Ductless Heat Pumps

How They Work

A heat pump works just like a standard air conditioner to cool your home in the summer months. But unlike a standard air conditioner, a heat pump can “run in reverse” to heat your home in the winter. Because it moves heat from one place to another, rather than generating it, a heat pump uses less energy to warm your home than a conventional electric or gas system.

Ductless heat pumps, sometimes called mini split heat pumps, are designed specifically for homes or sections of homes that do not already have ductwork. Find information on ductless heat pumps here.

If your home already has ductwork, then a ducted heat pump may be the better solution for you. Find information on ducted heat pumps here.

What Assistance Is Available for Me?

There are several sources of funding to assist you with purchase and installation of a ductless heat pump:

The federal Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) provides rebates to cover 100% of ductless heat pump costs for low-income households (up to $8,000) and 50% of costs for moderate-income households (up to $8,000). Find more information about HEAR here.
The federal government offers a tax credit of up to 30% of the cost of the purchase and installation of a ductless heat pump (maximum $2,000 credit). Find more information about federal tax credits for ductless heat pumps here.
The Duquesne Light Energy Efficiency Rebate Program provides a $100 rebate for ductless heat pumps. Find more information about Duquesne Light’s ductless heat pump rebate here.

What Products Are Eligible?

Federal tax credit and rebate: Ductless heat pumps must meet specific efficiency requirements. Find products eligible for the federal tax credit and rebates here.
Duquesne Light rebate: Ductless heat pumps must also meet specific efficiency requirements. Find information on Duquesne Light’s efficiency requirements here.

Important Dates

The federal tax credits are available for products purchased and installed between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2032. Assistance through Duquesne Light’s rebate program ends May 31, 2026, or earlier if program funding is depleted. Details on HEAR are still under development, but it is anticipated that funds will be available in Pennsylvania by the end of 2023 and apply through the end of 2032.