Efficiency Maine Heat Pump Rebates & Incentives (2026)
Efficiency Maine Trust is the state's independent efficiency program administrator, not a utility. It runs every statewide residential heat pump rebate in Maine — $1,000–$9,000 per system depending on income and system type, plus a $500 whole-home bonus through December 2026, $1,150 for heat pump water heaters, and Green Bank loans up to $25,000. This guide covers every Efficiency Maine heat pump incentive available in 2026, including whole-home rebates, the low-income supplemental rebate, water heaters, geothermal, and loans. Here's what's actually available.
Last verified: July 16, 2026
Rates and program availability may change after this date.
🟢 Open — Rebates Active Statewide
Efficiency Maine heat pump rebates are active and funded under Triennial Plan VI. All income tiers are open, the $500 whole-home bonus runs through December 31, 2026, and Green Bank loans are available. Program terms state that incentives are subject to change or termination.
Short Version
✓ Whole-Home Heat Pump Rebates
$1,000–$3,000 per outdoor unit (mini-splits) or $3,000–$9,000 lump sum (ducted), by income tier. Lifetime cap $3,000–$9,000 per housing unit. Single-wide mobile homes: up to $12,900.
✓ Bonus + Water Heaters + Loans
$500 whole-home bonus through Dec 2026. $1,150 heat pump water heater rebate (or instant retail discounts). Green Bank loans up to $25,000 — 1-year 0% APR ($500 origination fee) or 5.99%–7.99% fixed.
✓ Total Potential Savings
$3,500 (any income) to $9,500+ (low income). HEAR-eligible mobile homes can reach ~$17,000 total incentives.
✗ Federal Tax Credits Expired
Both Section 25C ($2,000 heat pump credit) and Section 25D (30% geothermal credit) ended December 31, 2025. Not available for 2026 installations.
⚠ Rebates Require Whole-Home, Single-Zone Systems
Heat pumps must serve as the primary heating system, sized for at least 80% of peak heating load. Multi-zone and dual-fuel systems are not rebatable, and the home must not have had a natural gas utility account before the upgrade. The only partial-system exception is the low-income supplemental rebate ($3,000, one unit).
Service Territory
Efficiency Maine administers programs in one territory: the entire state of Maine. Rebates are available to eligible homeowners statewide, regardless of which electric utility — CMP, Versant, or a consumer-owned utility — serves the home.
| State | Heat pump program? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | Yes | $1,000–$9,000 by income and system type; $500 whole-home bonus through Dec 2026 |
Rebate Details
Maine — Whole-Home Mini-Split Systems (Per Outdoor Unit)
For non-ducted whole-home systems, rebates are paid per rebate-eligible outdoor unit, with lifetime caps per housing unit. Rebates are applied at point of sale through your installer.
| Income Tier | Per Outdoor Unit | Lifetime Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Low income | $3,000 | $9,000 |
| Moderate income | $2,000 | $6,000 |
| Any income | $1,000 | $3,000 |
Maine — Ducted Whole-Home Systems (Per Housing Unit)
| Income Tier | Lump-Sum Rebate |
|---|---|
| Low income | $9,000 |
| Moderate income | $6,000 |
| Any income | $3,000 |
Single-wide mobile homes may qualify for up to $12,900 through the Mobile Home Initiative. Mobile homes are not eligible for the $500 bonus below.
$500 Whole-Home Bonus (March–December 2026)
✓ $500 Bonus Active Now
An additional $500 per housing unit for eligible whole-home heat pump upgrades completed, and rebate claims emailed or postmarked, from March 1 through December 31, 2026. Stacks on top of standard mini-split or ducted rebates.
Low-Income Supplemental Heat Pump Rebate
Low-income homeowners who are not doing a whole-home project can get $3,000 for one rebate-eligible single-zone heat pump used as supplemental heat. The amount counts toward the housing unit's $9,000 lifetime cap. The unit must have rated capacity at the nearest ASHRAE 99.6% design temperature, and low-income supplemental claims are paid to the Residential Registered Vendor, not the homeowner.
Heat Pump Water Heaters
Two ways to save: an instant discount at participating retailers and distributors (amounts vary by retailer), or a $1,150 mail-in rebate for purchases made without an instant discount. The two cannot be combined, and only one heat pump water heater incentive is allowed per installation address per calendar year. Equipment must be ENERGY STAR certified; DIY installation qualifies, and mail-in claims are due within six months of purchase.
