Columbus, Ohio – Ohio residents eagerly anticipating the launch of new grants designed to make homes more energy-efficient will need to wait a bit longer for the official start date. Under a national campaign to encourage better living environments, the state is expected to get a significant $240 million from the federal government to support residential energy renovations.
Under the Home Energy Rebate Programs of the Department of Energy, this funding represents Ohio’s portion of a huge $9 billion federal project. These initiatives seek to help homeowners install energy-saving technologies and solutions to update their homes. Though the program has great potential, state authorities have said they are still waiting for the green light from the federal level to start applications.
“We’ve done all we can do to launch the program, and we’re hopeful that it will be soon—but I don’t have a clear timeline on when it will be open,” said a spokesperson from the Ohio Department of Development to WBNS. However, the application submitted by the state is still awaiting federal approval.
The primary programs included in this initiative are the Home Energy Performance-Based, Whole-House Rebates (HOME Rebates) and the High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Program. These offer significant financial incentives for homeowners to improve energy efficiency and reduce utility costs.
Depending on the degree of energy savings attained, the HOME reimbursements program will give eligible single-family homes reimbursements ranging from $2,000 to $4,000. With up to $400,000 in rebates, multifamily buildings provide a significant benefit to landlords and property managers trying to modernize bigger properties.
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The High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Program, meanwhile, emphasizes appliances meeting high-efficiency criteria and personal enhancements. Adopting green technology include solar panels, energy-efficient heating systems, and other green technologies entitles homeowners rewards ranging from $14,000.
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Eligibility for the HOME Rebates program will be determined based on the Area Median Income (AMI) of applicants. Those earning above 80% AMI will need to co-fund a portion of the project costs. This sliding scale of eligibility is meant to guarantee that the advantages of energy efficiency can cover a wide range of the population, especially those who might otherwise struggle to afford such improvements.
Ohioans are encouraged to visit the Energy Savings page of the Ohio Department of Development for additional information on how to get ready for the application process as everyone still waits for the federal approval. The U.S. Department of Energy’s website provides further information on the initiative and energy-saving advice, thus allowing citizens to remain informed and prepared to act once the program formally starts.
