There has never been a better moment to electrify your home in New England. Rebate money is flowing, states are competing to be first, and the incentives stack up in ways that can shave real dollars off a heat pump project.
Rhode Island just planted its flag, New Hampshire is close behind, and Massachusetts homeowners already have generous rebates on the table. Here is exactly what is available right now, what is coming, and how to get ready so you can move quickly when the funding fits your project.
Rhode Island goes first in New England
On September 23, 2026, Rhode Island became the first New England state to launch the federal Home Owner Managing Energy Savings (HOMES) rebate program, run through the state's Office of Energy Resources (OER). You can read the details in the OER press release.
Providence Business News reported that the program launched with $32 million in federal rebates, approved by the U.S. Department of Energy, and centers on heat pump installations at income-eligible multifamily properties. The HOMES structure rewards whole-home energy performance, and projects need to hit a bar for results.
According to the OER's home energy rebate program page, the program focuses on:
- Income-eligible customers and a multifamily emphasis
- Projects with modeled energy savings of at least 20 percent
- Heat pump installations that improve whole-home efficiency
That 20 percent modeled-savings threshold is the key design feature. HOMES pays for performance, so the deeper the efficiency gain, the more valuable the project becomes.
Stacking HEAR and Clean Heat RI
HOMES is not the only tool in Rhode Island's box. The OER also runs the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) program, which you can review on the OER incentives page. HEAR is the companion federal rebate aimed at electrification upgrades and appliance swaps.
Alongside those federal dollars, Rhode Island homeowners can also look at Clean Heat RI incentives for heat pump projects. Between HOMES, HEAR, and Clean Heat RI, income-eligible and multifamily households in the Ocean State have more layered support than they did a year ago.
Rhode Island becoming the first New England state to launch HOMES is a meaningful signal: the federal rebate pipeline is real, and it is starting to reach households.
New Hampshire: launching soon, with rebates available now
New Hampshire is next in line. The state's Department of Energy expects its own Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) program to launch in fall 2026, per the NH Department of Energy HEAR page.
One timing detail matters a great deal here: rebates will only apply to projects started after the program launches. If you are a New Hampshire homeowner planning a heat pump or electrification upgrade, that is a strong reason to line up your contractor and scope now, but hold off on breaking ground until the program is live.
The state is also standing up its federal Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) program, detailed on the NH Department of Energy HOMES page.
Good news for the impatient: you do not have to wait for everything. NHSaves heat pump rebates are available now, so New Hampshire homeowners can pursue an existing incentive today while the newer federal programs come online.
Massachusetts: Mass Save rebates are ready today
Massachusetts homeowners have the most immediately actionable offer of the three. Through Mass Save, whole-home heat pump rebates for 2026 are set at $2,650 per ton, up to $8,500, for systems installed by December 31, 2026.
That is a substantial rebate on a full heating and cooling conversion. There are also enhanced income-based rebates available, so households that qualify can capture even more.
The deadline is the action item here. To claim the 2026 rebate levels, the installation needs to be completed by the end of the year, which means scheduling your contractor sooner rather than later as installer calendars fill up heading into winter.
What New England homeowners can do now
The common thread across all three states is that preparation pays off. Here is a practical checklist to get ready:
- Confirm which programs fit your project. Rhode Island residents should look at HOMES, HEAR, and Clean Heat RI; New Hampshire residents can start with NHSaves today and watch for HEAR and HOMES this fall; Massachusetts residents can pursue Mass Save rebates right now.
- Check the timing rules. New Hampshire's HEAR rebates only cover projects started after launch, and Massachusetts's 2026 Mass Save levels require installation by December 31, 2026.
- Get an energy assessment. Because HOMES rewards modeled energy savings of at least 20 percent, understanding your home's baseline helps you plan upgrades that qualify.
- Line up a great local contractor early. Installer schedules tighten as the heating season approaches, so booking ahead protects your timeline and your rebate eligibility.
- Gather documentation. Income-based and income-eligible rebates require paperwork, so start collecting what you will need.
Finding the right heat pump pro
A rebate is only as good as the installation behind it. The easiest way to find and research local heat pump and energy contractors across New England is Tavlee, where you can compare pros, read reviews, and confirm licensing before you commit. A quick license check is a simple confidence-builder, and it takes just a few minutes.
The takeaway
New England is in a genuinely strong moment for home electrification. Rhode Island has launched a $32 million HOMES program for income-eligible multifamily properties, New Hampshire's HEAR program is expected this fall with NHSaves rebates available today, and Massachusetts homeowners can claim Mass Save heat pump rebates of $2,650 per ton up to $8,500 on installations completed by year's end.
Your next steps are simple: match your project to the right program, mind the deadlines, and book a trusted local installer early. Do that, and you will be positioned to capture the incentives while they are on the table.
