ComEd & Nicor HVAC Rebates: 2026 Guide

Utility rebates are the closest thing to free money in an HVAC replacement, and yet they are the part homeowners most often leave on the table. The rules are not complicated once someone lays them out plainly, but the deadlines are real and the paperwork is unforgiving. This guide covers the two programs most North Shore homeowners deal with - ComEd on the electric side and Nicor Gas on the gas side - plus the North Shore Gas wrinkle that trips people up, and a step-by-step on how to actually get the money.

One note up front: every amount below is a typical figure that changes. Programs update their dollar values and eligibility rules regularly, so verify the current numbers with your utility before you buy anything. Treat this as a map, not a contract.

The simplest way to think about it

There is one rule that clears up most confusion: the electric utility rebates electric equipment, and the gas utility rebates gas equipment.

• ComEd is your electric utility. It rebates heat pumps - the electric heating-and-cooling equipment.
• Nicor Gas (or North Shore Gas, depending on your town) is your gas utility. It rebates high-efficiency gas furnaces, combi boilers, and smart thermostats.

A gas utility will never rebate a heat pump, and the electric utility does not rebate your furnace. Keep that straight and the rest falls into place.

ComEd: the electric side

ComEd's residential program is built around efficient electric equipment, and for HVAC that means heat pumps. As a 2026 planning figure, the heat pump rebate lands roughly in the $1,400 to $2,000 range. A few specifics that matter:

• Tonnage-tiered. As of March 1, 2026, the rebate is tiered by the heating capacity (tonnage) of the equipment, so a larger system may qualify for a different amount than a smaller one.
• Cold-climate floor. The equipment generally has to meet ENERGY STAR cold-climate performance standards. A basic builder-grade heat pump usually will not qualify. In our climate you want a cold-climate unit anyway.
• Trade ally requirement. The install typically has to be done by a ComEd Residential Heating & Cooling Trade Ally. This is one of the easiest ways to accidentally disqualify yourself, so confirm your installer's status before work begins.

For how the ComEd rebate fits into the full cost of a heat pump, see our heat pump cost and rebates breakdown, and for the equipment itself, our heat pump installation service.

Nicor Gas: the gas side

Nicor's rebates reward high-efficiency gas equipment. Typical 2026 figures:

• ~$225 for a qualifying 97% AFUE furnace. High-efficiency condensing furnaces this efficient need PVC venting and a condensate drain, which is a normal part of the upgrade.
• Up to ~$500 for a qualifying combination boiler (a combi that handles both space heating and domestic hot water).
• Up to ~$100 for a qualifying ENERGY STAR smart thermostat.

Nicor generally gives you about 90 days from the install date to file. That window is generous compared to some programs, but it still passes quickly once life gets busy, so file early. If a furnace is on your list, our furnace replacement service and is a high-efficiency furnace worth it article are worth a look. For boilers, see boiler replacement.

The North Shore Gas caveat

Not every North Shore town is served by Nicor. Some are served by North Shore Gas instead. The programs are similar in spirit but run separately, with their own qualifying equipment lists and their own deadlines - and some programs require documents within 30 days, which is far tighter than Nicor's 90.

The fix is simple: check your gas bill to see which utility actually serves your address before you assume anything. Do not guess based on your neighbor, because service territories do not always follow town lines.

Program summary table

Amounts change - verify with your utility before purchase.

How to actually claim your rebate

Rebates get lost in the details, not the concept. Here is the sequence that keeps you eligible.

1. Confirm your utilities. Check your electric bill (almost certainly ComEd) and your gas bill (Nicor or North Shore Gas). You may deal with two different rebate programs for one project.
2. Pick qualifying equipment first. Decide on equipment that meets the program's efficiency floors before you sign anything. A near-miss on efficiency means zero rebate, not a partial one.
3. Use an eligible installer. For ComEd's heat pump rebate especially, the work must be done by an approved trade ally. Confirm this in writing before work starts.
4. Save every document. Keep the itemized invoice, the equipment model numbers, and the AHRI certificate for matched systems. These are what the program actually checks.
5. File within the window. Nicor is roughly 90 days; some North Shore Gas programs are 30. Mark the deadline the day of install and submit early.

One thing that is no longer on the menu

Homeowners sometimes ask how these utility rebates stack with the federal tax credit. Important 2026 fact: the federal 25C tax credit expired for equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025. It is not available for 2026 installs. Utility rebates from ComEd and Nicor are what remain for this year's buyers. We cover exactly who can still claim 25C, and who cannot, in our federal 25C status article.

Stacking is still worth doing where it applies - for example, a dual-fuel project might earn a ComEd heat pump rebate and a small Nicor furnace rebate on the furnace portion - but each program has its own paperwork and its own deadline.

Rebates are real money, but they reward the organized. A licensed, insured installer who knows these programs can steer you toward qualifying equipment and hand you the documents you need. Request a free estimate or call (847) 752-4418, and we will make sure the rebate paperwork is part of the plan, not an afterthought.