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The wrong installer can cost you thousands in lost rebates, voided warranties, and poorly sized equipment. This guide gives you a 10-point checklist to vet any NH heat pump contractor before you sign.
Quick Answer: The #1 Requirement
Your installer must be an active NHSaves Heat Pump Installer Network member to qualify for any NHSaves rebates ($250/ton standard, $1,250/ton enhanced). No network membership = no rebate. Verify this first before evaluating anything else.
NHSaves is the statewide energy efficiency program funded by New Hampshire's four electric utilities: Eversource, Liberty, Unitil, and the NH Electric Co-op. Their Heat Pump Installer Network is a vetted group of contractors who have met specific training, licensing, and equipment requirements.
When you use a network installer, several things happen that protect you:
Network installers process the rebate paperwork. Non-network installers cannot access the rebate system at all.
Network installers are trained on which equipment meets NHSaves requirements, including the cold climate certification and refrigerant rules.
The $1,250/ton enhanced rebate requires pre-verification before installation begins. Only network installers can initiate this process.
NHSaves conducts post-installation inspections on a percentage of jobs. This gives network installers an incentive to maintain quality.
How to verify: Visit the NHSaves installer finder at nhsaves.com or call NHSaves directly. Ask the installer for their NHSaves contractor ID number. If they hesitate or say they are "in the process of joining," get a firm timeline or find another installer.
Use this checklist to evaluate every heat pump installer you talk to. An installer who meets all 10 points is worth your business.
Verify the installer is an active member of the NHSaves Heat Pump Installer Network. This is non-negotiable for receiving rebates. Ask for their NHSaves contractor ID or verify on the NHSaves installer finder.
Confirm they hold a current NH Electrical License and NH Refrigeration License. These are state-issued and can be verified through the NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC).
The proposal should include a room-by-room Manual J load calculation for your home. This determines the correct system size based on insulation, windows, square footage, and NH climate data. It should be included at no extra charge.
The proposed equipment must be ENERGY STAR Cold Climate certified. This means it is tested and rated for performance at 5°F and below, which is essential for New Hampshire winters.
The system must use R-32 or R-454B refrigerant. R-410A equipment is no longer eligible for NHSaves rebates. This is one of the most commonly missed requirements by less-informed installers.
Get warranty terms in writing before signing. Minimum standards: 10-year compressor warranty and 5-year parts warranty from the manufacturer, plus at least a 2-year workmanship warranty from the installer.
Ask about experience with your specific home type: antique New England colonial, cape, ranch, modular, or manufactured home. Each has different installation challenges. Request photos of similar completed projects.
Request at least 3 references from New Hampshire installations completed in the past 12 months. Contact them and ask about communication, cleanliness, system performance through winter, and whether the rebate was processed smoothly.
Verify current general liability insurance ($1M minimum) and workers compensation coverage. Ask for a certificate of insurance. If an uninsured worker is injured on your property, you could be liable.
The installer should handle all NHSaves rebate paperwork, including pre-verification for enhanced tier rebates. If they say the rebate is "your responsibility," that is a red flag indicating they may not be a true network member.
Any one of these should give you serious pause. Two or more and you should find a different installer.
R-410A is no longer eligible for NHSaves rebates. An installer proposing R-410A is either uninformed about current requirements or trying to clear old stock at your expense.
Any installer who sizes your system based on square footage alone or "rules of thumb" is guessing. Improperly sized systems waste energy, fail to heat adequately, and short-cycle.
No network membership means no rebate. Period. Some installers claim they can "help you apply" for the rebate independently. They cannot. The installer must be in the network.
Verbal warranty promises are unenforceable. If an installer will not put warranty terms in writing before you sign, walk away.
"This price is only good today" or "we have one unit left" are pressure tactics. Reputable installers provide written quotes valid for 30-60 days and encourage you to compare.
If one quote is dramatically different from others (more than 20% in either direction on system capacity), ask why. An oversized system costs more and short-cycles; an undersized one cannot keep up.
Print this list and bring it to every installer consultation. A good installer will welcome these questions.
Are you an active NHSaves Heat Pump Installer Network member? Can I verify your contractor ID?
Will you perform a Manual J load calculation for my home, and is it included in the quote?
What specific equipment make and model are you proposing, and what refrigerant does it use?
Is this equipment ENERGY STAR Cold Climate certified?
What is the rated heating capacity at 5°F and at -15°F?
What warranties are included (compressor, parts, and your labor/workmanship)?
Will you handle all NHSaves rebate paperwork, including pre-verification for the enhanced tier?
How many heat pump installations have you completed in New Hampshire in the past year?
Can you provide 3 references from NH installations?
What is the full project timeline from signing to completion?
Do you pull all required electrical and mechanical permits?
What does the installation include for cleanup and disposal of old equipment?
Here is the typical timeline for a heat pump installation in New Hampshire, from first contact to final inspection.
The installer visits your home, assesses your existing heating system, performs a Manual J load calculation, and discusses your goals. You should receive a written proposal within 3-5 business days.
Compare at least 2-3 proposals. Review equipment specs, warranty terms, total cost, and rebate amounts. Once you sign, the installer orders equipment.
If pursuing the enhanced tier rebate ($1,250/ton), the installer submits pre-verification paperwork to NHSaves. This must be approved before installation begins.
The installer pulls electrical and mechanical permits from your local building department. Permit requirements vary by municipality. Your installer should handle this entirely.
Ductless mini-split: 1-2 days. Ducted system: 2-4 days. Hybrid system with existing ductwork: 2-3 days. The installer should protect your home with drop cloths and clean up daily.
