Project Eligibility:
Rebates are available to homeowners and renters for air-source heat pump installations in new or existing homes that meet the following eligibility requirements:
1. Use the installed air-source heat pump (ASHP) for heating consistently throughout the winter.
2. Work with an installer that has received manufacturer training for the products they plan to install in your home.
3. Install ASHPs from either of two lists of eligible equipment:
- Any ASHP on the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s Qualified Products List is eligible for a rebate from CMLP. The vast majority of these are ductless heat pumps.
- Any centrally ducted ASHP on the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership’s (NEEP’s) Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump (ccASHP) Specification Listing. Download the Excel file “ColdClimateAir-SourceHeatPumpSpecificationListing-Updated DD.DD.DD.xlsx at http://www.neep.org/initiatives/high-efficiency-products/emerging-technologies/ashp/cold-climate-air-source-heat-pump. In the filename, “DD.DD.DD” will display as the date when the file was last updated. Column M, entitled “Ductless or Centrally Ducted” must indicate that the ASHP is Centrally Ducted in order for the ASHP to be eligible for a CMLP rebate.
4. Has had a home energy audit completed within the last four years or have one scheduled within six months of project completion. New homes and multi-family residences with more than four units do not require an energy audit. CMLP recommends that priority recommendations from the audit are implemented before, or in coordination with, the installation of the ASHP. To schedule an audit, natural gas users can contact MassSAVE at (866) 527-SAVE (7283) or www.masssave.com/en/saving/energy-assessments/. All others can sign up with Energy New England at solutions@ene.org, (888) 772-4242, or www.ene.org/residential-audits/.
Rebate Type Eligibility:
If the project meets the above eligibility requirements, system owners should next determine which rebate type they are eligible for based on the following table:
| Income-Based Thresholds by Household Size | System Type |
Rebate Type
| Household Size | Annual Gross Income | Single-Head System | Central Ducted or Multi-Head Systems |
Base Rebate Available to all households meeting project requirements (see above).
| N/A | N/A | $625 per system (up to 3 systems***) | $625 per 12,000 BTU/hr**** (up to a maximum rebate of $2,500) |
120% Income-Based Rebate** Available to all households that meet project eligibility requirements and have verified that their income is below 120% of the Massachusetts state median income.
| 1 | $68,760 | $800 per system (up to 3 systems***) | $800 per 12,000 BTU/hr**** (up to a maximum rebate of $3,200) |
2 | $89,916 |
3 | $111,074 |
4 | $132,230 |
80% Income-Based Rebate** Available to all households that meet project eligibility requirements and have verified that their income is below 80% of the Massachusetts state median income.
| 1 | $45,840 | $1,500 per system (up to 3 systems***) | $1,500 per 12,000 BTU/hr**** (up to a maximum rebate of $6,000) |
2 | $59,944 |
3 | $74,049 |
4 | $88,153 |
**To receive an income-based rebate, the residential customer must complete one of the accepted income verification methods. Please see the “How Do I Qualify for an Income-Based Rebate?” question below for more information about income-based rebates and income verification.
*** Residences may install more than three single-head ductless systems, though the rebate will only support the first three installed. Rebates for central or multi-head systems are limited to 48,000 BTU/hr of heating capacity (maximum heating capacity at 5°F). Residences may install systems with greater capacity, though the rebate will only support the first 48,000 BTU/hr of heating capacity installed.
****For the purposes of determining rebate levels for central or multi-head systems, CMLP uses the system’s maximum heating capacity (BTU/hr) at 5°F.
Annual Cap
Customers may apply for more than one ASHP rebate over the life of the ASHP rebate program. However, a customer may receive only one ASHP rebate within a twelve month period. This policy is subject to change in the future.