We’ve heard from many people that they hope to install heat pumps or a heat pump water heater before the end of 2025 so that they can take advantage of the up-to-$2,000 federal tax credit, which ends on December 31st. And still others are compelled to act because their fossil fuel heating equipment is failing.
To help our readers speed up their search for skilled installers, here are some tips to help you find a qualified, experienced contractor for your home.
Start with Trusted Installer Lists
Start your search with the approved installer lists maintained by your local utility or energy efficiency program. Both Mass Save and Rhode Island Energy offer lists of approved contractors on their websites. If you get your electricity from a municipal utility, check their website. In most (if not all) jurisdictions, you must use a contractor certified by your utility to qualify for a rebate. If you're also looking to install a heat pump water heater, Mass Save can connect you with a trusted installer through their Mass Save Heat Pump Water Heater Marketplace. You can ask the water heater contractor is they are also certified to install heat pump HVAC equipment.
Look for Higher-Level Certifications
For those using the Mass Save list, you can check a box to limit your search to Heat Pump Leaders Network (HPLN) contractors (circled in red below). These installers offer additional services and commit to following industry best practices aimed at delivering high-quality installations.
Another way to find well-qualified installers in Massachusetts is to compare the names you find on the Mass Save list with those that are certified for the Energy Saver Home Loan Program. Installers on this list have also been vetted by Abode Energy Management, giving you an extra layer of confidence in their qualifications. Mass Clean Energy Center also has a function for searching for contractors, some of which serve Rhode Island as well as Massachusetts.
Check Out Each Installer’s Website
Before calling a potential installer, take a minute to check out their website and notice how they talk about heat pumps. Do they discuss heat pumps as a heating option, or simply as a cooling option? Installers who describe heat pumps only as a cooling option probably have less experience installing cold-climate heat pumps, which are needed to heat efficiently in New England winters.
Get Multiple Quotes & Compare Equipment
It’s worthwhile getting heat pump quotes from a variety of different companies, even if you already have a preference for one. While one manufacturer may not have a piece of equipment that’s perfectly sized for your home – and thus might suggest getting a bigger system than you need, others might have a closer match to your needs. Note that proper sizing is critical – an oversized heat pump can waste energy and reduce comfort while unnecessarily increasing costs.
Many manufacturers offer contractor look-up features on their websites, including Mitsubishi, LG, Daikin, Lennox, Bosch, Samsung, Bryant, and Fujitsu.
Verify Cold-Climate Compatibility
Once you get quotes, you can verify whether or not the equipment specified in the quote is included in the NEEP cold climate heat pump list. If the equipment listed in the quote is not found in the NEEP database, that's a red flag because it will not be eligible for a rebate and, more importantly, will not function efficiently in cold temperatures.
To check on this, find in your quotes the condenser model number or, preferably, the AHRI number, then input that into the form (you can leave all the other search fields blank) and hit the "search the list" button to gain access to a basic view of that equipment’s performance specifications.
Once the equipment is found, you'll see basic information such as the configuration (ducted or non-ducted, multizone or single zone, or a combination of these), the BTUs per hour that the equipment can put out as heat at 5 and 47 degrees and the cooling power at 95 degrees. The BTUs of cooling power is what determines the size of your rebate, with 12,000 BTUs equal to 1 ton of capacity. Check to make sure that the rebate listed in your quote or mentioned by your salesperson matches the rebate you calculate based on the cooling BTU rating.
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Multizone All Non-Ducted Central Air Conditioning Heat Pump (HP) 25,000 Max Btu/h @5°F 25,000 Rated Btu/h @47°F+ 24,000 Rated Btu/h @95°F+ COP @5°F: 2 HSPF2+: 10 |
Get A Free, Unbiased Consultation
Before signing any purchase contracts, we strongly recommend that you schedule a free, virtual, unbiased Decarbonization Consultation available in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island:
During your consultation, you’ll be able to share your quotes and details about your home. The consultant will be able to run a quote comparison report, advise you on any operating cost issues, and help you weigh your options. EnergySage is another option for gathering quotes and getting impartial advice in both states and beyond.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a heat pump installer takes a bit of research, but it’s well worth the effort. A high-quality installation means better performance, lower energy bills, and greater comfort for years to come.
With the right contractor and a little preparation, you’ll be ready to take advantage of current incentives and enjoy the benefits of efficient, all-electric heating and cooling.
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