WASHINGTON — North Carolina has launched both federal Home Energy Rebates programs, the Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR). North Carolinians can now use these programs to drastically reduce the cost of energy-saving home upgrades, a press release from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) said.
Initially, North Carolina’s rebate programs will focus on single-family, owner-occupied housing, particularly in disadvantaged regions and in areas affected by hurricane damage.
North Carolina’s launch is part of a nationwide initiative to provide $8.8 billion in federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding for states, territories, and tribes to offer rebates that can reduce residential energy costs. The rebates make it more affordable for households to install cost-saving measures such as heat pumps, electrical panels, and insulation.
The upgrades made possible by the rebates will save American households up to $1 billion annually in energy costs, the DOE said. In addition, the rebates will support an estimated 50,000 U.S. jobs in residential construction, manufacturing, and other sectors, the press release said.
“North Carolina’s Home Energy Rebates provide an opportunity to make lasting improvements to your home’s energy efficiency,” said Keishaa Austin, principal deputy director of the DOE’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs. “By investing in upgrades now, you could reduce your heating costs, and you’ll also enjoy savings and comfort for years to come.”
“The State Energy Office is excited to launch this important program for North Carolina residents,” said Julie Woosley, director of the State Energy Office at the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). “Residential energy efficiency makes homes healthier and lowers energy costs, supports small businesses and the local economy, and increases our state’s energy resilience and independence. The program’s focus on areas with high energy burdens, including rural and underserved communities, will make a difference statewide, especially in areas still recovering from Hurricane Helene and other storms.”
For more information on North Carolina’s programs, visit North Carolina’s Home Energy Rebates page.