| Rank | State Program | Max Audit Rebate | Audit Cost | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mass Save (MA) | 100% (free assessment) | $0 to homeowner | Gold-standard utility program |
| 2 | Efficiency Maine | Up to $400 toward audit | $100 out of pocket | Best post-audit rebate stack |
| 3 | Focus on Energy (WI) | Bundled into rebate path | Varies by contractor | Strongest 2026 rebate increase |
| 4 | Efficiency Vermont | Free Virtual Home Energy Visit | $0 virtual / paid in-person | Up to 90% weatherization cash back |
| 5 | NYSERDA EmPower+ | 100% for income-qualified | $0 if eligible | Best income-qualified path |
| 6 | CT Home Energy Solutions | $40 copay (April 2026) | $40 | Same-day air sealing included |
| 7 | DCSEU + DOEE WAP | 100% for income-qualified | $0 to $300 | Strongest DC electrification stack |
| 8 | California Energy-Smart Homes | $4,250+ project rebate | Audit by contractor | Best for new builds and gut retrofits |
| 9 | Federal HEAR (HEEHRA) | Up to $14,000 in upgrades | Audit cost varies | State-by-state rollout, often waitlisted |
| 10 | NYSERDA Comfort Home | Bundled with upgrade work | Audit cost rolled in | Best mid-income retrofit lane |
State energy programs took a new shape after the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The law sent roughly $8.8 billion in federal money to state-run rebate lanes (DOE Home Energy Rebates, 2026). The two main lanes are HOMES (Home Efficiency Rebates) and HEAR (Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates, once called HEEHRA).
The catch in 2026 is timing. A federal executive order paused new DOE launch approvals earlier this year (Oregon DOE, April 2026). Some states run their legacy utility programs at full speed while the federal lanes sit on hold. This list ranks the ten programs that still move money to homeowners right now.
1. Mass Save (Massachusetts)
Mass Save is the program every other state quietly tries to copy. The Home Energy Assessment is free and takes two to three hours. The auditor leaves behind $100 to $200 in installed items — LED bulbs, low-flow showerheads, smart power strips (Mass Save Residential, 2026).
After the audit, insulation coverage runs at 75% for most homes. Income-qualified homes (at or below 60% of state median income) get 100% coverage on attic, wall, basement, and air sealing (NuWatt Energy, 2026). Customers of Eversource, National Grid, Unitil, or Cape Light Compact all qualify.
The HEAT Loan stacks on top. It offers 0% financing up to $25,000 for eligible upgrades (Endless Energy, 2026). Contractors must be Mass Save Home Performance Contractors, screened by the program. Timeline from booking to incentive runs four to six weeks. Verdict: the benchmark program — book the free assessment first.
2. Efficiency Maine
Efficiency Maine cuts a different deal. An audit in Maine costs $300 to $500. The program rebate covers up to $400 of that fee, leaving roughly $100 out of pocket (Horizon Homes, 2026).
The audit unlocks a rebate stack that scales with income. All ratepayers qualify for base rebates up to $4,000. Moderate-income homes (AGI under $70K single or $100K joint) reach $6,000, and low-income homes go to $8,000 (Horizon Homes Rebates, 2026).
The total stack — audit plus heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and insulation — can hit $18,100 per home (NuWatt Maine, 2026). Contractors must be Registered Energy Advisors. The federal Section 25C $150 audit credit expired December 31, 2025, so it can't offset the audit fee in 2026. Verdict: best post-audit rebate stack in the Northeast.
3. Focus on Energy (Wisconsin)
Focus on Energy raised rebate levels again starting January 1, 2026. That's the second straight bump (Focus on Energy Q1 2026, 2026). The home energy assessment is required to access either rebate tier and runs two to four hours (Focus on Energy Residential, 2026).
Standard rebates apply to moderate and high-income homes. Income-Qualified rebates kick in at or below 80% of county Area Median Income. The program runs on a participating-utility model. Some lanes require the home to be a customer of both a participating natural gas and electric utility (Home Energy Wisconsin, 2026).
Wisconsin's IRA-funded HOMES and HEAR lanes also continue past 2025 and stack with Focus on Energy (RENEW Wisconsin, 2026). Approved Trade Allies run the audits. Timeline runs four to six weeks. Verdict: strongest 2026 rebate increase in the Midwest.
