Last updated: April 12, 2026
HEAR program status: Launching August 2026 — Pennsylvania's HEAR program is branded as Penn Energy Savers, administered by PA DEP (Department of Environmental Protection). DEP selected EGIS BLN as the HEAR program administrator (contracted December 2025) and Resource Innovations as the HOMES program administrator (contracted August 2025). Full statewide launch is targeted for August 2026. Utility rebate programs through PECO, PPL, and Met-Ed are available now.
PECO serves Philadelphia, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, and Bucks counties — the largest utility territory in Pennsylvania by population.
| Measure | Rebate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heat pump (air source, qualifying systems) | Up to $500 | ENERGY STAR required; higher for cold-climate models |
| Heat pump water heater | Up to $400 | ENERGY STAR certified units |
| Smart thermostat | $75 | Wi-Fi enabled, compatible models |
| Attic insulation (income-qualified) | Enhanced amounts available | PECO's WRAP program for income-qualified customers |
Verify current PECO rebate amounts at peco.com/save-money. PECO also offers 0% on-bill financing for qualifying energy efficiency upgrades.
| Measure | Rebate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heat pump HVAC (qualifying systems) | Up to $500 | Must meet efficiency minimums |
| Heat pump water heater | Up to $300 | ENERGY STAR certified |
| Central AC (high-efficiency) | $200–$350 | SEER2 threshold applies |
| Smart thermostat | $75 | Connected thermostat, qualifying models |
| Measure | Rebate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heat pump HVAC | Up to $500 | ENERGY STAR required |
| Heat pump water heater | Up to $300 | ENERGY STAR certified |
| Smart thermostat | $50 | Connected models |
| Income-qualified programs | Enhanced weatherization | LIHEAP coordination |
West Penn Power (Allegheny Power territory, SW PA) and Penn Power (NW PA/Erie area) offer rebate programs through the FirstEnergy network. Amounts typically match or are slightly lower than Met-Ed. Verify current rebates at firstenergycorp.com/save_energy before client commitments.
For 2026 and later Pennsylvania projects, the primary incentive stack is Penn Energy Savers HEAR rebates + utility rebates (PECO/PPL/Duquesne). 25C is no longer available. See the utility rebate stacking guide for how to maximize the current stack.
Pennsylvania's Weatherization Assistance and Rate Mitigation (WARM) program provides free energy efficiency upgrades for income-qualified households. This is separate from IRA programs and available now:
For income-qualified clients who need upgrades before HEAR launches, WARM can provide significant value — often full installation at no cost for the homeowner.
Based on draft PUC rules and the federal program framework, here's what PA HEAR will likely look like:
| Measure | LMI (<80% AMI) | Moderate (80–150% AMI) | Above 150% AMI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat Pump HVAC (air source) | Up to $8,000 | Up to $4,000 | Not eligible |
| Heat Pump Water Heater | Up to $1,750 | Up to $875 | Not eligible |
| Electric Stove / Induction | Up to $840 | Up to $420 | Not eligible |
| Electric Dryer | Up to $840 | Up to $420 | Not eligible |
| Electrical Panel Upgrade | Up to $4,000 | Up to $2,000 | Not eligible |
| Insulation & Air Sealing | Up to $1,600 | Up to $800 | Not eligible |
| Household cap (federal maximum) | $14,000 LMI / $7,000 Moderate | ||
PA may implement different rebate amounts or priorities within the federal maximum. Monitor puc.pa.gov for final rule publication.
Pennsylvania uses area-based AMI by metropolitan statistical area. The Philadelphia metro has significantly higher AMI than rural Pennsylvania:
| Area | 80% AMI (4-person HH) | 150% AMI (4-person HH) |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington MSA | ~$86,000 | ~$161,000 |
| Pittsburgh MSA | ~$79,000 | ~$148,000 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton MSA | ~$82,000 | ~$154,000 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle MSA | ~$80,000 | ~$150,000 |
| Scranton-Wilkes-Barre MSA | ~$70,000 | ~$131,000 |
| Rural Pennsylvania (central/north) | ~$65,000–$72,000 | ~$122,000–$135,000 |
Verify at huduser.gov. Final AMI tables for PA HEAR will be confirmed when program rules are published.
Pennsylvania is disproportionately valuable for HEAR-focused practitioners because of its housing stock:
Pennsylvania's HEAR contractor enrollment has specific requirements that differ from other states. Prepare these now — the enrollment window is expected to open 4–6 weeks before the August 2026 program launch.
| Work type | Required certification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heat pump installation | BPI Heat Pump Pro or NATE (territory-specific) | NATE accepted in some EDC territories; verify before enrolling |
| Insulation / air sealing | BPI Building Analyst or BPI Envelope Professional | BA is the most versatile — covers both |
| Whole-home assessment | BPI Building Analyst | Required before major measure installation; cannot be same person as installer for large jobs |
| Electrical panel upgrade | PA licensed electrician + HEAR enrollment | Standard electrician license; no BPI requirement |
Pennsylvania requires a whole-home energy assessment before approving HEAR rebates for major measures (heat pump, panel upgrade). The workflow:
This is more process-intensive than post-installation-only states, but the assessment creates a paper trail that significantly reduces rebate denial risk. Contractors who can't handle the documentation workflow will exit the program — which reduces competition for those who can.
Pennsylvania's August 2026 launch will be one of the biggest HEAR program openings — large population, high eligibility rate, older housing stock. The IRA Practitioner Brief will cover contractor enrollment, final rebate amounts, and program details as they're confirmed.