INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana will soon receive $182 million of federal funding to help Hoosiers across the state reduce energy use and energy costs.
The funding will be distributed through two separate programs once the state’s plan is approved by the U.S. Department of Energy later this year.
”We are very excited about the opportunities,” Ryan Hadley with the Indiana Office of Energy Development said. “The whole idea is that customers are not going to have to pay out of pocket for the full costs of whatever investments are made under these programs.”
Through what’s being called the Home Efficiency Rebate Program, or HOMES for short, Hoosiers would receive discounts for new insulation, air sealing and duct work. While all Hoosier households are encouraged to apply, a household must prove new insulation could help achieve at least 20 percent in energy savings.
”Once they apply, they receive an energy audit, and that energy audit must meet certain metrics,” Hadley said. ”If a customer…[makes] less than 80% of the area median income, they will effectively receive double the amount of discounts than those who are above that threshold.”
Meanwhile, the Home Appliance Rebate Program, or HEAR for short, would provide discounts for items such as new HVACs, heat pumps, and water heaters. However, that program will be exclusively for low and moderate-income households according to Hadley.
”Those that are 150 percent or less of the area median income—they are eligible to apply,” Hadley said.
Hadley said both programs, once they launch, could offer Hoosiers assistance for the next three to four years.
“It will depend on the energy audit’s result, but it is up to a maximum of $14,000 per home,” Hadley said.
Informational meetings about both programs will take place in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Evansville within the next two weeks. Hadley said he anticipates the programs will launch in late 2024 or early 2025.
