How to Apply for HEAR Rebates

Confirm Your State Is Live with HEAR

HEAR is not federally operated — each state administers its own program using DOE funding. As of April 2026, 14 states have launched live HEAR programs:

Live: Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Washington, Georgia, North Carolina, Indiana, Wisconsin, Arizona (soft launch)

If your state is not on this list, you cannot apply for HEAR yet. Monitor the state tracker for launch announcements.

Check Your Income Eligibility

HEAR eligibility is based on household income compared to Area Median Income (AMI) for your area:

• At or below 80% AMI: Maximum rebates (up to $8,000 for a heat pump)
• 80%–150% AMI: Partial rebates (50% of costs, same categories)
• Above 150% AMI: Not eligible for HEAR

AMI varies significantly by metro area and household size. A family of 4 at 80% AMI in the New York metro area earns approximately $97,000. In rural NC, it's approximately $54,000. Use HUD's income limit lookup tool at huduser.gov to find the exact threshold for your area.

Quick presumptive eligibility: If you receive SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, LIHEAP, or Section 8/HCV, you qualify without submitting income documentation in most states. Just bring your benefit award letter.

Check if Your State Requires Pre-Approval

This step is critical and often missed. Five states require you to submit a pre-approval application before scheduling installation:

If you install equipment without pre-approval in these states, your rebate will be denied and cannot be recovered. See the full pre-approval guide.

Choose Your Equipment and Confirm It Qualifies

Not all heat pumps, water heaters, or other equipment qualify for HEAR rebates. Eligibility requirements include:

• Heat pump HVAC: ENERGY STAR certified; cold climate spec (HSPF2 ≥ 9.5) required in climate zones 5+ (MN, WI, MI, NY, MA, CO mountains, ME)
• Heat pump water heater: ENERGY STAR certified; UEF ≥ 2.0; installation space ≥ 700 cubic feet
• Electrical panel upgrade: Must increase capacity; standalone eligible in MA, NY; bundled required in most other states
• Insulation: Must meet R-value minimums; blower door test required post-install in most states
• Electric appliances: Stove ($840), dryer ($840), wiring ($2,500) — equipment-specific specs apply

See the complete eligible equipment guide.

Find a Certified HEAR Contractor

Only contractors enrolled in your state's HEAR program can submit rebate applications. Installing with a non-enrolled contractor means you cannot get a HEAR rebate, regardless of equipment quality.

How to find a certified HEAR contractor in your state:

• Massachusetts: Mass Save (1-866-527-7283) — they assign a Home Performance Contractor
• New York: NYSERDA contractor search at nyserda.ny.gov
• Colorado: REIA contractor portal at colorado.gov/reia
• Maryland: MEA certified contractor list at energy.maryland.gov
• Illinois: IHDA contractor search at ihda.org
• Other states: Contact your state energy office directly — most have a contractor lookup tool

Ask your contractor directly: "Are you enrolled in [state] HEAR and can you submit the rebate application?" If they're unsure, find another contractor.

Gather Your Income Documentation

You will need to prove your income before the rebate is approved. Gather these documents before your contractor visit:

• Prior year federal tax return (Form 1040) — most universally accepted
• W-2s or 1099s from the most recent tax year
• 2 most recent pay stubs (for salaried/hourly employees)
• Social Security Benefit Verification Letter (for retirees — free download at SSA.gov)
• SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or LIHEAP award letter (presumptive eligibility — skip other docs if you have this)
• VA Pension award letter (veterans — presumptive eligibility)

See the income verification documents guide for your state's specific requirements.

Complete the Installation

After pre-approval (if required) and confirming your contractor is enrolled:

1. Schedule the installation with your certified HEAR contractor
2. Ensure the installed equipment matches the pre-approval specifications exactly (if pre-approval was required)
3. Confirm the contractor will pull all required permits
4. Ask for the AHRI certificate at installation — this is a combination-specific document from ahridirectory.org that certifies the specific indoor/outdoor unit pairing. It is the most commonly missed document and causes many application rejections.
5. Get the final invoice with all required line items (see invoice requirements guide)

Gather All Documentation and Submit

Required documentation for the rebate application (most states):

• Completed rebate application form (from state portal)
• Income documentation (tax return, benefit letter, or other approved doc)
• Contractor invoice showing equipment model numbers, serial numbers, installation date, labor and equipment costs separated
• AHRI certificate for the installed heat pump or heat pump water heater combination
• Proof of ownership (deed, mortgage statement, property tax bill)
• Proof of residency (utility bill in your name, or deed + attestation)
• Building permit and inspection approval (required in most states)
• Pre-approval confirmation number (if your state required pre-approval)

Most states have an online submission portal. Your contractor should walk you through the process — in many states, they submit the application on your behalf.

Wait for Processing and Receive Your Rebate

After submission, processing times vary by state:

The rebate is paid directly to you as a check or ACH bank transfer. In New Mexico, it's deducted at the point of sale. If your application is approved, you'll receive a confirmation email followed by the payment.

If your application is denied, you typically have 30–60 days to appeal or correct documentation. See the denial and appeal guide.