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HVAC Install


Replacing old and worn out equipment is a fact of life. Installing a high efficiency heating and cooling system will help make your home more comfortable, reduce your energy usage and carbon footprint, and save you money for years to come!

Receive $200 incentive for installing a qualifying heat pump or central air conditioner!

Earn cash incentives by installing qualifying high efficiency heating or cooling equipment in your new or existing home.

Complete an HVAC install application for each qualified installation. Email the completed forms to Incentives@DukeResSmartSaver.com, fax them to 866-728-8293, or mail the forms to the address on the application instructions. All applications must be submitted within 90 days of installation to be eligible for the Smart $aver incentive.

Program Rules & Requirements

  • Customer Incentive – Eligible Duke Energy customers receive $200 for each new, qualifying heat pump and central air conditioner installed.
  • The Smart $aver® program is for new and existing single family homes, condominiums, mobile homes, townhomes or duplexes.
  • HVAC equipment must be installed by a Participating Contractor.
  • Applications must be submitted within 90 days of system installation.

Note: Duke Energy reserves the right to revise program requirements and incentive levels at anytime. Incentives are subject to availability. For questions not addressed on the website, call 866-785-6209.

Save more with the installation of a new, high efficiency heat pump or central air conditioner.

Estimated Smart $aver® Savings:

Note: Duke Energy reserves the right to revise program requirements and incentive levels at anytime. Incentives are subject to availability. For questions not addressed on the website, call 866-785-6209.

Customer Eligibility

  • Incentives for qualifying equipment are available to Duke Energy North Carolina electric customers residing in single family homes, condominiums, townhomes, duplexes and mobile homes.
  • Apartments and multi-family homes are not eligible for these incentives.
  • Incentive application forms will not be accepted until the new system is installed and operable.

Equipment Eligibility

Qualifying HVAC Equipment Requirements Customer Incentive Amount
Heat Pumps: must be 14 SEER or greater and include an ECM fan on the indoor unit, and have an 8.2 HSPF or greater. $200
Central Air Conditioners: must be 14 SEER or greater and include an ECM fan on the indoor unit $200
Geothermal Heat Pumps: must be 11.5 EER or greater and include an ECM fan on the indoor unit $200

The following systems do not qualify for incentives regardless of the size of the unit or the efficiency: Through-the-wall room HP or AC, Window HP or AC, Mini Split or Multi split HP or AC, Portable HP or AC, and Evaporative AC.

Note: Duke Energy reserves the right to revise program requirements and incentive levels at anytime. Incentives are subject to availability. For questions not addressed on the website, call 866-785-6209.

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What is a SEER/EER?

These are energy efficiency ratings. The higher the number, the less energy the system uses. Make sure the unit you purchase has a SEER/EER rating certified by the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).

What is an HSPF?

HSPF is an energy efficiency rating for heat pumps. The higher the number, the less energy the system uses in winter heating. Make sure the unit you purchase has an HSPF rating certified by the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). See the links at the top of this page in the right column for more information on AHRI.

What is an ECM fan motor?

The electric fan in your indoor unit is responsible for a good portion of your electric heating costs. Older, standard fans use much more energy than new energy efficient electronically commutative motor (ECM) fans. Sometimes called a “variable speed” fan, an ECM fan also offers many other features for added comfort in your home. An ECM fan on your indoor unit is required for each qualifying air conditioner or heat pump.

What is a Participating Contractor?

Contractors who complete Duke Energy's Participating Contractor registration form are eligible to offer the Smart $aver program incentives, including customer incentives. Participating Contractors will complete your Incentive Application and are familiar with all other program requirements.

Should my heating dealer be heat pump certified?

Duke Energy recommends that your HVAC technician have a current heat pump certification with Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) or North American Technician Excellence (NATE). Heating systems installed by a heat pump certified technician help to ensure maximum efficiency, comfort and reliability.

What are the restrictions for heat pump incentives when converting from natural gast heat?

Existing home, heat pump restrictions: 

Duke Energy will pay incentives for a qualifying heat pump, if the home currently has electric heat, propane heat oil heat or any other non-natural gas heating system.

If a home is currently heated by a natural gas furnace, the program will follow these guidelines:

  • Pay on a qualifying air conditioner (AC), regardless of heating system fuel type.
  • Pay on qualifying heat pump (HP) when a home is currently heated by a natural gas HVAC system if the new HP is used as part of a dual fuel system that uses natural gas as the supplemental heat source.

The definition of "currently heated by a natural gas furnace" means that a home or portion of the home is heated by any type of central heating system that uses natural gas as the fuel, including forced air furnaces and boilers. Natural gas appliances that are not considered a heating system include natural gas fireplaces, natural gas non-ducted radiant, portable or room wall heaters, natural gas stoves and/or ovens and natural gas clothes dryers.

New homes heat pump restrictions:

Duke Energy will pay on a qualifying heat pump, if the new home has no natural gas available.

If natural gas is available at a new home the program will follow these guidelines:

  • Pay on a qualifying air condition (AC), regardless of heating system fuel type
  • Pay on qualifying heat pump (HP) where natural gas is available if a HP is installed as part of a dual fuel system that uses natural gas as the supplemental heat source.

The definition of "if natural gas is available" means a gas distribution main is available on the property at the time construction begins on a new home  and where only a natural gas service line needs to be installed for the new home to be served.

Is a new gas furnace eligible for the Smart $aver® program?

A new gas furnace will not qualify for a rebate. But, if you also purchase a new central air conditioner, you should consider a new, high efficiency heat pump. Instead of buying a central air conditioner, purchase an “add-on” heat pump, and use it with your gas or oil furnace. There is no heating technology that is more efficient than the heat pump during most winter temperatures, and it could be eligible for the Smart $aver incentive. In a dual-fuel system, the more efficient heat pump is used for 80 percent or more of your total heating load and your gas furnace is used only on the coldest days.

How much can I save with a new Smart $aver heat pump?

Read Estimated Smart $aver Savings to learn more. Savings are illustrative only; Duke Energy does not guarantee savings.

How do I apply for a Smart $aver incentive?

Your Participating Contractor will submit your Incentive Application and will provide you the necessary details that will allow your new system to qualify.

When can I apply for Smart $aver incentives for a new home?

You can submit an application for Smart $aver rebates on a new home after both of these events have occurred: 1) the HVAC system, including the outdoor unit, is fully installed and working, 2) the new home has the electric meter installed.

What types of residential HVAC refrigeration systems qualify for Smart $aver incentives?

The following residential HVAC technologies qualify for incentives, assuming the matched components achieve 14 SEER, can be verified with an AHRI reference number and include an ECM fan: Heat Pump (HP) or Air Conditioner (AC) split systems, HP or AC single package (self-contained) systems, and geothermal heat pumps including direct geoexchange systems.

The following systems do not qualify for incentives regardless of the size of the unit or the efficiency: Through-the-wall room HP or AC, Window HP or AC, Mini Split HP or AC, Portable HP or AC, and Evaporative AC.

Why does Duke Energy want to help me use less energy?

By 2030, demand for electricity in the United States is expected to grow by approximately 25 percent. In the past, utilities like Duke Energy would build new power plants to keep up with the rising demand for power.

But building new power plants is expensive, and each takes years to complete. Plus, new power plants can have a negative impact on our environment.

The cleanest, most efficient power plant is the one we never have to build. If we can help our customers save energy – and save money in the process – it can reduce the demand for new power plants.


Note: Duke Energy reserves the right to revise program requirements and incentive levels at anytime. Incentives are subject to availability. For questions not addressed on the website, call 866-785-6209.