New England Heat Pump Accelerator: Heat Pump and Water Heater Savings

Air-source heat pump installed at a New Hampshire home

The New England Heat Pump Accelerator gives New Hampshire homeowners an instant discount on qualifying heat pumps and heat pump water heaters. The 2026 incentive is $650 per qualifying air-source heat pump outdoor unit or $300 per qualifying heat pump water heater. It is available at all income levels. Air-source heat pump incentives can be combined with eligible NHSaves incentives. A qualifying heat pump water heater installation may combine the $900 NHSaves incentive with the $300 Accelerator discount for up to $1,200 in savings. Each program's eligibility requirements apply.

The short version

The incentive is $650 per qualifying air-source heat pump outdoor unit.
The limit is two heat pump incentives per qualifying dwelling.
A qualifying heat pump water heater may receive a $300 incentive, limited to one per dwelling.
It is available to eligible New Hampshire residents at any income level.
It is available regardless of electric utility or existing heating fuel.
The home must already exist. New construction is not eligible for this incentive.
Air-source heat pumps must meet the program's cold-climate efficiency requirements. Each equipment category has its own qualifying criteria.
Qualifying air-to-water heat pumps may receive $750 per outdoor unit, limited to two per dwelling.
The discount appears on the contractor's invoice when the equipment and transaction qualify.

How much is the Accelerator incentive?

For an eligible air-source heat pump smaller than 5.4 tons, the incentive is $650 for each qualifying outdoor unit. The amount is the same for ducted and ductless equipment. It is not $650 per ton.

A home with one qualifying outdoor unit may receive $650. A home with two qualifying outdoor units may receive $1,300. The program limits the incentive to two heat pumps per qualifying dwelling.

What about heat pump water heaters?

A qualifying heat pump water heater may receive a $300 point-of-sale incentive. The program limit is one heat pump water heater incentive per qualifying dwelling. The water heater must be an eligible ENERGY STAR model that meets the Accelerator's size and efficiency requirements. NHSaves offers $900 for qualifying heat pump water heaters up to 85 gallons, which can combine with the $300 Accelerator incentive for up to $1,200 when the installation qualifies for both. The NHSaves incentive cannot be claimed a second time after an instant NHSaves rebate has already been applied.

As with a heating and cooling heat pump, the savings should appear on the contractor's invoice when the equipment and transaction qualify.

What about air-to-water heat pumps?

A qualifying residential air-to-water heat pump may receive $750 per outdoor unit, with a maximum of two per qualifying dwelling. Eligible equipment must be on the applicable program list, meet the category's requirements and be no larger than 72,000 BTU per hour (6 tons). These incentives apply to qualifying sales from June 1, 2026. We check the proposed model and project before including a discount.

Who can qualify?

The Accelerator is much simpler than an income-based rebate. There is no household income limit. An eligible homeowner can participate whether the home currently heats with oil, propane, natural gas, electricity, or another fuel. The program is also available regardless of which New Hampshire electric utility serves the address.

The equipment must be installed in an existing residence. Owners and renters may qualify, including those in mobile homes, condominiums and apartments. Municipal utility customers can participate. Buildings with five or more dwelling units became eligible for qualifying sales on June 1, 2026. New construction is excluded.

Air-source heat pumps must meet ENERGY STAR Version 6.1 cold-climate criteria and the program's efficiency requirements. Not every heat pump model qualifies. The water heater category is limited to qualifying units up to 120 gallons; that does not change the separate NHSaves size limit.

Larger multifamily installations involving more than eight heat pump incentives or four heat pump water heater incentives per building require advance program approval. Contact us before finalizing a larger project. Per-dwelling limits still apply.

How do homeowners receive the savings?

When the equipment and project qualify, the approved Accelerator savings appear as a clearly identified discount on your installation invoice. Homeowners do not submit a separate Accelerator rebate after installation.

To verify the project, we need your name, installation address, phone number, email address, existing heating fuel and estimated installation date. The program may verify the installed equipment in person or virtually as part of its quality checks.

A.J. LeBlanc Heating applies eligible Accelerator savings at the point of sale for qualifying heat pumps and heat pump water heaters. We confirm the equipment and program requirements before including the incentive in a proposal.

Can the Accelerator be combined with NHSaves?

For air-source heat pumps, yes, when the equipment and project meet both programs' rules. NHSaves has its own utility, model, installation-date and application requirements. Its point-of-sale and post-install rebates cannot both be claimed for the same equipment, and total incentives cannot exceed eligible project costs.

For qualifying heat pump water heaters, the $900 NHSaves incentive can combine with the $300 Accelerator discount for up to $1,200 in total savings. We confirm the equipment, utility and installation requirements for both programs before including those incentives in your proposal. An instant NHSaves discount cannot be claimed again as a post-install NHSaves rebate.

The two programs also calculate incentives differently. The Accelerator pays $650 per qualifying outdoor unit. NHSaves heat pump rebates are generally based on qualifying system capacity and the customer's eligibility under the current utility program.

Can the Accelerator be combined with Energy Saver NH?

Energy Saver NH is New Hampshire's income-based HEAR program, which is still awaiting launch. HEAR and Accelerator cannot cover the same equipment. They may support different equipment in the same home when each program approves the separate work and the federal rule against combining grants for the same qualified electrification project is met. See our Energy Saver NH rebates and launch updates before budgeting for HEAR.

How long is the Accelerator available?

The current program period runs from February 1, 2026 through December 2029. Qualifying sales for existing one- to four-unit homes began February 1; the five-or-more-unit multifamily and air-to-water categories began June 1, 2026. Incentives remain subject to program rules and available funding, so eligibility should be confirmed when the system is quoted.

How A.J. LeBlanc Heating can help

The incentive matters, but the system still has to fit the home. Our Home Comfort Advisors can review ducted and ductless options, determine the heating and cooling needs of the house, and confirm whether the proposed equipment meets the Accelerator equipment requirements. We can also review the current NHSaves path and show eligible point-of-sale savings clearly on the proposal.

Learn more about heat pump installation in Southern New Hampshire or contact A.J. LeBlanc Heating to discuss your home.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the New England Heat Pump Accelerator incentive in New Hampshire?

The 2026 incentive for a qualifying ducted or ductless air-source heat pump is $650 per outdoor unit, with a limit of two heat pump incentives per qualifying dwelling.

Does the Accelerator include heat pump water heaters?

Yes. A qualifying heat pump water heater may receive a $300 point-of-sale incentive, limited to one per qualifying dwelling.

Is the Accelerator based on income?

No. Eligible New Hampshire residents can receive the incentive at any income level.

Can I get the Accelerator if my home uses oil or propane?

Yes. The Accelerator is available regardless of the home's existing heating fuel, provided the home, equipment, and transaction meet the program requirements.

Can I combine the Accelerator with NHSaves?

Yes, when the installation meets both programs' requirements. Qualifying heat pump water heaters can combine $900 from NHSaves with the $300 Accelerator incentive for up to $1,200. Do not claim the NHSaves incentive twice for the same equipment.

Do I receive a rebate check after the installation?

No. The Accelerator is a point-of-sale incentive. Eligible savings appear on the contractor's invoice.