3 National Programs That Can Help Lower Energy Bills and Improve Homes

From utility-bill assistance to energy-efficiency upgrades, federal programs may help eligible households make their homes more affordable, comfortable and energy efficient. Here’s where to start.

For many households, the cost of heating, cooling and maintaining a home can be a significant financial burden. At the same time, improvements such as insulation, air sealing and more efficient heating and cooling systems can require an upfront investment that is difficult to manage.

Across the United States, several federally funded programs are designed to help address these challenges. Some support eligible households with energy bills, while others help fund improvements that can reduce energy use and improve home comfort.

The challenge is that these programs have different eligibility requirements, application processes and local availability. Understanding which programs may apply to your household or property is an important first step.

At HomeIncentivesHub (HiH), we believe building incentives should be easier to discover, understand and navigate. Here are three national programs worth knowing about.

1. Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program helps eligible low-income households reduce energy costs by improving the energy efficiency, comfort and safety of their homes. The program operates through state, territorial and tribal administrators and local service providers.

What can it help with?

Depending on the home assessment and local program, eligible improvements may include:

• Insulation to help maintain indoor temperatures
• Air sealing to reduce unwanted drafts and energy loss
• Energy-efficiency improvements identified through a home assessment
• Certain measures that address health and safety concerns related to the work

The goal is to improve the home’s performance while helping reduce the energy needed to heat and cool it.

Who may qualify?

Eligibility is generally income-based, and specific requirements vary by state, territory or tribal program. Both homeowners and renters may apply. Renters typically need landlord permission before work can begin. Priority may be given to older adults, people with disabilities, families with children and households with high energy costs relative to income.

Where to start: Visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program application guide to find the relevant administrator and local provider.

2. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps eligible households manage the cost of home energy. Administered federally by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and delivered through state, tribal and territorial programs, LIHEAP can provide assistance with heating and cooling bills and certain energy emergencies. Some local programs may also support weatherization or energy-related home repairs.

What can it help with?

Depending on local rules and available funding, assistance may include:

• Help paying eligible heating or cooling bills
• Support during qualifying energy emergencies
• Certain energy-related home repairs or weatherization services

LIHEAP is particularly relevant for households struggling with utility costs. It is different from a home-improvement rebate: its primary role is to help eligible households manage energy expenses.

Who may qualify?

Eligibility depends on factors such as household income, household size, energy costs and state or local requirements. Application periods and funding availability can also differ by location.

Where to start: The LIHEAP Clearinghouse is the official federal information hub for finding state, tribal and territorial energy-assistance resources.

3. Home Energy Rebates: HOMES and HEEHR

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Home Energy Rebates initiative includes two programs designed to support eligible home energy improvements:

• Home Owner Managing Energy Savings (HOMES): Supports qualifying whole-home energy upgrades, with rebates generally linked to modeled or measured energy savings under the applicable program rules.
• High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate (HEEHR): Supports eligible energy-efficiency and electrification improvements, subject to the applicable program requirements.

Depending on the participating jurisdiction and its rules, eligible improvements may include insulation, air sealing, efficient heating and cooling equipment, heat pumps, electrical upgrades and certain efficient electric appliances.

What makes these programs different?

Unlike programs focused primarily on utility-bill assistance, Home Energy Rebates are intended to help reduce the cost of qualifying upgrades. The right improvement can help a household use energy more efficiently, improve indoor comfort and potentially reduce future energy bills.

However, the exact rebate amount, eligible equipment, income requirements and application process depend on the program offered in the household’s jurisdiction.

Are the rebates available everywhere?

No. The federal initiative is being implemented through participating state, territorial and tribal programs. Availability and application status can differ by location, so households should confirm that their local program is accepting applications and that their planned project qualifies before committing to work.

Where to start: Check the Department of Energy’s Home Energy Rebates page for program information and links to participating jurisdictions.

How to choose the right program

These three programs address related but different needs. The best starting point depends on what you are trying to accomplish.

If your main need is…	Start by exploring…
Help with heating or cooling bills	LIHEAP
Insulation, air sealing or other efficiency measures through an income-based assistance program	WAP
Rebates for qualifying home energy upgrades	HOMES or HEEHR, if available locally

This is a starting point, not a guarantee of eligibility. A household may qualify for one program but not another, and some improvements may be subject to specific technical, income or property requirements.

Five things to check before starting a project

Before purchasing equipment or scheduling contractors, take time to verify the details.

1. Confirm local availability. A federal program may exist nationally without being open for applications in every jurisdiction.

2. Review eligibility requirements. Income, household circumstances, property type and other conditions may determine whether you qualify.

3. Check which improvements are covered. A program that supports heat pumps, for example, may have specific equipment standards or installation requirements.

4. Understand the application process. Some programs require an application, assessment or approval before work begins. Do not assume that a completed project will automatically qualify for reimbursement.

5. Ask whether assistance can be combined. Some funding sources may be compatible, while others have restrictions. Confirm the rules with each program administrator before relying on multiple sources to cover the same project cost.

The bigger opportunity: connecting incentives to buildings

National programs are an important starting point, but they are only part of the building-incentive landscape. State and local governments, utilities and other organizations may offer additional programs for qualifying upgrades.

For homeowners, finding the right support can make energy improvements more achievable. For landlords, multifamily operators and other building owners, incentives may help inform capital planning and the economics of improvements.

Yet identifying a program is only the beginning. The more useful questions are:

• Does this program apply to my household or building?
• Is the planned improvement eligible?
• What documentation is required?
• When must an application be submitted?
• Can this support be combined with other incentives?
• Is funding currently available?

Answering those questions requires connecting program information with the specific property, project and applicant.

How HomeIncentivesHub helps

HomeIncentivesHub is building an AI-powered platform to help people navigate building incentives across jurisdictions and program types.

Our goal is to make it easier to discover relevant opportunities, understand program requirements and evaluate which incentives may apply to a particular building or improvement. Rather than treating incentives as isolated listings, HiH is working toward a more connected view of programs and building needs.

Whether you are exploring improvements to a home or evaluating projects across a property portfolio, the first step is knowing what may be available—and verifying the details before making a decision.

The right incentives can help make better buildings more achievable.

Explore official resources

• Home Energy Rebates — U.S. Department of Energy
• Weatherization Assistance Program — How to Apply
• LIHEAP Clearinghouse — State and Local Resources

Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and is not a determination of eligibility or a guarantee of funding. Program rules, funding, application periods and availability can change. Always confirm current requirements with the official program administrator before starting a project.