Clean Heat RI

Clean Heat RI is a state-sponsored program helping Rhode Islanders transition from fossil fuels to clean, efficient electric heating and cooling systems.  

Clean Heat’s newest offering provides low-to-moderate-income Rhode Island households with substantial support to save thousands on clean, efficient heating and cooling upgrades. This program serves residents earning up to 150% of State Median Income who currently heat with oil, propane, or natural gas and want to transition to heat pumps after completing weatherization work on their home. 

Available Incentives: 

• Heating & Cooling Heat Pumps: 60% of project cost, up to $11,500 

• Heat Pump Water Heaters: $2,500 

Check if you’re eligible! 

Take the survey to see if you meet the eligibility criteria for the Low to Moderate Clean Heat Program.  

Not sure if it’s right for you? The Clean Heat RI team is here to guide you every step of the way on your journey to a cleaner, more efficient home. They offer no-cost heat pump consultations, heat pump quote reviews, and virtual quality assurance checks to help you make informed decisions.  

Visit the Clean Heat website to learn more about the program and apply for incentives. 

Program Background 

Governor McKee and the Rhode Island General Assembly enacted legislation to launch the Clean Heat RI program in 2022. OER was allocated $25 million dollars as part of funds allocated to the State Fiscal Recovery Fund (SFRF) from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), through the enacted FY23 State Budget, to develop Clean Heat RI.  

The adoption of electric heat will assist Rhode Island in the fight against climate change and will help achieve the mandatory greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reduction goals outlined in the 2021 Act on Climate. The Act on Climate requires a 45 percent reduction in the State’s GHG emissions by 2030, leading to net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. Currently, the thermal sector – technology that converts power into heating or cooling – accounts for one-third of statewide greenhouse gas emissions. 

These incentives aim to assist a wide range of customers by lowering the cost of heat pumps to help replace the need to burn fossil fuels for heating and cooling. Heat pumps move heat from outside to inside (in heating mode) or indoors to outdoors (in cooling mode). Heat pumps provide heating and cooling that is three times more efficient than fossil fuel burning appliances, while providing whole home climate control. In addition to providing heating, these systems are ideal for replacing inefficient window AC units or older central heating and cooling technologies. 

Through its initial ARPA funding, Clean Heat RI supported 4,114 completed heat pump projects statewide, investing $20.9 million in incentives that catalyzed $179 million in total clean energy project spending. This early phase not only expanded the Heat Pump Installer Network to 112 participating installers but also established key program infrastructure and quality assurance processes that continue to anchor CHRI today. Collectively, these ARPA funded projects are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 245,952 metric tons of CO₂e, demonstrating the program’s strong environmental, economic, and market building impact. 

As of 2026, the ARPA-funded incentives have been fully allocated, and funding for the low-to-moderate income incentives now comes from participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). This new low-to-moderate income incentive offering continues to help Rhode Islanders access clean, cost saving technologies while reducing reliance on fossil fuels, improving home comfort, and strengthening statewide progress toward decarbonization. 

If you are interested in receiving email updates from Clean Heat RI, please subscribe to the Clean Heat mailing list. 

For more information about available incentives and applications for Clean Heat RI, please visit the Clean Heat RI website.