What Is the NYS Clean Heat Program and How Does It Work in Amherst, NY?

Who Qualifies for NYS Clean Heat Rebates in Amherst?

Amherst homeowners qualify for NYS Clean Heat rebates if they meet the following requirements:

• You are a National Grid electric service customer. Amherst, NY is within National Grid's Upstate New York territory, so most residents are eligible.
• Your home has 1 to 4 dwelling units. Starting January 1, 2026, the residential Clean Heat program is limited to single-family homes through four-unit properties.
• You are replacing a fossil fuel or electric resistance heating system. Eligible replacements include natural gas furnaces, oil boilers, propane systems, and electric baseboard heaters. Natural gas-only customers (those without National Grid electric service) are not eligible.
• You use a NYS Clean Heat Participating Contractor. Only pre-qualified, trained contractors like JP Heating & Cooling are authorized to process your rebate application.

Full-load heat pump projects that replace an existing full-load heat pump system are not eligible for incentives. Ground source heat pumps replacing existing ground source systems are also excluded.

What Heat Pump Equipment Is Eligible for Clean Heat Incentives?

The NYS Clean Heat Program covers several categories of high-efficiency heat pump technology. All eligible air source equipment must appear on the NEEP Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump Product List or meet equivalent performance criteria outlined in the program manual.

• Ductless mini-split heat pumps — Ideal for homes without existing ductwork. Single-head and multi-head configurations are both eligible. These systems provide zoned heating and cooling for individual rooms or whole-home comfort. JP Heating & Cooling installs ductless split system heaters and ductless split system air conditioners throughout Amherst and Erie County.
• Central ducted air source heat pumps — A whole-home solution that retrofits into your existing ductwork, replacing your furnace and central air conditioner with a single system. Learn more about heat pump installation options.
• Air-to-water heat pumps (AWHPs) — Designed for homes with hydronic (hot water baseboard or radiant floor) heating systems. AWHPs distribute heat through your existing hot water distribution, making them an excellent option for Amherst homes currently running a boiler.
• Ground source (geothermal) heat pumps — The most efficient option available, these systems use the stable temperature of the earth to heat and cool your home. They qualify for some of the highest rebates in the program.
• Heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) — These units use up to 70% less electricity than conventional electric water heaters and qualify for a separate incentive of up to $1,250 through National Grid.

How Much Can Amherst Homeowners Save Through the Program?

National Grid offers flat-rate incentives for Amherst residents based on the type of heat pump installed, the system's heating capacity, and whether the project is located in a Disadvantaged Community (DAC). Incentive amounts are calculated per project and can vary based on equipment type and capacity.

• National Grid incentives for mini-split and central air source heat pumps are calculated at up to $2,500 per 10,000 BTU/h of heating capacity, depending on project type.
• DAC-eligible properties in parts of Erie County may qualify for enhanced incentives that cover up to 85% of total project costs.
• Standard (non-DAC) projects can receive incentives covering up to 70% of project costs.
• Heat pump water heaters qualify for a separate rebate of up to $1,250 through National Grid.
• These incentives are applied directly to your project cost by your participating contractor — you don't wait for a rebate check.

To understand what your specific project will cost after rebates, request a detailed quote from JP Heating & Cooling. We calculate your Clean Heat incentive as part of every heat pump installation project estimate.

What Is the Weatherized Tier and Does It Affect My Rebate?

Starting March 1, 2026, the NYS Clean Heat Program introduced a "Weatherized Tier" that offers significantly higher incentives to homeowners whose properties meet minimum insulation and air sealing standards before the heat pump is installed.

Amherst has a large stock of older homes built before modern insulation codes. If your home hasn't been air-sealed and properly insulated, you may want to address weatherization before your heat pump installation — not only to unlock higher incentives, but because a tighter building envelope allows you to install a smaller, less expensive system that runs more efficiently.

