wellesley municipal light plant
WMLP is working with Abode to ensure that your Air Source Heat Pump is being installed to have the greatest impact on your comfort and our planet.Our heat pump program has you covered!
Customer assistance
Specialists are available to answer questions and provide guidance when considering heat pump technology for your home.
Contractor list
Quality Assurance
Incentives
Get started today
Optional Step 1
Energy Coach consultation
Complete the intake form to be connected with an Energy Coach. Your coach will help you evaluate options and determine if a heat pump is right for you.
Step 2
Energy Assessment
Get a no-cost home energy assessment (HEA) and follow recommendations to weatherize your house to the maximum extent. If your primary heating fuel is oil, propane, and/or electric resistance you are eligible for a no-cost HEA from CET.
If installing a whole-home heat pump system, consider weatherizing your home as well to receive the higher weatherization rebate and potentially reduce the size and cost of the system that you will need.
Optional Step 3
Get Quotes
Get Installer quotes. Wellesley offers a participating contractor list of installers that customers can choose from. Installers on the Participating Contractor List have been vetted and certified by Abode Energy Management to confirm they hold the required licenses, have completed relevant training and certifications, and are fully qualified to serve WMLP customers participating in the rebate process.
Ensure your installer will assist you in applying for local, State, and Federal rebates. For WMLP rebates, click here. For the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit page, click here.
Step 4
Abode Support
Connect with an expert at Abode for further support, design review, or quote comparison services. Abode offers both Advanced Consultations and Quote Comparison services to WMLP customers at no cost.
Step 5
Choose Contractor, Install System & Apply for Rebates
For whole home systems, after you have chosen which heat pump quote or proposal you plan to move forward with, submit this Whole Home Rebate Application before you install the heat pump system to make sure that you meet the program requirements. Abode reviews the submission for install quality and rebate eligibility.
For partial home systems customers apply through Abode by completing this Partial Home Rebate Application after the installation is complete.
Step 6
Rebate Processed
Contractor/installer needs to submit a Post-Installation Quality Assurance (QA) Form for review and final approval of the rebate by Abode and WMLP. Once approved, customer can expect to receive the rebate in the mail within 6 to 8 weeks. If applying for the increased weatherization rebate (when done in conjunction with whole home heat pump system installations), submit weatherization rebate application to the WMLP.
We're here to help
Schedule a consultation or submit quotes for review.
Advanced Consultation
The Town’s goal is to equip you with the knowledge and resources needed to move forward on your energy projects with confidence. If you are well into your heat pump journey and need highly technical guidance, your coach can refer you to an advanced consultation with an energy advisor at Abode Energy who can help you request, receive, and compare quotes. You may also reach out directly to Abode for a free consultation.
Quote Comparison
- Complete a questionnaire about your home and upload the quotes to our portal
- Receive an easy-to-understand report within five business days
- Understand the performance of the equipment being proposed
- Compare quotes for efficiency, cost, cooling & heating capacity, and greenhouse gas impact
- Submission of heating fuel usage is highly encouraged
- Quote comparison is intended to compare proposed heat pump systems against each other, not to be used for pre-approval or rebate eligibility
Wellesley rebates
The qualifying equipment and rebate application process between WMLP’s program and the Mass Save program are different, so please be sure to familiarize yourself with the eligibility requirements before installing any equipment.
Natural gas (National Grid) heating customers are instead eligible for the Mass Save® residential air source heat pump program and are not eligible for heat pump rebates through WMLP.
Rebate requirements
Whole-Home Rebate Requirements
For the whole-home heat pump rebate, the application must be submitted BEFORE project installation and the Post-Installation QA Form must be submitted within 12 months of receiving Abode’s approval of the application.
For the whole-home heat pump rebate, if the home was constructed before January 1, 2013, the customer must have received a home energy audit within the past 3 years and before the heat pump system is installed.
