Programs make home efficiency upgrades more affordable
Q: How do I use federal tax credits and rebates to upgrade my home?
A: Tax credits and rebates can help bridge the affordability gap to higher efficiency equipment for your home, allowing you to complete energy-efficiency upgrades that can lower your energy use and save you money in years to come.
A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar amount that taxpayers can report on their tax documents to reduce the amount of taxes owed. You apply for a tax credit when you file your tax documents, so it typically takes longer to reap the benefits than it does with a rebate.
According to ENERGY STAR®, homeowners can qualify for up to $3,200 annually in federal tax credits for energy-efficiency upgrades. Federal tax credits are available for heating and cooling system upgrades, including heat pumps, furnaces, central air conditioners, boilers and geothermal heat pumps. Tax credits for ENERGY STAR®-rated heat pump water heaters cover 30% of the project cost, up to $2,000. You can also improve your home’s envelope — the portion of the home that separates the inside from the outside — with tax credits for insulation, windows and skylights.
If an energy-efficiency upgrade requires improving the electrical panel in your home, there’s a tax credit for that, too. You can receive 30% of the cost of the panel upgrade, up to $600.
These federal tax credits are available through 2032. You must own the home you’re upgrading, and it must be your primary residence. Federal tax credits only apply to existing homes in the United States, not new construction.
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 expanded available funding for many home upgrades. The act allocated $8.8 million for home rebate programs to be implemented at the state level, and this funding is offered in two different programs. The HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) allows up to $8,000 per home for standard-income households. Higher rebates are available for low- to moderate-income households. The Home Electrification and Application Rebate (HEAR) program offers rebates of up to $14,000 per home for qualified electric equipment for low- to moderate-income households.
While not available in Arkansas at this time, these programs are designed to bolster existing programs and could be available in late 2024 or early 2025.
Additional energy-efficiency rebates might also be available. More than half of U.S. states — including Arkansas — require energy-efficiency programs for residents, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. These programs can help people save money on their electric bills and help states meet climate goals, reduce system costs and improve the electric grid.
Tax credit and rebate programs can make upgrades more affordable — helping people save money and improve the overall comfort of their homes.
For more information on incentives that may be available for your household, visit homes.rewiringamerica.org/calculator.