Low-income electrification heat pump
- Income $70,000; AMI $100,000 → 70% AMI (low).
- Project: Heat pump + panel. Cost $12,000.
- Electrification cap (low) = $8,000. Estimated rebate = min($12,000, $8,000) = $8,000. Eligible: yes.
energy calculator
Home Energy Rebate Eligibility
Check rough eligibility and rebate caps using income vs AMI, project type, and expected savings.
Results
- Income as % of AMI
- 8181.82%
- Income tier
- moderate
- Rebate cap
- $4,000
- Estimated rebate
- $4,000
- Eligibility
- eligible
Overview
Quickly estimate whether your income tier and project scope could qualify for IRA-style home energy rebates, and see rough cap amounts before you chase quotes or pre-approvals.
Because these rebates are rolling out state by state with detailed income tiers, savings thresholds, and per‑measure caps, it can be hard to know whether it’s worth lining up quotes and home energy audits. This calculator gives you a fast AMI-based sanity check so you can see which tier you likely fall into, how electrification vs efficiency projects are treated, and what order‑of‑magnitude rebate caps might look like before you invest time in paperwork.
How to use this calculator
- Enter household income and area median income (AMI) to place yourself in a tier.
- Pick project type: electrification (heat pumps, service panels) or efficiency (insulation, air sealing).
- Enter installed project cost and expected energy savings percent (for efficiency projects).
- Review income tier, rebate cap, estimated rebate (capped by cost), and eligibility.
- Toggle energy savings between 20% and 35% to see if higher savings unlock better efficiency caps.
Inputs explained
- Household income
- Total household income used for rebate eligibility; check your state’s rules on definition and documentation.
- Area median income (AMI)
- Local AMI for your county/metro; find it via HUD/state lookup tools to avoid tier mistakes.
- Project cost
- All-in installed cost for the measure(s) you’re rebating. Include labor and materials.
- Expected energy reduction (%)
- Estimated whole-home energy savings for efficiency projects; use modeled/audit values if available.
- Project type
- Electrification (heat pumps, panels) vs efficiency (insulation/sealing) may have different caps and savings thresholds.
How it works
Income tier = household income ÷ AMI. Tiers: ≤80% (low), 80–150% (moderate), >150% (typically ineligible).
Electrification caps: low-income up to $8,000; moderate up to $4,000.
Efficiency caps: ≥35% savings triggers higher caps (up to $8,000 low / $4,000 moderate); ≥20% savings uses smaller caps (e.g., $4,000 low / $2,000 moderate).
Estimated rebate = min(project cost, applicable cap). Eligibility depends on both income tier and project type/savings.
Formula
AMI% = (householdIncome ÷ areaMedianIncome) × 100. Tier: ≤80% → low; 80–150% → moderate; >150% → ineligible. Electrification cap = $8,000 (low) or $4,000 (moderate). Efficiency cap: if energyReductionPercent ≥ 35% then $8,000 (low) or $4,000 (moderate); else if ≥20% then $4,000 (low) or $2,000 (moderate); else ineligible. Estimated rebate = min(projectCost, applicable cap). Eligible = yes if tier is low/moderate and savings thresholds are met for the selected project type.
When to use it
- Pre-qualify before asking contractors for quotes on heat pumps or insulation.
- Check if you fall under 80% AMI (highest caps) or 80–150% AMI (moderate caps).
- See whether a deeper efficiency scope (≥35% savings) is worth it to reach higher rebates.
- Budget net cost after rebates for electrification upgrades like service panels or heat pump water heaters.
- Plan which project to do first if funding is limited or programs are launching in phases.
- Test sensitivity to income changes (e.g., bonuses) that could move you into a different tier.
Tips & cautions
- Use precise AMI for your county/metro; statewide averages can misclassify your tier.
- If you sit near 80% or 150% AMI, rerun with exact income to see which side of the threshold you land on.
- Efficiency projects often need an audit or modeled savings—ask contractors for projected % savings to avoid missing the 20%/35% thresholds.
- Electrification rebates may have per-measure limits; this tool shows a general cap—verify specific caps for heat pumps, panels, and wiring.
- Stacking with tax credits or utility rebates can be limited. Plan sequencing with your contractor and tax advisor.
- Funding is state-managed; confirm your state has launched and that funds are available before booking installs.
- Keep paperwork: invoices, AHRI certificates, and proof of income are commonly required for rebate claims.
- If income is too high, federal tax credits and utility rebates may still reduce costs—this tool only models income-based rebates.
