Go Green This St. Patrick’s Day - And Save Money Doing it ☘️

Smart home upgrades for southern New Hampshire homeowners who want to lower bills, boost home value, and maybe find a little luck along the way.

Every March 17th we dress up in green, raise a glass, and celebrate all things Irish. But what if this St. Patrick's Day you channeled that green spirit into something that keeps paying you back long after the shamrock decorations come down? We're talking about green home upgrades — solar panels, heat pumps, EV chargers, and energy efficiency improvements that can lower your monthly bills, increase your home's value, and reduce your carbon footprint.

Here in southern New Hampshire, where heating oil and propane costs sting every winter and electricity rates are among the highest in the country, going green isn't just good for the planet — it's good for your wallet. Let's take a look at your options.

☀️ Solar Panels: Your Pot of Gold on the Roof

Think of solar panels as your own personal pot of gold — one that refills itself every sunny day. New Hampshire homeowners who go solar are locking in lower electricity costs for the next 25–30 years. And with New England's electricity rates continuing to climb, the long-term math is increasingly compelling.

Here's what you need to know right now:

• The 30% federal solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired on December 31, 2025. Many websites still advertise it — make sure any installer you talk to is giving you current information.

• Net metering is still alive and well in NH. All three major investor-owned utilities (Eversource, Liberty, Unitil) offer it. Excess credits carry forward indefinitely, so summer sunshine offsets your winter bills.

• NH's solar property tax exemption still applies. Solar panels can raise your home's value — and if your town has adopted this exemption, you won't pay extra property tax on that added value.

• Battery storage is worth considering. Eversource's ConnectedSolutions Program can pay you around $230 per kWh for allowing your battery to support the grid during summer peak hours.

☘️ Heat Pumps: Lucky for Your Heating AND Cooling Bills

If there's one upgrade that's been catching fire across southern NH, it's heat pumps. These systems heat your home in winter and cool it in summer — often for a fraction of what oil or propane costs. Modern cold-climate heat pumps work efficiently even in our frosty New Hampshire winters.

What's available right now:

• Federal tax credit (25C): A 30% federal tax credit on heat pumps and heat pump water heaters is still in effect, capped at $2,000. Note: Recent federal legislation is affecting some IRA tax incentives — check the NHSaves website or consult a tax advisor for the latest deadline information.

• NHSaves rebates: Through your utility (Eversource, Liberty, NH Electric Co-op, or Unitil), NHSaves offers rebates on qualified heat pump systems. Note that heat pump models using older R410A refrigerants are being phased out of eligibility — confirm your model qualifies before purchasing.

• HEAR Program coming mid-summer 2026: NH's Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates program — funded by $34.7 million in IRA formula grants — is expected to launch in mid-summer 2026. It will offer rebates on heat pumps and other electric appliances for households earning up to 150% of area median income. Projects must be started after the official launch to qualify, so don't rush to install hoping to capture this one retroactively.

• Free energy audit: Before you invest in a heat pump, schedule a free home energy audit through NHSaves (nhsaves.com). An auditor can assess your insulation and air sealing first, which reduces the load — and the size and cost — of the system you'll need.

⚡ EV Chargers: Charge Up Your Luck

More southern NH homeowners are going electric on four wheels — and a Level 2 home charger is the upgrade that makes it all convenient. No more relying on public charging stations or slow overnight trickle charging. With a Level 2 charger, you'll wake up every morning with a full "tank."

Incentives to know:

• Federal charger tax credit: The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit (30C) offers residential homeowners up to $1,000 toward the cost of purchasing and installing a home EV charger.

• NH Electric Co-op (NHEC) rebate: NHEC offers a $300 rebate for residential members who install a Level 2 charger. Pair it with their EV charging rate — which prices electricity lower during off-peak hours — and the savings stack up quickly. NHEC also offers rebates of up to $1,000 toward the purchase or lease of a new EV.

• Eversource infrastructure support: Eversource customers can get help with the utility infrastructure side of the charger installation. You cover the charger itself; they handle connecting it to the grid.

Start with the Basics: Efficiency First

Before you invest in solar or a heat pump, the smartest move is often the least glamorous one: tighten up your home's envelope. Air sealing and insulation upgrades reduce the amount of energy you need in the first place — which means whatever clean energy system you install can be smaller and cheaper.

• NHSaves offers rebates on insulation, air sealing, and efficient water heaters through your utility provider. Visit nhsaves.com to get started.

• The federal 25C tax credit also covers electrical panel upgrades needed to support new electric systems — up to 30% of costs, capped at $600. This matters if your panel is older and undersized for modern electrification.

• A home energy audit is the best first step. It's often low-cost or free through NHSaves, and it tells you exactly where to focus your investment for the biggest impact.

🍀 The Luck of the Prepared

Here's the thing about luck: the homeowners who benefit most from green upgrades aren't the ones who got lucky. They're the ones who did their homework, acted before incentives changed, and made smart decisions about their homes as long-term investments.

The landscape for incentives is shifting — the federal solar tax credit is gone, some IRA credits face uncertainty, and new programs like the HEAR rebates are just around the corner. The best time to explore your options is now, before the spring contractor rush hits and before you're scrambling to meet program deadlines.

So this St. Patrick's Day, while you're thinking green, think about making your home greener too. Your future self — the one with lower energy bills and a more valuable, comfortable home — will thank you.

Ready to explore what's right for your home?

Start with a free home energy audit at nhsaves.com, or reach out — I’d be happy to talk through what green upgrades make sense for your property and your goals.

A note on incentives: Tax incentive programs change frequently. Always consult a qualified tax professional and verify current program details at nhsaves.com and energy.nh.gov before making purchasing decisions.