$211 million energy saving home rebates program pilot launches in Michigan

Fifty households have already taken advantage of energy efficiency rebates provided by the Michigan Home Energy Rebates program, which is set to launch statewide in early 2025, the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy announced.

EGLE implemented the pilot launch of the $211 million MiHER program Tuesday in the Upper Peninsula. The funding comes from the Inflation Reduction Act and the program will be able to help up to 15,000 households reduce the cost of home energy efficiency upgrades.

“Michigan’s Home Energy Rebates programs will offer families thousands of dollars to help them upgrade their homes, purchase efficient appliances, and lower their energy costs,” EGLE Director Phil Roos said. “EGLE is excited to prove these programs in Holland and Marquette County and launch statewide early next year. We urge contractors to sign up now to help us roll out the programs.”

MiHER consists of two programs: the $105.7 million Home Efficiency Rebates program and the $105.3 million Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates program

The HER program will provide rebates to reduce the up-front cost of whole-home energy efficiency upgrades, partially covering retrofitting and electrification efforts. EGLE will base rebate amounts on the amount of energy savings that the project can achieve, though the maximum rebate per household is $20,000.

The HEAR program will help finance the installation of specific electricity efficient technologies like heat pumps and electric stovetops or ovens, plus ventilation, insulation, and electric panel or wiring upgrades. The maximum rebate a resident is eligible for through the HEAR program is $14,000.

“The Michigan Home Energy Rebates programs will lower energy costs for Michiganders,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said. “Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration and our hardworking congressional delegation, we have federal resources available to help families upgrade their homes with more energy-efficient home appliances, helping them stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter while saving working families up to $34,000.”

EGLE will prioritize the funding for low- and middle-income households.