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HOMES Active · State energy office portal (no IRS form)

Home Owner Managing Energy Savings Rebate Program (2026)

HOMES — the Home Owner Managing Energy Savings Rebate Program — is the second IRA home-energy rebate program. Where HEEHRA targets specific electric appliances, HOMES rewards whole-home performance. Modeled or measured energy savings of 20% or more qualify for rebates up to $8,000 per household, doubled for households below 80% AMI. The program runs through state energy offices and pairs naturally with HEEHRA.

What this credit covers

Performance-based whole-home retrofit rebate. Tied to modeled or measured energy savings. Income-amplified for households below 80% AMI.

Eligibility quick check

What energy savings threshold qualifies?

20% modeled or measured savings unlocks the base rebate. 35%+ unlocks the higher tier ($4,000 / $8,000 income-amplified).

Modeled vs. measured savings — what is the difference?

Modeled = energy modeling software predicts savings before install. Measured = utility bills 12 months pre/post show actual reduction. Most homeowners use modeled.

Can I combine HOMES with HEEHRA?

Yes, but not on the same equipment. A heat pump goes through HEEHRA; the insulation and air-sealing package goes through HOMES.

How to claim HOMES on your tax return

  1. Hire a qualified energy auditor

    BPI- or RESNET-certified contractor performs whole-home modeling and identifies the retrofit package.

  2. Enroll through state energy office

    Most state portals require pre-approval before work starts. Funds reserve from state allocation.

  3. Complete the retrofit package

    Insulation, air sealing, HVAC, windows — bundled to hit the 20% or 35% savings threshold.

  4. Verify post-install

    Modeled approach: contractor submits final modeling report. Measured approach: 12-month bill comparison.

  5. Receive rebate

    Most states issue HOMES as point-of-sale (contractor handles), some issue post-completion check.

Stacking with state and utility programs

HOMES + 25C is the most powerful stack for whole-home retrofits — they target the same upgrades but the IRS does not consider HOMES to reduce the 25C basis (state rebate exclusion).

Frequently asked questions

Does HOMES double-stack with state utility rebates? +
Yes. Mass Save, NYSERDA, Energy Trust of Oregon, and most state utility programs stack with HOMES. The total cannot exceed project cost.
Does HOMES stack with 25C? +
Yes — different mechanism. 25C is a tax credit; HOMES is a state rebate. Most homeowners use HOMES for the package and 25C for items not in the package.
When does my state launch HOMES? +
Check the DOE state HOMES tracker. As of 2026, ~40 states have launched or are in pilot.

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