New Mexico launches home electrification and appliance rebate program to help low-income families access energy-efficient upgrades

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 5, 2024

Contact:
Alex Eubanks, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP)
aeubanks@swenergy.org

[ALBUQUERQUE, NM] – In a major step toward energy efficiency and sustainability, the State of New Mexico has officially launched its Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) program. This initiative, supported by $43 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, aims to help low- and middle-income households save on energy-efficient home upgrades, including insulation, heat pumps, and ENERGY STAR-certified appliances.

The HEAR program is part of the broader Home Energy Rebates initiative, which is aligned with the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda. The program is designed to provide substantial financial assistance to residents, helping them reduce their energy bills, improve home comfort, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Key features of the New Mexico HEAR program:

• Eligibility: Low-income single-family homeowners (earning 80% or less of their area median income) and low- to middle-income renters (earning 150% or less of their area median income) are eligible for rebates.
• Rebate amounts: Eligible participants can receive up to $14,000 in rebates per household. This includes:
  • Up to $8,000 for an ENERGY STAR-certified electric heat pump
  • $4,000 for an electrical panel
  • $2,500 for electrical wiring
  • $1,750 for an ENERGY STAR-certified electric heat pump water heater
  • $1,600 for insulation, air sealing, and mechanical ventilation products
  • $840 for an ENERGY STAR-certified electric heat pump clothes dryer or electric cooking appliances
• Point-of-sale rebates: New Mexico is the first state to offer point-of-sale rebates, enabling residents to receive immediate savings on qualifying purchases.
• Phased rollout: The program will be implemented in phases, starting with self-installed insulation projects, with additional products and contractor-installed projects to be introduced over the coming months.

“New Mexico’s launch of the HEAR program represents a crucial step toward a more sustainable future,” said Alex Eubanks, New Mexico Representative for the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project. “By providing significant rebates and making it easier for residents to access energy-efficient technologies, we are not only reducing energy costs for families but also advancing the state’s clean energy goals.”

The program features a user-friendly website, cleanenergy.nm.gov, where residents can check their eligibility, apply for rebates, and learn more about available energy-saving options.

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The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) is a public interest organization promoting greater energy efficiency and clean transportation in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. swenergy.org