Rhode Island – Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) Program
Administered by Office of Energy Resources
Rhode Island's HEAR program offers rebates up to $4,000 for electrical panel upgrades, up to $2,500 for wiring, and up to $840 for heat pump dryers or electric cooking equipment if you earn below 80% of your county's Area Median Income (AMI)—or up to half those amounts if you earn between 80–150% AMI when that track launches in 2025. To apply, contact your local Community Action Agency, which handles eligibility verification for the low-income track currently available.
The HEAR program creates customer incentives for electrification upgrades: low-income customers receive up to $4,000 for panel work, $2,500 for wiring, and $840 for heat pump dryers or electric appliances, while moderate-income customers (80–150% AMI) will receive partial rebates when that track opens in 2025. You should verify customer eligibility through their local Community Action Agency partner and ensure work qualifies under federal IRA guidelines before installation.
Rhode Island receives $32 million in federal IRA funding for HEAR, currently operating the low-income track (below 80% AMI) through Community Action Agency partners who verify eligibility; the moderate-income track (80–150% AMI) launches in 2025. Program targets single-family owners, multifamily owners, and renters with landlord permission, with rebates tiered by income: low-income customers receive full amounts (up to $4,000 for panels, $2,500 for wiring, $840 for appliances), and moderate-income customers will receive 50% of those amounts.
Program details
- Program ID
- 22725
- Effective
- 9/17/2024
- Expires
- 9/30/2031
- Last updated
- 5/20/2025
Eligibility
- Sectors
- residential multifamily residential low income residential
Incentive amount
$31,820,030.00
Program summary
Note: The Federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) created the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) Program. The IRA established the main parameters for this program, but allowed the states to customize the program to meet their state-specific needs. The program is designed to award rebates for purchase of qualifying home electrification equipment and appliances. Residents earning less than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) can receive the full rebate amount, and residents earning between 80% and 150% AMI can receive a partial rebate. See summary below and program website for complete details.
Rhode Island is launching the HEAR program in phases. As of December 2024, only the low-income track (80% AMI threshold) is available. The moderate-income track (150% AMI threshold) is expected in 2025.
The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, will receive $32 million in federal funding for the HEAR Program. Incentives are available to owners of single-family homes, owners of multi-family homes, and renters with landlord permission who earn less than 80% of their county’s AMI or who participate in certain state or federal benefit programs. Rhode Island is partnerning with local Community Action Agencies to review resident eligibility and provide incentives for the low-income track.
Incentives are available for:
- Electric Load Service Center (electric panel upgrades): up to $4,000 for low-income; up to $2,000 for moderate-income
- Electric Wiring: up to $2,500 for low-income; up to $1,250 for moderate-income
- Heat Pump Clothes Dryer: up to $840 for low-income; up to $420 for moderate income
- Electric Stove, Induction Cooktop, Range, or Oven (switching from a non-electric model): up to $840 for low-income; up to $420 for moderate income
Contact & resources
- Contact email
- Energy.HEAR@energy.ri.gov
- Additional resources
Please verify current program details with the administering agency before making any financial decisions.
