The Inflation Reduction Act authorized two new offerings- Home Efficiency Rebates (HER) and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate Program (HEAR.) Together, these two offerings will make up the Kansas Home Rebates Program administered through the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). The rebates will help Kansas residents save money on select home improvement projects that can lower utility bills.

Kansas single and multi-family homeowners, landlords, and renters with proof of landlord permission who meet income and eligibility requirements may qualify for Program rebates. The Program is designed for residential buildings only. Agricultural, commercial, and industrial facilities do not qualify. For more information visit kshomerebates.gov.

No, rebates associated with the Kansas Home Rebates Program are not yet available. KCC received Early Administrative Funding from DOE for the Program’s initial design and development. Please sign up for email notifications on the website to stay updated on the progress.

No, projects must be installed by an approved program contractor.

The Kansas Home Energy Rebates Program is slated to launch in 2025. Please register for email updates on the Program website to receive launch timeline updates.

The Program website will have an online application for applicants to apply, submit documentation, find contractors, schedule appointments, track progress, and complete projects. The Program will also have call-in and mail options for applicants that do not have access to the internet.

Yes, rental properties are included as part of the Kansas Home Rebates Program. Renters will be able to participate if their landlord gives permission. Collaboration between landlords and applicants who are renters will be important to the Program.

Eligible rebate amounts are dependent on the Program path selected, household income and existing conditions of the home. Rebate caps are being finalized with the Department of Energy. The caps will be published closer to the program launch. Sign up for updates to be notified of program developments.

Collaboration and partnership with utilities are essential for designing a successful Program across Kansas. For example, utility data access sharing is crucial to minimize burdens for Program applicants and ensure efficient access to the program. Efforts will be made to partner with utilities for utility data access, and additional collaboration opportunities will be explored with the overall goal of maximizing impact and serving as many Kansas households as possible.

Calculated area median income is based on income levels in the county in which you live. You can find more information here:

https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il.html#2023_query

Click on “click here for FY 2024 IL documentation.” Select KS and your county
and you will see the area median income for your county.

The Program will be designed to serve the low to moderate income communities without access to financing methods. Once intake documentation is reviewed, the household will receive notification of the expected rebate amounts. Since this Program is state-run, we will not be able to add payment options onto utility bills.

Households enrolled in any of the federal programs approved for categorical eligibility will be automatically eligible for the Kansas Home Rebates Program. Recognized programs for Categorical Eligibility by the U.S. Department of Energy under each program are listed below or can be viewed here.

• HER & HEAR (automatically eligible for <80% AMI)
  • Recognized programs:
    • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
    • Medicaid
    • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
    • Head Start
    • Lifeline Support for Affordable Communications (Lifeline)
    • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
    • National School Lunch Program – Free (NSLP)
    • Housing Improvement Program (HIP)
    • Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS
    • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
    • Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) (if 80% AMI is greater than 200% of Federal Poverty Level)
    • Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) (if 80% AMI is greater than 185% of Federal Poverty Level)
    • Verified government or non-profit program serving Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed (ALICE) persons or households (eligible ONLY for lower rebate amount) (HEAR only)
  • Recognized Multifamily Housing Programs:
    • Public Housing (owned and operated by Public Housing Authorities)
    • Privately owned multifamily buildings receiving project-based assistance (Section 8, Section 202, Section 811)
    • Privately-owned multifamily buildings that house residents receiving tenant-based assistance
    • Section 42 Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)
      • This is not tax advice. Refer to guidance issued by the IRS for detailed information on the rules associated with tax credits.

There are multiple paths for an applicant to confirm income eligibility. Applicants can verify income through submittal of approved income documentation or by providing proof of categorical eligibility through participation in approved low-income programs, or by submitting an IRS 1040 or W-2 form for review.

DOE has allocated $105.6 million in funding to support the KS Home Rebates Program. The funding will be split between the HER and HEAR offerings.

We are designing a 3–4-year program term like most states, but the federal deadline for expenditure of these funds is not until September 30, 2031. If Program funding is exhausted before the expected time frame, the Program will end based on all rebate funding distributed to Kansas households.

There are no incentives for new construction in the Kansas Home Efficiency Rebate Program. Under the Home Electrification and Appliance Program as part of new construction, states have some flexibility to allow households to receive a rebate for a qualified project. However, states are not required to provide rebates for new construction. Rebates will only be permitted for envelope measures (e.g., insulation, air sealing, ventilation, electric wiring, and electric load service center) for new construction in Kansas.

Yes. We will have a closed contractor network, listed on the Program website. To be eligible for rebates the installation must be performed by an in-network contractor. Further details on how a contractor can become a part of the Kansas Home Rebates Program qualified contractor network will be available on the website in 2025.

Yes. The Program is collaborating with DOE to create a Qualified Products List that is specific to Kansas.

Several listening sessions and roundtables have already taken place to gather feedback from the local community, state agencies, trade ally/contractor and workforce development organizations. We are incorporating the feedback received regarding the Program design.

Yes. We have been in contact with weatherization agencies for the state and will be partnering with them throughout the Program to help inform design and delivery of the rebates across Kansas communities.

