Over the last year, the LOSN “Electrify LO” campaign has promoted the importance of moving away from fossil fuels toward electrification of vehicles and homes as among the most important ways we can reduce our carbon footprint and address the climate crisis. Now we can dive into when and how to electrify with information on financial incentives for home electrification and electric vehicles, how to choose a contractor for heat pumps for space conditioning, and how to try out an induction cooktop.

What Incentives Are Available Now? What Other Incentives Are Coming?

On January 1, 2023, new tax credits became available for many home electrification and energy efficiency projects including weatherization, heat pump water heaters, heat pumps for space heating and cooling, electrical panel upgrades, rooftop solar and home battery storage systems.

Later this year (or early 2024) additional upfront discounts (also called rebates) will become available for these improvements for lower-income and some middle-income families. The discounts, which can be combined with the tax credits, can be additionally used for induction and electric stoves, new wiring, and heat pump clothes dryers.

One more discount, available at all income levels, is called a whole home energy reduction rebate and it rewards homeowners for overall energy use reductions.

READ MORE ….

To start your electrification journey, consider getting an assessment from a home performance contractor who can develop a holistic, integrated plan for your home. They can help you smoothly, efficiently and economically stage your project while maximizing the discounts and tax credits. A Guide from Rewiring America has case studies showing how to think about maximizing the financial incentives over several years. 

To see how this works check out the Rewiring America calculator.  Put in a few pieces of information to determine if you are eligible for upfront discounts. If your eligibility is limited to tax credits, get a home performance assessment for assistance in staging your projects over several years to maximize your tax credits. If you are eligible for discounts, plan, but consider waiting until more information is available about your eligibility before you start your project. 

Finally, even with these tax credits and discounts and knowing that you will likely save hundreds of dollars every year in reduced energy costs, these upfront costs can be daunting.  Craft 3, a nonprofit lender, offers home energy loans with competitive interest rates and repayment through your PGE bill. 

Also, ask your HVAC contractor about financing options that they have. Some of the major HVAC brands offer low or even zero interest loans through their preferred dealers which can help you to avoid the up-front cost and also avoid additional interest payments. Be aware however, that those zero interest plans can come with steep penalties for missing a payment. If you are diligent about payments, a zero interest loan can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run.

LEARN MORE …

The Inflation Reduction Act, signed by President Biden on August 16, represents the most important federal climate legislation ever signed into law. It is estimated that the bill will reduce the country’s greenhouse gas emissions by about 40% below the nation’s previous peak. There are incentives you can get now while others will take effect on January 1, 2023.

Electric Vehicles

The bill extends the $7500 tax credit for many EV cars, but the rules are complicated and change over time. Some EVs which qualify for incentives now may not qualify after the first of the year, while some that don’t qualify now will after January 1, 2023. So if you are considering getting an EV check out our EV project page now for the most up-to-date fact sheet on EV Financial Incentives.

Business incentives for EVs are especially enciting. Check out why here.

Home Electrification

The law includes many ways to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from your home. Tax credits for rooftop solar are available immediately. After January 1, tax credits become available for home energy efficiency upgrades, heat pumps for space conditioning and hot water heaters, electrical panel upgrades, home weatherization, and battery storage–no matter one’s income. Additional tax credits are available for families with income thresholds.

These home electrification incentives can be substantial adding up to as much as $14,000 per household. Check out the list of incentives available and how much you may qualify for by using the Rewiring America calculator. and find more electrification tips on our Electrify LO page.

LEARN MORE …