The program is available now and can help Wisconsinites save thousands on efficiency upgrades
In early August, US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm joined Governor Tony Evers in Milwaukee to announce the rollout of the Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) program, which is now available and provides rebates of up to $10,000 to Wisconsinites for energy-saving, whole-home improvements. Wisconsin is the first state in the nation to roll out this program, which is funded by the Inflation Reduction Act.
Owners of single and multifamily homes are eligible for these rebates, which apply to home upgrades such as efficient heating, cooling, insulation and water heating as well as air sealing and upgrades to windows and doors. There are no income restrictions for the HOMES program, but lower income households can receive higher rebates. Additionally, upgrades that have higher projected energy savings are eligible for higher rebates.
Secretary Granholm announced the program rollout at a town hall event at Milwaukee Area Technical College. The event, attended by public officials and leaders in the clean energy space, featured speeches by Governor Evers and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, among others. “Our goals here are to make the process of applying for the rebates as simple and easy as possible for Wisconsinites and to maximize the number of households we’re able to serve and assist in making clean energy upgrades,” said Governor Evers. The townhall also included a panel discussion with Secretary Granholm, Governor Evers, John Podesta – President Biden’s Senior Clean Energy Advisor, and Summer Strand – the chair of Wisconsin’s Public Service Commission.
To qualify for HOMES rebates, a household must undergo a home energy assessment to predict the amount of energy that their upgrades will save. Retroactive rebates are available as well, meaning any homeowner that has conducted a home energy assessment and made efficiency upgrades on or after August 16th, 2022, may qualify for these rebates.
The HOMES program is being run by Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency program. To participate and start searching for a contractor registered with the program, visit focusonenergy.com/ira-homes.
