Home Energy Rebate Programs

Effective January 27, 2025, the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) has paused any new applications with the Rhode Island Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) program. This pause is due to the current uncertainty on federal funding with the Inflation Reduction Act and the Executive Order issued by the Trump Administration. OER will update the website on the program status once more information is provided.

Background

On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed the landmark Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law. The law includes $391 billion to support clean energy and address climate change, including $8.8 billion in rebates nationally for home energy efficiency and electrification projects.

The Home Energy Rebate Programs include the Home Efficiency Rebates (HER) and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR). Rhode Island will receive approximately $32 million for the HER program and $31 million for the HEAR program. The goal of these two rebate programs is to increase the energy efficiency in homes thereby decreasing residential energy bills and carbon emissions. The HER program will provide rebates to customers undergoing a home energy improvement that is modeled to reduce their energy use by a minimum of 20%. The HEAR program is income-restricted and will provide rebates on home electrification upgrades.

Program Design and Application

The Office of Energy Resources has submitted the HEAR and HER program applications to the U.S. Department of Energy. The HEAR application has been approved and OER will launch the income-eligible program pathway September 17th, 2024. The moderate-income pathway for the HEAR program is under development, and more information will be posted before the launch of the moderate-income programming. The HER application is pending U.S. Department of Energy approval.

For more information on the Home Energy Rebate programs, please email Energy.HEAR@energy.ri.gov.

HEAR Program

Click "+" to learn more about the HEAR Program

HEAR Program Informational Materials

HEAR Program Qualified Contractors

Interested in learning more about becoming a qualified plumber or electrician for these programs? Please email Energy.HEAR@energy.ri.gov with your name, company name, and contact information to get started.

HEAR Program Materials

Click here to view the HEAR Consumer Protection Plan Click here to view the Smart Consumer Packet

If you are currently accessing LIHEAP or another income eligible program and are interested in the HEAR program, please contact your local CAP Agency to learn more and schedule a home energy audit:

Community Action Agency	Website	Phone Number
Blackstone Valley Community Action Program	https://bvcap.org/	401-723-4520
Community Action Partnership of Providence	https://cappri.org/	401-273-2000
Comprehensive Community Action Plan	https://www.comcap.org/	401-467-9610
East Bay Community Action Program	https://www.ebcap.org/	East Providence and Bristol County: 401-437-1000	Newport County: 401-847-7821
Tri-County Community Action Program	https://www.tricountyri.org/	401-351-2750
Westbay Community Action Program	https://westbaycap.org/	401-732-4660

HER Program

Click "+" to view the HER Program Proposal

Below, OER has prepared a program design proposal for the HER program.

Click here to view the HER Straw Proposal.

Inflation Reduction Act Energy Tax Credits

In addition to the upcoming Home Efficiency Rebates programs, the IRA established new federal tax credits for home energy upgrades that are available now. Additional information on these tax credits are available at: https://www.energy.gov/policy/articles/making-our-homes-more-efficient-clean-energy-tax-credits-consumers.

State Incentive Calculator

To help identify existing energy rebates, tax credits, and incentives that may be available to you, please visit our incentive calculator at: https://energy.ri.gov/energy-incentives/incentive-calculator.