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If you’re considering using Georgia’s energy rebate programs to save on home improvements, you may be wondering whether you qualify. Both the Home Energy Rebates (HER) and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) programs offer different savings levels depending on household income.
Before we take a closer look, know this: Any household that reduces energy consumption by 20% can qualify for savings, regardless of income!
Let’s take a deep dive into the Georgia energy rebates income eligibility criteria. We’ll look at how the HER and HEAR programs account for income when determining your maximum savings.
HER program income requirements
If you own your home, you qualify for HER rebates. There is no income cap!
That being said, household income does determine the amount of money you can save on eligible home improvements. Basically, low to moderate-income households qualify for a larger total reimbursement percentage when they pursue HER-eligible upgrades.
Higher-income households still receive a rebate. It’s just that the total reimbursement percentage is lower.
So, what are those reimbursement percentages? And how are they determined?
The HER program relies on area median income (AMI) to determine rebate percentages. AMI is a figure that comes from data collected by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; households with lower incomes relative to the AMI in Georgia (and, for the area we serve, the AMI for Metro Atlanta) will qualify for more savings. Here’s how it breaks down for the HER program (Source: GEFA):
- Households making 80% AMI or less: Receive 98% reimbursement of the total project cost up to $16,000.
- Households making more than 80% AMI: Receive 50% reimbursement of the project cost up to $4,000.
Note: Total savings amounts also depend on how much energy you save as a result of the upgrade. When upgrades result in an energy use reduction of 20% to 34%, the rebate is capped at $10,000 (households earning less than 80% AMI) or $2,000 (households earning more than 80% AMI). Only upgrades resulting in energy use reduction of 35% or higher qualify for the $16,000 rebate (lower-income households) or $4,000 rebate (higher-income households).
Here’s a chart that shows the relationship between household income and savings amounts:
Wondering how all of this plays out in the real world? Consider this example:
Say you replace an old furnace and AC, air seal your home, bulk up your attic insulation, and replace incandescent bulbs with LED models. These projects result in energy savings of 25%. The total cost of these projects is $16,000. AMI for your area is $100,000, and your household earns $75,000. Since that’s less than 80% of AMI, you would qualify for a rebate of $10,000.
In other words, the net cost for the entire project would only be $6,000. And you’ll likely save thousands more in the long run thanks to the more efficient furnace and savings on cooling costs!
Using the same example, let’s say your income was over $100,000 (it doesn’t matter how high). You’d still receive a reimbursement of 50% of the project cost up to $2,000. That’s big savings for a heating and cooling system replacement combined with other energy efficiency upgrades!
HEAR program income requirements
When it comes to Georgia energy rebates income eligibility, the HEAR program works differently from the HER program.
To receive HEAR rebates, your household income must be below 150% of the AMI for the Georgia region where you live.
For example, let’s say the local AMI is $100,000. If you earn less than $150,000 (150% of AMI), you qualify for rebates under the HEAR program. Now let’s say the local AMI is $90,000. That changes the eligibility criteria, so a household earning $150,000 would not qualify for HEAR.
Also–and this is important–lower income households qualify for more HEAR savings than eligible higher-income households. It breaks down like this (Source: GEFA):
- Households earning less than 80% of AMI: Get rebates up to 100% of the total cost up to $14,000.
- Households earning between 80% and 150% of AMI: Get rebates of up to 50% of the total cost up to $14,000.
Or, if it’s easier, you can refer to this chart to get a sense of how the rebate amounts are determined:
Let’s say you decide to replace an aging furnace with a new electric heat pump. The main purpose of HEAR is to help people switch from gas-powered appliances to electric ones, so this purchase qualifies for a rebate. Local AMI is $105,000, and your income is $80,000. The total cost of the system replacement is $15,000.
Since your income is less than 80% of AMI, you would qualify for a 100% reimbursement of the project cost up to $14,000. Since the total project cost is $15,000, your total net cost for the heat pump upgrade would be $1,000.
Over the life of the heat pump, you’re likely to save well over $1,000 thanks to the improved efficiency! It’s like the government is paying you to upgrade your heating and cooling system!
Determine your income eligibility Georgia energy rebates income eligibility
Want to get a sense of how much you can save? Plug your household info into this calculator! While this tool can’t guarantee how much you might save through the HER or HEAR program, it can give you an idea of what’s possible:
At PV Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we’ve created a Customer Advocate Center that can help you determine your eligibility for rebate savings! Contact us today to confirm eligibility and maximize your rebate!
As a longtime Atlanta HVAC and home performance contractor, PV was one of the first contractors approved to participate in Georgia’s HEAR and HER programs!
When you work with us, you’re getting a team of pros who always performs significant pre-installation exercises to ensure you get the best HVAC system and system installation for your home. We also conduct a rigorous quality audit after every installation and offer a 10-year labor warranty for all customers who sign up for the PV Priority Plan!
We’re a family-run business serving all of Metro Atlanta. Check out our 4.9/5 rating and over 2,400 5-star reviews to see how customers feel about working with our team!
Ready to maximize your Georgia energy rebate savings? Contact a PV customer advocate today!
