How to Use the NEEP Cold-Climate Heat Pump List (and Why Rebates Depend on It)
October 31, 2026
Use the NEEP list to confirm your exact heat pump pairing before you sign, because many cold-climate rebates check the specific outdoor and indoor match, not the brand. To check yours, search the exact outdoor and indoor model numbers, or the AHRI number, at ashp.neep.org.
Once the listing matches your quote, read the maximum heating capacity at 5°F, since some programs size the rebate from it. Shopping for a system? The quick match quiz below points you to a mini split that fits your space.
Shopping for a cold-weather mini split?
Filterbuy's single-zone mini splits are rated for heating down to 5°F and are AHRI certified. If your rebate requires a NEEP listing, check the exact pairing before you buy.
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Answer a few quick questions and we'll match you to the right system.
TL;DR
The NEEP Cold-Climate Air Source Heat Pump (ccASHP) List is a free, searchable database of heat pumps that meet a 5°F performance specification, and many New York and New England rebates require a system on it. To check yours, search the exact outdoor and indoor model numbers or the AHRI number at ashp.neep.org. Once the listing matches the quote, look at its maximum heating capacity at 5°F.
Key Takeaways
Listed home heat pumps deliver a coefficient of performance (COP) above 1.75 at 5°F at maximum capacity.
Rebates check the exact match, meaning the specific outdoor and indoor unit pairing rather than the brand.
5°F maximum capacity is the first number to read, since some programs size the rebate from it.
A listing reflects lab airflow. In Filterbuy's experience, a clogged filter at home can pull performance below it.
What Is the NEEP Cold-Climate Heat Pump List?
The NEEP cold-climate heat pump list is a free, public database of air-source heat pumps that meet the NEEP specification for heating in cold weather. Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP), a nonprofit based in Woburn, Massachusetts, has run the ccASHP Specification and Product List since 2015.
When readers ask Filterbuy whether a heat pump will work in cold climates, our answer is that two units from the same brand and tonnage can perform very differently at 5°F, and the NEEP list makes that difference visible. Under Specification Version 4.0, effective January 1, 2023, a listed heat pump must:
Use a variable-capacity compressor and carry AHRI 210/240 certification.
Reach a COP above 1.75 at 5°F at maximum capacity.
Meet HSPF2 ≥ 8.5 (non-ducted) or ≥ 7.7 (ducted).
NEEP reported 40,000+ listed systems from over 100 brands in 2025.
Why Do Heat Pump Rebates Depend on the NEEP List?
Rebates depend on the NEEP list because program administrators want model-level evidence of cold-weather performance before paying out. Standard HSPF2 heat pump efficiency ratings are seasonal averages, so they don't show how a unit performs at 5°F.
In the rebate sheets Filterbuy reviewed for this guide, cold-climate programs named the list directly. NEEP lists programs that reference its list for incentives, including Burlington Electric, NYSERDA and Rhode Island Energy, and NYS Clean Heat utilities such as Avangrid state that each unit in the system must be on the NEEP Product List.
The list can also decide how big your check is. NYSEG's NYS Clean Heat framework (revised 9/24) pays $800 per 10,000 Btu/h of maximum heating capacity at 5°F as documented on the NEEP list for full-load systems, capped at 120% of the building heating load. When our team ran the numbers, oversizing stopped paying quickly. In a hypothetical home with a 20,000 Btu/h heating load and a system listed at 30,000 Btu/h, the uncapped figure would be $2,400, but the cap holds it to about $1,920. Your program sets the actual amount.
How Do You Search the NEEP List by Model Number?
To search the NEEP list, type your outdoor unit model, indoor unit model or AHRI certificate number into the AHRI/Model/Unit box at ashp.neep.org.
Pull the exact model numbers from your quote. You need the outdoor model and every indoor model, plus the AHRI reference number if available.
Start with the outdoor unit model. NEEP's tools guide notes that the outdoor unit drives heating capacity, so results are grouped around it.
