The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has announced that its Energy Saver North Carolina program is now available in all 100 counties. The initiative aims to help eligible households reduce their energy bills by providing rebates for home efficiency upgrades. More than $200 million in funding is available for these improvements.
Eligible households can receive up to $16,000 in rebates for measures such as heat pump systems and insulation. Additional rebates of up to $14,000 are offered for high-efficiency electrical appliances, including water heaters and electric cooktops. Early estimates suggest that a household could save nearly $1,000 annually on energy costs.
Governor Josh Stein stated, “Electricity bills are too high, and I am committed to doing everything I can to lower your costs. North Carolina is expanding Energy Saver NC to all 100 counties. Now, eligible families across the state will be able to lower their energy bills about $1,000 a year on average and improve the comfort and safety of their homes. These upgrades also strengthen our energy system, help our environment, and support good-paying jobs in communities statewide.”
DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson added, “North Carolina is the first state in the nation to fully launch the Energy Saver program. Now that the program is available across the state, eligible North Carolina families can lower their utility bills by up to $80 per month, and their homes will be more comfortable. These energy-saving steps will also reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality while supporting more than 2,000 jobs for the contractors doing the installations. That’s a win all the way around for North Carolina.”
Julie Woosley, Director of DEQ’s State Energy Office (SEO), commented on reaching this milestone: “The DEQ State Energy Office (SEO) is committed to ensuring a sustainable energy future for North Carolinians, and in just a year, we’ve met a critical goal to make that happen: Energy Saver NC is operating in all NC counties,” she said. “This program makes energy efficiency accessible to North Carolinians who need it most, helping to lower their energy costs and make their homes more comfortable while also increasing our state’s resilience and energy independence. Although we’ve reached this milestone, we still have a lot of work to do, and we look forward to signing up more families and watching the benefits flow from this program.”
The rollout began last January with limited county participation before expanding statewide with Wake and Mecklenburg counties being among the last added. Since its launch, approximately $777,000 worth of rebate-eligible projects have been installed in 51 households. The program has received over 4,800 applications so far; more than 1,700 have been approved.
Funding comes from two U.S Department of Energy rebate programs: Homeowners Managing Efficiency Savings (HOMES), which offers up to $16,000 for home upgrades like air sealing or efficient HVAC units; and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR), which provides up to $14,000 for efficient appliances such as heat pump water heaters or electric stoves.
Initial estimates indicate participating households could see about $945 per year in savings while reducing overall household electricity usage—an estimated annual reduction of 293,000 kWh was recorded in 2025 alone.
Eligibility depends on income level relative to Area Median Income (AMI) as determined by federal guidelines; full rebates cover up to 100% of project costs for those earning less than 80% AMI while partial rebates cover up to half for moderate-income applicants earning between 80%–150% AMI.
Once eligibility is confirmed through an application process—including an income check—households receive a free home assessment by certified professionals who recommend specific improvements. All work must be performed by approved contractors registered with Energy Saver NC.
According to information from the official website, DEQ supports public education efforts alongside environmental compliance initiatives throughout North Carolina communities while regulating air quality standards and managing resources such as land and water statewide.
For further details about eligibility or how residents can apply for these rebates or learn about other services provided by DEQ—including regulatory authority over natural resources—visit the department’s website or energysavernc.org.