4. Efficiency Vermont
Vermont offers two audit paths. A free Virtual Home Energy Visit pairs you with an Efficiency Vermont energy expert. A paid in-person audit goes through a Home Performance contractor for deeper diagnostics.
The bigger story for 2026 is weatherization money. The Vermont Department of Public Service is funding higher incentives that push weatherization rebates as high as 90% cash back. The boost runs through the end of 2026 or until funds run dry (Efficiency Vermont News, 2026).
Low-income homes can layer the federal Weatherization Assistance Program for free services plus a voucher up to $1,200 for an appliance swap (Vermont Department of Public Service, 2026). Home Energy Loans up to $25,000 fill the gap at 0% for income-qualified borrowers. Contractors must be Efficiency Vermont Home Performance with Energy Star participants. Verdict: best for deep weatherization before the funding window closes.
5. NYSERDA EmPower+ (New York)
The legacy Residential Energy Assessment Program closed December 18, 2025. NYSERDA now offers a free Virtual Home Energy Plan as the new front door (NYSERDA Home Energy Plan, 2026).
The income-qualified lane — EmPower+ — is where the real money sits. Homes at or below 80% AMI get free audits, free insulation, free weatherization, and in some cases free heating system upgrades (NYSERDA EmPower+, 2026). Contractors must be NYSERDA-participating Building Performance Contractors.
Timeline runs four to eight weeks from audit to rebate. Funds deplete fast, so applying early in the calendar year matters (NYSERDA Programs, 2026). Verdict: best income-qualified path in the country if you live in NY and clear the AMI test.
6. CT Home Energy Solutions
Connecticut's Home Energy Solutions audit moved from free to a $40 copay on April 1, 2026. Two participation models are offered: One Comprehensive Visit, or a Two-Visit Model with deeper diagnostics (Eversource HES, 2026). Even at $40, the value is hard to beat. The audit includes on-the-spot air sealing, health and safety tests, and immediate fixes during the visit.
After the audit, homeowners qualify for up to $10,000 in weatherization rebates. The headline number is $2.00 per square foot for professional attic insulation (NuWatt CT, 2026). Rebates extend to walls, rim joists, basement ceilings, and garage ceilings.
Standard customers pay 25% of total project cost. Income-eligible homes below 60% state median income may pay nothing. CT Green Bank's Smart-E Loan stacks on top. Timeline is two to four weeks. Verdict: best same-day air sealing value for $40.
7. DCSEU + DOEE WAP (Washington, D.C.)
DC's program lives across two agencies. The DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU) handles rebates for all incomes. Heat pumps, HVAC, laundry, and gas-to-electric swaps are worth up to $5,000 per home (DCSEU Residential, 2026).
The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) runs the Weatherization Assistance Program. It provides full audits plus free weatherization for income-eligible homes at 200% of the federal poverty level. That's roughly $62,400 gross income for a family of four (DOEE Electrification, 2026).
The Healthy Homes Act of 2024 expanded the Affordable Home Electrification Program for low and moderate-income DC residents (DOEE Residential Green Incentives, 2026). Local rebates layer on top of federal IRA dollars. Contractors come from the Electrify DC Contractor Finder tool. Timeline runs four to six weeks. Verdict: strongest small-jurisdiction electrification stack in the country.
8. California Energy-Smart Homes
California Energy-Smart Homes is the outlier on this list. It pays for advanced energy measures during new construction or major alterations, not standalone audits. Qualifying projects earn at least $4,250 in base incentives (Quit Carbon, 2026).
Bonuses for variable-capacity heat pumps, thermal energy storage, and electrical load management push total rebates past $12,000. The program serves PG&E, SDG&E, and SCE territories. As of April 20, 2026, the year's funding is fully subscribed, though the Alterations track reopens annually (CA Energy Smart Homes Update April 2026, 2026).
California also runs HEEHRA, but single-family reservations were fully reserved statewide as of February 2026 (CEC IRA Programs, 2026). Contractors must be CAESH-registered. Timeline is six to twelve weeks. Verdict: best for new builds and major retrofits — watch for the 2027 funding window.
