Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress, which together serve most North Carolina homes, pay a rebate on qualifying high-efficiency heat pumps and central air conditioners through their residential Smart $aver programs; as reported for 2026 the heat pump rebate is in the range of $500 for a like-for-like heat pump replacement and higher (roughly $600–$1,000) when a heat pump replaces electric resistance heat, with smaller amounts for high-efficiency central AC and for smart thermostats, attic insulation and duct sealing. The rebate is not income-tested, it stacks with Energy Saver NC for households that qualify for both, and it is the main incentive for households above the state program’s income limits.
What qualifies (as reported)
| Measure | Reported 2026 rebate | Typical requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Heat pump replacing an existing heat pump | ~$500 | ENERGY STAR / high SEER2 with ECM blower |
| Heat pump replacing electric resistance (strip) heat | ~$600–$1,000 by efficiency tier | Higher tiers earn more |
| High-efficiency central AC | ~$300–$500 | Efficiency tier above minimum |
| Heat pump water heater | ~$350–$800 | ENERGY STAR |
| Smart thermostat, attic insulation, duct sealing | smaller amounts | Program-specific |
Equipment must be installed by a licensed contractor and, for most measures, by one participating in Duke’s trade-ally program; DIY installs don’t qualify.
How to apply
In practice the contractor handles it: they confirm the model qualifies, complete the application after installation, and the rebate arrives as a bill credit or check. Ask before you sign whether the contractor is a Duke Energy participating contractor and whether they’ll file the rebate; the answer belongs on your pre-signing checklist. Keep the invoice with model and serial numbers and the AHRI certificate for the matched system.
How it stacks
Duke Energy rebates and Energy Saver NC come from different funding sources and can be claimed on the same heat pump; the state program’s rule is that combined rebates can’t exceed the purchase price. There is no federal credit to add for 2026 installs. Order of operations and a worked example are on the rebate stacking page; the NC heat pump cost page shows what typical installs net to after both.
Other North Carolina utilities
If your bill isn’t from Duke, check your provider directly: municipal utilities (Fayetteville PWC, Greenville Utilities, ElectriCities members) and electric cooperatives (EnergyUnited, Piedmont Electric, Blue Ridge Energy and others) run their own heat pump rebate programs with different amounts and rules. Gas-heated homes may have furnace rebates through Piedmont Natural Gas or Dominion Energy NC. Each city registry page names the utility serving that city.