New Georgia Rebates Make Energy Upgrades Affordable

By Sara Vinson, Sustainable Newton Co-Founder & Secretary

If you’ve been thinking about replacing your old water heater, upgrading your insulation, or switching to an electric stove, now is a great time to take advantage of Georgia’s newly available rebates for homeowners and renters. Thanks to funding from the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), households across the state can now access thousands of dollars to electrify appliances and improve their home's energy efficiency.

The two IRA-funded programs available in Georgia are the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) and the Home Efficiency Rebates (HER). Both are administered through the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) and offer significant savings, especially for households earning below or near the Area Median Income (AMI).
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Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR)

The HEAR program supports low- and moderate-income households in purchasing and installing high-efficiency electric appliances and making key upgrades to home infrastructure. Qualified applicants can receive rebates for upgrades such as:

• Heat pump water heaters (up to $1,750)
• Heat pumps for space heating or cooling (up to $8,000)
• Heat pump clothes dryers, electric stoves, cooktops, and ovens (up to $840)
• Electric load service centers (up to $4,000)
• Insulation, air sealing, and ventilation (up to $1,600)
• Electric wiring (up to $2,500)

It is important to note that replacing one electric appliance with another electric appliance does not qualify for the rebates. The one exception to this rule is upgrading from an electric water heater to a heat pump water heater.

Also, participants must use a GEFA-approved contractor in order to receive the rebates. The one exception to this rule is a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) pathway for those who want to replace a gas stovetop or range with an electric alternative.

Income Requirements

Households earning less than 80% of their area’s median income (AMI) may be eligible for rebates that cover up to the full cost of their project. Those with incomes between 80% and 150% of AMI can receive up to half of their costs covered by the rebates. Because eligibility is also based on household size, income limits adjust depending on how many people live in your home.

Home Efficiency Rebates (HER)

While HEAR focuses on individual electrification projects, HER supports whole-home retrofits that improve energy efficiency across the board. To get started, households must schedule a home energy audit with a program-approved contractor. Using that assessment, your contractor will create a plan that can qualify you for rebates based on energy savings achieved and your income bracket.

From cutting monthly utility bills to creating a healthier home environment, the benefits of energy upgrades are now within closer reach for Georgia households. 

Program Requirements

The amount you can receive through HER depends on your household income, household size, and how much energy your upgrades are expected to save. If your income is below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), you could receive up to $10,000 for projects that cut your energy use by 20–34%, and up to $16,000 if your savings reach 35% or more.

For households earning 80% of AMI or higher, the rebates are lower—but still significant. You may be eligible for up to $2,000 for improvements that save 20–34%, or up to $4,000 if you reach at least 35% in energy savings.

Resources

To quickly estimate your eligibility and potential savings, use the Rewiring America IRA Savings Calculator. It’s a helpful tool to understand what federal and state incentives you can access.
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To see where your income stands relative to the AMI for Newton County, you can use the HUD Area Median Income data tool.

For more details about the program, including access to the approved contractor list, income documentation requirements as well as instructions on how to get started, visit Georgia’s Home Energy Rebates website.
 
From cutting monthly utility bills to creating a healthier home environment, the benefits of energy upgrades are now within closer reach for Georgia households. Georgia’s Home Energy Rebates are more than just financial incentives—they’re an opportunity to upgrade your home, reduce your environmental footprint, and invest in long-term comfort. If you're ready to electrify and save, now is the time to act.