$29,500 in rebates available to Vermont households hit by 2024 floods; businesses can get $16,000 cash back
WINOOSKI, VT
Rebates for heating systems, weatherization, and appliances extended to households and businesses impacted by this year’s flooding
A suite of Efficiency Vermont flood recovery rebates are now available for households and businesses impacted by Vermont’s 2024 summer floods.
The Vermont Emergency Board and Governor Phil Scott authorized the Vermont Public Service Department (PSD) to extend the rebates first launched in response to the catastrophic 2023 summer flooding. Previously, only households and businesses affected by floods in July 2023 (and, for Addison County, August 2023) were able to access the rebates.
The change allows income-eligible homeowners and renters impacted by 2023 and 2024 flooding to access up to $29,500 per household in rebates to replace critical heating/water heating systems and appliances, upgrade or replace a home electric panel, and incorporate weatherization into rebuilding efforts. Flood-impacted businesses can also get up to $16,000 cash back on eligible heating systems and commercial kitchen equipment like freezers, refrigerators, dishwashers, and more.
“I’m grateful to Gov. Phil Scott, the Emergency Board, the PSD, and other state partners for making these offers available to those harmed by another year of damaging floods,” said Peter Walke, Efficiency Vermont’s Managing Director. “These rebates will help Vermonters rebuild homes that are healthy, safe, and more efficient. We’re eager to get these offers out to anyone impacted by these floods to help make their recovery more affordable.”
Support now available to low- and moderate-income households damaged by flooding includes:
- Free Virtual Home Energy Visits to assess recovery options: A 90-minute video assessment of a home by an Efficiency Vermont energy expert, providing guidance on each home’s specific needs.
- Up to $10,000 to replace home heating systems and appliances: Covering new or replacement heat pump heating system (ducted or ductless) or central wood or pellet boilers/furnaces and stoves, plus ENERGY STAR-certified replacement appliances like refrigerators, clothes washers/dryers, and more.
- Up to 100% cash back for buying and installing a heat pump water heater: Low-income households can receive 100% of the equipment and installation costs of a new heat pump water heater, while moderate-income households can get 90% cash back. Projects over $5,000 require additional review.
- Up to $9,500 to weatherize your home as you rebuild: Adding or replacing flood-damaged air sealing and insulation during rebuilding improves a home’s comfort, safety, and energy efficiency. Weatherization projects can also take advantage of up to $15,000 through Efficiency Vermont’s Home Repair program to address underlying issues in a home that need to be fixed before weatherization can happen. Low-income households can also get free weatherization through the state’s Weatherization Assistance Programs.
- Up to $10,000 for home electric system updates: Electric panels can be replaced upgraded to 200 amps panel, restoring electricity or adding capacity for heat pumps, electric vehicle chargers, and more. The offer can also be used to move an electrical panel to a more flood-safe area.
- 0% interest on up to $30,000 for a Home Energy Loan: No-interest loans for terms of 5 years or less for all customers recovering from flood damage, including health and safety repairs. Longer terms are also available with low interest rates.
Rebates are available for eligible products purchased on or after July 10, 2023. Qualifying ENERGY STAR-certified fossil fuel boilers, furnaces, and water heaters are also supported by these rebates. Purchases must be on Efficiency Vermont’s Qualifying Products List.
Households that received flood incentives for damages incurred due to 2023 flooding, and were damaged again by 2024 floods, are eligible for these rebates. Those households can receive an incentive up to the amount that brings their 2023 and 2024 flood incentive total up to $10,000 per household for qualifying appliances, heating, and water heating systems.
Businesses impacted by flooding can access rebates including:
- Up to $10,000 in rebates per unit for rental property owners: Based on rent levels, low- and moderate-income rental units are eligible for rebates for water heating, appliances, ductless heat pumps, and central heating systems damaged by flooding. Property owners can also get up to $4,500 for heat pump water heaters.
- Up to $16,000 in equipment rebates: Flood-impacted businesses can now recoup 100% of their costs on eligible heating systems or commercial kitchen equipment, up to $4,000 per piece of equipment. Each business qualifies for up to four pieces of equipment, for a maximum award of $16,000
- Support for ENERGY STAR-certified fossil fuel boilers and furnaces. These items qualify for 100% of the rebate, up to $4,000 each (provided they are on the qualifying products list). Larger fossil fuel boilers system projects must be individually evaluated by Efficiency Vermont to qualify for an equipment rebate.
- Up to $9,000 back on weatherization projects: Air sealing and insulation products used to improve a building’s envelope or mechanical ventilation can get 100% of the product costs back, up to $4,000. Combined with Efficiency Vermont’s Building Performance program, businesses can get up to $9,000 back on eligible weatherization projects.
Rebates for businesses are in addition to existing point-of-purchase offers which can provide hundreds of dollars in additional rebates. Businesses are encouraged to contact Efficiency Vermont’s Customer Service team to find additional products their businesses need that may be eligible for these rebates.
About Efficiency Vermont
As the nation's first Energy Efficiency Utility, Efficiency Vermont has helped Vermont save more than $3.3 billion in lifetime savings and avoid over 14.1 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions since 2000. Operated by clean energy nonprofit VEIC, Efficiency Vermont has received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR® program Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence award over eight consecutive years. Efficiency Vermont works with partners to help our state transition to more affordable, low-carbon energy use through education, incentives, and support for our clean energy workforce. Learn more at www.efficiencyvermont.com.
Efficiency Vermont Press Contact
Matthew Smith
Phone: (802) 540-7662
[email protected]