The HEAR rebate program, renamed HEEHR in 2026, pays up to $8,000 for a heat pump and $14,000 per household, but only in states that have launched it. As of October 12, 2026, it was open in fewer than a dozen states plus DC. In addition, new reservations now cover only upgrades from existing electric equipment.
Information checked on November 4, 2026. Because state programs change quickly, confirm the status on your state energy office’s page before you sign a contract.
What the HEAR rebate program pays
HEAR stands for Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates. In 2026, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) renamed it High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebates, or HEEHR, to match the name in the law. The federal maximums, however, didn’t change.
| Upgrade | Maximum rebate |
|---|---|
| Heat pump for heating and cooling | $8,000 |
| Electrical panel upgrade | $4,000 |
| Electrical wiring | $2,500 |
| Heat pump water heater | $1,750 |
| Insulation, air sealing and ventilation | $1,600 |
| Electric stove, cooktop, range or oven | $840 |
| Heat pump clothes dryer | $840 |
| Total per household | $14,000 |
How much of your cost the rebate covers depends on income. Households below 80% of the area median income (AMI) can get up to 100% of the cost covered. By contrast, households between 80% and 150% of AMI can get up to 50%, and those above 150% don’t qualify.
How the HEAR rebate program changed in 2026
On May 29, 2026, DOE Program Notice 26-2 removed rebates for “fuel-switching (i.e. replacement of non-electric appliances).” As a result, the program now pays only to upgrade “from existing electric equipment to more efficient electric equipment,” plus new construction.
- Electric to electric only: you can still get a rebate to replace electric baseboards, an electric furnace or an old heat pump. However, replacing a gas, propane or oil furnace no longer qualifies for new reservations.
- Insulation first: homes must use rebates for insulation and air sealing before a heating or cooling upgrade, unless they already meet a state standard approved by DOE.
- Old reservations: states can still pay reservations they approved under the old rules.
- Add-on heat pumps: the notice lets homes keep a fossil-fuel system when they add a heat pump. Still, states apply this differently, so ask your program first.
States had three months to adopt the changes. For example, Georgia’s HEAR closed to new applications on August 14, 2026, and Efficiency Arizona’s last day to reserve under the old rules was August 28. Similarly, North Carolina and Wisconsin applied the new rules on September 1, 2026.
Even so, North Carolina tells residents that “current and new HEAR applicants should continue applying, even if their home has fossil fuel systems.” Its contractors and processing team then check which upgrades still qualify.
HEAR rebate program status by state
The table below lists the states where AuditYourHome found HEEHR open, partly open, paused or closed on October 12, 2026, plus key notes from each program. Meanwhile, most other states hadn’t launched yet.
| State | Status and how it works |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | Open with limits, through the Department of Energy and Environment |
| Indiana | Open; the state says its program contractors don’t go door to door |
| New Mexico | Open; uses retail coupons |
| New York | Open through NYSERDA’s EmPower+ program, according to The Rebate Map |
| North Carolina | Open with limits through Energy Saver North Carolina and registered contractors; new rules since September 1, 2026 |
| Rhode Island | Open with limits; a moderate-income pilot was announced on May 11, 2026 |
| Wisconsin | Open through Focus on Energy; check your income online, then use a registered contractor or a participating store |
| Arizona | Partly open through Efficiency Arizona; uses retail coupons, and completed projects don’t qualify |
| Maine | Open with limits; The Rebate Map says it covers new affordable multifamily construction and single-family mobile homes |
| Michigan | Open with limits through MiHER registered contractors; new income-qualified applications paused in parts of metro Detroit |
| Georgia | HEEHR paused; HEAR closed to new applications on August 14, 2026, but HOMES is open |
| California | Single-family rebates fully reserved, with a waitlist |
| Colorado | Single-family rebates closed after funds ran out |
On the other hand, AuditYourHome listed 35 states as not launched or without a posted status. They include Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington. In addition, Utah was paused, West Virginia had a waitlist and South Dakota isn’t participating.
Who qualifies for the HEAR rebate program
First of all, your household must earn less than 150% of AMI, and states set their own AMI figures by area. In Wisconsin, for instance, the household includes everyone who lives in the home. ENERGY STAR also says the rebates apply to single-family homes and multifamily buildings, for homeowners and renters.
However, states verify income in different ways. Wisconsin uses an online prequalification form, while Arizona accepts proof of enrollment in programs such as SNAP, AHCCCS (Medicaid), LIHEAP, Lifeline, Head Start or public housing.
How to apply for the HEAR rebate program
- First of all, find your state energy office’s Home Energy Rebates page and confirm that HEEHR is open where you live.
- Then verify your income, usually online or with a paper application.
- After that, choose a contractor registered with your state program, since Wisconsin, for example, says most HEAR rebates require one.
- Next, have the contractor check insulation and air sealing, since these may be required before a heat pump.
- Reserve the rebate before any work starts. Colorado, for example, guarantees a rebate only after a formal reservation notice.
- Finally, have the system installed. Where the rebate works as a point-of-sale discount, it comes off your invoice.
Wisconsin’s process shows how this works in practice. You complete the income check online, pick a registered contractor or qualifying equipment, and then submit the rebate information after installation if required.
What to do if your state isn’t open yet
- Don’t install first and hope for a refund. Minnesota, Vermont and Washington say their rebates aren’t retroactive, according to AuditYourHome.
- Watch for scams. North Dakota says current offers are likely scams, and Kentucky says anyone offering rebates before launch is misinformed.
- Look at other help. The HOMES whole-home rebate, utility rebates and low-interest loans may still apply. See our guide to heat pump rebates for the full list.
- Plan the project. Meanwhile, compare prices in our heat pump cost guide and running costs in heat pump vs baseboard heat.
HEAR rebate program FAQ
Can I use HEAR to replace my gas furnace with a heat pump?
Not for new reservations. Since May 29, 2026, the federal rules allow HEEHR rebates only for upgrades from existing electric equipment. However, the HOMES rebate and some utility programs may still help with a gas-to-heat-pump switch.
Do renters qualify?
Yes. In fact, ENERGY STAR says the rebates are available to homeowners and renters, as long as the household meets the income limit.
Can I combine HEAR with HOMES?
Not for the same upgrade. By law, a HEEHR rebate can’t be combined with another federal grant or rebate for the same project. Similarly, Wisconsin says one address can’t receive both HOMES and HEAR for the same upgrade type.
Is the HEAR program the same as the 25C tax credit?
No. HEAR is a rebate run by states, while 25C was a federal tax credit that ended for property placed in service after 2025. For details, see our guide to the 25C tax credit for heat pumps.
What if my income is above 150% of AMI?
Then you don’t qualify for HEEHR, unfortunately. Instead, look at utility rebates, the HOMES program and HVAC financing options.
Sources and review
Sources: DOE Program Notice 26-2 (HEEHR) (effective May 29, 2026); ENERGY STAR, HEAR program amounts; Focus on Energy, Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (Wisconsin) (2026); NC DEQ, Energy Saver North Carolina program changes (2026); AuditYourHome, Home Energy Rebates 2026 (checked October 12, 2026); The Rebate Map, Home Energy Rebates by state (September 9, 2026); Appliance News, DOE rebate rules change Sept. 1 (August 31, 2026); Canary Media, new rules in North Carolina (July 9, 2026). All checked on November 4, 2026.
Written by: HVAC Switch. Last updated: November 4, 2026. Read our editorial policy to learn how we research prices, or contact us if you spot an error.