Rebates and assistance programs

DC Water

Purchase and installation of a backwater valve that protects against sewer backups.

Amount

100% of installation cost, up to $6,000 per property.

Who qualifies

Narrow. Properties in the combined sewer area with a documented sewer back-up since 2012, or a documented back-up from the September 10, 2020 storm.

Notes

A permit is required for installation under the DC Plumbing Code. DC Water's page does not list what documents prove a back-up; contact the program.

Checked October 14, 2026Official page for Backwater valve rebate (opens in a new tab)

DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU)

Replacing a gas water heater with a heat pump water heater.

Amount

Amount not confirmed. Check the official page.

Who qualifies

DC residents. Check the program page for current terms.

Notes

The research found aggregator figures only, which are not reproduced here. The FY26 deadline was 2026-09-30 and the FY27 reopening was unconfirmed on 2026-10-14. DCSEU has not offered gas water heater rebates since 2021.

Checked October 14, 2026Official page for DCSEU heat pump water heater rebate (opens in a new tab)

DC Water

Replacement of lead service lines, scheduled block by block.

Amount

Replacement is free or discounted for addresses on the construction schedule.

Who qualifies

Address-based. Search your address on the Lead Free DC construction dashboard to see its status. Construction is scheduled as funding is confirmed.

Notes

Dashboard statuses: project complete, in progress (construction expected within two years), pending, contact DC Water for removal options, and no lead service present. Questions: lead@dcwater.com.

Checked October 14, 2026Official page for Lead Free DC (lead service line replacement) (opens in a new tab)

DC Water and DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE)

Private-side replacement of lead, galvanized or brass service pipe where the public side is not lead.

Amount

DC Water's page says enrolled homeowners receive a 100% discount on private-side replacement.

Who qualifies

Lead, galvanized or brass pipe on private property and non-lead pipe in public space. Work must be done by a contractor on DC Water's FY27 Approved Contractor List (required from 2026-10-01), and must not start before you have an approval and a benefit confirmation letter.

Notes

Funding is the open question: District funding for FY26 was cut sharply and was expected to run out within months (DC Water Board, January 2026). The FY27 contractor qualification period is closed. Confirm current funding with DC Water before telling anyone it is available.

Checked October 14, 2026Official page for Lead Pipe Replacement Assistance Program (LPRAP) (opens in a new tab)

DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE)

Rain barrels, rain gardens and permeable surfaces. Stormwater-adjacent, not plumbing repair.

Amount

Varies by practice. Rain barrels were listed at $2 per gallon of capacity.

Who qualifies

DC property owners.

Notes

Included because homeowners ask about it next to backwater valves. Amounts not re-read on the official page.

Checked October 14, 2026Official page for RiverSmart Rebates (opens in a new tab)

BGE (EmPOWER Maryland)

Heat pump water heaters.

Amount

Amount not confirmed. Check the official page.

Who qualifies

BGE customers. See the Smart Energy Savers program page for terms.

Notes

Sources conflict on the amount, so none is given here. The page URL is the BGE home page because the research did not capture a deeper link; replace it with the Smart Energy Savers page when verified.

Checked October 14, 2026Official page for BGE Smart Energy Savers: heat pump water heater (opens in a new tab)

Pepco, Delmarva Power, SMECO

Home electrification programs that may include heat pump water heaters.

Amount

Amount not confirmed. Check the official page.

Who qualifies

Customers of the named utilities. Whether a water heater rebate is offered was not confirmed.

Notes

SMECO: https://www.smeco.coop. The research found no confirmed water heater amount for these utilities.

Checked October 14, 2026Official page for EmPOWER Maryland: Pepco, Delmarva and SMECO (opens in a new tab)

Maryland Energy Administration

Electrification rebates under the federal Inflation Reduction Act, which can include heat pump water heaters.

Amount

Not available yet.

Who qualifies

Not announced.

Notes

Conditionally approved and awaiting final federal approval; no launch found on 2026-10-14. Do not tell anyone it is open.

Checked October 14, 2026Official page for Maryland HEAR / HERO home energy rebates (opens in a new tab)

WSSC Water

Water and sewer bill assistance and flexible pay plans. Not a plumbing rebate.

Amount

Varies by program.

Who qualifies

Income and account rules vary by program. See WSSC's page.

Notes

The lead replacement page links to the Flexible Pay Plans and Financial Assistance Programs. Program-level amounts were not re-read.

Checked October 14, 2026Official page for WSSC Water affordability programs (opens in a new tab)

WSSC Water

Verification of service line material and replacement of lead lines. WSSC replaces the utility-owned portion.

Amount

The utility-owned side is replaced by WSSC. Customer-side assistance is still being developed and no terms are final.

Who qualifies

Montgomery and Prince George's County WSSC customers. Check your address on the inventory map and complete the survey. Priority goes to schools and daycares, homes with children or pregnant women, and disadvantaged communities.

Notes

Notify WSSC before replacing your side privately, because reimbursement is not guaranteed. The goal is to finish all lead service line replacements by 2037. Customer service 301-206-4001 (weekdays, 8 am to 6 pm). Pay plans and other bill help are available through WSSC's financial assistance programs.

Checked October 14, 2026Official page for WSSC Water: What's Your Pipe Type? lead service line program (opens in a new tab)

Dominion Energy Virginia

ENERGY STAR heat pump water heaters.

Amount

Amount not confirmed. Check the official page.

Who qualifies

Dominion Energy Virginia electric customers. Terms and income-qualified tiers are on the program page.

Notes

Sources conflict on the amount, so none is given here. Check whether your electric provider is Dominion, because parts of Northern Virginia are served by other utilities.

Checked October 14, 2026Official page for Dominion Energy Virginia: heat pump water heater (opens in a new tab)

Virginia Energy

Electrification rebates under the federal Inflation Reduction Act, which can include heat pump water heaters.

Amount

Not confirmed.

Who qualifies

Income-based. Not confirmed.

Notes

Sources conflict on whether the program has launched. Treat as not open until Virginia Energy says so.

Checked October 14, 2026Official page for Virginia HEAR / HOMES home energy rebates (opens in a new tab)

Internal Revenue Service

Heat pump water heaters and other efficiency upgrades. The credit was 30% up to $2,000 for heat pumps.

Amount

Ended.

Who qualifies

Property placed in service after 2025-12-31 does not qualify.

Notes

Ended by Public Law 119-21 (July 4, 2025). Installations completed in 2025 can still be claimed on the 2025 return. Kept so the site can explain why the old credit no longer applies.

Checked October 14, 2026Official page for Federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (IRS 25C) (opens in a new tab)