If you were able, thank you for attending one of the five in-person or two virtual stakeholder engagement events throughout January and February. The program planning team has put the final touches on Wisconsin’s application materials for DOE. The Public Service Commission will review the draft application along with a memorandum outlining key policy decisions, which will shape the programs for Wisconsin.

You can now review the memorandum and application materials and submit public comment on the Public Service Commission’s Electronic Records Filing (ERF) System through April 16, 2024, at 1:30 p.m.*

Home Efficiency Rebate HOMES Docket Search: 9716-FG-2023

Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) Docket Search: 9717-FG-2023

When filing comments, if comments relate to the application materials for the HOMES program, please file those comments in docket 9716-FG-2023. If the comments relate to the application materials for HEAR, please file those comments in 9717-FG-2023. If the comments relate to the application materials for both HOMES and HEAR, please file your comments in both dockets.

The Public Service Commission will consider public comments, stakeholder feedback, program staff proposals, and DOE program requirements, and make final decisions in an open meeting anticipated in late-April on whether to accept or make any revisions to the draft application materials.

Following the Commission’s final decisions, program staff will make any necessary adjustments to the program application materials and officially submit Wisconsin’s program applications to the DOE. The DOE estimates a 60–90-day approval process for review, questions and final negotiations with the state before approving the program plans.

Pending DOE approval, certain program components are anticipated to launch as soon as late-summer 2024.

* You can subscribe to these dockets using the EZ-Subscription on this page: PSC - Electronic Records Filing (ERF) (wi.gov)

You can also learn more about Public Participation with the Public Service Commission at this link: Public Participation

IRA Home Energy Rebates consist of two programs: the Home Efficiency Rebate Program (HOMES) and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate Program (HEAR). Each program has different federal requirements and maximum rebate amounts. There may be additional project requirements, rebate amounts, or project cost maximums offered based on the Commission’s pending decisions on program design. What is outlined in the following tables is initial Federal guidance prior to state program adaptation and is not final.

The Home Efficiency Rebate Program

The Home Efficiency Rebate Program is a whole home, performance-based program. A home energy assessment and modeling will be required. The rebate amount is based on how much energy a household is predicted to save by making recommended improvements.

Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate Program

The Electrification and Appliance Rebate Program offers rebates for installing qualifying equipment. A single household cannot receive more than $14,000 total in rebate dollars from this program. High income households (>150% AMI) are not eligible for this program.

*A single household cannot claim rebates for both the ENERGY STAR® electric heat pump clothes dryer and the ENERGY STAR® electric stove, cooktop, range, oven.

DOE has posted a fact sheet to help consumers understand the types of incentives available to them under all Home Energy Rebates Programs.

*Maximum rebate costs for home electrification qualified technologies are:

• ENERGY STAR® electric heat pump water heater – up to $1,750
• ENERGY STAR electric heat pump for space heating and cooling – up to $8,000
• ENERGY STAR electric stove, cooktop, range, oven OR heat pump clothes dryer – up to $840
• Electric load service center – up to $4,000
• Electric wiring – up to $2,500
• Insulation, air sealing, and ventilation – up to $1,600

All Wisconsin residents completing qualified energy efficiency upgrades in single-family and multifamily buildings will likely be eligible for Home Efficiency Rebates. Households below 80% of the area median income will be eligible for higher rebates.

A low- or moderate-income household, where the total annual income is less than 150% of the area median income, is eligible for Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates if you meet one of the following:

• Live in a low- or moderate-income household.
• Own a multifamily building with low- or moderate-income households comprising at least 50% of the building's units.

Note: A single household address may not receive a rebate from both the Home Efficiency Rebate and the Home Electrification and Appliance Program for the same upgrade or equipment type. However, projects receiving rebates from either of these programs may also be eligible to receive Focus on Energy rebates.

It is great you took steps to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Federal guidance requires states to offer retroactive rebates for Home Efficiency Rebate Program projects initiated on or after August 16, 2022. Projects will need to meet all federal requirements and any additional state requirements. Federal requirements can be reviewed on the DOE’s Retroactivity Fact Sheet. State requirements have not been finalized. Be sure to keep any project documentation, including any reports and itemized invoices. Also, keep documentation on the equipment that was replaced. Once the program is available to Wisconsin residents, you can check if your prior project meets program requirements.

Retroactive rebates will not be available for the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) Program.

You may be eligible for Focus on Energy rebates, in addition to certain Home Energy Rebates, if you are a customer of a participating Wisconsin gas or electric utility or cooperative. Review the participating utility list to confirm you are eligible.

While Home Energy Rebates is part of a larger Federal program through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), funding to each state is distributed through the Department of Energy’s State and Community Energy Program Office. In Wisconsin, this office is part of our Public Service Commission, which also oversees Focus on Energy. Focus on Energy is Wisconsin utilities’ statewide program for energy efficiency and renewable energy. Focus on Energy was chosen by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to deliver the IRA Home Energy Rebate Programs. IRA programs will be able to take advantage of resources and systems already in place. While the Focus on Energy program is the implementor for the IRA Home Energy Rebate programs, the programs are funded and managed as separate programs and not included in the Focus portfolio.

Check out DOE's Home Energy Rebates website and cleanenergy.gov for more information.

• Department of Energy - Frequently Asked Questions
• Investing in America - CleanEnergy.gov | The White House

For additional inquires, questions, or comments, please email IRAHER@focusonenergy.com