FAQs: Home Energy Rebate Programs

Georgia’s Home Energy Rebate Programs are in the design phase and will roll out a program website and outreach materials closer to the program start dates. GEFA is awaiting approval of its rebate program applications by the U.S. Department of Energy. GEFA anticipates some rebates will be available in late 2024 with all rebate programs available by early 2025.

In the meantime, anyone interested in the program is encouraged to sign up for Home Energy Rebate Programs mailing list or the Home Energy Rebate Programs for Contractors mailing list. Program updates will be distributed via these email lists until the program website is live.

For the Home Efficiency Rebates (HER), rebates are available to individuals carrying out energy efficiency upgrades of single-family homes and multifamily buildings. These rebates are available to households of any income. For households with a total annual income below 80 percent of the area median income (AMI), rebates can cover a higher percentage of the total project costs.

The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) are available to low- or moderate-income households and individuals or entities that own a multifamily building with low- or moderate-income households comprising at least 50 percent of the residents.

A low- or moderate-income household is one where an individual or family has a total annual income less than 150 percent of the median income of the area in which the individual or family resides. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reports AMI statistics across the U.S.

1. The Home Efficiency Rebates (HER) are rebates focused on whole-home efficiency. Upgrades must be performed by a program-approved contractor and must meet energy savings targets. The rebate amounts range from $2,000 to $4,000 for individual households and up to $400,000 for multifamily buildings for energy efficiency retrofits. Higher rebates are available for low-income households, which are households with income less than 80 percent of the area median income (AMI). The rebate will depend on the amount of energy saved and the income eligibility of the dwelling occupant. Details about low-income rebates will be available closer to the program launch date. HER-eligible upgrades include heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, heat pump dryers, induction ranges, weatherization measures, gas/furnace boiler and gas water heater upgrades.

 

2. The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) are point-of-sale rebates available to low- to medium-income households (households with income less than 150 percent AMI). The upgrades may be installed by a homeowner or program-approved contractor, depending on the upgrade. HEAR-eligible upgrades include heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, heat pump clothes dryers, electric stoves, cooktops, ranges, or ovens, electric load service center (breaker box/electrical panel), electric wiring, and insulation, air sealing, and ventilation. Below is a list of the maximum rebate amount by approved upgrade:

Approved Upgrade*	Maximum Rebate Amount
Heat pump water heater	$1,750
Heat pump for space heating or cooling	$8,000
Electric stove, cooktop, range, oven, heat pump clothes dryer	$840
Electric load service center	$4,000
Insulation, air sealing, and ventilation	$1,600
Electric wiring	$2,500
Total allowed rebate combination	$14,000

*Some measures may have additional installation requirements.                                                   

If you began energy upgrades or retrofits to your home on or after August 16, 2022, you may be eligible for a rebate. Given the unique requirements of the Home Efficiency Rebates (HER) and the general complexity of whole-home retrofit projects, GEFA cannot provide rebates before the rebate programs are operational. More information on how to apply for a retroactive rebate will be provided at the launch of Georgia's Home Energy Rebate Programs. All retroactive rebates must comply with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) requirements detailed here. As required by federal law, retroactive rebates are not available for Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR).

The time it takes for funds to get approved by Congress and into the hands of Georgians can be frustrating. While funds were federally allocated, it took almost a year for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to release the program guidance and state applications for the funds. Georgia was one of the first handful of states to submit the initial DOE applications for both the Home Efficiency Rebates (HER) and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR). Georgia is on track to be in the first cohort of states submitting blueprint applications. GEFA is committed to getting these funds to Georgia residents as quickly as possible, while acknowledging that a program of this size and scope is complex and requires thoughtful planning to ensure the process is easy to use for all Georgians.