Safety note: Refrigerant and electrical work have legal and safety requirements. Per the EPA, connecting or disconnecting pre-charged refrigerant lines on a mini-split requires Section 608 technician certification. Follow the installation manual, the National Electrical Code and your local code, and use a licensed electrician where your jurisdiction requires one. This is general information, not professional advice.
ENERGY STAR’s tax credit page says the federal heat pump credit was “effective for products purchased and installed between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2025” (see our tax credit article). What’s left are DOE’s Home Energy Rebates, which states run, and utility programs. Here’s how they work, from DOE’s program page, and what paperwork to keep.
On this page
DOE’s Home Energy Rebates
DOE’s Home Energy Rebates Program has two parts (DOE):
| Program | What it covers (per DOE) | DOE’s stated maximum |
|---|---|---|
| HEEHR (High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate) | Purchase and installation of “electric heating and cooling upgrades,” plus insulation, air sealing, ventilation, electric wiring, panel upgrades and efficient electric appliances | “up to $14,000” per household |
| HOMES (Home Owner Managing Energy Savings) | Whole-home upgrades “based on modeled energy savings levels with a minimum savings of 20%,” for households at all income levels | “up to $8,000” |
Those are DOE’s stated maximums, not mini-split prices. DOE marks the HOMES figure with a note that grantees “may increase rebates for households with income less than 80% of the area median” (DOE). Detailed eligibility rules are in the program requirements on DOE’s Resources page and in each state’s program.
How you get it: DOE says HEEHR “offers rebates at point of sale either at retail outlets or through contractors” (DOE).
Status: “Home Energy Rebates are now available in select states.” DOE says to contact your State or Territory Energy Office for status and eligibility (DOE).
DOE also notes that HEEHR emphasizes “insulating and sealing the home prior to upgrading heating and cooling to maximize savings” (DOE). In other words, insulation and air sealing come first.
Utility rebates
Many electric utilities run their own heat pump rebates. Search your utility’s site, and check the rebate lookup on ENERGY STAR’s ductless page (ENERGY STAR).
The paperwork most programs want
- AHRI certificate number for the exact indoor and outdoor combination (AHRI Directory). See our AHRI certificate guide.
- ENERGY STAR or cold-climate status, if the program requires it (ENERGY STAR criteria).
- Itemized invoice with model numbers and installation date.
- Contractor details. Check whether your program requires a participating or licensed installer before you buy a DIY kit.
- Permit or inspection record, where required (see our permit guide).
Before you buy
- Check your state energy office’s status first. Point-of-sale rebates usually have to be applied at purchase.
- Confirm whether the program accepts self-installed systems.
- Match the equipment to the program’s efficiency tier using the AHRI directory, not the marketing page.
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FAQ
Can I combine HEEHR and HOMES? DOE’s program page doesn’t settle this for every case. Rules vary by state, so ask your state energy office.
Is the federal tax credit really gone? ENERGY STAR’s tax credit page gives December 31, 2025 as the end date (ENERGY STAR). The tax-credit section of ENERGY STAR’s ductless page still says 2032, so rely on the dedicated tax credit page. See our tax credit article.