New state programs launch monthly. Rebate rules change. Clients ask questions you don't have answers to yet.
The IRA Practitioner Brief keeps you ahead of it.
Subscribers also get the IRA Practitioner Cheat Sheet — a printable desk reference covering rebate amounts, AMI limits for 16 metros, stacking rules, and worked client examples.
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You're the person sitting at the kitchen table with a homeowner, explaining whether a heat pump will actually save them money and how to pay for it. You don't need a 47-page DOE guidance document — you need to know what's live, what's changed, and what to tell your client before the contractor shows up on Tuesday. That's what this newsletter does, every week.
NY New York — HEAR Now Open via NYSERDA
CO Colorado — HOMES Measured Pathway Live
AZ Arizona — Limited HEAR Soft Launch
| Measure | Credit/Rebate | Cap | Income Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat Pump HVAC (25C) — expired 12/31/25 | 30% of cost | $2,000/yr | None |
| Heat Pump Water Heater (25C) — expired 12/31/25 | 30% of cost | $2,000/yr | None |
| Insulation & Air Sealing (25C) — expired 12/31/25 | 30% of cost | $1,200/yr | None |
| Panel Upgrade (25C) — expired 12/31/25 | 30% of cost | $600/yr | None |
| Solar / Battery (25D) — expired 12/31/25 | 30% of cost | No cap | None |
| HEAR — Heat Pump HVAC | Up to $8,000 | $8,000 | ≤150% AMI |
| HEAR — Total household | Up to $14,000 | $14,000 | ≤150% AMI |
| HOMES — 35%+ savings | Up to $8,000 | $8,000 | LMI priority |
"Can I still get federal tax credits for energy improvements?"
Update (April 2026): The 25C and 25D tax credits expired December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Clients with 2025 installs can still claim on their 2025 tax return — document costs now. For 2026 projects, HEAR and HOMES rebates remain fully active and unaffected by OBBBA. See the 25C historical reference for claiming 2025 credits.
California's HEAR funds are gone. Massachusetts is the best stacking opportunity in the country right now. And contractor enrollment backlogs are quietly killing deals.
California's HEAR program through the California Energy Commission exhausted its initial reservation capacity as of late February 2026. The program is not accepting new reservations — waitlist only.
California is the second state (after Colorado's Front Range) to exhaust initial HEAR allocations. Rhode Island's initial funds were exhausted but the program relaunched. This pattern will repeat in other early-launch states.
| Program | Eligible Measure | Max Value |
|---|---|---|
| 25C Tax Credit (expired 12/31/25) | Heat pump HVAC | $2,000/yr |
| 25C Tax Credit (expired 12/31/25) | Heat pump water heater | $600/yr |
| Mass HEAR (HEEHRA) | Heat pump HVAC, HPWH, panel | Up to $14,000 |
| Mass Save Rebate | Heat pump HVAC | Up to $2,500 |
| Mass Save Rebate | Heat pump water heater | Up to $750 |
| Eversource/National Grid | Varies by utility | $200–$1,500 |
Combined potential for a moderate-income household (HVAC + HPWH + panel): $16,000–$18,750 in HEAR + utility rebates (25C is no longer available for 2026 installs). Mass Save requires a no-cost Home Energy Assessment first — book early, wait times are 4–6 weeks.
In state after state, homeowners are approved for HEAR rebates — but their contractor isn't enrolled. The deal stalls. Worst backlogs right now:
The fix: Audit your contractor network now. Confirm enrollment status before the client conversation, not after. Add 6 weeks to timelines for contractors who need to enroll.
Approved reservations with a state agency are stronger than unsubmitted applications, but neither is bulletproof. States that have already drawn down funds from DOE would likely honor existing commitments. Future rebate availability would end.
You'll also get the IRA Practitioner Cheat Sheet — HEAR amounts, 25C credits, AMI limits for 16 metros, stacking rules, and three worked examples. Printable desk reference.
Issues #1–3 free · $29/month from Issue #4