Program Summary
| Program Name | Rhode Island Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) |
| Administrator | Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) |
| Portal / Contact | energy.ri.gov/energy-incentives/home-energy-rebate-programs | Energy.HEAR@energy.ri.gov |
| LMI Pathway Launch | September 17, 2024 — first in New England |
| Moderate-Income Pathway | Under development as of April 2026 |
| Total Funding | $31 million HEAR allocation |
| Intake Process | Community Action Partnership (CAP) agencies — homeowners schedule home energy audit through local CAP agency |
| Contractor Enrollment | Email Energy.HEAR@energy.ri.gov + insurance compliance + OER approval steps |
Income Limits and Rebate Tiers
| Income Tier | AMI Threshold | Cost Coverage | Total Cap | Heat Pump Cap | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low Income | ≤80% AMI | 100% of costs | $14,000 | $8,000 | Live |
| Moderate Income | 80–150% AMI | 50% of costs | $7,000 | $4,000 | Pending launch |
| Above 150% AMI | >150% AMI | Not eligible for HEAR | — | — | See Clean Heat RI |
Eligible Equipment and Rebate Amounts
| Measure | Rebate (LMI, ≤80% AMI) | Rebate (Moderate, 80–150% AMI) | ENERGY STAR Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat Pump (space heating/cooling) | Up to $8,000 | Up to $4,000 (pending) | Yes |
| Heat Pump Clothes Dryer | Up to $840 | Up to $420 (pending) | Yes |
| Electric Stove / Range / Oven | Up to $840 | Up to $420 (pending) | Yes |
| Induction Cooktop | Up to $840 | Up to $420 (pending) | Yes |
| Electric Wiring Upgrades | Up to $2,500 | Up to $1,250 (pending) | N/A |
| Electric Panel (Load Service Center) | Up to $4,000 | Up to $2,000 (pending) | N/A |
| Note: Total across all measures cannot exceed $14,000 (LMI) or $7,000 (moderate income). Amounts follow federal HEAR program structure; verify current amounts with OER. | |||
The Rhode Island Stacking Opportunity
Rhode Island's HEAR program has one of the strongest stacking stories in New England because of Clean Heat RI, the state's separate heat pump incentive program funded through RGGI (Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative).
Worked Example: LMI Household, Single-Family Home, Air Source Heat Pump
For standard-income households not eligible for HEAR, Clean Heat RI independently provides 60% coverage up to $11,500 for heat pump installation.
How the Application Process Works (Contractor Perspective)
Rhode Island's HEAR intake is managed through Community Action Partnership (CAP) agencies, which is different from most other live HEAR states where contractors submit project proposals directly.
- Homeowner contacts their local CAP agency. The homeowner initiates the process by scheduling a free home energy audit through their local Community Action Agency. CAP agencies are the primary intake point — clients cannot apply directly through OER without going through a CAP agency first.
- CAP agency conducts home energy audit. The audit establishes baseline conditions, confirms eligibility, and determines which measures qualify for HEAR funding.
- Project scope and contractor are identified. The CAP agency works with enrolled contractors to scope the project and confirm equipment eligibility. This is where your contractor enrollment becomes essential — you must be an enrolled HEAR contractor to be referred by CAP agencies.
- OER reviews and approves project. OER reviews the proposed scope, income documentation, and equipment selection before issuing pre-approval.
- Installation proceeds after written pre-approval. The standard HEAR pre-approval rule applies: no installation before written approval.
- Post-installation inspection and payment. After completion, the rebate is processed per the OER-HEAR program terms.
Contractor Enrollment
To become an approved HEAR contractor in Rhode Island:
- Email OER at Energy.HEAR@energy.ri.gov with your name, company name, and contact information. This is the starting point — OER will provide the current contractor approval documentation package.
- Review insurance requirements. OER has published contractor insurance guidance. Minimum coverage levels are required — request the current insurance guidance document.
- Complete the HEAR Program Contractor Approval Steps. OER has released a specific document outlining all required steps. Request this document from OER directly.
- Maintain certifications and licenses. State HVAC license required for heat pump installations. BPI or equivalent home performance credential is appropriate given the energy audit workflow. EPA 608 certification required for refrigerant handling.
See our contractor certification requirements guide for details on which credentials are most broadly accepted across HEAR states.
Rhode Island Utility Context
Rhode Island has two primary electric utilities:
- National Grid Rhode Island — serves the vast majority of the state. National Grid participates in Clean Heat RI and has its own heat pump rebate programs that can stack with HEAR.
- Block Island Power Company — small service territory on Block Island. Check separately for applicable programs.
For contractors working in National Grid territory, Clean Heat RI incentives are accessible through the National Grid rebate process. Confirm current stacking procedure with National Grid and OER.
Key Contacts
| HEAR Program | Energy.HEAR@energy.ri.gov | energy.ri.gov/energy-incentives/home-energy-rebate-programs |
| RI Office of Energy Resources | energy.ri.gov | (401) 574-9100 |
| Clean Heat RI | cleanheatri.com | energy.ri.gov/heating-cooling/clean-heat-ri |
| CAP Agencies (list) | Contact OER for current list of participating Community Action Partnership agencies by county |
| National Grid RI Rebates | nationalgridus.com/ri (rebates section) | 1-800-322-3223 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Awareness is the primary bottleneck — ecoRI News reported sluggish uptake in 2025. The CAP-mediated intake process requires homeowners to know to contact their Community Action agency, which many income-eligible households don't do proactively. Contractors who work in the income-qualified space and who have relationships with CAP agencies are positioned to drive volume by helping clients initiate the process. The program has funding; the constraint is pipeline generation.
Both. CAP agencies can refer enrolled contractors to income-eligible homeowners they're working with. Contractors can also identify income-eligible clients in their own pipeline and refer them to the local CAP agency to initiate the HEAR process. Building relationships with CAP agency energy coordinators is the most effective contractor acquisition strategy in Rhode Island's HEAR market.
As of April 2026, OER has not announced a specific launch date. The pathway is "under development." Monitor the OER HEAR program page and subscribe to the IRA Practitioner Brief for updates when RI announces the moderate-income launch — this will significantly expand the eligible household pool.
Yes — Rhode Island's HEAR program covers standard single-family homes, manufactured homes, and is specifically designed for LMI households across property types. This differs from Maine, where HEAR is currently limited to mobile homes and new affordable multifamily housing.
The 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit expired December 31, 2025 (OBBBA). For 2025 RI installs: HEAR and 25C could both apply, with 25C calculated on net cost after rebates. See our 25C guide and our stacking guide for the interaction rules. For LMI households receiving 100% HEAR coverage, the 25C value may be minimal if the net cost approaches zero.
Track Rhode Island HEAR Updates
The moderate-income pathway launch will significantly expand RI's program. The IRA Practitioner Brief tracks all live HEAR states weekly — we'll cover the RI moderate-income launch the week it's announced.
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