All of North Carolina · Rebate
Homeowners Managing Efficiency Savings (HOMES)
Run by North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, State Energy Office (Energy Saver North Carolina)
Rebates of up to $16,000 for whole-home energy upgrades (insulation, air sealing, heating and cooling, water heaters, windows, appliances) that save at least 20% of a home's modeled energy use, for North Carolina households up to 150% of area median income.
Amounts
How much you get
The rebate depends on household income and the energy savings modeled for your home (projects must save at least 20%). The amount depends on which of these fits your install.
| What you install | You get |
|---|---|
| Income below 80% AMI (20% or more modeled savings) | 100% |
| 20% to 34% modeled savingsIncome 80% to 150% AMI | 50% |
| 35% or more modeled savingsIncome 80% to 150% AMI | 50% |
Capped at $16,000 per household.
Eligibility
Do I qualify?
You need to meet all 7 of these.
Your home is in North Carolina.
Household income up to 150% of area median income for your county and household size. Households above 150% AMI aren't eligible.
Enrollment in federal assistance programs like LIEAP or Medicaid can qualify you for the higher rebate without separate income verification.
Homeowners and renters can apply. A renter's property owner must sign a project authorization form with supporting documents.
What to doIf you rent, have your property owner sign the program's project authorization form.
Single-family homes. Rebates for multifamily buildings are not yet available.
A free professional home assessment and energy model are required, and the project must reach at least 20% modeled energy savings. The application needs 12 months of utility bills.
What to doSchedule the program's free home assessment and provide 12 months of utility bills.
Work must be done by an Energy Saver NC Registered Contractor, who submits the rebate application for you.
What to doChoose an Energy Saver NC Registered Contractor.
Equipment
What equipment counts
The program sets these minimums.
Must be ENERGY STAR certified where an ENERGY STAR specification exists for the product.
Must meet ENERGY STAR Cold Climate specifications, including verified low-temperature performance.
Applying
How to apply
Your contractor applies for you. First come, first served; expected to run until 2031 or until funds run out. Get approved before you buy anything.
- Gather paperwork.
Proof of income (or enrollment in a recognized federal program) and 12 months of utility bills.
- Apply and have your income verified.
Apply online, by email, by phone or by mail. Online is fastest.
- Get the free home energy assessment.
An assessor models your home's energy use and builds a plan of upgrades that qualify.
- Choose a Registered Contractor.
Compare quotes from the program's contractor list.
- Contractor completes the work and submits your rebate application.
Forms and instructions, including for applying by mailEnergy Saver North Carolina Program Overview (updated 03/26) · Energy Saver North Carolina HOMES & HEAR Program Requirements (Version 2.0, February 2026) · Energy Saver North Carolina FAQs for North Carolina Residents · Energy Saver North Carolina (NC DEQ)
Questions about applying866-998-8555 or energysavernc@aptim.com
Stacking
Use it with
You can use both HOMES and HEAR, but not for the same upgrade or equipment type. You can also get utility incentives for the same product as long as the combined rebates don't exceed the purchase price.
All of North Carolina
Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR)
Up to $14,000
Instant discounts of up to $14,000 per household on heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, electric cooking, heat pump dryers, insulation and air sealing, panels and wiring, for North Carolina households up to 150% of area median income, through a Registered Contractor.
Checked Oct 25, 2026
All of North Carolina
Weatherization Assistance Program
Work done at no cost
Free home energy audit and upgrades (air sealing, insulation, duct sealing, heating and cooling tune-up, repair or replacement, and safety measures) for North Carolina homeowners and renters with incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level, through local weatherization agencies.
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Your address
Next steps
Check that it covers your address. This program has to approve you before you buy anything, so start with the program, not a contractor quote.
Is it available at your address?
Before anything else
Schedule the program's free home assessment and provide 12 months of utility bills.
Your quote request is in If a contractor we work with serves your ZIP, they can contact you. We take one request per person; contact us to change it.
Get an email if this program changes
We'll write if its amount, status or deadline changes. Nothing else.
FAQ
Questions
How much does Homeowners Managing Efficiency Savings (HOMES) pay?
Up to $16,000 back.
Is there an income limit?
Household income up to 150% of area median income for your county and household size. Households above 150% AMI aren't eligible.
Do renters qualify?
Homeowners and renters can apply. A renter's property owner must sign a project authorization form with supporting documents. If you rent, have your property owner sign the program's project authorization form.
Do I have to use a contractor?
Yes. Work must be done by an Energy Saver NC Registered Contractor, who submits the rebate application for you.
Do I need approval before I buy?
Yes. Apply before you buy or install anything; purchases made first don’t qualify. A free professional home assessment and energy model are required, and the project must reach at least 20% modeled energy savings. The application needs 12 months of utility bills. Schedule the program's free home assessment and provide 12 months of utility bills.
What’s the deadline?
No fixed deadline. Apply any time while it’s open.
Can I combine it with other rebates?
Yes, with Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) and Weatherization Assistance Program. See Use it with.
Is it still available?
Yes. It was open when we last checked, on October 25, 2026.
Can I install the upgrades myself?
No. All installations must be done by a registered contractor to qualify.
How long does it take to process an application?
Usually a few weeks. Most people hear back within a few weeks, depending on the program and how many applications are coming in.
Plain words
Words used on this page
- AMI
- Area median income: the middle household income where you live, set each year by HUD.
References
Sources
This page is built from these official pages, run by the program itself.
- Homeowners Managing Efficiency Savings (HOMES) in North Carolina
- Energy Saver North Carolina Program Overview (updated 03/26)
- Energy Saver North Carolina HOMES & HEAR Program Requirements (Version 2.0, February 2026)
- Energy Saver North Carolina FAQs for North Carolina Residents
- Energy Saver North Carolina (NC DEQ)
When one of these pages changes, we re-check this page against it.
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