In Illinois, specific energy-efficient upgrades eligible for rebates primarily fall under the Home Energy Rebate Programs administered by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Energy, funded by the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). These programs include the Home Efficiency Rebates (Section 50121) and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (Section 50122).
Eligible Energy-Efficient Upgrades for Rebates in Illinois
1. Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR Program)
- Rebates of up to $14,000 on home electrification projects.
- Eligible upgrades include:
- Electric stoves
- Electric heat pumps (space heating and cooling)
- Heat pump water heaters
- Electric panel upgrades
- Other appliance upgrades that improve home electrification and energy efficiency.
- The program allows consumers to mix and match rebates across different categories, subject to the total cap.
2. Home Efficiency Rebates
- Duct sealing and insulation qualify as eligible energy efficiency improvements.
- Other energy-efficient home upgrades that reduce energy consumption may be eligible—such as air sealing and weatherization improvements.
- Home energy audits are supported as part of efficiency improvements, particularly qualifying for tax credits.
3. Illinois ENERGY STAR® Appliance Rebate Program
- Rebates for purchasing ENERGY STAR certified equipment including:
- HVAC equipment such as air conditioners, air-source heat pumps, propane furnaces, gas furnaces, and gas boilers.
- Water heaters (gas condensing, electric heat pump, gas storage, gas tankless).
- Appliances such as clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, and room air conditioners.
- Minimum equipment efficiency requirements apply, and rebates are not retroactive.
Important Notes on Eligibility and Application
- Initially, rebate funds are prioritized for low-income households (80% or less of Area Median Income – AMI), with a minimum of 10% allocated to low-income multifamily buildings, although adjustments may be made based on demand.
- Only one appliance per category is allowed under the appliance rebate program.
- Rebates are not retroactive; only projects approved after the program launch will be eligible.
- Illinois is awaiting U.S. DOE approval to officially launch these rebate programs.
- Income verification is required, with Illinois proposing to focus rebates on households at or below 80% AMI for full rebate eligibility, reflecting an equitable distribution of funds.
Additional Funding and Incentives
- Illinois residents can also access other rebates through electric or natural gas utility providers.
- Federal tax credits complement these rebates, such as the Home Energy Efficiency and Weatherization Tax Credit and Clean Energy Tax Credit for solar, geothermal heat pumps, and battery storage systems.
In summary, Illinois offers rebates for a broad range of energy-efficient home upgrades including electrification appliances, insulation and duct sealing, HVAC equipment, water heaters, and ENERGY STAR appliances, with a strong emphasis on supporting low-income households and ensuring energy-efficient home improvements adhere to federal program guidelines.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/what-are-the-specific-energy-efficient-upgrades-eligible-for-rebates-in-illinois/
