The City of Bloomington is actively reaching out to its residents, urging them to take a closer inspection of the Indiana Energy Saver program. This initiative, rooted in financial practicality, presents a chance for renters, landlords, and homeowners alike to significantly reduce their utility costs. With funds being funneled in through the Indiana Office of Energy Development (IOED), two factions of the program stand out: the Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) program and the Home Appliance Rebates (HEAR) program, aiming to not only lighten the load of energy bills but also encourage sustainable living habits.
The HOMES program seeks to comprehensively address residential energy efficiency by subsidizing upgrades and retrofits that can slash a home's energy consumption by a formidable 20 percent. "A qualifying project can include a combination of energy-efficient products and building material installations," according to the City of Bloomington announcement. Projects tailored to low-income households may be eligible for up to 100 percent funding, which could to cover items like Energy Star-rated HVAC systems, insulation, and more, up to a cap of $18,000.
Meanwhile, the HEAR program targets equipment purchases, enabling low- and moderate-income families to acquire energy-efficient tools at reduced prices. Everything from heat pump HVAC systems to modern cooktops is included, with possible savings amounting to $14,000 on qualifying projects. Rebate amounts are influenced by several variables, including household income and the specific energy-saving projects undertaken.
One notable aspect of these rebates is that they can be combined with additional incentives such as those provided by the Bloomington Green Home Improvement Program (BGHIP), as long as the total does not exceed the project cost. Shawn Miya, Assistant Director of Sustainability, underscores the impact of these combined savings when she told the City of Bloomington, "When residents stack incentives from the Office of Energy Development, the City of Bloomington, Duke Energy, and federal tax credits, the savings are quite substantial." Miya highlighted that now is the optimal time to initiate upgrades as funding availability continues.
An illustrative example shared demonstrates the depth of potential savings: for a household with an income less than 150% of the Area Median Income, a typical $10,000 heat pump HVAC system might only cost $2,275 after combining all available incentives.
