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Rhode Island has one of the few programs that still pays you to switch from fossil fuels: Clean Heat Rhode Island covers 60% of eligible costs, up to $11,500, for heat pumps that replace gas, oil, or propane heating, for households below 150% of State Median Income. Utilities add their own per-ton rebates.
HEAR and HOMES in Rhode Island
HEAR and HOMES are the federal rebate programs that replaced most of the help from the expired heat pump tax credit. Each state runs its own version. How HEAR and HOMES work nationwide.
| Program | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| HEAR (electrification rebates) | Check current availability | Check with Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources. |
| HOMES (whole-home efficiency rebates) | Check current availability | Check with Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources. |
Heat pump rebates and incentives in Rhode Island
| Program | Amount | Who qualifies | Key requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean Heat Rhode Island Open (source) | Space heating (air-source, air-to-water, geothermal): 60% of eligible costs up to $11,500 per address. Heat pump water heater: $2,500. Lifetime cap $18,000 per property | Household income below 150% of State Median Income (e.g., $178,500 for a household of 4) | Your current primary heat must be natural gas, propane, or oil, and the heat pump must displace it in the zones it serves. The home must be weatherized (built 2000 or later, weatherization done, or under $1,000 of recommended work). Use an installer in the Clean Heat RI network; installed on or after July 21, 2025 |
| Utility heat pump rebates Open (source) | Rhode Island Energy: $150 to $1,000 per ton depending on current heating. Clear River Electric & Water: $350 to $700. Block Island Power: $250 per ton | Customers of each utility | See each utility’s rebate form; Clean Heat RI notes it doesn’t guarantee eligibility for these |
Example: what a typical household could get
Example: a family of four earning $150,000 (under the $178,500 limit) replaces an oil boiler with an air-source heat pump costing $18,000 in a weatherized home. Clean Heat RI covers 60%, which would be $10,800, under the $11,500 cap. Adding a heat pump water heater brings a separate $2,500. Rhode Island Energy may add its own rebate of $150 to $1,000 per ton, depending on the heating being replaced.
How to apply, step by step
- Check your income: below 150% of State Median Income, verified through SNAP, LIHEAP, the RI Energy Discount Rate, or iVerify.
- Make sure your home is weatherized: built in 2000 or later, all weatherization recommendations done, or a home energy assessment showing under $1,000 of work.
- Gather a recent fuel bill showing active oil, propane, or natural gas heating; for delivered fuels, a delivery from the last heating season.
- Hire an installer in the Clean Heat RI network and confirm the equipment meets program requirements.
- Apply for utility rebates too with Rhode Island Energy, Clear River, or Block Island Power.
Choosing a heat pump for Rhode Island’s climate
Rhode Island’s coastal climate is milder than northern New England, but winters are still cold enough that heating drives your bills. Clean Heat RI doesn’t require a whole-home conversion: the heat pump must be the main heat in the zones it serves, so you can go room by room.
Air-to-water heat pumps qualify too, which can suit homes with radiators, as long as the model is on Clean Heat RI’s qualified list.
Rhode Island heat pump rebate FAQ
How much does Clean Heat Rhode Island pay?
60% of eligible costs, up to $11,500 per address for space heating, plus $2,500 for a heat pump water heater. The lifetime cap is $18,000 per property.
Can I get Clean Heat RI if I heat with electric baseboards?
No. For heat pumps, your current primary heating must be natural gas, propane, or oil, and the heat pump must displace it.
Who qualifies for Clean Heat RI?
Rhode Island electric customers with household income below 150% of State Median Income, in a weatherized home, using an installer in the Clean Heat RI network.
Rebates in nearby states
Sources
- Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources: Home Energy Rebate Programs
- Clean Heat Rhode Island: Incentives
Programs change often. We verify every figure against the official source listed above; if something looks out of date, let us know.