Potential upfront cost is dependent on household eligibility. The rebate is an amount based on income levels, the projected energy savings, and the cost of the measure(s). The rebate is designed to incentivize the installation of energy savings products and services that are eligible in the Kansas Home Rebate Program. The Kansas Home Rebate Program design seeks to minimize out-of-pocket costs for low-income households where possible.

The Kansas Home Rebates Program will be designed to make rebates easily accessible for homeowners. Eligible participants may receive rebate amounts through reduced pricing for qualified projects and equipment. The rebate amounts will be factored into project costs prior to installation.

There are other state programs and resources available for Kansas households that need to start home energy upgrades before the Kansas Home Rebates Program is launched. The Program 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: https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/home-energy-tax-credits
• Weatherization Assistance Programs: https://kshousingcorp.org/homeownership/weatherization-assistance/
• Utility Programs: https://www.evergy.com/ways-to-save/programs

Or you can check your county or municipal website for local programs.

Home energy assessments are comprehensive studies that determine an overall efficiency rating and identify potential conservation measures for the home. These studies result in recommendations for energy efficiency projects that will maximize energy savings, indoor air quality and home comfort.

Program-approved energy assessors will be conducting the home assessments. The approved closed contractor network listing (that includes energy assessors) will be on the Program website at the time of Program launch in 2025.

They can reach out to [email protected]

No. Retroactive rebates are not available. Projects completed before the Program launch date will not qualify for rebates. In order to be eligible for rebates in the Kansas Home Rebates Program the household must submit the application data, be approved and have the work performed by a Program-approved contractor.

The Program is being designed to ensure the rebates are available to Kansans’ most in need. Based on the DOE guidance, rebate amounts will be determined by the household income, with the highest level of rebate available to lower income households.

Once intake documentation is submitted, you will receive a response about your eligibility. Once approved, you will be provided with a list of Program-authorized contractors. The assessment timeline will range based on scheduling availability in your area. The installation timeline will depend on the measures recommended. Your contractor will stay connected with you throughout the process.

Kansas is planning to use a robust qualified contractor network in the Kansas Home Rebates Program to ensure all participating contractors meet the program standards required by federal guidance. Contractors you already know or have used prior who wish to be a part of Kansas’ program will have an opportunity to demonstrate their qualifications and meet specific criteria, such as technical competency and financial capacity. Transparent qualifications and requirements will be communicated to contractors to ensure a highly skilled and qualified workforce for program implementation. To be included in the qualified list, contractors will need to participate in trade-specific, baseline technical proficiency validation and/or training offerings, as well as a Program-specific administrative orientation process where details on invoicing processes and the contractor’s role in them will be clearly communicated.

The Program will collect data from various sources. A strict information and security policy will be in place to protect all collected program data including limiting sensitive data collection, use of encryption software for transmitting PII, multi-factor authentication for account access, and immediate reporting and action on all potential breaches.

The Program is developing quality assurance and control protocols as part of our Consumer Protection Plan to prevent and resolve adverse customer interactions. This plan will be publicly available prior to Program launch in 2025.

The Program team is developing marketing and education plans in coordination with community-based organizations, contractors, state agencies and utility providers to best reach homeowners, tenants, contractors and will be engaging with contractors and households throughout rural Kansas.

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

Contractors have a key role in program success as they will conduct assessments and perform installations supporting the Program.

More information will become available in the coming months for interested contractors and energy assessors. In the meantime, please sign up to receive email updates.

Yes. All contractors will have an opportunity to demonstrate their qualifications and meet specific criteria, such as technical competency and financial capacity. Transparent contractor qualifications and requirements will be communicated to contractors to ensure a highly skilled and qualified workforce for program implementation. To become a qualified contractor, contractors will need to participate in trade-specific, baseline technical proficiency validation and/or training offerings, as well as a Rebates Program administrative orientation process where details on invoicing processes and the contractor’s role in them will be clearly communicated. All QA staff will be required to hold current BPI licenses.

No. All interested contractors will need to complete the Kansas Home Rebates onboarding process.

Applicants needing assistance with the application process should be referred to Program staff. Contractors may be eligible to receive additional incentives for installations completed in identified disadvantaged communities (DACs). Program staff will provide application support for households needing this assistance.

Program participants will receive access to the Program’s qualified contractor list and will make their own selection. However, if a participant was referred to the program by a contractor, we will direct them to that contractor first.

The Program promotes the use of a closed contractor network offering increased business opportunities, inclusion of the contractor’s business on the Program website and the potential for diversification of business services.

We have engaged with contractors throughout the state and there is interest, but we are still actively pursuing additional contractors. If you are interested in participating in our network, please fill out this intake form.

The Program is developing partnerships with other state agencies, local governments, utility companies & cooperatives, distributors, contractors, housing authorities, and other community-based organizations focused on housing, workforce development, and/or serving underserved communities. If you are interested in hearing the discussions, follow this link: Listening Session

Members of electric cooperatives may qualify for rebates under the Program. The Program is also working with local electric cooperatives to bring program awareness to their often-underserved service areas.