PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island has launched its first Home Energy Rebates program, supported by federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) money.

The state’s Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) program will enable low- and middle-income people in Rhode Island to save on energy-saving improvements to their homes, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). HEAR is one of two rebate programs in the IRA that will help consumers pay for high-efficiency HVAC equipment and energy-saving home retrofits.

“The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program will help many Rhode Islanders update to Energy Star appliances in their homes.” said Gov. Dan McKee. “This initiative is another positive step in reducing our state's carbon emissions and creating the good-paying jobs necessary for the clean energy transition.”

Rhode Island is launching its HEAR program in two phases. Initially, the state will focus on issuing point-of-sale rebates to low-income households for qualified electrical upgrades and appliances through six Community Action Partnerships (CAPs). These nonprofit agencies partner with the state to administer energy-efficiency programs. CAP representatives will visit low-income households to determine household energy efficiency needs.

Rhode Island will use its HEAR program to offer rebates for measures not available through existing state programs. Eligible residents will be able to save up to $4,000 on an electrical panel upgrade, up to $2,500 on electrical wiring, and up to $840 on an electric stove, cooktop, range, or oven and/or an Energy Star-certified electric heat-pump clothes dryer. (A low-income household is defined as one with 80% or less of the median income for a household in its area.)

The state has an existing rebate program for heat pumps and heat-pump water heaters — the Clean Heat RI program.

Rhode Island plans to make the HEAR program available to moderate-income households, defined as those with between 80% and 150% of the area median income, or AMI.  

The state also plans to later launch the second Home Energy Rebates program, Home Efficiency Rebates (HER), through which households can save money on retrofit measures, like insulation and new windows, that reduce whole-home energy consumption.

“The federal government is energizing our economy and enabling more Rhode Islanders to make cost-effective home electrification upgrades,” said Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island. “Made possible by the landmark Inflation Reduction Act, these rebates will lower household energy costs and fight climate change, while bolstering America’s energy independence and strengthening U.S. manufacturing.”