Rebate (≤80% AMI) | Max Rebate (80–150% AMI) |
|---|---|---|
| Heat pump (space heating/cooling) | $8,000 | $4,000 |
| Heat pump water heater | $1,750 | $875 |
| Electrical panel upgrade | $4,000 | $2,000 |
| Insulation, air sealing, ventilation | $1,600 | $800 |
| Electric wiring | $2,500 | $1,250 |
| Electric stove/range/oven | $840 | $420 |
| Heat pump clothes dryer | $840 | $420 |
| Maximum per household | $14,000 | $7,000 |
⚠ Common mistake: HEAR usually requires fuel switching
HEAR rebates generally apply only to fuel-switching upgrades (e.g., replacing a gas furnace with a heat pump) or first-time purchases. Replacing an existing electric system with a newer electric system typically does not qualify, with limited exceptions for tank water heater to heat pump water heater conversions. A certified energy assessment is required before installation.
HOMES: Up to $20,000 for Whole-Home Retrofits
The Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) program takes a whole-home, performance-based approach. A certified energy audit determines projected energy savings, and rebate amounts scale with the savings achieved. Unlike HEAR, all income levels qualify, though low-income households receive substantially higher rebates. The HOMES allocation for West Virginia is $44.3 million.
| Income Level | 20–34% Savings | 35%+ Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Below 80% AMI | 100% of cost, max $16,000 | 100% of cost, max $20,000 |
| 80% AMI and above | 50% of cost, max $2,000 | 50% of cost, max $4,000 |
Eligible measures include heat pumps, high-efficiency furnaces and boilers, insulation, air sealing, and duct repair or replacement. For low-income households, HOMES can cover the entire project cost, potentially making heat pump installations zero out-of-pocket.
West Virginia's electric resistance opportunity
About 46% of West Virginia households heat with electricity — much of it inefficient electric resistance and space heaters. Converting from electric resistance (COP 1.0) to a heat pump (seasonal COP ~3.0) delivers a 60–70% reduction in heating energy costs with no fuel-switching complexity. This makes West Virginia one of the strongest states for heat pump economics, even without large utility rebates.
Utility Rebates
West Virginia's utility rebate picture is starkly divided. Appalachian Power customers have access to modest rebates through TakeCharge WV. Mon Power and Potomac Edison (FirstEnergy) customers have no heat pump rebate programs. Rural cooperatives, municipal utilities, and gas utilities offer nothing.
Appalachian Power — TakeCharge WV
Appalachian Power (including subsidiary Wheeling Power) serves approximately 1 million customers across southern and western West Virginia. Its TakeCharge WV program, administered by CLEAResult, offers the following heat-pump-relevant rebates:
| Product | Rebate | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Ductless mini-split heat pump | $300 | ENERGY STAR certified |
| Heat pump water heater | $400 | ENERGY STAR certified |
| Central air conditioner | $700 | ENERGY STAR certified |
| Smart thermostat | $50 | ENERGY STAR certified |
⚠ No ducted heat pump rebate from Appalachian Power
The $700 rebate is specifically for central air conditioners (cooling-only units), not heat pump systems. Homeowners installing a ducted whole-home air-source heat pump — the most common configuration — receive no Appalachian Power rebate for the primary unit. Only the $300 mini-split and $400 HPWH rebates apply to heat pump equipment.
Mon Power & Potomac Edison (FirstEnergy)
Mon Power serves approximately 395,000 customers in 34 counties across north-central West Virginia. Potomac Edison serves about 155,000 customers in the Eastern Panhandle. Neither utility offers heat pump rebates, HVAC equipment incentives, or energy efficiency rebate programs for West Virginia residential customers. Potomac Edison's heat pump rebates under Maryland's EmPOWER program are exclusively for Maryland customers and do not extend to West Virginia.
Rural Cooperatives, Municipal Utilities & Gas Utilities
Research across every smaller utility found zero heat pump rebate programs. Harrison Rural Electrification, Black Diamond Power, Philippi Municipal Electric, New Martinsville Municipal Electric, Hope Gas (formerly Dominion Energy WV), and Mountaineer Gas Company offer no heat pump or HVAC rebates. West Virginia has only two municipal electric utilities and approximately three electric cooperatives with in-state customers.
