Have you heard of the new Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) program? As a part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) home and energy rebates launch, this program allows Wisconsin residents to qualify for rebates on heating and cooling equipment and installations. Â
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Harker Heating & Cooling leads the way in energy-efficient solutions and stays up-to-date with the latest legislation. Discover how this new program can help you save energy and meet your heating and cooling service needs more efficiently.
What Is The HEAR Program?
The HEAR program is anticipated to launch at the end of 2024 and is intended to assist low/moderate income households save money and energy on their homes. While this program will help Wisconsinites save money, it will also help households save on energy efficiency improvements such as insulation, air sealing, and heat pumps that reduce whole-home energy consumption.Â
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These rebates will help Wisconsites make environmentally-friendly decisions when choosing heating and cooling services. According to energy.gov these energy-saving measures will save American households up to $1 billion annually in energy costs.
Who Can Participate In The HEAR Program?
This program is available to households with an annual income of less than 150% of the area median income (AMI).
Difference Between HOMES And HEAR Programs
You may already be aware of the Home Efficiency Rebate (HOMES) Program, which launched in August 2024 with the intention of helping people improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The HOMES program differs from the HEAR program because it requires a person to complete an assessment before qualifying for the program. Additionally, the HEAR program specifically caters to participants with an annual income of less than 150% of the area median income (AMI), meaning high-income households cannot participate. In the HOMES program, anyone can get their home assessed for participation.
The HOMES and HEAR programs are both launched in collaboration with the IRA and empower Wisconsinites to save money and energy with heating and cooling equipment and installation. You can visit the Focus on Energy website to learn more about the HOMES and HEAR programs.
How Does This Program Affect Heating And Cooling?
If you’re eligible, the HEAR program will provide assistance to households for installing heating and cooling equipment such as heat pumps and HVAC services to save money and energy. If you purchase specific energy-saving equipment, you may qualify for a rebate through the HEAR program on your product.Â
It’s important to note that retroactive rebates are not available for the HEAR program. Although, participants may be eligible for federal tax credits. These tax credits will provide credit for clean energy equipment such as heat pumps.