9. Federal HEAR / HEEHRA Program (IRA-funded)
HEAR — first branded HEEHRA — is the IRA-funded electrification rebate. It runs through state energy offices. Income-qualified homes below 150% AMI can claim up to $14,000 in upgrade rebates (ENERGY STAR HEAR, 2026).
The cap stack covers $8,000 for a heat pump, $1,750 for a heat pump water heater, $4,000 for an electrical panel upgrade, and $2,500 for wiring. The catch in 2026 is allocation. California's HEAR funds are fully reserved statewide; New Hampshire is open and accepting applications (NH Department of Energy, 2026).
Connecticut routes HEAR through the Energize CT IRA portal (Connecticut DEEP, 2026). HEAR requires an audit or qualified assessment. Contractors must be on the state's approved list. Verdict: highest dollar value when funds are open — check your state's portal weekly.
10. NYSERDA Comfort Home
Comfort Home is NYSERDA's mid-income retrofit lane. It serves homes outside the EmPower+ income window. The program rolls the audit cost into the upgrade package, so homeowners don't pay separately for the audit (NYSERDA Home Energy Efficiency Upgrades, 2026).
Discounts run roughly $1,000 to $4,000. The mix depends on which upgrades you bundle: insulation, air sealing, or heat pump work. NYSERDA-approved Comfort Home contractors handle both the audit and the install.
Contractors must hold BPI Building Analyst or equivalent credentials. Timeline is six to ten weeks from contract to incentive payment. The program is a clean fit when EmPower+ income limits are too tight. Verdict: best mid-income retrofit lane in New York.
How We Ranked
Energy-auditor rankings draw on:
- Verifiable credentials: BPI Building Analyst certification, HERS rater status, RESNET membership, state-utility-rebate eligibility, and IRS Inflation Reduction Act tax-credit verification capability.
- Customer-reported outcomes: Google reviews from the past 24 months, BBB records, and any state attorney-general complaints. We flag patterns in upsell-pressure complaints and report-delivery timelines.
- Direct phone verification asking about credential status, report format (digital + Manual J), turnaround time, and whether they file rebate paperwork on the homeowner's behalf.
What we never accept: paid placement or referral kickbacks from HVAC contractors / insulation installers. We use affiliate links to home-energy-monitoring tools (Emporia Vue, Sense) — these never affect auditor rankings.
Update cadence: quarterly auditor re-verification. Email research@energyauditfinder.com for corrections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the federal $150 home energy audit tax credit still available in 2026?
No. The Section 25C credit's $150 audit reimbursement expired December 31, 2025. It is not available for audits done in 2026 or later. The broader 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit still covers insulation, heat pumps, and other upgrades up to $3,200 per year.
Can I stack a state rebate program with the federal HEAR (HEEHRA) rebate?
In most states, yes — but stacking rules vary. Utility-funded programs like Mass Save typically stack with federal IRA money. Check your state energy office's IRA portal for exact stacking rules, and confirm with your contractor before signing.
Who qualifies as an approved energy auditor for these state rebates?
Most state programs require BPI Building Analyst or RESNET HERS Rater credentials. Some lanes use program-specific certifications (Mass Save Home Performance Contractor, NYSERDA Building Performance Contractor, Efficiency Maine Registered Energy Advisor). The auditor must be on the program's approved list to unlock the rebate.
How long does the typical state audit-to-rebate timeline take?
Most programs run two to eight weeks from audit to rebate. Income-qualified programs (EmPower+, DOEE WAP) can run longer — four to twelve weeks — because of the income verification step.
What happens if my state's HEAR funds are fully reserved?
You go on a waitlist. Many states reopen reservations as project applications expire or budget gets reallocated. Keep checking the state portal weekly. Run your state-utility program (Mass Save, Focus on Energy, etc.) in parallel since those have separate funding pools.
Related Reading: For context on how these rebates interact with federal credits, see our guide to stacking the 25C credit with state and utility rebates. To pick a qualified auditor before booking, start with our top 10 energy auditor certifications comparison and the BPI vs RESNET certification breakdown. Curious what a paid audit actually costs nationally? Read our national home energy audit cost guide.
-- The Efficiency Team