To help keep application reviews moving quickly, we’re sharing clarifications on dual fuel system eligibility and the upcoming refrigerant transition. Please review carefully, as these items may affect your project’s incentive eligibility.
Program Terms & Conditions Update
Clean Heat RI has updated its Terms & Conditions to reflect the following clarifications related to refrigerants and dual fuel systems.
Please review the updated Terms & Conditions and read below for more information.
Refrigerant Transition Guidance
The industry is moving away from high-GWP refrigerants, such as R-410A, toward lower-GWP A2L refrigerants like R-454B and R-32, in order to comply with new federal and state rules.
Beginning January 1, 2026, the EPA ruling prohibits the installation of new HVAC systems with a GWP greater than 700. The RI NEEP Heat Pump List and Air-to-Water Heat Pump Qualified Product List will be updated to remove any systems using R-410A or similar high-GWP refrigerants to align with this standard.
If you are quoting systems with R-410A (or similar high-GWP refrigerants) and plan to apply for Clean Heat RI incentives:
- Inform your customer so they can answer accurately when the application asks about refrigerant type.
- These pre-approved systems must be installed by December 31, 2025 to remain eligible.
- Beginning January 1, 2026, only systems using compliant low-GWP refrigerants will remain on the active RI NEEP heat pump list and be eligible for incentives.
- Applications for R-410A (or other high-GWP) equipment installed on or before December 31, 2025 may be submitted for Clean Heat RI incentives through March 31, 2026 as long as the system appears on the archived list.
- Systems using high-GWP refrigerants installed on or after January 1, 2026 will not be eligible for incentives, per current EPA regulations.
Dual Fuel Systems
When pairing a ducted heat pump with an existing or newly installed fossil fuel furnace:
- AHRI Certification: The heat pump + furnace combination (model numbers) must be AHRI certified and listed on the RI NEEP heat pump list. This ensures the configuration has been tested for efficiency and performance.
- Documentation: The furnace model number must appear on the invoice. If a new furnace is included, its cost must not be included in the heat pump project cost. Furnace costs are excluded from incentive calculations.
- Primary Heating: The heat pump must be configured and set as the primary heating source for the spaces it serves.
- Quality Assurance: Clean Heat RI may select some dual fuel projects for additional quality assurance review, including review of documentation, invoices, and site conditions.
- Disclosure: Clean Heat RI incentives cannot be applied to projects where fossil fuel equipment is installed but not disclosed. Any misrepresentation will result in application denial and may jeopardize installer participation in the program.
Quote & Invoice Guidance
To avoid delays, please itemize your quotes/invoices so we can clearly determine the eligible heat pump costs.
Please break out:
- Heat pump equipment – include both AHRI certification numbers and model numbers for all indoor and outdoor units (and furnace if dual fuel).
- Furnace (if dual fuel) – list cost separately. Furnace costs are not eligible.
- Electrical work –
- Standard wiring/disconnects may be included in Heat Pump cost.
- Panel/service upgrades must be listed separately. These costs are not eligible.
- Other non-heat pump work (e.g., weatherization, plumbing, unrelated services) – list separately. These costs are not eligible.
- Taxes – project taxes are not considered when calculating incentives. Incentives are based on eligible equipment and installation costs only.
Note: Incentives apply only to the heat pump portion of the project.
Questions?
Visit CleanHeatRI.com/incentives to learn more about eligibility guidelines
[email protected]
401-341-6183 (M-Th 9-5)
