If your New Jersey home is still heated with gas, oil, propane, or another delivered fuel, replacing an aging heating and cooling system could come with significant savings.
Through JCP&L’s Clean Comfort Program, eligible homeowners may qualify for up to $10,000 or more in rebates when transitioning from fossil-fuel heating to qualifying energy-efficient home comfort equipment.
For homeowners already considering an HVAC replacement, the program may help reduce the upfront cost of upgrading to a modern cold-climate heat pump while providing efficient heating and cooling from one system.
What Is the JCP&L Clean Comfort Program?
The Clean Comfort Program is designed to help eligible JCP&L customers transition away from fossil-fuel heating and toward high-efficiency electric HVAC technology.
One of the primary technologies supported by the program is the cold-climate air-source heat pump (ccASHP). Unlike a traditional central air conditioner that provides cooling only, a heat pump can provide both heating and cooling for your home.
Cold-climate models are specifically designed for operation in colder regions. The Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump Product List identifies qualifying cold-climate equipment and provides performance information for homeowners, contractors, and energy-efficiency programs.
Under the Clean Comfort requirements, eligible ducted or ductless cold-climate heat pumps must be included on the NEEP equipment list or meet the current NEEP specification at the time of installation..
How Much Is the JCP&L Clean Comfort Heat Pump Rebate?
The rebate amount depends on the type of system installed, the project cost, and program eligibility.
For a qualifying cold-climate air-source heat pump used as the primary system for full displacement, eligible gas or delivered-fuel customers may qualify for the lesser of $10,000 or 50% of the project cost.
That means the rebate is not automatically $10,000 for every installation.
For example, if an eligible project costs $16,000, 50% would be $8,000, so the applicable rebate under this portion of the program could be up to $8,000. If an eligible project costs $24,000, 50% would be $12,000, so the $10,000 maximum for the primary system would apply.
Additional incentives may also be available, as applicable, for qualifying improvements such as re-ducting, decommissioning, additional cold-climate air-source heat pumps, and additional standard air-source heat pumps.
Because additional incentives may apply to certain projects, total Clean Comfort rebates can potentially exceed $10,000 depending on the home, equipment, and project eligibility.
Learn more about JCP&L rebates available through Air Professionals
What If I Don’t Want to Completely Give Up My Existing Heating System?
A full transition to electric heating isn’t the only configuration addressed by the Clean Comfort Program.
The program also includes qualifying cold-climate air-source heat pumps with integrated controls for full-displacement/dual-fuel applications.
For eligible gas or delivered-fuel customers, qualifying systems may receive the lesser of $5,000 or 50% of the project cost of the largest system. Additional incentives may also be available for qualifying additional cold-climate and standard air-source heat pumps.
This may provide another option for homeowners interested in heat-pump technology when a qualifying dual-fuel configuration is appropriate for their home.
Why Are Cold-Climate Heat Pumps Different?
One of the most common misconceptions about heat pumps is that they are only suitable for mild climates.
Today’s cold-climate heat pumps are specifically designed and evaluated for lower-temperature operation. NEEP’s cold-climate specification helps identify air-source heat pumps intended for colder climates.
NEEP also provides heat pump sizing and selection resources that can help homeowners and contractors better understand cold-climate heat-pump applications.
Proper equipment selection is important. A heat pump shouldn’t be chosen simply because it has “heat pump” on the label. The home’s heating needs, equipment capacity, system configuration, ductwork, and the unit’s performance at lower outdoor temperatures should all be considered when selecting a system
One System for Heating and Cooling
A qualifying heat pump can provide both winter heating and summer air conditioning, allowing one HVAC system to handle year-round comfort.
For homeowners replacing older equipment, that can mean upgrading from separate heating and cooling equipment to a modern system designed around efficient electric heating and cooling.
Going electric can also eliminate direct combustion of gas or oil for the heating load being replaced. The Clean Comfort materials highlight reduced combustion byproducts and lower direct fossil-fuel emissions as benefits of electrification.
Does Clean Comfort Cover Electrical Upgrades?
Certain electrical upgrades may also qualify for Clean Comfort incentives when completed as part of an eligible project.
When installed with other qualifying JCP&L Clean Comfort measures, eligible projects may qualify for $300 per additional qualifying 240V circuit, with a maximum of four circuits.
Additional program specifications apply, so eligibility should be confirmed as part of the individual project.
0% Financing May Also Be Available
Rebates aren’t the only potential financial benefit available to qualifying homeowners.
The Clean Comfort program materials outline 0% fixed-rate financing for qualified applicants, net of the program rebate, with eligible loan amounts ranging from $2,500 to $25,000. Available financing terms vary depending on the amount financed and customer qualifications.
Air Professionals also provides information about available HVAC financing options for qualifying customers and projects.
For homeowners who qualify, combining available utility rebates with financing may help make replacing an aging HVAC system more manageable.
Is Your Home a Good Candidate for Clean Comfort?
The Clean Comfort Program may be worth exploring if:
- Your home currently uses gas, oil, propane, or another eligible delivered fuel for heating.
- Your furnace, boiler, or air conditioner is aging and you’re considering replacement.
- You’re interested in switching to a qualifying cold-climate heat pump for heating and cooling.
- You want to explore whether a dual-fuel heat-pump configuration is appropriate for your home.
- You want to find out which utility rebates and financing options your project may qualify for.
Not every home, heat pump, or HVAC installation will qualify. Equipment specifications and additional program requirements apply, and additional incentives may be available for income-qualified customers.
Find Out What Your Home Qualifies For
If you’re thinking about replacing your heating and cooling system, Air Professionals Heating & Air Conditioning can help you explore whether your home and proposed equipment may qualify for JCP&L Clean Comfort incentives.
Our Comfort Consultants can review your current HVAC system, discuss qualifying heat-pump and dual-fuel options, and help you understand the rebates and financing options that may apply to your project.
With eligible homeowners potentially qualifying for up to $10,000 or more in Clean Comfort rebates, now may be a great time to find out what options are available for your home.
Learn More About JCP&L Clean Comfort Rebates →
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Rebates, financing, equipment eligibility, program requirements and incentive amounts are subject to JCP&L program terms and availability. Additional specifications apply to all systems and measures. Eligibility and final incentive amounts should be confirmed for the individual project.
