South Carolina’s Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) program will help reduce the cost of whole-home energy efficiency improvements. These rebates are based on your household’s income and the total energy savings achieved through eligible upgrades.

While the HOMES program is still being developed, below is important project information so you know what to expect when the program launches. 

How It Works

1. Schedule a Home Energy Assessment
   Begin by contacting a program-approved contractor to conduct an energy assessment of your home. This assessment will identify opportunities for energy savings and recommend specific improvements.
2. Develop a Project Plan
   Based on the assessment, your contractor will create a scope of work outlining the recommended upgrades to enhance your home's energy efficiency.
3. Implement Upgrades and Receive Rebates
   After completing the approved upgrades, you may be eligible for rebates. The rebate amount will depend on your household income and the percentage of energy savings achieved.

Rebate Amounts

Rebate amounts are determined by your household income relative to your county's Area Median Income (AMI) and the expected energy savings from the upgrades.

Eligible Upgrades

Potential energy efficiency improvements include:

• Insulation and air sealing
• High-efficiency HVAC systems
• Energy-efficient windows and doors
• Smart thermostats
• Other measures that contribute to whole-home energy savings

Important Considerations

• Assessment Costs: There may be costs associated with the initial home energy assessment. Discuss any potential fees with your contractor beforehand.
• Contractor Selection: Ensure you work with a program-approved contractor to qualify for rebates.
• Rebate Availability: Rebates are not currently available but are expected to launch in 2026. Stay informed by checking this website regularly and signing up for updates. Subscribe

South Carolina’s Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) program will help low and moderate-income households secure savings on the purchase and installation of energy-saving electric appliances and upgrades.

The HEAR program is only available to households with an annual income that is less than 150% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for their county.

While the program is still being developed, below is important project information so you know what to expect when the program launches. 

How It Works

Generally, most projects will need to be completed through program-approved contractors who will then pass the savings down to customers. This means you’ll receive the rebate upfront without needing to wait for reimbursement.

However, a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) option will be available for certain appliance purchases, such as:

• Electric stoves

• Cooktops
• Ovens

Eligible Upgrades

Rebates can be applied to a range of electrification upgrades, including:

• Electric heat pump water heaters
• Electric heat pumps for space heating and cooling
• Electric stoves, cooktops, and ovens
• Heat pump clothes dryers
• Electric panel and wiring upgrades
• Insulation, air sealing, and ventilation improvements

Important Considerations

• The HEAR program is only available to households with an annual income that is less than 150% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for their county.
• Rebate Availability: Rebates are not currently available but are expected to launch in 2026. Stay informed by checking this website regularly and signing up for updates. Subscribe

About the Program

What are the South Carolina Home Energy Rebate programs?

South Carolina’s Home Energy Rebate initiative includes two distinct programs designed to help residents reduce utility costs and improve energy efficiency through home upgrades and electric appliance replacements:

• Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES)
  This program will support comprehensive home energy efficiency improvements. Individual households may be eligible for rebates ranging from $2,000 to $16,000, depending on the total energy savings achieved and the household’s income level. Higher rebates will be available for low and moderate-income households.

• Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR)
  The HEAR program will provide point-of-sale rebates to households earning less than 150% of the area median income (AMI) for their county. Qualifying households could receive up to $14,000 in rebates for eligible appliances and upgrades. 

Both programs are funded through the federal Inflation Reduction Act and are expected to launch in South Carolina in 2026.

When will the South Carolina Home Energy Rebate programs become available?

South Carolina is actively designing both the Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) programs. The programs are expected to launch statewide in 2026.

Eligibility

Who is eligible for rebates?

For the Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES), rebates are available to individuals conducting energy efficiency upgrades of single-family homes and multifamily buildings. These rebates are available to households of any income. For households with a total annual income below 80% of the area median income (AMI), rebates can cover a higher percentage of the total project costs.

The Home Electrification and Appliance (HEAR) program is only available to households with an annual income that is less than 150%t of the area median income (AMI) of their county.

How can I know which types of projects or work are eligible for South Carolina’s Home Energy Rebates?

HOMES and HEAR Rebates may apply to the installation of the following energy-saving technologies and measures:

• Electric heat pump clothes dryers
• Electric heat pumps for space heating and cooling*
• Electric heat pump water heaters
• Electric panel and wiring upgrades
• Electric stoves, cooktops, ranges, and ovens
• Air sealing
• Duct sealing
• Insulation
• Materials to improve ventilation
• Potentially other energy-saving technologies

*Replacement of an existing heat pump, even with a more efficient electric heat pump, is not eligible for a rebate, per the DOE guidance.

Can I participate in both programs?

Yes, South Carolina households may be eligible to participate in both the Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) programs, as long as the following conditions are met:

• The household meets the income eligibility requirements for both programs.

• Rebates from the HOMES and HEAR programs cannot be combined for the same individual upgrade (e.g., you cannot apply both rebates to the same appliance or improvement).

• Additionally, HOMES or HEAR rebates may not be combined with other federal incentives for the same project component.

I am a participant in another government-funded home improvement program (i.e., WAP), can I still participate in the South Carolina Home Energy Rebate programs?

Yes. South Carolina residents may participate in the Home Energy Rebate programs in addition to other programs such as the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) or local utility rebate programs.