How Programs Stack
HEAR and HOMES rebates cannot be applied to the same measure on the same project, but they can be combined when applied to different components (e.g., HEAR for the heat pump, HOMES for insulation). Appalachian Power utility rebates are independent and stack with both programs. Total rebates cannot exceed total project cost. West Virginia has no state tax credit for heat pumps. A limited state energy loan program may be available through the West Virginia Housing Development Fund.
Above 150% AMI — Ducted Heat Pump System
- HEAR heat pump rebate: $0 (income too high)
- HOMES rebate (35%+ savings): $4,000
- Appalachian Power HPWH rebate: $400
Realistic maximum: ~$4,400
80–150% AMI — Ducted Heat Pump + HPWH
- HEAR heat pump rebate: $4,000 (50% tier)
- HEAR HPWH rebate: $875 (50% tier)
- HEAR panel upgrade: $2,000 (50% tier)
- Appalachian Power HPWH rebate: $400
Realistic maximum: ~$7,275
Below 80% AMI — Full Electrification Package
- HEAR heat pump rebate: $8,000 (100% tier)
- HEAR HPWH rebate: $1,750
- HEAR panel upgrade: $4,000
- HEAR insulation/air sealing: $1,600
- Appalachian Power HPWH rebate: $400
Realistic maximum: ~$15,750
What you'll actually pay
For a typical ducted heat pump installation costing $12,000–$18,000: homeowners above 150% AMI can expect $8,000 to $14,000 out of pocket. Homeowners below 80% AMI using HEAR may pay $0 to $3,000 out of pocket for the heat pump itself, and HOMES can cover entire project costs up to $20,000. Mon Power and Potomac Edison customers receive no utility rebates, so their stacks are $400 lower.
West Virginia has no state tax credit for heat pumps and no statewide low-interest loan program. The WV Housing Development Fund's Energy Conservation Revolving Loan may be available for qualifying homeowners — contact WVHDF to confirm.
Weatherization Assistance Program
West Virginia's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is administered by the WV Community Advancement and Development division (WVCAD) and delivered through local nonprofit Community Action Agencies in all 55 counties. Income eligibility requires household income at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines (roughly $66,000 for a family of four in 2026).
Heat pumps can be installed under WAP if the DOE-approved energy audit (NEAT software) identifies a heat pump as the most cost-effective measure — but this is determined case by case, not guaranteed. Priority is given to elderly, disabled, and high-energy-burden households. There is typically a waitlist.
✓ Best candidates for WV heat pump incentives
Households heating with electric resistance or space heaters (46% of WV homes) stand to gain the most — conversion to a heat pump reduces heating costs by 60–70% with no fuel-switching barriers. Propane-heated homes ($2.50–$3.50/gallon) are also strong candidates. Low-income households below 80% AMI can potentially get full project coverage through HEAR or HOMES.
Climate Context
West Virginia spans ASHRAE climate zones 4A (Ohio River valley) and 5A (Appalachian highlands). Cold-climate air-source heat pumps (ccASHP) are recommended statewide. Mountain communities face substantially harsher winters with 25–40% more heating degree days than valley cities.
| City | Zone | Design Temp (99.6%) | Annual HDD | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 4A | 7°F | ~4,476 | 982 ft |
| Huntington | 4A | 6°F | ~4,400 | 828 ft |
| Morgantown | 5A | 2°F | ~5,183 | 1,245 ft |
| Wheeling | 5A | 1°F | ~5,300 | 1,195 ft |
| Beckley | 5A | 2°F | ~5,700 | 2,504 ft |
| Elkins | 5A | -3°F | ~6,000 | 1,945 ft |
In Ohio River valley cities (zone 4A), standard cold-climate heat pumps work well as sole-source heating. In mountain communities (zone 5A), backup heat (electric strip or existing furnace in dual-fuel configuration) remains advisable for extreme cold events. Modern ccASHP models from manufacturers like Mitsubishi, Daikin, and Fujitsu maintain meaningful output down to -5°F to -15°F continuous operation.
West Virginia's average residential electricity rate of roughly 15–16¢/kWh is below the national average, which strengthens the heat pump value proposition compared to many states. For homes on propane, heat pumps offer substantial operating cost savings. For homes on natural gas, a heat pump with seasonal COP of approximately 2.8 or higher breaks even with an 80% AFUE gas furnace. Consider pairing a heat pump with a home battery system if you're also evaluating solar or backup power options.
