What water heater rebates pay in Rochester
Only one water heater rebate is on the utility's form. We did not read a gas company page for Rochester, so there is no gas water heater card.
Heat pump water heater, 20 to 55 gallons
The unit must carry the ENERGY STAR label. The rebate cannot be more than 50 percent of the cost.
Heat pump water heater, over 55 gallons
Same label rule and the same 50 percent cap.
Heat pump with backup heat (for comparison)
A different row of the same form: a ducted heat pump system for the whole house.
State HOMES and HEAR rebates
The state has no launch date, so we do not count them.
Working it out
A heat pump water heater with an installed cost of $2,200 earns $400, because half would be $1,100 and the rebate is lower. If an installed cost were only $700, the rebate would be capped at $350, which is half of the cost.
What the form says about the project
The form asks whether you are replacing a working or failed electric water heater, or a working or failed gas or propane water heater, and also asks for the water heater size in gallons and for the unit's efficiency from the ENERGY STAR list. Electric instant or tankless water heaters do not qualify. The rebate line lists a single amount and does not split it by the old fuel, so a gas home may be able to use it if the new unit is electric and the home is on an active Rochester Public Utilities account. Ask the utility to confirm.
Where to put the unit
The form's tips say to work with a licensed plumber to decide if a heat pump water heater fits your home. It says the room should generally stay above 40 degrees Fahrenheit all year. A heat pump water heater pulls heat from the air around it, so it works best in a basement or utility room with space and warmth. Unheated garages and tight closets are usually poor places. It also cools and dries the room a little, which can be a plus in a damp basement.
Rochester homes and hot water
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey for 2020 to 2024 counts 54,492 homes in Rochester. About 65% of households own, and 59% of homes are detached houses, the kind with room for a water heater and a plumber's choices. About 35% of households rent. A renter should ask the landlord, since the rebate is for the person who buys the unit. The census table does not tell us the fuel used for water heating, so we cannot say how many Rochester homes use electric tanks.
Timing and limits
Rebates of $500 or less are credited to your bill. Applications for 2026 purchases must be received by March 31, 2027. The utility handles requests in the order it receives them and says the offer can end without notice. Do not buy a unit counting on money you have not confirmed. Call the utility before you sign a contract, and keep the receipt and the model's efficiency sheet.
How to claim a Rochester water heater rebate
- Pick an ENERGY STAR certified heat pump water heater between 20 and 55 gallons.
- Have a licensed plumber install it in a room that stays above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Fill in the 2026 equipment form and attach the invoice.
- Send it by email or mail by March 31, 2027, or sooner.
- Expect a credit on your electric bill.
Common questions
How much does Rochester pay for a heat pump water heater?
$400 for 20 to 55 gallons and $90 above 55 gallons, up to half the cost.
Do electric tankless water heaters qualify?
No. The form says electric instantaneous or tankless water heaters do not qualify.
Can I replace a gas water heater with a heat pump water heater?
The form has a box for replacing a gas or propane heater and lists one rebate amount. Ask the utility to confirm before you buy.
Where should it be installed?
The form says the space should generally stay above 40 degrees Fahrenheit year round.
What to do next
See the Rochester heat pump page for whole-home options, or return to the Rochester rebate hub. The utility guide lists every row of the form.
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 →