Separately, the Low Income Water Heater Initiative provides a $750 instant rebate on the unit plus an installation rebate of up to $400, submitted by a participating plumber, for households in qualifying benefit programs.
Geothermal Heat Pumps
Efficiency Maine covers one-third of project cost up to $3,000 for qualifying ENERGY STAR geothermal heat pumps, at any income level, with a lifetime limit of one geothermal rebate per housing unit. Installation must be done by a Residential Registered Vendor for Geothermal Systems, and claims are due within six months of project completion.
Income Qualification
Low income: the homeowner or a household member participates in MaineCare, HEAP, SNAP, or TANF, with eligibility verified before installation. Moderate income: federal Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) up to $70,000 for individual tax filers or $100,000 for joint filers, verified before installation. Any income: no verification required.
✓ Best Candidates for Efficiency Maine Rebates
Homeowners heating with oil or propane who can commit to heat pumps as the primary heating system. Low- and moderate-income households, who qualify for 2–3x the base rebate. Mobile home owners, who have both the richest ducted rebates and the only homeowner path to HEAR in the state.
For how these rebates fit alongside HEAR, the NE Heat Pump Accelerator, and weatherization incentives, see the full Maine heat pump rebates guide.
Equipment Requirements
Only single-zone heat pumps on Efficiency Maine's list of rebate-eligible heat pumps qualify. Multi-zone systems are not rebatable, but their heating capacity can count toward the sizing requirement. Systems must be sized for at least 80% of the home's peak heating load at the ASHRAE 99.6% design temperature (0°F in Portland, −7°F in Bangor, −14°F in Caribou), and combined with supplemental heat must cover 100% of peak load. The heat pumps must serve as the primary heating system throughout the heating season, with any fossil-fuel system reserved for emergency backup only. The housing unit must not have had a natural gas utility account before the upgrade, and installation must be by a Residential Registered Vendor, with claims emailed or postmarked within six months of completion.
⚠ Common Mistake: Dual Fuel and Multi-Zone Systems Are Not Eligible
Heat pump / fossil fuel combination systems ("dual fuel") do not qualify, and multi-zone heat pumps earn no rebate of their own. If you are keeping an oil or gas system, it can remain only as emergency backup — its capacity does not count toward the 100% sizing requirement.
Federal Heat Pump Tax Credits Are Not Available in 2026
The Section 25C credit (up to $2,000 for heat pumps) and the Section 25D credit (30% of geothermal costs) both ended December 31, 2025. Neither is available for 2026 installations. Efficiency Maine's rebates are funded primarily by utility ratepayers and RGGI proceeds, so they do not depend on the expired federal credits. Full details on the federal credit expiration →
Accelerator Funding Works Automatically in Maine
Maine's roughly $43 million share of the New England Heat Pump Accelerator funds the heat pump water heater instant discounts at participating retailers — there is no separate Accelerator rebate to apply for or stack. If you buy a discounted water heater in Maine, you are already using it.
How Efficiency Maine Rebates Stack
Efficiency Maine rebates and the $500 whole-home bonus stack automatically at point of sale. HEAR may stack, subject to each program's current rules, but only for eligible mobile/manufactured homes and new affordable multifamily construction. Total incentives cannot exceed project cost.
Any Income — 3-Zone Mini-Split System
- Efficiency Maine rebate: $1,000/unit × 3 = $3,000
- Whole-home bonus: $500
Realistic maximum: ~$3,500
Moderate Income — 3-Zone Mini-Split System
- Efficiency Maine rebate: $2,000/unit × 3 = $6,000
- Whole-home bonus: $500
Realistic maximum: ~$6,500
Low Income — 3-Zone Mini-Split System
- Efficiency Maine rebate: $3,000/unit × 3 = $9,000
- Whole-home bonus: $500
- HEAR (mobile homes only): up to $8,000
Realistic maximum: ~$9,500 (single-family) or ~$17,000 (HEAR-eligible single-wide mobile home, which does not get the $500 bonus)
What You'll Actually Pay
A typical 3-zone mini-split system costs $12,000–$18,000 installed. After Efficiency Maine rebates: $8,500–$14,500 out of pocket (any income) to $2,500–$8,500 out of pocket (low income). Green Bank loans up to $25,000 can spread the remainder — the 1-year 0% APR option carries a $500 origination fee; 5- and 10-year terms run 5.99%–7.99%.
