Page updated: 3/8/24
Income-qualified programs are available to help low- to moderate-income households afford their home energy costs so they can remain safe at home. Some programs offer resources to help pay your home energy bill, lower your energy costs, provide access to new energy-related technologies, and allow you to gain access to sustainable energy sources. Income qualified limits vary by program, commonly ranging from 60-150% of the area median income.
The IRA includes significant income-qualified home energy rebate programs for energy efficiency and electrification projects that will be administered by each state. It is anticipated that these programs will become live in late 2024 or early 2025. Stay tuned for more information on these programs once launched.
Explore currently available programs in your state below.
Colorado
- What income-qualified programs are available in Colorado?
- Energy Outreach Colorado (EOC)
- EOC is a statewide non-profit that raises funds to help low-income Coloradans afford home energy. They offer several programs for homeowners and renters such as bill payment assistance, free energy efficiency upgrades, community solar program access to lower electricity bills, and emergency heating system repairs/replacements.
- Weatherization Assistance program (WAP)
- Colorado’s WAP program helps qualified Coloradans save money, increase comfort, and better their homes and environment through proven energy conservation solutions. WAP offers no-cost energy and utility bill saving services such as energy audits, energy conservation education, air sealing, insulation, furnace repair or replacement, LED lighting, high efficiency appliances, solar, and air source heat pumps.
- Xcel Energy EV Rebates
- Xcel Energy offers income-qualified customers up to a $5,500 rebate for a new EV or a $3,000 for a used EV when you buy or lease from a Colorado-based car dealer.
- Vehicle Exchange (VCX) Program
- The Colorado Vehicle Exchange (VCX) Program offers income-qualified Coloradans an opportunity to recycle their old gas vehicle and replace it with an electric vehicle. The program offers rebates of $6,000 for a new EV and $4,000 for a used EV. To qualify, you must make 80% or less of your county’s area median income. Click here to see your county’s 80% area median income value.
- Energy Outreach Colorado (EOC)
- Do I qualify?
- To qualify for the EOC, WAP, Xcel Energy EV, and VCX programs, your income can’t be above 80% of your county’s area median income limit. To see if you qualify based on your income, location (county), and household size, click here.
Minnesota
- What income-qualified programs are available in Minnesota?
- Energy Assistance Program (EAP)
- EAP helps pay for part of income-qualified household energy bills. The average benefit is $500 per year and can be up to $1,400. You must apply annually. Find the local service provider for your area here.
- Weatherization Assistance program (WAP)
- WAP provides free home energy upgrades to income-eligible homeowners and renters to help save energy and make sure your home is a healthy and safe place to live. WAP offers no-cost energy and utility bill saving services such as energy audits, air sealing, insulation, furnace and water heater repair or replacement, and more.
- Xcel Energy Income-Qualified Home Energy Squad visits
- Home Energy Squad offers free visits to income-qualified households. These visits include an assessment of the home and installation of LED lights, weatherstripping, a programmable thermostat, and water saving measures.
- Xcel Energy Income-Qualified Home Energy Savings Program (HESP)
- HESP is a customizable program to help homeowners and renters living in 1-4 unit buildings. The program offers services such as free advice from energy experts and installation of free energy-saving improvements like insulation, air source heat pumps, refrigerators, and other appliances.
- Income-Qualified Multifamily Building Efficiency Program (MFBE)
- Income-qualified MFBE serves owners of multifamily buildings with 66% or more of residents meeting income qualifications. The program provides a whole-building assessment, direct installs, and a 200% bonus incentive (or three times the standard rebate amount) to rebates earned for building improvements.
- Energy Assistance Program (EAP)
- Do I qualify?
- To see if your household qualifies for EAP and WAP based on household size and income, see the eligibility guidelines here.
- Xcel Energy offers income-qualified incentives to households below 80% area median income. See program pages for eligibility details.
Wisconsin
- What income-qualified programs are available in Wisconsin?
- Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP)
- WHEAP assists eligible households with their heating and electric bills. WHEAP assistance is a one-time payment during the heating season (October 1-May 15). The amount of the energy assistance benefit depends on a variety of factors, including the household’s size, income, and energy costs.
- Weatherization Assistance program (WAP)
- WAP provides free home energy upgrades to income-eligible homeowners and renters to help save energy and make sure your home is a healthy and safe place to live. WAP offers no-cost energy and utility bill saving services such as energy audits, air sealing, insulation, furnace and water heater repair or replacement, and more.
- Focus on Energy income-qualified bonus rebates
- Focus on Energy offers larger rebates to income-qualified households for efficient heating and cooling equipment and insulation and air sealing upgrades. Focus on Energy suggests applying to be pre-approved for income-qualified rebates before completing the rebate-eligible upgrades.
- Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP)
- Do I qualify?
- To see if your household qualifies for EAP and WAP based on household size and income, see the eligibility guidelines.
- Focus on Energy offers income-qualified rebates to households below 80% state median income. See the eligibility and application guidelines.