Whole-home projects will also be eligible for an Increased weatherization rebate of 75% of project costs up to $3,000. If applying for the whole-home rebate and increased weatherization incentives, weatherization measures must be completed within 6 months of heat pump installation.
System(s) must be designed to condition 100% of the home’s living space by volume and supply between 90-120% of the heating load at the correct design temperature for the home’s location. A Manual J calculation is the best practice for determining the heating load and must be completed by your contractor.
To qualify for a rebate, an outdoor condenser unit must be installed on a stand providing at least 12″ of ground clearance to the base of the condenser unit (unless the unit is adequately shielded against snowfall from the top and sides).
For non-gas-heating customers, to be eligible for a rebate through WMLP, the project must adhere to Abode’s review process.
There are three main requirements to be aware of:
WHOLE-HOME REBATE APPLICATION (required BEFORE installation)
The whole-home rebate application must be completed by the homeowner and contractor prior to install. After you have chosen which heat pump quote or proposal you plan to move forward with, submit this program application before you install the heat pump system to make sure that you meet the program requirements.
Be prepared to submit the following with your application, many of which can be provided by your selected installer:
- Heat pump quote/proposal
- AHRI number for each heat pump system being installed
- Size of any electric resistance or strip heat included in your new heat pump system (if applicable)
- Manual J Heat Load Calculation
- Date on which your home energy audit was conducted (for homes constructed before January 1, 2013). If applicable and available, a copy of your home energy audit report.
- Weatherization quote/proposal (if applicable)
PLEASE NOTE: Do not initiate work or installation of weatherization measures and heat pump(s) until you receive preliminary approval of your rebate application from the WMLP/Abode Energy.
Your rebate will not be fully processed and approved until the WMLP/Abode reviews the Post-Installation QA Form submitted by your installer and the building, electrical/wiring, (and if applicable, sheet metal) inspection results from the Town.
REQUIRED PERMITS & INSPECTIONS
Your contractor must apply for and secure the relevant permit(s) (building, electrical, and sheet metal) and pass their respective inspections. For further information, visit the Town of Wellesley’s Building Department.
POST-INSTALLATION QA FORM
This Post-Installation Form is to be completed by the contractor/installer after the work has been performed. Rebate will not be issued until this form is submitted and reviewed by the WMLP/Abode Energy Management.
Partial-Home Rebate Requirements
For the partial-home heat pump rebate, the application must be submitted AFTER project installation and both rebate application and Post-Installation QA Form must be submitted within 6 months after project installation. To qualify for a rebate, the partial-home heat pump system(s) must be listed on NEEP ccASHP List.
To qualify for a rebate, an outdoor condenser unit must be installed on a stand providing at least 12″ of ground clearance to the base of the condenser unit (unless the unit is adequately shielded against snowfall from the top and sides).
For non-gas-heating customers, in order to be eligible for a rebate through WMLP, the project must adhere to Abode’s review process.
New Basic Heat Pump Rebate Requirements
- New additions less than 500 sq. ft.
- Previously unconditioned space less than 500 sq. ft. (e.g., attic or basement)
- Replacing existing heat pumps
- New construction and additions equal to or greater than 500 sq. ft. are not eligible.
REQUIRED PERMITS & INSPECTIONS
Your contractor must apply for and secure the relevant permit(s) (building, electrical, and sheet metal) and pass their respective inspections. For further information, visit the Town of Wellesley’s Building Department.
PARTIAL-HOME REBATE APPLICATION (required AFTER installation)
The partial-home rebate application must be completed by the homeowner and contractor after install.
Be prepared to submit the following with your application, all of which can be provided by your contractor:
- AHRI number for each heat pump unit that was installed
PLEASE NOTE: Your rebate will not be fully processed and approved until the WMLP/Abode reviews the Post-Installation QA Form submitted by your installer and the building, electrical/wiring, (and if applicable, sheet metal) inspection results from the Town.
