There is no federal program for granting homeowners or businesses money to give their homes or buildings an energy overhaul. However, there are federal tax incentives, as well as a patchwork of state incentive programs and private funders who offer grants for energy efficiency. There may be a grant available in your area. Following are a few ways you may be able to get funding for your energy-efficiency project.
The Chicago Bungalow Association will grant up to $1,000 to owners wishing to replace windows on HBCA-certified bungalows in the Chicago area. They’ll also grant up to $2,000 for installation of other energy-saving features, such as solar thermal systems, insulation, and water conservation, as well as up to $500 for the purchase of energy-efficient appliances. Find out more at ( view website )
The Southern California Gas Company grants commercial businesses up to $300,000 in financial incentives to make their buildings more energy efficient. For more information, go to ( view website )
The U.S.D.A. offers an energy efficiency grant through the Farm Bill for rural small businesses to become more energy efficient. To learn more, go to ( view website )
The Energy Star Home Grant Program offers financial incentives on a limited basis to builders constructing homes in Michigan. The grant’s guidelines state that all homes built with these funds must be eligible for an Energy Star rating. Find out more about this grant program at ( view website)
The Surrey Health Borough Council in England has grants available for a variety of energy-efficiency home renovations, including double glazing, to residences throughout England. More information can be found about their program at ( view website )
The EAGA Group in the U.K. grants disadvantaged homeowners grants to improve the energy efficiency of their homes through their Warm Fronts grant in England, the Warm Deal and Central Heating Programme in Scotland, the Warm Homes Scheme in Northern Ireland, and also operate in Wales. Their link is ( view website )
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 is a federal tax incentive program that gives people tax credits to buy energy efficient appliances. This can include utility credits in some cases, and people who install energy-efficient windows, doors, heating and cooling, roofs, and insulation can earn up to $500 in tax credits. Credits are generally more valuable than deductions, because they’re a dollar-for-dollar deduction as opposed to a percentage-based deduction. This legislation also gives tax credits to businesses. To learn more, go to ( view website )
The Pennsylvania Small Business Advantage Grant gives 50% matching funds to small businesses in Pennsylvania to make their buildings more energy-efficient, as well as adopt new energy-saving technology. It can be found online at ( view website )
The Anaheim Public Utilities Residential Energy Efficiency Grant Program gives funds to low income homeowners to install energy-efficient technologies in their homes, including insulation, lighting, heating and air conditioning, and more. These grants are available only to people living in the region of Anaheim, California. To learn more, go to ( view website )
Canada’s Energuide for Houses Program will send an energy advisor to Canadian homes to evaluate the homeowners’ energy-efficiency needs and options. They give advice on how to make homes more efficient, and the Canadian Government offers some grant money for homeowners to follow these suggestions. More information about this program can be found at ( view website )
Oregon’s Multifamily Home Savings Program offers financial incentives for people who own five-or-more-family residential buildings to install energy-efficient technology including lighting, boilers, heating and cooling, and more. To learn more about this program, go to ( view website )
South Dakota’s Otter Tail Power Company House Therapy Program offers a free energy evaluation for low-income homeowners and installs energy-efficient insulation, caulking, certain appliances, and water heaters at no cost to those who qualify. Information can be found at ( view website )
Wyoming’s Energy Audit Program gives matching funds for up to 75% of the cost of an energy audit for Wyoming businesses. Information can be found for this program at ( view website )
Indiana’s Duke Energy Low Income Weatherization Program offers free assistance to people who qualify for state or federal energy assistance. The program offers free installation of various energy-saving technologies, as well as weather-proofing homes with energy-efficient caulking, weather stripping, insulation, and more. They’ll also replace old refrigerators with Energy Star models. For more information, go to ( view website )
This is a select list; there are other grants and incentive programs out there for energy-efficiency projects for both homes and businesses. For a more complete list organized by state, go to the following website: ( view website )