No Maine state tax credit exists. Weatherization rebates (40–80% of cost, up to $4,000–$8,000 by income) are a separate Efficiency Maine program and can be combined on the same project.
How to Apply for Efficiency Maine Rebates
Verify income eligibility (if applicable)
Low- and moderate-income customers must verify eligibility at efficiencymaine.com before installation. Any-income tier needs no verification.
Hire a Residential Registered Vendor
Only registered vendors can process rebates. Find one through Efficiency Maine's vendor locator.
Complete the installation
Your vendor installs the system per Efficiency Maine's installation requirements checklist. Heat pump rebates are applied at point of sale.
Submit the claim form
Email to hesp@efficiencymaine.com or mail to PO Box 219, Brunswick, ME 04011-0219, within 6 months of project completion. Allow approximately 6 weeks for processing. Questions: 866-376-2463.
What to Watch
Program Funding Cycle
Efficiency Maine's published terms state that programs and incentives are subject to change or termination. Core funding runs under Triennial Plan VI ($529.3 million if fully funded), primarily from ratepayers and RGGI proceeds — not federal tax policy.
$500 Bonus Expiration
The whole-home bonus requires projects completed and claims emailed or postmarked by December 31, 2026. No announcement on renewal.
HEAR Phase 2
A second HEAR phase opening rebates to moderate-income households is planned under the current Triennial Plan, with no launch date announced. If it reaches single-family homes, up to $8,000 in additional stackable rebates would open up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What heat pump rebates does Efficiency Maine offer in 2026?
Efficiency Maine pays $1,000–$3,000 per rebate-eligible outdoor unit for whole-home mini-split systems (lifetime cap $3,000–$9,000 by income tier) and $3,000–$9,000 lump sum for ducted whole-home systems. A $500 whole-home bonus runs March 1 through December 31, 2026. Heat pump water heaters get a $1,150 mail-in rebate or an instant discount at participating retailers. Geothermal systems receive one-third of project cost up to $3,000. Low-income homeowners can also get $3,000 for one supplemental single-zone heat pump.
Is Efficiency Maine a utility?
No. Efficiency Maine Trust is the state’s independent efficiency program administrator — it runs Maine’s statewide energy efficiency and electrification rebates but does not deliver electricity. Its core rebates are funded primarily by utility ratepayers and RGGI (Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative) proceeds under Triennial Plan VI, supplemented by federal grants for specific initiatives.
Do CMP and Versant customers get the same Efficiency Maine rebates?
Yes. Efficiency Maine’s rebates are statewide and identical regardless of which electric utility serves your home — the published eligibility requirements make no reference to CMP, Versant, or any other utility. Eligibility is based on income tier, building type, equipment, and installer, not utility territory.
Can I stack Efficiency Maine rebates with HEAR?
Only if your home qualifies for HEAR, which in Maine is limited to mobile/manufactured homes and new affordable multifamily construction. A low-income household in a qualifying mobile home could receive up to $9,000 from Efficiency Maine plus up to $8,000 from HEAR, for a potential total of $17,000. Standard single-family homes cannot access HEAR rebates.
What income qualifies for Efficiency Maine’s higher rebate tiers?
Low income: the homeowner or a household member participates in MaineCare, HEAP, SNAP, or TANF, with eligibility verified before installation. Moderate income: federal Adjusted Gross Income up to $70,000 for individual tax filers or $100,000 for joint filers, verified before installation. Any-income rebates require no verification.
Sources
- Efficiency Maine — Whole-Home Heat Pump Rebates
- Efficiency Maine — Heat Pump Rebate Brochure (PDF)
- Efficiency Maine — Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate (PDF)
- Efficiency Maine — Geothermal Heat Pump Rebates
- Efficiency Maine — LMI Heat Pump Reservation Request (PDF)
- Efficiency Maine — Home Energy Loans (PDF)
- Maine DOER — Home Energy Rebates (HEAR)
Disclaimer: This page covers the main Efficiency Maine heat pump incentives available to Maine homeowners in 2026. It does not calculate savings, guarantee eligibility, or represent Efficiency Maine Trust or any incentive program. Rebate tiers, income thresholds, and eligible product lists are subject to periodic updates, and Efficiency Maine's terms state that programs and incentives are subject to change or termination. We verify status regularly but programs can change without notice. Always confirm current amounts and eligibility with Efficiency Maine and your contractor before making decisions.