What heat pump rebates pay in Rochester
All amounts come from Rochester Public Utilities' 2026 form. Capacity means the cooling size of the unit. The form covers units up to 65,000 British thermal units per hour.
Replacing working electric heat, small unit
Under 20,000 British thermal units of cooling. $900 for a standard unit and $1,100 for a cold-climate unit.
Replacing working electric heat, larger unit
20,000 to 65,000 British thermal units. $1,800 for a standard unit and $2,200 for a cold-climate unit.
New build or failed system
$800 or $1,600 for standard units by size, $1,000 or $2,000 for cold-climate units.
Replacing gas or another fuel
The form pays little when a heat pump replaces natural gas or other fuel.
Ducted heat pump with backup heat
Used for heating and cooling, with backup heat that takes over at 30 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
Ground source heat pump
Plus up to $200 per ton for efficiency above the minimum.
State heat pump rebate
The state lists a program, but its page was behind a bot check.
Working it out
A larger cold-climate unit that replaces working electric heat earns a base of $2,200. If its cooling score is 2 points above the minimum of 16.2, add 2 x $10 = $20, so $2,220. Then the half-of-cost cap applies. On a $6,000 installed cost, half is $3,000, so the full $2,220 is paid. On a $4,000 cost, half is $2,000, so you would get $2,000.
Rochester homes and what they heat with
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey for 2020 to 2024 counts 54,492 homes in Rochester. About 75% heat with natural gas from a utility line, 21% with electricity and about 2% with bottled gas. Only 41% were built before 1980, and 35% were built in 2000 or later.
For about one home in five, electric heat means the top rows of the table apply. For the three in four that heat with gas, the rows are smaller, and the choice is closer. A gas home can still gain from a heat pump that handles most of the year, since it also cools. You would keep the furnace for the coldest days, which is how the ducted hybrid row works.
The cold-climate tier
The higher base amounts need a heating score of at least 7.7 for a ducted unit or 8.5 for a ductless one, and a performance rating of 1.75 or better at five degrees Fahrenheit. If a unit misses that test, the form pays the lower base amount for standard efficiency. The cooling score must also be at least 16.2. Ask the contractor for the certificate from the industry directory before you buy.
The form adds a small bonus for each point of cooling score above 16.2: $10 for most rows and $20 for the gas row.
Hybrid with a furnace
One row is for a ducted heat pump that serves as the main system or works with a backup heater. The form says the backup should take over when the outdoor temperature drops to 30 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. The rebate for that setup is $1,500, with minimum ratings of 16.2 for cooling and 7.8 for heating. It is a flat amount.
Other things to check
The unit must connect to an active electric account with the utility and may be inspected. Rebates are for customers, not for contractors or builders. A heat pump replaced under warranty does not qualify. Applications for 2026 purchases are due by March 31, 2027, and the offer can end earlier if money runs out, since applications are handled first come, first served.
How to claim a Rochester heat pump rebate
- Find which row of the 2026 table fits your home: electric heat, older heat pump, gas, or new build.
- Ask your contractor for models that meet that row's efficiency numbers, with the certificate.
- Check the half-of-cost cap against your quote.
- File the form with the invoice by email or mail after the work is done.
- Watch for a bill credit, or a check if you ticked that box for a rebate over $500.
Common questions
How much is the heat pump rebate in Rochester?
From $100 to $2,200, depending on what the heat pump replaces, its size and whether it passes the cold-climate test.
Why is the gas amount so low?
The utility sells electricity, and a heat pump that replaces gas can raise electric use. It pays most when the heat pump replaces electric heat.
Is there a cap?
Yes. The rebate cannot be more than half of the equipment cost.
Do I need a certain contractor?
The form only asks that contractors be licensed where a license is required. It does not name a list.
Is the state rebate open?
We could not confirm. The state's HOMES and HEAR programs say they have not launched.
What to do next
If you also need hot water, see the Rochester water heater page. For everything else, go to the Rochester rebate hub.
By Sam Menard. Sources, last read October 6, 2026: Rochester Public Utilities 2026 equipment rebate form, Rochester Public Utilities residential rebates, Rochester Public Utilities rebates and programs, ACS housing facts (Census Bureau). All Rochester rebates → Every Rochester Public Utilities rebate →