How DOE's $8.8B Rebate Programs Help HVAC

The Department of Energy has updated guidance for two rebate programs worth $8.8 billion total, aimed at helping homeowners install more efficient heating and cooling equipment. The first, called HOMES (Home Owner Managing Energy Savings), offers rebates for projects like air sealing (blocking drafts and gaps that leak heated or cooled air) and HVAC upgrades. This program is open to homeowners at all income levels, not just those who qualify based on earnings.

The second program, HEEHR (High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate), covers rebates for buying and installing electric HVAC equipment, such as heat pumps, along with other energy-efficient appliances. The goal is to lower home energy bills by shifting toward electric equipment that uses less energy overall.

Both programs are run through the states, so the money and rules get distributed differently depending on where you live. If you're considering a heating or cooling upgrade, air sealing work, or a switch to electric appliances, it's worth checking what your state currently offers under these two programs, since availability and rebate amounts can vary. The update itself is a guidance change from DOE rather than a new pot of money, but it shapes how the existing $8.8 billion gets used and who can access it going forward.