Montana Energy Rebates 2026
Montana's federal HOMES and HEAR rebates are administered by Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Energy Bureau, and as of July 2026 they have not launched. Montana received a conditional DOE award but the programs remain unlaunched while DEQ awaits final DOE approval. No Montana HOMES or HEAR rebate can be claimed today. The utility and weatherization programs listed further down this page are available today. The 25C and 25D federal tax credits expired December 31, 2025.
Program status and income limits on this page were last checked against official state and federal sources on . These programs change without notice.
HOMES Rebate Program in Montana
| Income Level | Max Rebate | Cost Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Low income (≤80% AMI) | Up to $8,000 | 80% of project cost |
| Moderate income (80-150% AMI) | Up to $4,000 | 50% of project cost |
| Above 150% AMI | Not eligible | N/A |
Montana received a conditional DOE award but the programs remain unlaunched while DEQ awaits final DOE approval. “The Montana Home Energy Rebates Program is not currently available.” Source: Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Energy Bureau.
Official HOMES Program PageHEAR (HEEHRA) Rebates in Montana
| Equipment | Max Rebate |
|---|---|
| Heat Pump HVAC | Up to $8,000 |
| Electrical Panel | Up to $4,000 |
| Wiring Upgrade | Up to $2,500 |
| Heat Pump Water Heater | Up to $1,750 |
| Insulation & Weatherization | Up to $1,600 |
| Electric Stove/Cooktop | Up to $840 |
Maximum total: $14,000 per household (low-income, ≤80% AMI). Moderate income (80-150% AMI) can receive up to $7,000.
Official HEAR Program PageFind Pre-Screened Installers in Montana
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Montana State Incentive Programs
NorthWestern Energy E+ Green Build Program
NorthWestern Energy offers efficiency rebates and programs for residential customers including smart thermostats and efficiency assessments. NorthWestern Energy customers can check current rebate offerings for appliances that qualify alongside federal HEAR and HOMES programs.
Learn moreMontana Weatherization Assistance Program
Federally funded weatherization services for income-qualified Montana households (at or below 200% of federal poverty level). Montana receives above-average DOE weatherization funding per capita due to severe winters and rural housing conditions. Delivered through local Human Resource Councils and Community Action Agencies.
Learn moreArea Median Income (AMI) in Montana
HOMES and HEAR rebate amounts depend on your household income relative to the Area Median Income in your area. AMI varies by county and household size.
| Area | 80% AMI (Family of 4) | 150% AMI (Family of 4) |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowstone County | $85,450 | $160,200 |
| Gallatin County | $104,150 | $195,200 |
| Missoula County | $86,650 | $162,400 |
| Flathead County | $81,200 | $152,200 |
| Cascade County | $72,800 | $136,500 |
| Lewis and Clark County | $94,150 | $176,500 |
Eligibility is set by county and household size. The 80% figures are the HUD FY2026 income limits published for each county and are reproduced as-is. HUD does not publish a 150% limit, so that column is computed from the 80% limit; checked against Minnesota's official 2026 county table, the method lands within $200 on every county, but where your state publishes its own table, that table governs. Figures are for a 4-person household and change with household size.
Use Our Calculator to Check EligibilityBefore you spend money on this
Energy Rebate Calculator is an independent website. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the U.S. Department of Energy, Montana, or any other government agency, and nothing on this page is an offer, an application, or a promise of payment.
Federal and state rebate programs launch, pause, change their amounts and run out of funds without notice, and eligibility rules differ by county, household size, housing type and sometimes by region within a state. Most programs also refuse to pay for work completed before their launch date. Figures here are published to help you understand roughly where you stand, not to be relied on as the final word.
Confirm your eligibility and the current terms directly with the administering agency, and get written confirmation, before you sign a contract or buy equipment. Where this page cites an official source, that source governs. If you spot something out of date on this page, tell us and we will correct it.
Data vintage. The rebate data on this page was last updated on . We publish this date so you can judge for yourself how current the figures are.
Frequently Asked Questions
What energy rebates are available in Montana in 2026?
Montana homeowners in 2026 can access: (1) Federal HEAR rebates for cold-climate heat pumps (up to $8,000), heat pump water heaters ($1,750), insulation ($1,600), and electrical panels ($4,000) for income-qualified households (≤150% AMI); (2) HOMES whole-home performance rebates up to $8,000; (3) NorthWestern Energy utility programs; (4) Free weatherization for income-qualified households. The 25C and 25D federal tax credits expired December 31, 2025.
Are federal tax credits still available in Montana?
No. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA, P.L. 119-21, signed July 4, 2025) terminated the Section 25C and 25D federal energy tax credits for installations after December 31, 2025. For 2026 installations, HEAR and HOMES are the primary federal incentive paths.
Can heat pumps work in Montana's harsh winters?
Yes, with the right cold-climate heat pump. Montana winters can reach -30°F to -40°F in some locations. Cold-climate heat pumps with ENERGY STAR cold-climate certification are rated to -13°F, handling most Montana winters. For extreme cold events, electric backup heat (built into most heat pump systems) activates automatically. Many Montana installations use a dual-fuel approach: cold-climate heat pump + existing propane/gas backup for the coldest nights. Given propane's high cost, replacing propane heating with a heat pump + HEAR rebate ($8,000 for qualifying households) often has excellent ROI.
Who administers HEAR and HOMES in Montana?
Montana's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) administers both programs. Contact Montana DEQ or visit their website for participating contractors and current program status. Montana's Human Resource Councils and Community Action Agencies provide weatherization services for income-qualified households.
Is propane-to-heat-pump conversion especially valuable in Montana?
Yes. Montana has significant rural propane-heated homes, and propane is expensive (often $3–5/gallon). Switching from propane heat to a cold-climate heat pump, even with Montana's relatively low electric rates (~11¢/kWh), typically reduces annual heating costs by 40–60%. The HEAR rebate (up to $8,000 for qualifying households) makes the upfront investment much more manageable, often producing payback in 5–8 years.
How to Claim Your Montana Rebates
