Last updated: · Sources verified
Washington’s federal rebates (HOMES and the appliance program it calls HARP) haven’t launched: the Department of Commerce is still working through DOE’s June 1, 2026 guideline changes. What is running is a separate state-funded HEAR program, paid for by the Climate Commitment Act and delivered by local administrators, for households at or below 150% of Area Median Income.
HEAR and HOMES in Washington
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) | Not launched yet | The federal HEAR program (called HARP in Washington) hasn’t launched; Commerce is evaluating DOE’s June 1 guideline updates with its rebate administrator. A separate state-funded HEAR program is running (source) |
| HOMES (whole-home efficiency rebates) | Not launched yet | Not launched; waiting on DOE approval after the June 1 guideline updates. Rebates won’t be retroactive (source) |
Heat pump rebates and incentives in Washington
| Program | Amount | Who qualifies | Key requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington State HEAR (state-funded, Climate Commitment Act) Open: Local administrators are being added as contracts are finalized; not every area has one yet (source) | Varies by local administrator. Check current amounts with Local program administrators | Households at or below 150% of Area Median Income (HUD income limits for your county), including renters; also small businesses and nonprofits with 50 or fewer employees | Heat pumps (ducted, ductless, packaged terminal, ground-source), heat pump water heaters, induction cooking, heat pump dryers, and panel/wiring upgrades; ENERGY STAR or AHRI certified equipment. Apply through the local administrator listed by Commerce for your area |
Example: what a typical household could get
Example: a family earning 110% of their county’s AMI wants to replace electric baseboard heat with a ductless heat pump. They qualify for the state HEAR program (the limit is 150% of AMI), but the amount depends on their local administrator, and some areas don’t have one yet. Until the federal programs launch, that local offer plus any utility rebate is what’s available. Don’t install first: Commerce says the federal rebates won’t be retroactive.
How to apply, step by step
- Check your income against the HUD income limits for your county. The state HEAR program covers households at or below 150% of AMI, renters included.
- Find your local administrator on the Commerce State HEAR page. Commerce adds administrators as contracts are finalized, so check back if yours isn’t listed.
- Follow that administrator’s process. Offers and applications vary by area, and not every administrator covers every eligibility group.
- Choose certified equipment. Everything must be ENERGY STAR or AHRI certified.
- Watch for HOMES and HARP. Sign up for Commerce updates; the federal rebates will only cover work approved after launch.
Choosing a heat pump for Washington’s climate
West of the Cascades, winters are mild and damp, which is ideal for standard air-source heat pumps. Many homes there still heat with electric baseboards, and replacing those with a ductless heat pump is one of the biggest bill cuts you can make.
East of the Cascades, winters are colder and summers hotter. Ask for a cold-climate model with good low-temperature capacity, and make sure the contractor sizes it for both your heating and cooling loads.
Washington heat pump rebate FAQ
Are HOMES and HEAR rebates available in Washington?
Not the federal ones yet. The Department of Commerce is evaluating DOE’s June 1, 2026 guideline updates before launching HOMES and HARP (Washington’s name for HEAR). A separate state-funded HEAR program is running through local administrators.
Who qualifies for Washington’s state HEAR program?
Households at or below 150% of Area Median Income, including renters, plus small businesses and nonprofits with 50 or fewer employees and licensed adult family homes. Each local administrator may apply its own criteria.
Will the federal rebates cover a heat pump I install now?
No. Commerce says the federal rebates are not retroactive and can’t pay for work done before you’re approved.
What equipment does the state HEAR program cover?
Ducted, ductless, packaged terminal and ground-source heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, induction cooking, heat pump dryers, and the panel and wiring upgrades needed to install them.
Rebates in nearby states
Sources
- Washington State Department of Commerce: IRA Home Energy Rebates
- Washington State Department of Commerce: State HEAR Program
Programs change often. We verify every figure against the official source listed above; if something looks out of date, let us know.