A heat pump water heater is a special kind of water heater that uses electricity and heat from the air to warm up your water.

Instead of making heat by burning fuel like oil, propane, or gas, it instead works like a refrigerator in reverse. It pulls heat from the air and uses it to heat the water in the tank.

• No burning fuel
• No flames or carbon monoxide
• Uses less energy than traditional electric or gas water heaters
• Helps keep your basement or utility room dry and cool

These are especially helpful in damp areas, like basements. It can reduce moisture and mold, making your home healthier and more comfortable.

Heat pumps help:

• Make your home more comfortable year-round
• Reduce pollution
• Support Rhode Island's clean energy goals

Incentives are available to help pay for upgrades. Read below to see if you qualify.

Take the survey to see if you meet the eligibility criteria for the Low to Moderate Clean Heat Program.

Once you have determined you meet the eligibility criteria, begin the Eligibility Verification portion of the application.

Please note: Eligibility Verification must be completed by the homeowner.

Once your eligibility has been approved, reach out to a Heat Pump Installer from our network to schedule site visits and begin collecting quotes.

Let us know if you need any help along the way.

You or your installer will submit a Clean Heat Rhode Island incentive application (including the selected heat pump quote) for pre-approval. We strongly recommend you get pre-approval PRIOR to installation.

Once pre-approved, you will work with your installer to schedule the installation.

Note: Part 2 of the incentive application will require proof of installation. Take pictures of the system model plate number after installation.

Once installation is complete and you have your final, paid in full installation invoice, complete Part 2 of your Clean Heat RI incentive application.

A portion of applications will be selected for additional Quality Assurance review. Notification of selection is sent via email upon submission of part 2 of your incentive application.

View our Quality Assurance page to learn more.

After review, the incentive is paid. Enjoy your new heating system.

Clean Heat Rhode Island is available for support if you have questions!

*Part 1 and Part 2 of the application can be completed by either the homeowner or the installer. However, both parts must be completed by the same entity. 

The home must be sufficiently weatherized prior to heat pump installation. Sufficient weatherization can be done by one of the following: 

• The home was built on or after January 1, 2000. 
• The home has completed all weatherization recommendations or  
• The Home Energy Assessment report indicated less than $1,000 worth of recommended weatherization work. 

Home Energy Assessment (HEA) must be current: 

• Rhode Island Energy customers: HEA must be from 2014 or later 
• Block Island or CREW customers: HEA must be from 2020 or later 

If your HEA is older, a new assessment is required. 

To ensure participants meet the weatherization requirement for our heat pump incentives, we are partnering with Rhode Island's Home Energy Assessment (HEA) providers to help us verify weatherization status through our application portal. 

Weatherization is a term that refers to improvements like air sealing and insulation that can improve the energy efficiency of your home and prevent energy waste. Your No-Cost Home Energy Assessment can help outline ways your home can benefit from weatherization and energy saving measures.  

This is an in-person appointment in which an Energy Specialist will visit your home and inspect it to identify ways to improve energy efficiency. This often includes checking insulation, air leaks, heating systems, and appliances. After the visit, you’ll get a custom report outlining recommended upgrades, potential energy savings, and available rebates and incentives for improvements like insulation, weatherization, and heat pumps.

Click on your utility below to get started.

The Clean Heat RI team is here to guide you every step of the way on your journey to a cleaner, more efficient home. We offer no-cost heat pump consultations, quote and design reviews, and virtual quality assurance checks to help you make informed decisions. Our experts also provide contractor support to ensure your installation meets the state’s standards. Whether you’re just getting started or need help mid-project, we’re here to make the process smooth, cost-effective, and successful.

Get started with your heat pump installation! The next step toward a more energy-efficient home and lower energy bills is a heat pump consultation with a heat pump specialist.

• Learn about how heat pumps work.
• Explore heat pump types for your home.
• Determine operating costs & available incentives.
• Consider weatherization needs.
• Receive guidance on working with installers.

We know changing the way you heat and cool your home can be daunting. That’s why you now have access to Clean Heat Rhode Island’s one-on-one, personal heat pump consultation service. During your consultation, you can learn more about the benefits of a heat pump, understand your heat pump quotes and discuss the typical financing options.

Have multiple heat pump quotes? Let’s decipher the jargon and help you understand system performance.

• Complete a questionnaire about your home and upload the quotes to our portal.
• Receive an easy-to-understand report within five business days.
• Understand the performance of the equipment being proposed.
• Compare quotes for efficiency, cost, cooling & heating capacity, and greenhouse gas impact.

To view the Program Guides in Spanish or Portuguese, please click here.

To learn more about the Clean Heat Rhode Island program incentives, click the button below.

Get started by verifying your eligibility.