If you are planning on installing a heat pump or mini-split system as your primary heating system, sized to provide 90% to 120% of your home’s heating requirements, consider applying for WMLP’s Whole-Home Heat Pump Rebate program instead of this partial-home rebate. The Whole Home Heat Pump rebate is higher and provides an increased rebate for home weatherization. The rebate application for the Whole-Home Heat Pump rebate must be submitted before the heat pump system is installed to make sure it meets the program requirements.
POST-INSTALLATION QA FORM
This Post-Installation Form is to be completed by the contractor/installer after the work has been performed. Rebate will not be issued until this form is submitted and reviewed by the WMLP/Abode Energy Management.
Available rebates
The HVAC industry is transitioning away from R410A refrigerants and to A2L refrigerants, like R-454B and R-32, to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations.
Beginning January 1, 2026, the EPA ruling prohibits the installation of new HVAC systems with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) >700. The Mass Save Heat Pump Qualified Product List will be removing any R410 refrigerants to align with the new standard. Similarly, all systems selected using the NEEP ccASHP Qualified Product List must be selected using the “All A2L” or other A2L refrigerant selection (e.g., R-454B, R-32) to align with EPA’s new transition rule. Models with R410A refrigerant will no longer be eligible for rebates when installed on or after January 1, 2026. Invoices for installations using R410A refrigerants will need to list an install date of December 31, 2025 or before to qualify for a rebate.
| Whole Home | Partial Home | Basic | |
| Rebate Tiers & Amounts |
2025 Removes/decommissions existing heating system: $10,000 Does not remove/decommission: $8,000 2026 Removes/decommissions existing heating system: $8,500 Does not remove/decommission: $6,500 |
2025 $1,500 per outdoor condenser unit 2026 $1,125 per ton* up to $5,000 |
2025 None 2026 $500 per ton* up to $2,500 |
| Rebate Frequency Limits | 1 rebate per customer account |
2 rebates per customer account Lifetime heat pump rebate cap is equal to the WMLP's whole-home rebate amount for keeping existing heating system that is in effect at the time of the second rebate's application date (i.e., $6,500 in 2026) |
1 rebate per customer account per calendar year |
| ** A customer account is eligible for either a whole-home rebate or up to two (2) partial-home or basic rebates, not both. | |||
| Town Permits | Building, Electrical, and for any ductwork, Sheet Metal | ||
| Required Forms |
Pre-Install Whole-Home Rebate Application (Abode) Post-Install QA Form (Abode) |
Post-Install Partial-Home Rebate Application (Abode) Post-Install QA Form (Abode) |
Basic Rebate Application submitted after installation Post-Installation Quality Assurance (QA) Form submitted after installation |
| Additional Incentives |
2025 Increased weatherization rebate of 50% of project costs up to $2,500 (instead of $1,500) 2026 Increased weatherization rebate of 75% of project costs up to $3,000 |
N/A | N/A |
| Other Requirements |
- Heat pump must be listed on NEEP ccASHP List - Manual J showing HP is sized to meet 90-120% of heating load at design temperature - HEA required within the past 3 years for homes built before 2013 - For higher rebate attestation from installer that pre-existing heating system was removed/decommissioned |
- Must be listed on NEEP ccASHP List | - Must be listed on NEEP ccASHP List |
Grace Period
The WMLP will honor 2025 Whole-Home Heat Pump Rebate levels ($10,000 if decommissioning existing heating system, $8,000 if not) for applications submitted by February 28, 2026.
For all other heat pump and weatherization projects the WMLP will compute and honor the higher of the 2025 & 2026 rebate amounts for applications submitted between January 1, 2026 and February 28, 2026.
Visit the Wellesley municipal webpage for a list of all program requirements.
Participating Contractor List
Use the Participating Contractor List to find qualified installers in your area.
Post-installation survey
This short customer survey helps us better understand your experience accessing utility rebates and working with your installer.