Wisconsinites can save up to $14,000 on energy-efficient home upgrades

With the launch of its Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) program, Wisconsinites can now take advantage of both Home Energy Rebate programs. Wisconsin launched its Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) program in August and is one of the first states to make both Home Energy Rebate programs available to its residents.

The $8.8 billion investment in the Home Energy Rebate programs is enabling states like Wisconsin to help residents lower their energy bills. These rebates make energy-saving upgrades — such as heat pumps, new electrical panels, and insulation — more financially accessible.

“From getting extensive public input on program design to being among the first handful of states to launch both rebate programs, Wisconsin continues to be exceptional,” said Keishaa Austin, Principal Deputy Director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs. “With today’s launch of the HEAR program, Wisconsin will provide even more savings to those with the greatest need, enabling thousands of households to afford energy-saving upgrades.”

“Due to Governor Evers’ leadership and the widespread support of our industry partners and engaged stakeholders, Wisconsin continues to lead in the deployment and implementation of these exciting new Home Energy Rebate programs,” said Wisconsin Public Service Commission Chairperson Summer Strand. “We have already achieved tremendous success with the registration of new contractors and the delivery of rebates to Wisconsin households undertaking upgrades to make their homes more energy efficient. We are very excited to continue this momentum with the official launch of the HEAR program, which will help even more people save energy and money through the purchase and installation of energy-efficient appliances and equipment.”

“We’re incredibly excited about this program, which is designed to lower costs for working families and helping Wisconsinites save on their monthly energy bills,” said Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. “Eligible households are going to be able to get discounts for installing energy efficient appliances while also allowing folks to have a little breathing room in their monthly household budgets. This is great news for folks across our state, and we’re excited to be among the first states in the country to launch this program.”

Wisconsin’s Home Energy Rebate Programs

The HEAR program that Wisconsin is launching today will provide lower- and middle-income homeowners with up to $14,000 per housing unit in rebates to upgrade equipment and appliances. It will cover up to 100% of costs for lower-income families (those earning up to 80% of their area median income) and up to 50% for moderate-income families (those earning between 80-150% of their area median income). They will be able to save up to:

$8,000 for an ENERGY STAR-certified electric heat pump for space heating and cooling.

$4,000 for an electrical panel.

$2,500 for electrical wiring.

$1,750 for an ENERGY STAR-certified electric heat pump water heater.

Wisconsin is launching its HEAR program in two phases. In the first phase, launching today, contractors registered with the program will offer discounts for appliances that require installation. In the second phase, launching in 2025, eligible customers will receive instant rebates for appliances bought at stores. Rebates for electric heat pump clothes dryers and cooking appliances will be available once the retail program launches in 2025. Rebates for insulation and air sealing will also be available in 2025. Rebates for multifamily buildings will be available in early 2025 as well.

To take advantage of Wisconsin’s previously launched HOMES program, residents will first complete a home energy assessment provided by a licensed energy auditor to determine the home’s upgrade needs and establish the estimated energy savings each upgrade would provide. Rebate amounts are based on household income and the amount of estimated energy savings. For single-family homes, rebates will range up to:

$10,000 for those making less than 80% of their area median income (AMI).

$4,000 for those making between 80% to 150% AMI.

$3,000 for those making at or above 150% AMI.

HOMES rebates for multifamily properties will be available in 2025. Rental units with low-income tenants are eligible for up to $10,000 in rebates, with the exact amount determined by the estimated amount of energy saved.

Wisconsin received nearly $150 million from DOE for its Home Energy Rebate programs. Wisconsin’s programs leverage infrastructure of the state's existing Focus on Energy program.

For more information on Wisconsin’s Home Energy Rebate programs, visit Focus on Energy’s Home Energy Rebates website.

For more information on what you can do to save energy and save money, visit www.energy.gov/save.

About Home Energy Rebates

The $8.8 billion Home Energy Rebates provide two separate rebate programs to consumers:

The Home Efficiency Rebates provide $4.3 billion to discount the price of energy-saving retrofits in single-family and multi-family buildings. These rebates will be administered by states and territories.

The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates provide $4.5 billion for high-efficiency electricity upgrades in homes. These rebates are administered by states, territories, and Tribes, which will receive $225 million of this amount.

Source: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOESCEP/bulletins/3c808c3