Home Energy Rebate Program

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 is currently developing implementation plans for the HER and HEAR programs to increase energy efficiency in homes across the state. In order to make these funds available to Rhode Islanders, OER must submit an application to the U.S. Department of Energy with our state’s implementation plans for these programs. OER anticipates submitting applications for these programs within the first half of 2024.

HEAR Program Proposal

Below, OER has prepared a program design proposal for the HEAR program. OER is currently accepting public comments on this proposal which may be submitted to Karen Bradbury via email at karen.bradbury@energy.ri.gov.

Click here to view the HEAR Straw Proposal.

Opportunities for Public Comment

OER is currently accepting public comments on the HEAR program proposal. The Office will also be hosting a public meeting on Monday, April 29th from 5:30 - 6:30pm to walk through the program proposal and solicit stakeholder and community input. 

The meeting will be hosted in person at:
Rhode Island Commerce
Narragansett Room
315 Iron Horse Way, Suite 101
Providence, RI 02908

With the option for virtual participation via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83365887741 or via phone at 888-788-0099 Meeting ID: 833 6588 7741

If you are attending the meeting in person or virtually, please RSVP to Karen Bradbury – Administrator, Energy Legislation & Programs at Karen.Bradbury@energy.ri.gov. 

 

IRA Home Energy Rebate Programs Request for Information

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