Uncheck "Limit search to one result per unique outdoor unit." The box is on by default and hides other indoor pairings, which can make a listed system look unlisted.
Match the full combination. Brand, outdoor model, indoor model(s) and ducting configuration should all line up with your quote, because a listed outdoor unit paired with an unlisted indoor head may not qualify.
Save the product detail page. It holds the full performance table and any ENERGY STAR badges.
How Do You Read 5°F Capacity on a NEEP Listing?
Go to the 5°F row of the heating performance table and read the Maximum column. That figure, in Btu/h, is the most heat the system delivers at 5°F outdoors, and the COP beside it tells you how efficiently it does so.
| Column | What It Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum (Btu/h) | Lowest steady output before cycling off | Lower means steadier comfort on mild days |
| Rated (Btu/h) | Output at the standard AHRI test point | The 47°F baseline for capacity ratio |
| Maximum (Btu/h) | Highest output the unit can sustain | Rebates and sizing rely on the 5°F maximum |
| COP | Heat delivered per unit of electricity | Must exceed 1.75 at 5°F to be listed |
Illustrative guide to the heating performance grid on a NEEP ccASHP listing. Source: NEEP Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump Specification, Version 4.0.
Filterbuy's 3-number check (illustrative numbers, not a real model). We boil the listing down to three figures:
Match: the AHRI number on the quote is the same one on the listing.
Coverage: the 5°F maximum (say 11,700 Btu/h at a COP of 2.1) meets the Manual J heating load at your design temperature (say 11,000 Btu/h).
Retention: 11,700 ÷ 13,000 Btu/h rated at 47°F = 90%, above the 70% ENERGY STAR Cold Climate floor.
If your design temperature falls below 5°F, check the lowest cataloged row and plan backup heat.
A fourth number for comfort: turndown. NEEP listings include a turndown ratio (maximum output divided by minimum). A higher ratio lets the unit throttle down on mild days rather than short-cycle.
NEEP List vs. ENERGY STAR Cold Climate: What's the Difference?
The NEEP list is a regional product database, while ENERGY STAR Cold Climate is a federal certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Both screen for a COP of 1.75 at 5°F. ENERGY STAR goes further with a 70% capacity-retention rule and a controls verification procedure. Many cold climate certified heat pumps, ENERGY STAR cold climate mini splits among them, appear in both places, and NEEP flags ENERGY STAR Cold Climate products on its list.
| Feature | NEEP ccASHP List (Spec V4.0) | ENERGY STAR Cold Climate |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | NEEP (nonprofit) | U.S. EPA |
| COP at 5°F | Above 1.75 at max capacity | At least 1.75 |
| 5°F capacity | Reported, no minimum ratio | At least 70% of 47°F capacity |
| Controls test | Not required | Required, using the unit's built-in controls |
| Data shown | Min, rated and max output plus COP at four temperatures | Certification status and key ratings |
| Where to check | ashp.neep.org | ENERGY STAR Product Finder |
Sources: NEEP ccASHP Specification Version 4.0 (effective January 1, 2023); ENERGY STAR Cold Climate Heat Pump Controls Verification Procedure.
How Do You Confirm Rebate Eligibility Before You Buy?
Before you sign, check your program's rules against the exact listing.
Get your program's current eligibility sheet, starting with Filterbuy's guide to heat pump rebates and tax incentives in 2026.
Note which standard it requires, whether that's a NEEP listing, ENERGY STAR Cold Climate certification or specific HSPF2 and 5°F COP numbers.
Push back on vague quotes. A brand or series name alone can't be matched, so ask for every model number and the AHRI number in writing.
Search the exact combination and confirm every indoor unit belongs to the listed system.
Record the 5°F maximum capacity if your program pays per Btu/h.
Keep the AHRI certificate and NEEP listing PDF with your quote.
Ask about pre-approval and whether you need a participating contractor.
