Home Energy Rebate Programs

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 karen.bradbury@energy.ri.gov or call 401-714-3484.

 

 

HEAR Program

HEAR Program Informational Materials

HEAR Program Qualified Contractors 

Join us for a virtual information session on how to become an approved contractor for the HEAR program on November 14 from 2:00-3:00pm. Click here to register!

Interested in learning more about becoming a qualified plumber or electrician for these programs? Please email karen.bradbury@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

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