- Check for program sunset dates or clawback rules; some incentives require post-install verification to keep the rebate.
- Generic approximation; state programs differ in measure caps, stacking rules, pre-approvals, and eligible equipment.
- Does not verify contractor accreditation, equipment specs, load calcs, or installation quality requirements.
- Does not enforce measure-by-measure sub-caps; real programs may cap each device separately.
- Does not check funding availability, waitlists, or launch status.
- Does not calculate tax credits or utility rebates, nor interactions between them.
- Energy savings input is user-entered; actual eligibility may require certified modeling or audits.
- Income definition and documentation requirements vary; this tool uses a simplified AMI comparison only.
Worked examples
Moderate income efficiency at 30% savings
- Income $120,000; AMI $100,000 → 120% AMI (moderate).
- Project: Insulation + air sealing. Cost $9,000. Savings 30%.
- Efficiency cap for 20–34% (moderate) = $2,000. Estimated rebate = $2,000. Eligible: yes at lower cap.
Moderate income efficiency hitting 35%
- Income $110,000; AMI $100,000 → 110% AMI (moderate).
- Project: Deeper insulation + duct sealing. Cost $11,000. Savings 38%.
- Efficiency cap for ≥35% (moderate) = $4,000. Estimated rebate = $4,000. Eligible: yes at higher cap.
Over-income household
- Income $200,000; AMI $110,000 → ~182% AMI (>150%).
- Project: Heat pump. Cost $10,000.
- Income tier ineligible; estimated rebate = $0 here (tax credits/utility rebates may still apply).
Low-income efficiency at 40% savings
- Income $60,000; AMI $90,000 → 67% AMI (low).
- Project: Insulation + sealing. Cost $7,500. Savings 40%.
- Efficiency cap for ≥35% (low) = $8,000. Estimated rebate = $7,500 (capped by cost). Eligible: yes.
Deep dive
Use this home energy rebate calculator to see how your household income compares to area median income (AMI) and what electrification or efficiency rebate caps might apply under IRA-style programs.
Enter income, AMI, project cost, expected energy savings, and project type to estimate your AMI tier, an indicative rebate cap, and whether you may qualify as low- or moderate-income for these incentives.
Use this as a fast pre-check before applying to state programs, scheduling energy audits, or gathering contractor bids for heat pumps, panel upgrades, insulation, or air sealing.
Compare electrification caps such as heat pumps or electrical panels against efficiency caps for insulation and air sealing to see which project path may create the biggest immediate rebate opportunity.
Model 20% versus 35% savings scenarios for efficiency upgrades to understand whether a deeper scope could unlock a higher rebate tier before you finalize contractor proposals.
Plan your likely out-of-pocket cost by capping the rebate to both the program limit and the actual installed project cost, since a large cap does not guarantee a larger check than your spend.
If you are near the 80% or 150% AMI thresholds, rerun the numbers with precise income and local AMI data because a small change can move you between high-cap, moderate-cap, and ineligible tiers.
Because state programs add their own rules, use this tool as a first-pass screen and then confirm exact caps, eligible measures, approved-contractor requirements, and application steps with your state energy office or implementing utility.
FAQs
- Where can I find AMI for my address?
- Use HUD’s AMI lookup or your state energy office tools. AMI is county/metro-specific; using the right geography keeps your tier accurate.
- Do I need pre-approval or approved contractors?
- Many programs require pre-approval and state-approved contractors. Check your state’s rules before signing a contract.
- Can I combine rebates with the federal tax credit?
- Often yes, but some programs reduce rebates when credits are claimed. This tool doesn’t model stacking; confirm with your state and tax advisor.
- Are rentals or multifamily units eligible?
- Eligibility varies by state and property type. Some programs include income-qualified rentals; others are owner-occupied only.
- How is the energy savings percent determined?
- Programs may require an energy audit or modeled savings (e.g., via software). The percent you enter here is a placeholder—use program-approved modeling for real applications.
- What if program funds are depleted?
- Funding can run out; programs may pause or waitlist. This calculator does not check availability—verify before proceeding.
- Does this include per-measure caps like separate limits for heat pumps vs panels?
- No. It shows a single cap by tier and savings. Actual programs often have measure-level caps; confirm your state’s specifics.
Related calculators
This is a generic IRA-style rebate estimator. Real programs differ by state, may require audits, approved contractors, pre-approvals, measure-level caps, and have stacking rules with tax credits or utility incentives. Funding availability is not checked. Confirm requirements with your state energy office and utility before committing to a project.