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Connecticut’s two investor-owned utilities serve 95% of the state. Both offer identical Energize CT rebates and Smart-E Loan access — but their electric rates differ slightly. Here’s the full comparison so you know exactly what your heat pump will cost to operate.
Whether you have Eversource or United Illuminating, you get the same Energize CT heat pump rebates ($250/ton standard, $1,000/ton optimization) and the same Smart-E Loan at 0.99% APR through CT Green Bank.
The only meaningful difference is electric rates: Eversource averages ~$0.27/kWh vs UI at ~$0.28/kWh. For a typical 3-ton whole-home heat pump, that’s roughly $90/year difference — not enough to influence your decision.
A direct comparison of every heat pump incentive, rate feature, and program available to CT homeowners based on their utility territory.
| Feature | Eversource | United Illuminating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energize CT Rebates | Identical program, same amounts | ||
| Smart-E Loan (0.99% APR) | Both via CT Green Bank | ||
| Special Heat Pump Rate | Neither utility offers one | ||
| Time-of-Use Rate Available | Not available for residential | ||
| Home Energy Solutions Audit | Required before HP rebate | ||
| HEAR Rebate Eligibility | Pending DOE approval | ||
| Weatherization Incentives | Up to 75% of insulation cost | ||
| Community Solar Option | Both support shared clean energy | ||
| All-In Electric Rate | $0.27/kWh | $0.28/kWh | ~$90/yr difference for 3-ton system |
Key Takeaway
Your utility territory should not influence your heat pump decision. Both Eversource and UI customers receive identical incentives through Energize CT. The ~$0.01/kWh rate difference amounts to less than $8/month for a typical system. Focus on finding a qualified installer and right-sizing your system instead.
Your CT electricity bill has multiple components. Here’s where Eversource and UI differ — and where they’re essentially the same.
| Rate Component | Eversource CT | United Illuminating | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation/Supply | $0.1264 | $0.1370 | UI is $0.0106 higher |
| Transmission | $0.0412 | $0.0398 | Eversource is $0.0014 higher |
| Distribution | $0.0624 | $0.0632 | UI is $0.0008 higher |
| Public Benefits | $0.0298 | $0.0301 | Essentially equal |
| Competitive Transition | $0.0102 | $0.0099 | Essentially equal |
| Total All-In | $0.2700 | $0.2800 | UI is ~$0.01/kWh higher |
Connecticut has electric choice. You can select a competitive electricity supplier for the generation/supply portion of your bill. This is where the biggest rate difference between Eversource and UI exists ($0.1264 vs $0.1370).
Switching suppliers could save $0.01–$0.03/kWh on the supply portion, potentially making both utilities cost the same — or even making UI territory cheaper.
Delivery charges (transmission + distribution) are set by your utility and approved by PURA (CT Public Utilities Regulatory Authority). You cannot switch delivery providers — it’s determined by your address.
Eversource delivery: ~$0.1436/kWh. UI delivery: ~$0.1430/kWh. The delivery charges are essentially identical between the two utilities.
Energize CT is the statewide energy efficiency program funded by all ratepayers. Both Eversource and UI customers access the same rebate tiers through the same portal.
$250/ton
All income levels
Minimum SEER2 15.2, HSPF2 7.8
$1,000/ton
Income-qualified or insulation + HP bundle
Must include weatherization assessment
Up to $8,000
Income-qualified (<150% AMI)
Pending DOE approval in CT
Pending DOE ApprovalStandard income household:
Income-qualified household:
Note: HEAR rebate amounts are estimates pending DOE approval in CT. Final amounts may vary. Both Eversource and UI customers get identical rebate amounts.
Estimated annual heating costs for a typical CT home with a cold-climate heat pump (COP 3.0). Compared against oil and propane baselines.
| System Size | Eversource ($0.27) | UI ($0.28) | Oil Baseline | Propane Baseline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ductless Mini-Split (1.5 ton) | $810/yr | $840/yr | $1,600/yr | $1,400/yr |
| Whole-Home Ducted (3 ton) | $2,430/yr | $2,520/yr | $3,200/yr | $2,800/yr |
| Whole-Home Ducted (5 ton) | $4,050/yr | $4,200/yr | $4,800/yr | $4,200/yr |
Your utility is determined by your address. Eversource covers roughly 75% of the state, while UI serves the New Haven and Bridgeport metro areas.