The program administrators recommend contacting a heat pump professional to assess energy efficiency opportunities related to your building envelope and HVAC distribution system before or in conjunction with installing a heat pump.

Do I Need to Decommission My Old Heating System?

You are not required to decommission your existing furnace or boiler to receive a Clean Heat rebate, but decommissioning unlocks higher incentive rates.

Decommissioning means completely removing the previous heating source from service — either by physically removing the equipment or by permanently capping off the fuel supply (natural gas line, oil tank, propane connection). Homes with electric resistance heating or new construction projects do not qualify for the decommissioning adder.

For Amherst homeowners thinking about a full transition away from fossil fuels, decommissioning your old system maximizes your rebate and eliminates the ongoing cost of maintaining two heating systems. It also removes the risk of carbon monoxide exposure from combustion equipment — a safety concern JP Heating & Cooling takes seriously, as our case study on a dangerous CO hazard illustrates.

How Do I Apply for NYS Clean Heat Rebates in Amherst, NY?

The application process is handled entirely by your NYS Clean Heat Participating Contractor. Here is how it works:

1. Contact a Participating Contractor. Reach out to JP Heating & Cooling to schedule a home assessment. We are a licensed heating contractor and HVAC contractor serving Amherst and all of Erie County.
2. Receive a system design and quote. Your contractor performs a heating load calculation, recommends the right equipment for your home, and provides a detailed project quote that includes your Clean Heat incentive amount.
3. Installation. Your contractor installs the qualifying heat pump system and ensures it meets all program standards.
4. Rebate processing. Your contractor submits the incentive application to National Grid on your behalf. The rebate is applied to your project cost — in many cases, as a direct discount at the time of installation.

Rebate processing typically takes four to six weeks after submission. You can check the status of your application by calling National Grid's Clean Heat line at 1-844-212-7823.

Can Clean Heat Rebates Be Combined With Federal Tax Credits?

Yes. NYS Clean Heat rebates can be stacked with the federal energy efficiency tax credit under Section 25C of the Internal Revenue Code. This credit offers up to $2,000 for qualifying heat pump installations.

For an Amherst homeowner, the combined savings can include:

• NYS Clean Heat rebate through National Grid (varies by system size and type)
• Federal 25C tax credit of up to $2,000
• Potential additional savings through Green Jobs – Green New York low-interest financing

However, you cannot combine a utility NYS Clean Heat incentive with a NYSERDA incentive (such as EmPower+) on the same installed equipment. These are separate funding streams that cannot overlap for the same measure.

JP Heating & Cooling will walk you through every available incentive during your project cost consultation so you understand exactly what you'll pay out of pocket.

Why Should Amherst Homeowners Switch to a Heat Pump Now?

Amherst's climate makes it a strong candidate for cold climate heat pump technology. Modern cold climate ASHPs perform efficiently even when outdoor temperatures drop well below zero. Here is why 2026 is the right time to act:

• The program is funded through 2030, but incentive levels can change. The NYS Clean Heat Program reserves the right to adjust rebate amounts. Locking in today's incentives protects you from future reductions.
• Buffalo-area energy costs favor electrification. Heat pumps deliver 2 to 4 times more heat energy per unit of electricity compared to electric resistance heating, and they eliminate fuel deliveries and the volatility of oil and propane pricing.
• Year-round comfort in one system. A heat pump replaces both your furnace and your air conditioner. You get efficient heating in the winter and quiet, effective cooling in the summer.
• Improved safety. Heat pumps produce zero combustion emissions inside your home, eliminating the risk of carbon monoxide from furnaces and boilers.
• Brands you trust. JP Heating & Cooling installs and services heat pumps from leading manufacturers including Mitsubishi Electric, Daikin, Carrier, Fujitsu General, Bosch, and many more.

We proudly serve Buffalo, Williamsville, East Amherst, Clarence, Cheektowaga, West Seneca, and the entire Erie County area. Read what our customers say about working with us on our reviews and testimonials page.