What does this funding get me?
The Home Efficiency Rebates, also known as the Homeowners Managing Efficiency Rebates (HOMES), provides discounts for comprehensive home energy upgrades like insulation and air sealing, along with the installation of newer and more efficient appliances.
Check the application for specific requirements for the old materials/appliances you replace and the new ones you install.
Details on this page apply to the North Carolina program, which launched January 2025. When the South Carolina program opens, this page will be updated to point out any differences.
Am I eligible?
If you live in a low-income or moderate-income household, you are eligible.
Low-income: 80% of area medium income (AMI) and below
Moderate-income: 80 to 150% of AMI
Check here to find the 80% and 150% AMI figures being used by Energy Saver NC in your county.
Landlords can apply for work done in housing that is rented to low- or moderate-income households.
If you are in a low-income household, you can receive up to $16,000 or 100% of project costs, whichever is less, for upgrades that reduce your household energy usage by 20% or more.
If you are in a moderate-income household, you can receive up to $4,000 or 50% of the project costs, whichever is less, for upgrades that reduce household energy usage 35% or more. For energy savings between 20% and 34%, you can get up to $2,000 or 50% of project costs, whichever is less.
How can I access the money?
North Carolina: The NC State Energy Office (SEO) launched its rebate program — Energy Saver NC — on January 16, 2025.
This map shows the anticipated timing of the program rollout in all 100 counties in North Carolina. Even if the program is not yet open in your county, you can apply now and you will be placed on the waitlist until the program expands to your county.
You must use use an approved contractor listed on the Energy Saver NC website. Unless you meet the strict requirements for a retroactive rebate (see next section), 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.
South Carolina: The SC Energy Office submitted its application to DOE in January 2025 with an anticipated start to the program in 2026. However, these programs are dependent upon approval with full funding from the DOE and the availability of funding from the federal government.
This federal map shows the status of the rebate program in each state effective January 2025. Note this link is an archived version of the former DOE web page and is no longer being updated.
What is the timeline?
See previous section.
Under limited circumstances, HOMES rebates may be available retroactively for projects you have already completed. These retroactive rebates are available for HOMES projects only if:
- The project started on or after August 16, 2022 (the date the Inflation Reduction Act was signed).
- The project was completed before the NC program launch date of January 16, 2025.
- The project meets all DOE requirements outlined in the requirements document (NC is using the modeled approach described there).
- The project meets any additional state requirements.
- The project included a qualifying energy audit.
- The work was completed by a registered contractor participating in the Energy Saver NC program.
The program runs through 2031 or until funds are depleted.
For more details, check out the Energy Saver NC FAQ page.
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)
- Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate Program (HEAR)
- Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit
- 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?
- DOE web page on HEAR and HER rebates
- Energy Saver North Carolina (NC rebate program), energysavernc@aptim.com, 866-998-8555
- 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.