Get Up to $4,000 Back on Your Panel Upgrade
The federal HEAR program (formerly HEEHRA) covers up to $4,000 of your electrical panel upgrade — and Smart Main Panel qualifies. Low- and moderate-income households get the most savings.
Rebates vary by state and income level. Availability depends on your state program launch status. Not all states are active.
What Is the HEAR / HEEHRA Program?
The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) program — originally named HEEHRA, the High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act — is a $4.5 billion federal initiative created under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
Unlike tax credits, HEAR provides point-of-sale rebates — meaning the savings are applied upfront at the time of installation, not after you file your taxes. You see the savings immediately.
The program is administered by individual state energy offices. Each state applies for its federal allocation, then launches its own rebate portal and contractor registration process. Rebate amounts and eligible equipment are set at the federal level.
The electrical panel upgrade — officially called the "Electric Load Service Center" — is one of the program's covered upgrades, with a maximum rebate of $4,000 per household. No ENERGY STAR certification is required for the panel itself.
Funded Through 2031
$4.5 billion in federal appropriations available through 2031. The program is backed by law and cannot be cancelled by executive action alone.
No ENERGY STAR Required for Panels
Unlike heat pump rebates, the panel upgrade rebate does not require ENERGY STAR certification — simplifying the qualification process for Smart Main Panel.
State-Administered Rebates
Each state energy office runs its own program. Registered contractors apply rebates at point of sale — the savings show up immediately on your installation invoice.
Upfront Savings — Not a Tax Refund
HEAR rebates are applied at the point of sale by your installer, not after filing taxes. You pay less on day one, not months later.
Every Upgrade Covered Under HEAR
The HEAR program covers a full suite of home electrification upgrades. Stack multiple rebates in one project to maximize your total savings — up to $14,000 per household.
Electrical Panel Upgrade
Upgrade your home's main panel or load service center. No ENERGY STAR certification required. Smart Main Panel qualifies directly.
Heat Pump (Heating & Cooling)
Replace a gas or oil HVAC system with a high-efficiency electric heat pump. The single largest available rebate in the program.
Heat Pump Water Heater
Replace your gas water heater with an ENERGY STAR certified heat pump water heater. Cuts water heating energy use by up to 70%.
Electric Wiring
Upgrade home electrical wiring to support new high-load appliances and vehicles. Often paired with a panel upgrade for full electrification.
Insulation, Air Sealing & Ventilation
Improve home envelope efficiency to reduce heating and cooling loads, lowering the size and cost of electrification equipment needed.
Electric Stove / Induction Range
Replace a gas stove with an electric or induction range. Eliminates indoor air pollution from combustion and qualifies for a federal rebate.
How Much Can You Get Back?
HEAR rebate amounts are determined by your household income relative to the Area Median Income (AMI) in your county. The lower your income, the more the program covers.
AMI varies by county and family size. Use the HUD AMI Lookup Tool to find your county's income limits.
Why Your Panel Upgrade Is the Most Strategic Move
The electrical panel is the foundation of every home electrification project. Without the right panel, you can't add EVs, solar, battery storage, or modern appliances efficiently.
EV Charging Ready
EV Level 2 charging requires a dedicated 240V circuit drawing 40–50 amps. Most older panels can't support this alongside existing loads without a panel upgrade.
Solar & Battery Storage
Solar inverters and battery systems like Powerwall require dedicated breaker space and sufficient amperage. An upgraded smart panel manages these loads automatically.
Heat Pump Compatibility
Modern heat pumps draw 30–60 amps depending on capacity. Homes with gas HVAC often need panel upgrades before a heat pump can be installed to qualify for additional rebates.
Energy Monitoring & Control
Smart Main Panel monitors every circuit in real time, giving you visibility into what's consuming power and the ability to remotely control loads — reducing waste and lowering bills.
Safety & Code Compliance
Panels older than 20–25 years may have outdated breakers, aluminum wiring, or insufficient capacity. A modern panel brings your home up to current NEC code requirements.
