Ground Source Heat Pump Rebate Program

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) provides rebates for the installation of ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems at single-family/multifamily residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial sites. Rebates will be granted to GSHP systems installed after January 1, 2017, on a first-come, first-served basis, with applications accepted through June 30, 2019. Eligible sites include new and existing buildings installing a GSHP system for space heating and cooling, domestic hot water, and/or process heating that pay or will pay the surcharge. 

Only participating designers and participating installers are eligible to submit rebate applications, and GSHP systems must be installed by a participating installer. Prospective participants can find detailed requirement on relevant credentials from the manual, and apply at the website. 

Applicants are recommended to start the installation of GSHP projects after receiving approvals from NYSERDA. Eligible GSHP systems must either be Energy Star listed or have an AHRI rated COP and EER that meets or exceeds the requirements listed in the manual. All components installed in new/retrofit GSHP projects should be new, as used or refurbished equipment that was not already installed at the site is not permitted under the program.

Rebate Level: 

NYSERDA has separated the initiative into two tiers:

• Small systems (≤ 10 cooling tons) are eligible for a rebate of $1,500 per cooling ton 
• Large systems (> 10 cooling tons) are eligible for a rebate of $1,200 per cooling ton

The maximum amount of rebates is set as following: 

• Single family home: up to $15,000
• Building: up to $500,000
• A site with multiple buildings: up to $1 million
• For any single designer/installer: up to $7.5 million

Small systems (≤ 10 cooling tons) must be completed within 12 months of the date of the approval email for projects at existing buildings and within 24 months for projects at new construction buildings. Rebates will be available upon completion of small systems. Large systems (> 10 cooling tons) must complete a preliminary technical analysis before applying to this initiative. Large systems must be completed within 24 months of the award date for projects at existing buildings and 36 months for projects at newly constructed buildings. Rebates to large systems will be allocated according to three payment milestones: design, the loop field installations, and the final installation.