How to Apply
Check your income eligibility
HEAR requires household income at or below 150% AMI. HOMES is available at all income levels but provides higher rebates below 80% AMI. Use the WVOE income calculator or contact them at 800-982-3386 to determine your tier.
Schedule a home energy assessment
Both HEAR and HOMES require a certified energy assessment before installation. WVOE maintains a list of approved energy auditors and contractors on energywv.org. For HOMES, the audit determines projected energy savings and your rebate tier.
Work with a participating contractor
HEAR rebates are applied at point of sale through participating contractors. Make sure your contractor is registered with the WVOE program before work begins. Ask them to specify cold-climate rated equipment (NEEP-listed or ENERGY STAR Cold Climate certified).
File for Appalachian Power rebates separately
If you're in Appalachian Power territory, submit TakeCharge WV rebate applications separately at takechargewv.com within 45 days of purchase. These stack with HEAR and HOMES.
What to Watch
HEAR and HOMES launch confirmation
The WV Office of Energy received DOE approval in January 2025 but consumer-facing applications may still be in a pilot phase as of March 2026. Monitor energywv.org or call 800-982-3386 for launch updates before committing to a project timeline.
IRA funding runway
West Virginia's $88.2 million allocation is designed to serve an estimated 10,000 households. Once funds are exhausted, the programs close. IRA rebate funds must be obligated by September 30, 2031. Early applicants are more likely to receive full rebate amounts.
Mon Power / Potomac Edison efficiency programs
The WV Public Service Commission approved expanded energy efficiency programs for Appalachian Power in recent years. Advocacy groups continue to push for similar programs from FirstEnergy's WV utilities. If Mon Power or Potomac Edison launch heat pump rebates, it would significantly expand access across northern and eastern West Virginia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What heat pump rebates are available in West Virginia in 2026?
West Virginia’s primary incentives are the IRA-funded HEAR program (up to $8,000 for heat pumps for households at or below 150% AMI) and the HOMES program (up to $20,000 for whole-home retrofits for low-income households). Appalachian Power offers smaller rebates of $300 for mini-splits and $400 for heat pump water heaters. Federal Section 25C and 25D tax credits expired December 31, 2025. Mon Power and Potomac Edison customers have no utility-level heat pump rebates.
Can I stack HEAR and HOMES rebates in West Virginia?
HEAR and HOMES rebates cannot be applied to the same measure on the same project. However, they can be combined when applied to different components — for example, HEAR for the heat pump equipment and HOMES for insulation and air sealing. Appalachian Power utility rebates are independent programs and stack with both HEAR and HOMES. Total rebates typically cannot exceed total project cost.
Do Mon Power and Potomac Edison offer heat pump rebates in West Virginia?
No. Mon Power and Potomac Edison (both FirstEnergy subsidiaries) do not offer heat pump rebates, HVAC equipment incentives, or energy efficiency rebate programs for West Virginia residential customers. Their heat pump rebate programs are limited to Maryland customers under EmPOWER Maryland. West Virginia customers of these utilities are limited to the state-level HEAR and HOMES programs.
Are cold-climate heat pumps necessary in West Virginia?
Yes. West Virginia spans ASHRAE climate zones 4A and 5A, with winter design temperatures ranging from about 7°F in Charleston to below 0°F in mountain communities like Elkins. Cold-climate air-source heat pumps (ccASHP) are recommended statewide. Mountain communities in zone 5A should plan for backup heat during extreme cold events, though modern ccASHP models maintain meaningful output down to -5°F to -15°F.
Who administers West Virginia’s heat pump rebate programs?
The West Virginia Office of Energy (WVOE) administers both the HEAR and HOMES programs. Contact WVOE at 800-982-3386 or WVOEInfo@wv.gov. Appalachian Power’s TakeCharge WV program is administered by CLEAResult — contact them at 888-261-4567 or visit takechargewv.com. The Weatherization Assistance Program is administered by WVCAD through local Community Action Agencies in all 55 counties.
Disclaimer: This page covers the main statewide, utility, and IRA heat pump incentives available to West Virginia homeowners in 2026. It does not calculate savings, guarantee eligibility, or represent any incentive program. West Virginia's HEAR and HOMES programs may still be in a pilot phase — confirm current application status before starting work. We verify status regularly but programs can change without notice. Always confirm current amounts and eligibility with the WV Office of Energy, your utility, and your contractor before making decisions.
See how this state compares → Heat Pump Rebates by State (2026)