What does this funding get me?
Energy Saver NC provides discounts for comprehensive home energy upgrades like insulation and air sealing, along with the installation of newer and more efficient appliances.
This program is North Carolina’s implementation of 2 federal energy efficiency rebate programs: Homeowners Managing Efficiency Savings (HOMES) and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR). These programs provide eligible households with point-of-sale rebates (which are essentially big discounts) for electrification projects, many of which save consumers money on their electricity bills. Projects include insulation and air sealing, updated heating and cooling systems, new electrical appliances, and other home energy efficiency improvements.
South Carolina was also awarded funds to implement these rebates, but the programs have not yet been opened.
Am I eligible?
Both owners and renters of low-income or moderate-income households are eligible. As of March 2026, this program is only open to single-family residences (houses, mobile homes, townhouses, duplexes, etc.). If you live in a multifamily home (apartment building, multi-floor condo), you may still apply to join the waitlist. However, this program will not serve multifamily homes until later this year.
- Low-income (80% of area medium income (AMI) and below) – 100% rebate on project costs, up to $16,000 for HOMES projects and up to $14,000 for HEAR projects.
- Moderate-income (80 to 150% of AMI) – 50% rebate on project cost, up to a range of $2,000 to $14,000.
Check here to find the 80% and 150% AMI figures being used by Energy Saver NC in your county.
Wondering how to document your income? Check out this Quick Guide to Verifying Your Household Income for the Energy Saver North Carolina Program.
Landlords can inform their residents who meet the income requirements about the program if interested in applying for a property they lease.
How can I access the money?
The NC State Energy Office (SEO) launched Energy Saver NC on January 16, 2025 in two counties, but it is now available in all 100 counties. Apply and learn more here.
You must use an approved contractor listed on the Energy Saver NC website. Unless you meet the strict requirements for a retroactive rebate (see website for details), you must wait to perform the work until you are approved for the program. If you are a contractor and would like to participate in the program, sign up here.
What is the timeline?
The program runs through 2031 or until funds are depleted. For more details, check out the Energy Saver NC FAQ page. To see how much money has been spent so far, and how many homes have been helped, check out DEQ’s impact page, updated quarterly.
What other incentives could I use to help me accomplish my goals?
- Tariffed On-Bill Financing Program (currently available to customers of Duke Energy NC and Roanoke Electric Membership Cooperative)
- Check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) for additional incentives that may be offered by your state, local government, or utility, as well as important federal, state, and local policies. For questions regarding DSIRE, contact Justin Lindemann (NC Clean Energy Technology Center) at jplindem@ncsu.edu.
- Check out our (non-exhaustive) list of non-federal funding from other sources that may fit your energy and cost-saving goals.
Where can I get more information?
- Energy Saver North Carolina
- Email: energysavernc@aptim.com
- Phone: 866-998-8555
- Income eligibility
- Income Documentation
- Energy Saver NC overview 2-pager
- DOE web page on HEAR and HER rebates
- SC Energy Office web page on the rebates
- Electrify Asheville-Buncombe provides free help navigating rebates and other incentives to residents of Buncombe County, NC
- Sierra Club’s Appliance Buyers Guide
- NC Clean Energy Technology Center’s Word to the Wise guide to home energy upgrades, which has more information on this incentive and others, plus hints on hiring contractors (English) (Spanish)
- Rewiring America’s coverage of the Home Energy Rebate programs
- Rewiring America’s Personal Electrification Planner helps homeowners and renters see what funds may fit their individual needs. In less than five minutes, the Personal Electrification Planner will generate a customized plan to help users go electric based on their unique home, lifestyle, and priorities. Check out the Planner HERE. *Due to Rewiring America’s changed privacy policy, any data you input may be sold to third parties.
- See the topline recommendations and full public comment letter that we submitted during the public comment period for the NC rebates.
- For questions about these rebates, and to get help applying for them, please contact Meech Carter at info@energyfundsforall.org.