Quick answer
For heating equipment, apply for LIHEAP crisis help and weatherization at your community action agency; both can repair or replace an unsafe or broken furnace. For an old refrigerator, ask your utility about income-qualified replacement programs and weatherization. For electric stoves, heat pump water heaters, heat pump dryers, and heat pumps, check whether your state has launched the federal Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) program, which covers the full rebate amount for households under 80% of area median income (for example, up to $840 for an electric stove or heat pump dryer and up to $1,750 for a heat pump water heater). For washers, microwaves, and other items, ask the Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, furniture banks, and churches. Applying is free.
Key facts
- HEAR rebates (Inflation Reduction Act) are run by states; low-income households get the full rebate, up to $14,000 total per household.
- Weatherization can repair or replace heating systems and, when cost-effective, refrigerators and water heaters.
- LIHEAP crisis funds can fix or replace broken heating equipment in many states.
- Renters: appliances that come with the unit are usually the landlord’s to repair.
- No real program charges a fee to apply.
Table of contents
- Matching free appliances for low-income families to the right program
- How HEAR appliance rebates work
- Help from weatherization and LIHEAP
- What utilities offer
- Charities that give free appliances
- Questions to ask a contractor about rebates
- Safety steps when replacing heating or gas appliances
- Do renters qualify for appliance programs?
- Step-by-step plan
- Related guides
- Frequently asked questions
Matching free appliances for low-income families to the right program
| Appliance | Best first stop | Also try |
|---|---|---|
| Furnace or boiler | LIHEAP crisis; weatherization | Utility programs; HEAR heat pump rebate |
| Refrigerator | Utility income-qualified program | Weatherization; charities |
| Water heater | Weatherization | HEAR heat pump water heater rebate |
| Stove or range | HEAR electric stove rebate | Charities; furniture banks |
| Clothes dryer | HEAR heat pump dryer rebate | Charities |
| Washer | Charities; county or utility rebates | Free laundry days |
| Air conditioner | LIHEAP cooling help in some states | Utility programs; HEAR heat pump |
How HEAR appliance rebates work
The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates program, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and run by state energy offices, pays for specific electric appliances and upgrades. According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Home Energy Rebates page, households with income below 80% of area median income can receive the full rebate and households between 80% and 150% receive half, up to a total of $14,000 per household. Caps include up to $8,000 for a heat pump for heating and cooling, $1,750 for a heat pump water heater, $840 for an electric stove, cooktop, or range, $840 for a heat pump clothes dryer, $4,000 for an electrical panel, and $2,500 for wiring. Rebates are usually applied at the point of sale or through an approved contractor, and states launch on different schedules, so check your state energy office.
Help from weatherization and LIHEAP
The Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program funds free energy upgrades for low-income households through local agencies, usually up to 200% of poverty, with priority for seniors, people with disabilities, and families with children. An energy audit decides what is cost-effective: insulation and air sealing, heating system repair or replacement, and, in many programs, refrigerator and water heater replacement. LIHEAP, run through the same agencies in most states, adds crisis help that can repair or replace broken heating equipment in winter. Find your agency at EnergyHelp.us or 1-866-674-6327, and see our utility relief guide.
What utilities offer
Many utilities run income-qualified energy-efficiency programs that replace old appliances at no cost. In California, for example, Southern California Edison’s Energy Savings Assistance program offers free upgrades, including refrigerator replacement, to income-qualified owners and renters. Other utilities offer smaller ENERGY STAR rebates with bonuses for income-qualified customers. Search your utility’s website for “income-qualified” or call customer service; see our free refrigerators guide.
Charities that give free appliances
- The Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul: donated appliances or thrift store vouchers after an interview.
- Furniture banks: furnish homes for families referred by social service agencies; some accept appliances.
- Churches: see our churches that help with appliances guide.
- Habitat for Humanity ReStores: low-cost used and new appliances.
- Disaster recovery groups: replace appliances after fires, floods, and storms; see our house fire assistance guide.
Watch out: offers of a “free government appliance” that require a fee, a shipping charge, or a card number are scams. Real rebates are applied by retailers or approved contractors.
Questions to ask a contractor about rebates
- Is your company approved by the state energy office to deliver HEAR rebates?
- Will the rebate be taken off my bill at the time of purchase, and in writing?
- Does the job need an electrical panel or wiring upgrade, and is that covered?
- Are permits included, and who schedules the inspection?
- What warranty comes with the appliance and the installation?
Get at least two written quotes. Never sign a financing agreement you do not understand, and never pay a fee to “reserve” a rebate.
Safety steps when replacing heating or gas appliances
When a furnace, water heater, or gas stove is repaired or replaced, ask the installer to test for carbon monoxide and make sure venting is correct. Install carbon monoxide alarms near sleeping areas; many fire departments and weatherization programs provide free smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Never use an oven or outdoor heater to heat your home.
Do renters qualify for appliance programs?
Often yes. Weatherization and many utility programs serve renters with the landlord’s written permission, and some HEAR state programs allow renters or landlords of low-income tenants to apply. Appliances that came with the unit are usually the landlord’s responsibility to repair, so report problems in writing first. Portable items like a microwave or a window air conditioner can come from charities regardless of whether you rent or own.
Step-by-step plan
- Match the appliance to the program in the table above.
- Call your community action agency for weatherization and LIHEAP.
- Check your state energy office for HEAR rebates and your utility for income-qualified programs.
- Renters: notify your landlord in writing about broken appliances that came with the unit.
- Dial 211 for charities and furniture banks.
Free to apply. Weatherization agencies, state energy offices, utilities, charities, and 211 never charge.
For more specifics, see our guide on free washers and dryers.
Related guides
- Free beds for low-income families
- Furniture grants for low-income families
- LIHEAP: help with energy bills
- Benefits for low-income families
Frequently asked questions
Can low-income families get free appliances from the government?
Sometimes. Weatherization and LIHEAP can repair or replace heating equipment and some appliances, and HEAR rebates cover the full cost of certain electric appliances for households under 80% of area median income in states that have launched the program.
What appliances do HEAR rebates cover?
Heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, electric stoves and cooktops, heat pump clothes dryers, and related electrical work, up to $14,000 per household.
Can I get a free furnace?
Often. LIHEAP crisis help and weatherization programs repair or replace unsafe or broken heating systems for income-qualified households. Apply at your community action agency.
Who gives free used appliances?
The Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, furniture banks, churches, and community giving groups. Dial 211 for local options.
My rental’s stove broke. Who fixes it?
If the stove came with the unit, repair is usually the landlord’s responsibility. Report it in writing and ask legal aid about your state’s rules.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on October 25, 2026. If a source and this page ever disagree, follow the source.
This guide is general information, not an application. Rebate availability varies by state and utility; confirm before buying. National Relief Program is an independent website, not a government agency.
Before you apply: program rules, amounts, and deadlines change. Always confirm details with the official agency or program administrator. Applying for government benefits is free.
National Relief Program is an independent guide, not a government agency. Spotted an error? Email support@nationalreliefprogram.org.
