Western North Carolina Homeowners Can Get Up to $16,000 for Energy Upgrades

Western North Carolina homeowners can now get major help paying for energy upgrades through two federal programs that put thousands of dollars directly toward making homes more efficient and affordable to heat.

Two Programs, Big Savings

The Energy Saver North Carolina program offers two ways to save:

HOMES Program: Up to $16,000 for energy efficiency improvements like better insulation or upgrading your heating and cooling system. This program starts with a free energy audit that shows you which upgrades will save you the most money.

HEAR Program: Up to $13,000 to replace old oil, gas, or propane heating systems with modern electric heat pumps. If you're tired of expensive fuel deliveries, this program can eliminate them completely.

Who Qualifies?

For the HOMES program, homeowners earning at or below 80% of their county's median income can get full coverage of improvements up to $16,000. In Buncombe and Henderson counties, that's about $60,000 per year for a family of four.

The HEAR program helps households earning between 80% and 150% of median income through rebates and tax credits. One local homeowner living on Social Security got a brand new electric heating system at zero cost. She no longer has to worry about affording oil deliveries or high energy bills.

How to Apply

You'll need:

• Proof of income
• Proof of homeownership
• One year of electric bills

For HOMES, an energy audit happens first. For HEAR (replacing fuel-based heating), no audit is needed, so it moves faster. Energy contractor Jennifer Martyn says HEAR funding could run out within months as more people apply statewide.

The Clock Is Ticking

This money comes from the federal Inflation Reduction Act, with North Carolina receiving over $208 million total. But it's first-come, first-served. Interest is growing through word-of-mouth, and contractors say homeowners need to act now before funds run out.

"The money is there," says Martyn. "People just need to know about it before it runs out."

To learn more or apply, visit Energy Savers North Carolina at energysavernc.org or contact Jennifer Martyn at jmartyn@energizecarolinas.com.