WASHINGTON — Georgia has launched its Home Energy Rebates programs, supported by the federal Inflation Reduction Act.
The state has begun both the Home Efficiency Rebates (HER) and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) programs to bring down the cost of energy-efficiency improvements and clean energy upgrades, a press release from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) said.
“By making both rebate programs available to its residents on day one, the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority is going above and beyond for the residents it serves,” said Keishaa Austin, principal deputy director of the DOE’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs.
The state has been awarded nearly $219 million for the Home Energy Rebates.
Georgia’s Home Energy Rebates are initially being offered through a contractor-driven pilot program. During the pilot period, all rebates outlined below will only be available through state-approved contractors. Georgia expects the pilot program to run through the first quarter of 2025.
Under Georgia’s HER program, the owners of single- and multi-family residential buildings can save money on home upgrades that reduce household energy usage. Rebate amounts are based on household income and the amount of energy saved. Households of all income levels are potentially eligible.
Upgrades need to reduce the home’s estimated energy usage by at least 20%. To receive the maximum rebate amounts listed below, they would need to reduce energy usage by at least 35%.
The rebates will range up to:
• $16,000 for households making less than 80% of the median income in their area.
• $4,000 for households making 80% or more of the median.
Participating residents will first complete a home energy assessment provided by a licensed energy auditor to determine the home’s upgrade needs.
Georgia’s HEAR program is focused on making energy-efficiency upgrades affordable for low- and middle-income households. Homeowners earning less than 150% of the area median income, as well as the owners of multifamily buildings in which at least 50% of residents earn less than 150% of the median, are potentially eligible.
Eligible owners of single-family homes and multifamily buildings will be able to save up to $14,000 per dwelling unit, including up to:
• $8,000 for an Energy Star-certified heat pump heating and cooling system.
• $4,000 for an electrical panel.
• $2,500 for electrical wiring.
• $1,600 for insulation, air sealing, and ventilation.
• $840 for an Energy Star-certified electric stove, cooktop, range, or oven.
• $840 for an Energy Star-certified electric heat-pump clothes dryer.
After the pilot period, in addition to using state-approved contractors, Georgians will be able to access the rebates using the following pathways:
• Retail: Approved retailers will offer discounts for eligible equipment. This path is available only for electric stoves, cooktops, ranges, ovens, and heat-pump dryers.
• Do it yourself: A homeowner will receive a rebate for a completed eligible appliance project that they installed on their own. This path is available only for electric stoves, cooktops, ranges, ovens, and heat-pump clothes dryers.
• Midstream: An approved distributor will deduct the rebate amount from an approved contractor’s costs for eligible equipment, and the contractor will pass the discount to the customer. This path will be available only for heat pumps and heat-pump water heaters.