Income levels are determined based on Area Median Income (AMI) which is determined by location (county) and household size. Income is determined by adding up the gross incomes for all the household members in a dwelling. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development updates AMI Tables each year. The most current AMI Table for Minnesota is available here.

Updated on 08/19/24

Yes, rental properties are included as part of the IRA rebate programs. Renters will be able to participate if their landlord gives permission. Collaboration between landlords and applicants who are renters will be important to the programs. Both the HOMES and HEAR programs are required to spend a portion of funds on multifamily buildings. Minnesota is in the process of determining the procedures for rental properties.

Updated on 08/19/24

HEAR program: The Environmental Protection Agency has published a fact sheet on ENERGY STAR® certifications relevant to the HEAR program. Minnesota may include additional requirements for some equipment and may not include all eligible equipment in its program.

HOMES program: For the HOMES program, there is not a nationally applicable list. The Minnesota Department of Commerce will identify additional eligible upgrades during the program design phase.

Updated on 08/19/24

A household cannot receive a rebate from both HEAR and HOMES for the same upgrades. However, a household can receive both a HEAR and a HOMES rebate if they are for different measures/equipment.

Updated on 08/19/24

HEAR program: Per federal guidelines rebates under the HEAR program cannot be made retroactively available. Minnesota does not have flexibility to change this.

HOMES program: Unlikely. Federal guidelines say rebates may be made retroactively to the date the Inflation Reduction Act passed (August 16, 2022). However until program design is complete for the HOMES rebate, we cannot guarantee who will qualify for a retroactive rebate when we begin providing rebates.

Updated on 08/19/24

There are other state programs and resources available for Minnesota households that need to start home energy upgrades. Commerce does not recommend that households wait to accomplish needed home energy upgrades or projects. Households looking for home energy upgrade assistance today cannot yet access these rebates but may be eligible for other programs, including tax credits, the Weatherization Assistance Program, and other state, local, and utility programs.

Updated on 08/19/24

Per federal guidelines, an energy assessment is required for every single-family home and multifamily building receiving Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES). States are required to establish basic requirements to ensure each home assessment complies with additional requirements. Because these requirements are still being determined, we cannot guarantee an energy assessment completed before program launch will qualify.

For the HEAR program, a limited home assessment is required prior to installation of electric heat pumps for space heating and cooling.

State rebate programs may have their own requirements as well.

Updated on 08/19/24

The State Heat Pump Rebate Program is designed to supply additional rebate funds to a household that earns a rebate for a heat pump for space heating and cooling through either the HOMES or HEAR rebates. To be eligible for the State Heat Pump Rebate, applicants must first apply and receive a federal HOMES or HEAR rebate.

The Residential Electrical Panel Grants do not depend on an application to the HOMES or HEAR rebate programs. They can be applied to separately, or co-fund upgrades from the federal programs. Learn more about leveraging other funding sources with Home Energy Rebates.

Both the state Residential Electrical Panel Grants and Heat Pump rebates will utilize the same application system as the federal programs and thus will likely begin at the same time or after the launch of the federal programs.

Updated on 08/19/24

The Department of Energy (DOE) also has a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page where you can see answers to common questions about the Home Energy Rebate Programs. Visit the DOE FAQ page.

Updated on 08/19/24