However, you cannot apply multiple sources of funding to the same individual upgrade. For example, if you receive WAP funding for insulation, you cannot also apply for a rebate from HOMES or HEAR for that same insulation project.

I am a tenant (renter) in my home, can I participate in the programs?

Yes. Tenants may be eligible to participate in the HOMES and HEAR programs with written permission from the property owner.

Please consult the program’s eligibility guidelines for more information on income requirements and documentation needed for renters.

How can I find out my household’s AMI?

Area Median Income (AMI) varies by county and household size. To determine your household’s AMI in South Carolina, you can use the following resources:

1. HUD Income Limits Tool: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides an online tool to look up income limits by county and household size. Visit the HUD Income Limits page and select South Carolina to find detailed information.
2. South Carolina Housing Authority: The South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority publishes annual income and rent limits for various programs. You can access the 2025 income limits on their Income & Rent Limits page.

Rebate Details

What are the rebate levels?

Rebate amounts for the Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) program are determined by household energy savings by project and household AMI. Please review the table below for available amounts. 

Rebate amounts for the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) program are based on income eligibility. Only households that make less than 150% of the AMI in their county are eligible to participate in the HEAR program. Please review the table below for available rebate amounts.  

When will I receive my rebate payments? 

In most cases, rebate payments will be issued directly to the contractor performing the work. 

However, some pathways, such as the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) option under the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) program, may allow direct payments to homeowners or tenants. For example, residents purchasing and installing qualifying electric kitchen appliances themselves may be eligible for reimbursement.

Final program details for South Carolina are still in development and will be posted on this site once available.

Will I be taxed on the rebate amount?

No, you will not be taxed on the value of rebates received through South Carolina’s Home Energy Rebate programs. According to IRS guidance, rebates provided under the Inflation Reduction Act, such as those from the Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) programs, are treated as reductions in the purchase price of the qualifying improvements or appliances. 

As a result, these rebates are not considered taxable income and do not need to be reported on your federal income tax return.

I need a home energy upgrade now. What should I do?

South Carolina’s Home Energy Rebate programs are still in development, and households should not use them to complete emergency energy efficiency upgrades.

We encourage the use of existing federal programs, including the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and those offered by local utility providers.

• Duke Energy - https://www.duke-energy.com/home/products/improve-and-save
• Dominion Energy - https://www.dominionenergy.com/south-carolina/save-energy
• Santee Cooper - https://www.santeecooper.com/programs-incentives/empowerhome/

Contractors

Do I have to use a specific contractor to receive a rebate?

Yes, for contractor-led pathways, all projects must be completed by a program-approved contractor to qualify for South Carolina’s Home Energy Rebates.

There are two main participation pathways:

Contractor-Led Projects (Required for Most Upgrades)

• For the Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) program, all projects must be led by a certified contractor who will complete the energy assessment, perform the upgrades, and receive the rebate payment on behalf of the homeowner.

• For the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) program, a program-approved contractor is required for certain upgrades, including:

  • Heat Pump Water Heater

  • Heat Pump for Space Heating and Cooling

  • Heat Pump Clothes Dryer

  • Electric Load Service Center

  • Insulation, Air Sealing, Ventilation

  • Electric Wiring

In these cases, rebates are issued to the contractor and passed on as an upfront discount to the customer.

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Pathway – HEAR Only

South Carolina’s HEAR program will also include a DIY option for certain appliance purchases. Homeowners and tenants (with landlord approval) may complete their own installation of specific eligible electric kitchen appliances, such as electric stoves, cooktops, or ovens.

DIY participants will receive direct reimbursement after submitting proof of purchase, project documentation (e.g., photos), and completing the rebate application process.

Where can I find qualified contractors? 

A list of program-approved contractors will be available on this website when the South Carolina Home Energy Rebate programs officially launch.

What if there is not a contractor in my area on the list?

The South Carolina Energy Office is actively building a statewide network of qualified contractors to support the Home Energy Rebate programs. We will offer ongoing training and outreach to ensure contractors across all regions of the state can participate.

If no approved contractor is currently available in your area, please check back regularly as the list will continue to grow. You can also sign up for email updates to receive notifications as new contractors are added to the program.

I am a contractor. How do I become an approved contractor for South Carolina’s Home Energy Rebate programs?

Contractors interested in participating should complete the South Carolina Home Energy Rebates Contractor Interest Form. By signing up, you’ll receive updates on:

• Contractor eligibility and certification requirements

• Program training opportunities
• Rebate application procedures

• Timeline for program rollout

Once the program is fully launched, only approved contractors will be eligible to perform work that qualifies for rebates under the HOMES and HEAR programs.

Other

How will SCEO protect consumers and ensure that retailers and contractors do not inflate prices?

Consumer protection is a top priority for South Carolina’s Home Energy Rebate programs. A comprehensive consumer protection plan will be in place to help prevent price inflation and ensure fair practices by participating contractors and retailers.

This plan will include:

• Guidelines and monitoring tools to detect and prevent inflated pricing

• A consumer resource guide to help residents understand contractor quotes, recognize red flags, and know how to report concerns

• Clear reporting channels for submitting complaints about contractors, retailers, or program-related issues

These resources will be published on this website and made available when the full program launches.