Service Area
Hartford, New Haven suburbs, Fairfield County, Eastern CT
Hartford, New Haven (suburbs), Stamford, Danbury, Bristol, Norwich, New London
Customers
~1,290,000
Heat Pump Rate
No special HP rate — standard residential rate applies
Est. Annual HP Cost (2,000 sq ft)
$2,430/year
Energize CT & Smart-E
Full access to all statewide programs
Supply Rate
$0.1264
Delivery Rate
$0.1436
Largest CT electric utility. Serves roughly 75% of Connecticut. Participates in Energize CT programs.
Service Area
Greater New Haven and Bridgeport metro areas
New Haven (city), Bridgeport, West Haven, Milford, Stratford, Shelton, Ansonia
Customers
~340,000
Heat Pump Rate
No special HP rate — standard residential rate applies
Est. Annual HP Cost (2,000 sq ft)
$2,520/year
Energize CT & Smart-E
Full access to all statewide programs
Supply Rate
$0.1370
Delivery Rate
$0.1430
Second-largest CT utility. Part of Avangrid/AVGO. Covers southern CT coastal cities.
The Smart-E Loan is Connecticut’s most powerful financing tool for heat pumps. Offered through the CT Green Bank, it provides ultra-low-interest financing that dramatically reduces the effective cost of going electric.
0.99%
APR Interest Rate
Fixed rate, no variable adjustments
$40,000
Maximum Loan Amount
Minimum $500, covers full HP systems
20 yr
Maximum Term
Choose 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, or 20 years
Financed at 0.99% APR, 12-year term:
Monthly cost comparison:
Connecticut has six municipal electric utilities that operate independently from Energize CT. They have their own rebate programs (often more generous), but do not participate in Smart-E Loans. If you live in one of these towns, your situation is different.
| Municipal Utility | Territory | Rate | HP Rebate | Smart-E | Est. Annual HP Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norwich Public Utilities | City of Norwich | $0.22/kWh | $1,200/ton + $2,000 controls | $1,980 | |
| Wallingford Electric Division | Town of Wallingford | $0.19/kWh | Contact utility for current programs | $1,710 | |
| Bozrah Light & Power | Town of Bozrah | $0.21/kWh | Contact utility for current programs | $1,890 | |
| South Norwalk Electric & Water (SNEW) | Third Taxing District of Norwalk | $0.20/kWh | Contact utility for current programs | $1,800 |
Municipal Utility Advantage
Municipal utility rates are typically $0.05–$0.09/kWh cheaper than Eversource or UI. Norwich Public Utilities offers one of the most generous heat pump rebates in Connecticut at $1,200/ton plus $2,000 for controls — significantly more than the Energize CT standard tier. However, municipal customers cannot access Smart-E Loans and must use their utility’s own financing options.
Since neither CT utility offers a heat pump discount rate, the best strategy for minimizing operating costs is pairing your heat pump with solar. CT’s net metering applies equally in both Eversource and UI territories.
Oil Heat (No HP)
$3,200
Annual heating · Volatile pricing
Heat Pump (Grid Power)
$2,475
CT average · $0.275/kWh
Heat Pump + Solar
$200
Near-zero heating cost
CT Net Metering
Both Eversource and UI offer net metering for residential solar systems. Excess energy produced in summer generates credits that offset your winter heat pump usage. A properly sized 8–12 kW solar array can offset most or all of your heat pump electricity, making your utility’s rate largely irrelevant.
Full Energize CT rebate guide. Standard, optimization, and HEAR tiers.
Read guideComplete pricing: ductless, ducted, and geothermal systems in Connecticut.
Read guideSide-by-side cost comparison for Connecticut oil-heated homes.
Read guideNatural gas is common in CT cities. See when a heat pump wins.
Read guideCT winters hit single digits. See which systems perform best.
Read guideEnter your address and fuel type. Get a personalized CT cost estimate.
Read guideRates shown are approximate as of February 2026 and include both supply and delivery charges. Actual rates vary by rate class, usage tier, and supply period. Contact your utility or check the PURA website for the most current rates. Federal 25C tax credit expired December 31, 2025. HEAR rebate availability pending DOE approval.
Whether you’re in Eversource or UI territory, you’ll get the same Energize CT rebates and Smart-E financing. NuWatt installs heat pumps across Connecticut — let us show you exactly what your system will cost and save.
Free assessment · No obligation · Serving all CT utilities