Keep Your Cold-Climate Heat Pump Performing Like Its Listing
A NEEP listing reflects lab conditions, with clean coils and full airflow. The U.S. Department of Energy puts proper heat pump airflow at about 400 to 500 cfm per ton and notes that performance deteriorates well below 350 cfm. Among the winter heat pump complaints Filterbuy hears, a filter nobody has touched since spring comes up again and again, which is why Filterbuy's heat pump winter prep checklist starts there.
Order your heat pump replacement air filter by the size printed on the current frame. A Filterbuy 20x25x1 actually measures 19.50 x 24.50 x 0.75 inches, undercut on purpose so it slides in and seals, while a filter that rattles lets air slip around the media. Our guide to heat pump filters goes deeper on fit. On a ductless mini-split, the washable pre-filter protects the coil; rinse it as the owner's manual recommends.
"The homeowners who never face a surprise winter breakdown aren't doing anything fancy. They change the filter on schedule, and they keep the outdoor unit clear."
— Filterbuy HVAC Team
Filterbuy has made air filters in the U.S. for over a decade, in 600+ sizes plus custom air filters cut to the eighth of an inch. Filterbuy auto-delivery ships the right filter on the schedule you set.
Why a Filter Maker Wrote This Guide
Filterbuy makes air filters to order in our own U.S. plants. Filterbuy also sells single-zone mini splits rated for reliable heating down to 5°F. This guide doesn't rank or recommend any heat pump, ours included, so check the exact pairing of any model on the NEEP list if your rebate requires it. Our focus is the airflow you control after installation.
"I don't want anyone to feel like they need an HVAC license just to pick the right filter. My job is to give you the straight answer, explain why it matters, and let you get back to your day."
Michelle Wan, Brand Manager and Copywriter, Filterbuy
Supporting Statistics
Listed heat pumps average a COP of 2.13 at 5°F, well above the 1.75 minimum. That's from NEEP's review of 21,000+ listed products. Source: NEEP, Checking In with the NEEP ccASHP Product List (2021)
Cold-climate heat pumps saved about 3,000 kWh a year compared with electric resistance heat, and 6,200 kWh compared with oil. DOE cites this NEEP study of Northeast installs. Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Air-Source Heat Pumps
A severely neglected heat pump can use 10% to 25% more energy than a well-maintained one. DOE lists regular filter changes first among its maintenance steps. Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Operating and Maintaining Your Heat Pump
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Heat Pump Have to Be on the NEEP List to Get a Rebate?
Only if your program requires it. Many New York and New England programs do, while others accept ENERGY STAR Cold Climate certification or specific 5°F numbers instead. Filterbuy's mini split tax credit and rebate guide covers 2026 programs.
Is a Cold Climate Certified Heat Pump the Same as a NEEP-Listed One?
Not always. "Cold climate certified" usually refers to ENERGY STAR Cold Climate, a federal certification, while a NEEP listing follows a separate regional specification. Many models carry both.
Why Can't I Find My Heat Pump on the NEEP List?
Uncheck "Limit search to one result per unique outdoor unit" and search by AHRI number. If the exact pairing still doesn't appear, it isn't listed.
Is the NEEP List Free to Use?
Yes. Searching ashp.neep.org is free; manufacturers pay NEEP to list their products.
Does a NEEP-Listed Heat Pump Still Need Backup Heat?
It can. If the 5°F maximum, or output at your lowest design temperature, falls below your Manual J heating load, plan for backup heat.
Glossary
NEEP (Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships): The Woburn, Massachusetts, nonprofit that runs the ccASHP specification and list.
ccASHP (cold-climate air-source heat pump): An air-source heat pump built for IECC climate zones 4 and colder.
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate: An EPA certification requiring a COP of 1.75 and 70% capacity retention at 5°F.
AHRI number: The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute number for one tested equipment pairing.
Manual J: The ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) method for calculating a home's heating and cooling load.
About the Author and Reviewer
Written by Michelle Wan, Brand Manager and Copywriter at Filterbuy, who works directly with Filterbuy's U.S. manufacturing team.
Reviewed by David Clark, Licensed HVAC Technician, Filterbuy HVAC Solutions.
