Updated for 2026. Every number here comes from a public source, named next to it. The rebate figures in particular get quoted wrong all over the place, so check the source link before you budget around any of them.
2026 Heat-Pump Rebates by Utility
New Hampshire has two rebate systems, and which one you are in depends on who sends your electric bill. NHSaves is run jointly by Eversource, Liberty and Unitil. NH Electric Co-op runs its own program. The Lakes Region is split between them town by town — see the table further down.
| Program | Standard ductless heat pump | Replacing electric resistance heat | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHSaves (Eversource, Liberty, Unitil) | $250 per ton | Up to $2,000 per ton | Qualified-products list; R-32 / R-454B equipment only from Jan 2026 |
| NH Electric Co-op | $250 per ton | $1,250 per ton | Separate application; Co-op members only |
| Federal 25C tax credit | Not available for 2026 installs | Expired for equipment placed in service after 2025 | |
What a Dirty Coil Costs at NH Rates
The U.S. Department of Energy puts the difference between a maintained heat pump and one with dirty filters, coils and fans at 10–25% of its energy use. The EIA reported New Hampshire’s average residential price at 27.01¢ per kWh for June 2026, against a U.S. average of 18.34¢.
| System | Assumed annual use | Annual cost at 27¢ | Waste if dirty (10–25%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| One bedroom mini-split, cooling + shoulder heat | 1,500 kWh | $405 | $40–$100 |
| Two mini-splits, primary heat and cooling | 5,000 kWh | $1,350 | $135–$340 |
| Three mini-splits, primary heat and cooling | 7,500 kWh | $2,025 | $200–$505 |
| Seasonal camp, summer only | 2,500 kWh | $675 | $70–$170 |
The usage figures are assumptions for a typical Lakes Region home, stated so you can swap in your own. The percentages and the rate are sourced. The full worked example is in our energy guide.
CleaningProfessional Cleaning Price Benchmarks
| Service | Lakes Region (our published price) | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| First indoor mini-split — deep clean, mold & odor, or maintenance visit | $199 | Teardown-in-place: coil, blower wheel, pan, drain, louvers; sanitize; run-test. Includes the first outdoor compressor. Same price in any condition. |
| Each additional indoor mini-split | $119 | Same visit |
| Each additional outdoor compressor | $69 | Cleared and coil rinsed |
| Two mini-splits on one compressor | $318 | Most common Lakes Region setup ($159 a unit) |
| Four mini-splits on two compressors | $625 | Whole house ($156 a unit) |
National ranges for a “bib-kit” deep clean run roughly $150–$400 per unit. Among New England specialists a single indoor unit with its compressor runs about $175 in mid-coast Maine, $218 in southwestern New Hampshire, $225 through a Vermont utility and $299 in northern Vermont, putting the regional median near $218. Our $199 sits just below it. The price guide explains how to count your units.
IntervalsHow Often, by Situation
| Situation | Owner filter rinse | Professional deep clean |
|---|---|---|
| Year-round home, no pets, no wood heat | Every 3–4 weeks in season | Every 1–2 years |
| Pets, allergies or asthma in the home | Every 2–3 weeks | Every year |
| Wood or pellet stove in use | Every 2 weeks in heating season | Every year, after heating season |
| Lake house running dehumidify all summer | Every 2–3 weeks | Every year, in spring |
| Seasonal camp closed over winter | At opening, then monthly | At opening |
| Short-term rental | Every turnover or weekly | Every season (spring and fall) |
| Restaurant or kitchen-adjacent mini-split | Weekly | Every 6 months |
Manufacturer guidance backs the owner interval: Daikin’s operation manuals call for filter cleaning about every two weeks, and Mitsubishi Electric’s maintenance guidance has the owner washing filters and a contractor cleaning the interior. The interval guide goes deeper.
By TownWhich Utility Serves Each Lakes Region Town
This decides which rebate program you apply to and, since the two programs pay different amounts for replacing electric heat, it can change the math on a project by thousands of dollars. Several towns are split between utilities; your bill is the final word.
| Town | County | Electric utility (which rebate program applies) |
|---|---|---|
| Laconia | Belknap | Eversource (some NHEC) |
| Gilford | Belknap | Eversource and NHEC |
| Meredith | Belknap | Eversource and NHEC |
| Moultonborough | Carroll | NHEC |
| Wolfeboro | Carroll | Wolfeboro Municipal Electric (outlying areas NHEC/Eversource) |
| Alton | Belknap | NHEC (some Eversource) |
| Gilmanton | Belknap | Eversource / NHEC |
| Belmont | Belknap | Eversource / NHEC |
| Tilton | Belknap | Eversource |
| Northfield | Merrimack | Eversource |
| Franklin | Merrimack | Eversource |
| Sanbornton | Belknap | Eversource / NHEC |
| Center Harbor | Belknap | NH Electric Co-op |
| Holderness | Grafton | NH Electric Co-op |
| Ashland | Grafton | Ashland Electric Department (municipal); NH Electric Co-op outside the village |
| Bristol | Grafton | Eversource and NH Electric Co-op (split territory) |
| New Hampton | Belknap | NH Electric Co-op; New Hampton Village Precinct (municipal) in the village |
| Plymouth | Grafton | NH Electric Co-op |
| Tuftonboro | Carroll | NH Electric Co-op / Eversource |
| Barnstead | Belknap | NH Electric Co-op |
| Ossipee | Carroll | NH Electric Co-op |
| Sandwich | Carroll | NH Electric Co-op / Eversource |
| Bridgewater | Grafton | NH Electric Co-op / Eversource |
Utility assignments are drawn from the NH Department of Energy’s utility-by-town listing and the utilities’ own service maps. Where a town is served by more than one utility, the one covering most of the town is listed first.
SourcesWhere These Numbers Come From
- U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver — “Operating and Maintaining Your Heat Pump” (10–25% figure)
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A — average residential price by state, June 2026
- NHSaves — residential heat pump rebates, 2026 program year
- New Hampshire Electric Co-op — member heat pump rebates, 2026
- NH Department of Energy — electric utility service territories by municipality
- Daikin and Mitsubishi Electric owner and maintenance documentation — filter and interior cleaning guidance
- ENERGY STAR — heating and cooling maintenance checklist
Quote any of this you like, as long as you credit us and link back.