The Trump administration has issued new guidance to accelerate the rollout of the multi-billion-dollar Home Energy Rebates program, unlocking funding that had been paused during a review of Inflation Reduction Act initiatives.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s updated rules aim to restart the distribution of state-level funds designed to support home energy efficiency upgrades, including insulation, heat pumps, and other energy-saving technologies that reduce household energy bills.
The revised guidance introduces changes such as tighter limits on fuel switching, simplified state planning requirements, and a return to the original program names: the HOMES rebate program, which rewards whole-home energy savings, and the HEEHR program, which provides rebates for specific efficient technologies, with eligibility capped at 150% of area median income.
Industry groups, including the Building Performance Association, welcomed the move, saying the program could significantly lower household energy costs and improve housing affordability. The rebates are expected to offer higher benefits for low- and moderate-income households.
The Department of Energy said the updated framework is intended to improve implementation and ensure states can begin distributing funds more efficiently in the coming period.