Home Value & Resale
A 200A smart panel upgrade increases the resale value and marketability of your home — particularly as more buyers arrive with EVs and expect electrification-ready infrastructure.
Smart Main Panel — 8 Components Replaced by One
Smart Main Panel is a US-built, UL-certified all-in-one electrical command center. It consolidates eight separate components into a single streamlined unit — and qualifies as an Electric Load Service Center upgrade under the federal HEAR rebate program.
Unlike a standard panel swap, SMP integrates solar, battery, metering, and smart controls into one package — reducing wiring complexity, installation time, and cost while giving you full visibility and control over your home's energy.
| Feature | Smart Main Panel | SPAN | Square D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in Solar Load Center | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Built-in AC Disconnect | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Main Meter Included | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Manual Load Transfers | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| UL Certified | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Made in USA | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Starting Price | from $1,650 | from $2,500 | from $5,000+ |
Choose the Right SMP for Your Home
All models are UL certified, NEMA 3R rated, and eligible for the HEAR panel upgrade rebate. Choose based on your connection type and metering needs.
Control Everything from Your Phone
Pair Smart Breakers with any SMP model for full circuit-level control and monitoring via the SMP app.
Remote Circuit Control
Toggle any circuit on or off anytime, from anywhere. Full control from your phone — no need to go to the panel.
Real-Time Energy Insights
See real-time and historical production and usage data for every circuit. Identify what's costing you money and optimize accordingly.
Smart Scheduling
Automate home functions on a schedule — run EV charging, laundry, or HVAC during off-peak rate hours to save money automatically.
Vacation Mode
Simulate occupancy by toggling lights on and off on a schedule — adding a layer of home security while you're away.
How the HEAR Rebate Process Works
We make it simple. From eligibility check to completed installation, our team walks you through every step of securing your federal rebate.
Verify Eligibility
We check your household income against your county's AMI. You'll know your rebate tier (100% or 50% coverage) before anything is scheduled.
Get Your Quote
We provide a full installation quote with the HEAR rebate amount applied. You see exactly what you pay after the federal rebate — upfront, not after taxes.
Schedule Installation
Our licensed electricians handle permits, installation, and inspection. Same-week scheduling available in most areas. We handle all the rebate paperwork.
Save on Day One
The rebate is applied directly to your installation invoice by your contractor. Your out-of-pocket cost is reduced immediately — no waiting for a check or tax refund.
Is HEAR Available in Your State?
The HEAR program is administered by each state energy office. Launch timelines vary. Below is the current status for key states.
Active Programs
Live🔵 California: some regions fully reserved / waitlist active
⚠️ Montana — Not Yet Active
Montana's HEAR program is not currently available. The program requires final U.S. Department of Energy approval before it can launch.
Current status: Montana DEQ submitted its implementation application to DOE in November 2024. The application is currently "pended" at DOE. Planning work was temporarily paused in February 2025 pending updated program guidance.
Conditional funding of approximately $49.7 million was awarded to Montana in January 2025, but funds cannot be accessed until DOE approves the implementation award.
There is no announced launch date as of June 2026.
Official Montana DEQ SourceLaunching in 2026
UpcomingHEAR Rebate FAQ
Everything you need to know about the federal HEAR program, eligibility, and how Smart Main Panel fits in.
Claim Your $4,000 Rebate Before Funds Run Out
HEAR rebates are first-come, first-served within each state's allocation. Some states have already exhausted their funding. Contact us today to check availability in your area and lock in your savings.
Program Disclaimer: The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) program is federally funded under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and administered by individual state energy offices. Rebate availability, amounts, and eligibility requirements vary by state and are subject to change without notice. Program funding is limited and subject to availability. Montana's HEAR program is not currently active and requires final DOE approval before rollout — there is no confirmed launch date as of June 2026. Income eligibility is based on Area Median Income (AMI) for your county and household size. Smart Main Panel and LA Solar Group do not administer HEAR rebates and are not responsible for rebate approval, denial, or changes in program availability. Consult your state energy office or a qualified tax professional for current eligibility information. Sources: energystar.gov, Montana DEQ.