Reading Municipal Light Department

RMLD 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. Air source heat pumps are cost-effective, market ready technologies that transform how homes use energy. These technologies can not only help save you money on your utility bills but significantly decrease your carbon footprint.

Our Heat Pump Program has you covered!

Customer Assistance

Our specialist is available to answer questions and provide guidance when considering heat pump technology for your home.

Contractor List

Customers have access to a list of participating contractors who understand program requirements.

Quality Assurance

Customers are provided with a quality assurance review on installs to ensure efficient operation.

Incentives

Rebates are available to assist homeowners' transition to clean, efficient technology to cool and heat your home.

Get started today

STEP 1

Contact the Heat Pump Specialist for program information and to learn more about the benefits of heat pump adoption.

STEP 2

Work with a participating contractor to determine if a heat pump is right for you.

OPTIONAL STEP 3

Optionally, your contractor submits a pre-approval project application to Abode to verify equipment rebate eligibility.

STEP 4

Your new heating and cooling system is installed.

STEP 5

Your contractor submits a post-install form to Abode with documentation of the completed install. We review the submission for install quality and rebate eligibility.

STEP 6

The rebate is processed and customers enjoy clean, efficient cooling and heating.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION TODAY

Select the consultation type below that best suits your current needs.

"I'm thinking about heat pumps, but don't have quotes yet."

If this is your first time connecting with Abode, we recommend starting here.

  • Learn how heat pumps work
  • Explore heat pump types for your home
  • Overview of operating costs & incentives
  • Home weatherization considerations
  • Guidance on working with installers

"I already have quotes from heat pump installers."

For an objective, impartial evaluation of proposals you’ve received.

  • Compare up to 3 quotes
  • Receive an evaluation report to help you understand the proposed systems
  • If you would like to discuss the report, you'll be able to schedule time with a Specialist

"I'm looking for technical guidance on heat pumps and more."

For a technical analysis of your comprehensive electrification needs.

  • Review heat pump solutions with diagnostics when available
  • Conduct technical review and analysis of home characteristics and system performance
  • Whole-home decarbonization pathways

READING MUNICIPAL LIGHT REBATES

*NOTE: Customers who heat their homes with gas now qualify for Mass Save heat pump rebates and are not eligible for this rebate through RMLD.

The qualifying equipment and rebate application process between RMLD’s program and the Mass Save program are different, so please be sure to familiarize yourself with the eligibility requirements before installing any equipment.

REBATE REQUIREMENTS

In order 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).

RMLD's heat pump rebates for non-gas-heating customers are limited to two (2) rebates per household every twelve years. For non-gas-heating customers, in order to be eligible for a rebate through RMLD, the project must adhere to Abode’s review process.

There are four main steps to be aware of:

STEP 1: PRE-APPROVAL FORM (OPTIONAL)

Optionally, the Pre-Approval form can be completed by the contractor prior to installation. Once you have decided on a contractor and heat pump proposal to move forward with, if you would like to confirm eligibility for rebates prior to install, your installer can submit the Optional Pre-Approval Form. This form includes equipment information for the proposed heat pump system(s). Abode will verify whether the equipment meets the efficiency requirements to qualify for the MLP's rebate.

If you have multiple proposals and have not decided yet on a single proposal, rather than submitting multiple pre-approvals, we ask that you instead submit a "Quote Review" to Abode; see above for consultation offerings to submit quotes.

FILL OUT PRE-APPROVAL FORM >

STEP 2: REBATE APPLICATION

The final rebate application must be completed by the homeowner and contractor following install. The application form can be accessed at this link. The form will ask for utility account information and will also require knowing the cooling capacity of the system according to the system’s AHRI specifications, which can be provided by the contractor. Once completed, the form will need to be uploaded to the Install QA form, detailed in the step below.

STEP 3: INSTALL QA FORM
The Install QA Form must be completed after install by the contractor. In addition to requiring information on the home and the installed system(s), the form also requires a paid invoice and photos of the installed equipment.

FILL OUT INSTALL QA FORM >

STEP 4: WIRING INSPECTION

The contractor must arrange the final wiring inspection, which is scheduled through the Town Hall (e.g. Reading Town Hall, North Reading Town Hall, Lynnfield Town Hall, or Wilmington Town Hall). Once the inspection has been completed, the inspector will provide the inspection results directly to RMLD.

QUALIFYING PRODUCTS

*NOTE: All rebates will be capped at $6,000

EquipmentInstallation TypeEfficiency RequirementsRebate Amount
Ducted/Ductless Heat PumpNo existing heat pumpMust be on NEEP ccASHP List$1,000 per ton
Ducted/Ductless Heat PumpReplacing existing heat pumpMust be on NEEP ccASHP List$200 per ton

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 heat pump installer.