Rebates & help
Home Energy Rebates by State: Which States Have Launched in 2026
Which states have launched federal Home Energy Rebates (HOMES and HEAR), what DOE Notice 26-2 changed in 2026, and how to apply in your state.
Our editorial team researches every guide from primary sources: the U.S. Department of Energy, ENERGY STAR, the IRS, the Energy Information Administration, state energy offices and official program pages. We date every fact and re-check incentive status regularly.
Home Energy Guide Hub is written and reviewed by a small editorial team, not by contractors or equipment sellers. We do not accept payment to recommend products or installers. Each guide is drafted from official guidance, checked line by line against the sources listed at the end of the article, and reviewed again before publication. When a program or tax rule changes we update the guide and its 'last updated' date, and we log significant fixes on our corrections page. We are not licensed tax preparers, lawyers, engineers or contractors, so our guides are educational: confirm eligibility with the program and get advice from a qualified professional for your situation.
Topics we cover: home energy efficiency, heat pumps, insulation and air sealing, energy rebates and assistance programs.
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Guides by the editorial team (12)
Rebates & help
Energy Tax Credits in 2026: What Ended, What You Can Still Claim
The 25C and 25D home energy tax credits ended after 2025. Here is what you can still claim on a 2025 return and what help remains for 2026 upgrades.
Water heating
Heat Pump Water Heaters: Savings, Sizing and Installation Guide
How much a heat pump water heater saves, how to size it with first hour rating and UEF, where it can go, 120V vs 240V, costs, and how it compares with gas.
Heating & cooling
Cold-Climate Heat Pumps: Do They Really Work Below Freezing?
How cold-climate heat pumps perform below freezing, what the ENERGY STAR cold-climate label requires at 5°F, how to use the NEEP list and plan backup heat.
Rebates & help
Help Paying Energy Bills: LIHEAP, Weatherization and Utility Programs
How to get help paying your energy bills in 2026: LIHEAP, free weatherization, utility payment plans, budget billing, shutoff protections and how to apply.
Audits & planning
How to Lower Your Energy Bill: No-Cost, Low-Cost and Big Upgrades
Ways to lower your energy bill, ranked from free habit changes to low-cost fixes and big upgrades, with official savings figures and where to find help.
Heating & cooling
Heat Pumps for Your Home: Cost, Savings and How to Choose
What a heat pump costs to run in 2026, how much it can save versus a furnace, AC or baseboard heat, how to read SEER2 and HSPF2, and what help is left.
Audits & planning
Home Energy Audit: What It Includes, Cost and How to Get One
What a home energy audit includes, what it costs, how to find a BPI or RESNET certified pro, free utility audits, and a DIY checklist you can do today.
Thermostats & controls
Smart Thermostat Savings: What You Can Really Expect
How much a smart thermostat saves, which settings matter, heat pump and C-wire compatibility, and how utility demand-response programs pay you.
Windows & doors
Energy-Efficient Windows: Replace, Repair or Add Storm Windows?
How to read U-factor and SHGC on the NFRC label, ENERGY STAR window zones, honest payback math, low-e storm windows, and energy-efficient doors.
Insulation & air sealing
Air Sealing Your Home: Find Leaks, Seal Them and Stay Safe
Where homes leak air, how to find leaks, what a blower door test shows, DIY caulk and weatherstripping, attic bypasses, and combustion safety.
Insulation & air sealing
Attic Insulation Guide: How Much R-Value You Need and What It Costs
How much attic insulation you need by climate zone, how to check what you have, which material to choose, DIY vs pro, and why to air seal first.