NH HEAR Rebate Update: Local Income Limits and Our Contractor Readiness
A.J. LeBlanc has completed the required contractor training to participate in New Hampshire's HEAR program when it launches. Below are the new income figures we received for two- and four-person households, organized by town and county.
Program status, September 24, 2026: We were informed that funding has been secured, but launch approval is still pending. Rebates are not available yet, and no start date has been confirmed.
Income limits depend on your household and location
Your household size and where you live determine which area median income (AMI) limit applies. Use the location groups below to find the figures for your town or county.
The tables show 2026 annual household-income limits, not rebate amounts. The 80% and 150% columns refer to area median income (AMI), not the share of project costs a rebate covers.
These are geographic income groups, not a list of towns where rebates are currently available. These groups cover all 10 New Hampshire counties. Figures are shown for two- and four-person households.
Two-person households
| Location group | 80% AMI | 150% AMI |
|---|---|---|
| Belknap County | $75,050 | $140,800 |
| Carroll, Cheshire, Coos, Grafton and Sullivan counties* | $70,050 | $132,600 |
| Bedford, Manchester, Goffstown and Weare | $78,600 | $147,400 |
| Nashua-area towns listed below, including Merrimack | $83,400 | $176,200 |
| Other Hillsborough County municipalities | $77,650 | $145,600 |
| Merrimack County | $79,300 | $148,700 |
| Rockingham group A, including Derry, Salem and Windham | $83,400 | $169,600 |
| Rockingham group B, including Auburn and Londonderry | $83,400 | $182,400 |
| Seabrook and South Hampton | $105,850 | $198,500 |
| Other Rockingham County municipalities, including Portsmouth | $83,400 | $168,600 |
| Strafford County | $83,400 | $168,600 |
*The $70,050 figure for the five-county group still needs confirmation. Verify this entry with the program before using it to assess eligibility.
Four-person households
| Location group | 80% AMI | 150% AMI |
|---|---|---|
| Belknap County | $93,800 | $175,950 |
| Carroll, Cheshire, Coos, Grafton and Sullivan counties | $88,400 | $165,750 |
| Bedford, Manchester, Goffstown and Weare | $98,250 | $184,200 |
| Nashua-area towns listed below, including Merrimack | $104,200 | $220,200 |
| Other Hillsborough County municipalities | $97,050 | $181,950 |
| Merrimack County | $99,100 | $185,850 |
| Rockingham group A, including Derry, Salem and Windham | $104,200 | $211,950 |
| Rockingham group B, including Auburn and Londonderry | $104,200 | $228,000 |
| Seabrook and South Hampton | $132,300 | $248,100 |
| Other Rockingham County municipalities, including Portsmouth | $104,200 | $210,750 |
| Strafford County | $104,200 | $210,750 |
Source: Energy Saver NH 2026 AMI limits, as provided by Lakes Region Community College. Confirm current limits and eligibility rules with the program before making a financial commitment.
The Nashua-area group includes Amherst, Brookline, Greenville, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, Mason, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, Nashua, New Ipswich, Pelham and Wilton.
Rockingham group A includes Atkinson, Chester, Danville, Derry, Fremont, Hampstead, Kingston, Newton, Plaistow, Raymond, Salem, Sandown and Windham. Group B includes Auburn, Candia, Deerfield, Londonderry, Northwood and Nottingham. These group labels are used here for readability, not as official program names.
Merrimack the town and Merrimack County use different rows. Also, a two-person household and a four-person household have different limits. For other household sizes, use the full program table rather than estimating between these examples.
Income eligibility is only one part of the process. The proposed equipment, existing system and final program requirements also need to be checked. Being below a listed threshold does not by itself establish eligibility or guarantee a rebate.
Should you wait for the program to open?
It depends on your situation. If your system is working reliably and your schedule is flexible, there may be time to review the program once final instructions are available. If your equipment has failed or needs expensive repairs, ask us to compare your options before putting a needed replacement on hold.
Do not assume work completed before the required approval can receive a rebate later. Confirm the application and installation sequence before proceeding if the rebate is essential to your budget.
Our guide to deciding whether to wait for NH HEAR rebates explains the questions to ask. You can also review our New Hampshire heating and cooling rebates page for other programs to discuss with our team.
Talk with a local team that is preparing now
Our goal is to help you make a decision that fits your home, your equipment and your budget. We will explain what has been confirmed and what still needs approval, without treating a possible rebate as a guaranteed discount.
Learn about our heat pump installation services, or contact A.J. LeBlanc Heating at 603-623-0412 to discuss your project.