Inflation Reduction Act / HOMES 101
Up to $10,000 in upgrades!
- HOMES (Home Energy Rebate) is a whole-house energy efficiency and electrification rebate based on modeled energy savings.
- In 2025, 317 homes used HOMES to upgrade!
- HOMES can be used alongside the HEAR program.
HOMES is a federal program that was created by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022. In Wisconsin, it’s run by Focus on Energy. Click here for Focus’ website.
HOMES 101
What is HOMES for?
The goal of the HOMES rebate is to help make your home more energy efficient, more comfortable, and less expensive to heat or cool.
Eligible projects include energy efficient windows and doors, air sealing, insulation, heat pumps, and other upgrades that will reduce the amount of energy it takes to heat and cool your home. Together, these projects must make your home at least 20% more efficient. This will save you money on your utility bills and make your home more comfortable!
How it works
First, find a HOMES-registered primary contractor
The list of IRA HOMES primary contractors for Wisconsin is here.
Your HOMES contractor will walk you through the process, which begins with an energy assessment. An energy assessor will come to your home and do a variety of tests to understand how your home handles energy.
The energy assessment isn’t free, it will cost roughly between $400 and $700. However, if your household income is 80% of AMI or under (see the table below), then the cost is waived entirely.
The results of the assessment will be used to build a digital ‘model’ of your home’s energy efficiency. You’ll then be shown a series of projects that will increase the energy efficiency of your house and information about rebates to help pay for them. The amount of those rebates will depend on how much the projects will improve your home’s efficiency and your household income.
Your HOMES primary contractor will then work with qualified subcontractors to get the work done. At the end of the process, there should only be a single invoice.
The HOMES rebates depend on your household income.
The HOMES program is designed to make energy efficiency projects easier to afford for all households. However, the rebates are more generous for lower income families, covering 100% of the projects up to $5,000 or $10,000 (depending on whether they add up to 20 to 34% modeled energy savings, or more than 35%).
So, where does your household income put you? The following tables show the 2025 Area Median Income levels for Brown County, Wisconsin.
| 1 Person | 2 People | 3 People | 4 People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80% | $59,950 | $68,500 | $77,050 | $85,600 |
| 150% | $111,550 | $128,450 | $144,450 | $160,500 |
| 5 People | 6 People | 7 People | 8 People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80% | $92,450 | $99,300 | $106,150 | $113,000 |
| 150% | $173,350 | $186,200 | $199,000 | $211,900 |
Table 1. Brown County Area Median Incomes for IRA HOMES Income Qualification
How to read this: the household incomes shown are the upper limit for either 80% or 150% of the Area Median Income (AMI). If your income is below the amount shown for 80% for the number of people in your household, then you qualify for the most generous rebates. If it’s between the two incomes shown, then you qualify for the second tier of rebates. If your income is higher than the amount shown for 150% of AMI, then you qualify for the third tier.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions, contact us here.
If you’re ready, Focus on Energy has a system in place to verify your income. It’s best to do this before contacting an IRA Primary Contractor. Go to https://focus-ira.clearesult.com/prequalificationapps/prequalification/v2.
What kinds of projects?
Many types of projects are included
HOMES covers much more than weatherization. The list includes many Energy Star-certified appliances, including HVAC, washers & dryers, and Energy Star certified wood stoves. Take a look here.
What about multifamily housing?
Yes!
HOMES can be used to upgrade multifamily buildings; to be eligible the building must be 50% occupied by low to middle income families. See the table below for the amounts of the rebates.
HOMES Rebates
Everyone benefits from HOMES
Rebates are available for all homeowners, however they are income qualified, with the most generous rebates going to low-income households. The following table shows the rebates:
| Rebates | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Savings | Household Income | Single Family | Multi-Family |
| 20-34% | Household with incomes less than 80% AMI | 100% of project cost, up to $5,000 | 100% of project costs, up to $5,000 per unit |
| Household with incomes between 80% AMI and 150% AMI | 50% of project cost, up to $2,000 | 50% of project costs, up to $2,000 per unit, $200,000 building max | |
| Household with incomes greater than 150% AMI | 50% of project cost, up to $1,500 | 50% of project costs, up to $1,500 per unit, $200,000 building max | |
| 35% and higher | Household with incomes less than 80% AMI | 100% of project cost, up to $10,000 | 100% of project costs, up to $10,000 per unit |
| Household with incomes between 80% AMI and 150% AMI | 50% of project cost, up to $4,000 | 50% of project costs, up to $4,000 per unit, $400,000 building max | |
| Household with incomes greater than 150% AMI | 50% of project cost, up to $3,000 | 50% of project costs, up to $3,000 per unit, $400,000 building max | |
Table 2. HOMES rebates by % energy savings and household income.
Updated:2/12/2026