Can I get a free furnace or air conditioner replacement?

There is no universal federal grant that gives every homeowner a free furnace or air conditioner. Several programs may help an eligible household with heating or cooling, but each uses a different decision: LIHEAP follows a state, territory, or Tribal plan; Weatherization Assistance uses an energy audit and cost-effectiveness rules; federal Home Energy Rebates operate through launched local programs; utilities define eligible customers and equipment; and city emergency-repair programs set their own property and income rules.

If the system has failed during dangerous weather, start with the local emergency route rather than shopping around a promised rebate. Report loss of heat or medically necessary cooling to the local LIHEAP or crisis office, utility, 211 service, and relevant city or county emergency-repair office. A safety emergency can affect priority, but it does not guarantee approval, a particular equipment type, or a completion date.

The Grant Map catalogs local records and does not run these programs. In our July 20 loose keyword check, 18,037 of 56,956 city-associated records carried at least one configured heating- or cooling-related keyword. Those are cataloged occurrences that can include overlaps, broader rehabilitation records, missing context, or stale fields, so they do not establish an open HVAC benefit or a count of unique programs. Treat any match as a lead to verify with the administrator.

Which programs may help with furnace or AC costs?

Can LIHEAP replace a furnace or air conditioner?

The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps eligible lower-income households with home energy costs. Grant recipients design benefits within federal law. Some local plans include heating-system repair, emergency replacement, cooling assistance, weatherization, or minor energy-related home repairs. Others focus on bill assistance or operate equipment help only during a defined crisis.

That local variation means a national statement such as “LIHEAP pays for a free furnace” is not reliable. Ask the serving office:

• Does the current plan include furnace, boiler, heat-pump, room-AC, or central-AC repair or replacement?
• What condition counts as a crisis, and is a shutoff notice or unsafe equipment report required?
• Must the applicant own the equipment or property, or can a renter apply?
• Will the office inspect, select a contractor, issue a vendor payment, or set a maximum?
• May work begin before written authorization?
• Is intake open and is funding currently available?

Use the official LIHEAP local office search and our LIHEAP application guide. If the request is a bill crisis rather than equipment failure, describe both issues because they may follow different benefit tracks.

Can Weatherization Assistance pay for HVAC work?

Potentially, when the local WAP process selects it. The Department of Energy's whole-house weatherization description includes cleaning, tuning, repairing, or replacing heating and cooling systems among typical mechanical measures. Yet WAP does not operate like a retail coupon. After eligibility and waitlist steps, an energy auditor evaluates the home. Program-approved software, health and safety rules, and local policies determine a cost-effective work scope.

Air sealing or insulation may be selected before equipment because the home's heating and cooling load can change. A provider may repair an existing unit rather than replace it, choose another approved measure, require landlord permission, or defer the home until a serious condition is corrected. The homeowner should not buy a system expecting WAP to reimburse it. Follow the Weatherization Assistance application steps and wait for written instructions.

Who may meet WAP's income screen?

DOE's current application page states that households at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines or receiving Supplemental Security Income are considered eligible under DOE guidelines. It also says a state or territory may elect to use the LIHEAP eligibility criterion of 60 percent of state median income. The local provider decides which current rule, income definition, priority, documentation, and waitlist apply.

Can HOMES or HEEHR help with a heat pump?

The Department of Energy now calls the two federal programs Home Owner Managing Energy Savings Rebates (HOMES) and High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate (HEEHR). They are delivered by states, territories, and Tribes. A federal allocation or approved state plan does not mean consumer applications are open. Confirm launch status through the official local program.

HOMES supports qualifying whole-home projects based on modeled energy savings. DOE says rebates can reach $8,000 in certain low- or moderate-income cases, but that figure is a federal program ceiling, not a guaranteed award. Heating and cooling equipment can be part of a project, while the approved model, project design, eligible costs, income tier, contractor, and local budget determine the actual rebate.

HEEHR has item-specific maximums, including a statutory heat-pump cap that can reach $8,000 for a qualifying household and project. Again, the cap is not a promise. DOE Program Notice 26-2, effective May 29, 2026, removed the earlier fuel-switching allowance. For existing-home heating, cooling, and appliance projects, do not assume that replacing a gas, propane, or oil system with electric equipment qualifies. Ask the local administrator to apply the current existing-equipment rule to the exact home and proposed product before signing or paying.

Older search results may use the names Home Efficiency Rebates or Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates. They may also describe a previous version of HEEHR guidance. Save the current state terms and confirm whether an earlier reservation is governed by a transition rule.

How do utility HVAC rebates work?