Your municipality schedules an electrical inspection. The installer should commission the system, verify refrigerant charge, test all modes, and walk you through operation. NHSaves may also conduct a post-installation quality inspection.
The installer submits final rebate paperwork to NHSaves. You typically receive the rebate as a check or bill credit within 4-8 weeks. Your installer should keep you informed throughout this process.
New Hampshire requires specific licenses for HVAC work. Here is what your installer should hold.
NH Electricians Board (OPLC)
Required for all electrical wiring associated with heat pump installation, including circuit breaker additions and disconnect switches.
NH Board of Mechanical Licensing (OPLC)
Required for installing, servicing, and charging refrigerant in heat pump systems. Covers both R-32 and R-454B refrigerant handling.
US Environmental Protection Agency
Federal requirement for anyone who handles refrigerants. At minimum, the technician performing the installation must hold this certification.
Insurance carrier
Not a license, but equally important. Protects you from liability if a worker is injured on your property or if the installation causes property damage.
How to verify licenses: Search the NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) online database at oplc.nh.gov. You can search by company name or individual technician name. If the license does not appear or is expired, do not proceed.
New Hampshire has a growing number of heat pump installers. Here is context to help you evaluate your options.
Companies like ReVision Energy operate across northern New England with dedicated heat pump divisions. They tend to have strong NHSaves network relationships and high volume, but may have longer wait times and higher prices.
Many traditional HVAC contractors (oil, gas, propane) are adding heat pump services. Verify they have joined the NHSaves network and have specific heat pump training, not just general HVAC experience. The technology and refrigerant requirements are different.
Some solar installers now offer heat pump services, which can be convenient for homeowners who want both. Look for dedicated heat pump technicians on staff (not subcontractors) and verify the NHSaves network membership is under the company's own name.
Our recommendation: Get at least 3 quotes from NHSaves network installers. Compare not just price, but equipment specs, warranty terms, Manual J methodology, and how they communicate throughout the process. The cheapest quote is rarely the best value.
Serving Southern NH from Our MA Base
NuWatt Energy serves southern New Hampshire homeowners from our Massachusetts base. We hold the licenses, insurance, and NHSaves network credentials outlined in this guide. We include Manual J load calculations with every proposal and install only ENERGY STAR Cold Climate equipment with R-32 or R-454B refrigerant.
15+
Years Experience
2,500+
Installations Completed
NABCEP
Certified Team
We wrote this guide to help you make an informed decision, whether you choose us or another qualified installer. The most important thing is that you end up with a properly sized, properly installed system that qualifies for every rebate available to you.
Common questions New Hampshire homeowners ask about choosing a heat pump installer.
Yes. NHSaves rebates ($250/ton standard, $1,250/ton enhanced tier) are only available when you use an installer who is an active member of the NHSaves Heat Pump Installer Network. Using a non-network installer means you pay full price with no rebate, even if the equipment qualifies.
NH heat pump installers need an NH Electrical License for wiring and an NH Refrigeration License for handling refrigerants. They should also hold EPA Section 608 certification for refrigerant handling. Ask to see current credentials before signing any contract.
NHSaves no longer qualifies systems using R-410A refrigerant. Only R-32 or R-454B systems are eligible for rebates. If an installer quotes R-410A equipment, they are either unaware of the current NHSaves requirements or are trying to install older stock. Either way, you will not receive your rebate.
A Manual J load calculation determines the exact heating and cooling capacity your home needs based on its size, insulation, windows, orientation, and local climate data. Without one, an installer is guessing at system size. Oversized systems short-cycle and waste energy; undersized systems cannot keep up in cold weather. Any reputable installer includes this in the proposal at no extra charge.
A typical ductless mini-split installation takes 1-2 days. A ducted or hybrid system may take 2-4 days depending on ductwork modifications. The full timeline from signing to completion is usually 2-6 weeks, including the NHSaves pre-verification process for enhanced tier rebates. Electrical panel upgrades or ductwork additions can extend the schedule.
Look for at least a 10-year compressor warranty and 5-year parts warranty from the manufacturer. The installer should also provide a workmanship warranty of at least 2 years covering their labor and installation quality. Some manufacturers require registered installation by a certified dealer to activate the full warranty. Ask for warranty documentation in writing before signing.
Before rebates, a single-zone ductless mini-split costs $4,000-$7,000 installed, a multi-zone system $10,000-$20,000, and a ducted system $12,000-$25,000. NHSaves standard rebates reduce costs by $250/ton, and the enhanced tier pays $1,250/ton for qualifying installations. HEAR federal rebates (when available) can add up to $8,000 for income-qualified households.
While there is no law preventing a homeowner from installing their own heat pump, you would need EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerant legally. More importantly, a DIY installation is not eligible for NHSaves rebates (you must use a network installer), voids most manufacturer warranties, may not pass electrical inspection, and could create safety hazards. The cost of lost rebates alone typically exceeds the labor savings.
$250/ton standard, $1,250/ton enhanced tier. Complete rebate breakdown.
Ductless, ducted, and hybrid costs. Net cost after NHSaves rebates.
Performance data at -15°F. Do they work in NH winters?
Why R-410A is banned from NHSaves and what the new refrigerants mean.
Interactive cost calculator for NH oil-heated homes.
Manual J-based sizing with NH rebate estimates included.
Last updated: February 2026. Information is accurate as of publication date. NHSaves program rules are subject to change; verify current requirements at nhsaves.com.
NuWatt Energy serves southern New Hampshire with NHSaves-qualified heat pump installations. Get a free assessment with a Manual J load calculation included.
Or call us: (877) 772-6357 — Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-2pm