Utilities often define eligible heat pumps, central air conditioners, smart thermostats, tune-ups, or heating equipment by model, efficiency rating, fuel, customer class, and installation date. Some offers pay the customer after installation. Some discount at the contractor or distributor. Some are income-qualified. Some require the old unit to be operating or removed, and many require a participating contractor or preapproval.

Before choosing equipment, verify all of the following in the official terms:

1. The electric or gas account and installation address are in the service territory.
2. The exact model and system combination appear on any required product list.
3. The installer has every required license or program credential.
4. A load calculation, energy assessment, reservation, or preapproval happens before purchase.
5. Labor, electrical upgrades, duct work, permits, and disposal are either eligible or excluded.
6. The application deadline and installation deadline are both achievable.
7. The budget is available and the administrator explains when funds become reserved.
8. Other rebates are disclosed and allocated without paying the same cost twice.

Use DSIRE for discovery if helpful, then go to the administering utility page. Also screen energy-assistance records and your city page for local leads.

What about city, county, nonprofit, or emergency programs?

A local owner-occupied rehabilitation program may treat a failed heating system as an emergency or health and safety repair. The benefit might be a grant, deferred loan, forgivable loan, contractor-delivered service, or ordinary loan. Income, ownership, occupancy, taxes, title, insurance, property type, application window, and repayment terms vary. No CDBG-funded local program has a universal national homeowner rule just because its funding source is federal.

Community action agencies, aging organizations, disability groups, and nonprofits may operate small repair programs or make referrals. A national name does not guarantee a service in every county. Ask the local affiliate what it provides, whether there is a cost, who owns the work contract, and how contractors are selected.

Do homeowner energy tax credits apply to a 2026 installation?

The IRS states that the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit under section 25C is not allowed for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. It also states that section 25D is not allowed for expenditures after December 31, 2025. A contractor page that still advertises the former heat-pump or central-AC credit may be stale. Do not subtract that old credit from a 2026 quote. A qualified tax adviser can address prior-year installations, payment timing, carryforwards, or another credit.

What should I do when the system fails?

1. Address immediate safety. Follow emergency guidance from local authorities and the utility. Do not run combustion appliances, generators, or temporary heaters in an unsafe way.
2. Document the condition. Keep the technician's diagnosis, model and serial information, photos, shutoff notices, and dates. Do not send sensitive records to an unverified contact.
3. Call the local crisis and WAP providers. Ask whether emergency work before authorization would be ineligible.
4. Check utility and state rebate status. Confirm current product and preapproval rules before accepting a proposal.
5. Get written proposals. Separate equipment, labor, permits, duct, electrical, disposal, warranty, and financing costs.
6. Ask each administrator to allocate costs. Do not assume programs can be stacked or that published maximums cover the bid.
7. Read financing terms. If assistance does not cover the project, compare total repayment, rate, fees, security, dealer markup, and cancellation rights. Our home repair loans guide explains major options.

Official sources

• HHS Office of Community Services, LIHEAP
• HHS LIHEAP local office search
• Department of Energy, how to apply for weatherization
• Department of Energy, whole-house weatherization measures
• Department of Energy, Home Energy Rebates Program
• Department of Energy, HEEHR Program Notice 26-2
• IRS, current home energy credit expirations

Frequently asked questions

Is there a federal grant for a free furnace or AC?

There is no universal federal grant that promises free heating or cooling equipment to every homeowner. LIHEAP, WAP, Home Energy Rebates, utilities, and local repair programs may help under separate current rules.

Will Weatherization Assistance replace my furnace?

It may repair, tune, or replace heating or cooling equipment when the local provider's energy audit and program rules select that measure. Income eligibility alone does not promise replacement.

Can HEEHR pay for a heat pump replacing a gas furnace?

Do not assume so. DOE Program Notice 26-2 removed the earlier fuel-switching allowance. Ask the launched local program to apply its current existing-equipment and product rules before purchase.

Does LIHEAP pay for central air conditioning?

Some local plans provide cooling assistance, crisis benefits, or limited equipment help, while others do not. The local LIHEAP office must confirm the current benefit and funding.

Is the former federal HVAC tax credit available for a 2026 installation?

The IRS says section 25C is not allowed for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. Do not rely on an older contractor or incentive page for a new 2026 installation.

Researched July 15, 2026. The Grant Map is a free bilingual research directory and contractor-introduction platform. It screens possible matches and provides research leads. It does not submit applications, hold or disburse grant funds, or decide eligibility. The program administrator decides eligibility, funding, timing, and the application outcome. The Grant Map does not guarantee approval.