Q: What is available through Penn Energy Savers?

A: Penn Energy Savers provides low-to-moderate-income households with access to no to low-cost energy efficiency measures and home energy assessments to identify the opportunities for improvement.

Q: Who receives the rebate?

A: The rebate is paid to the Regional General Contractor (RGC). The applicant receives the rebate in the form of an instant discount on their invoice from the Qualified Contractor (QC). Once the work is completed, the RGC will pay the Qualified Contractor.

If the rebate does not cover the entire project cost, the Applicant must pay the balance (also referred to as a cost share). The cost share is collected before the project is assigned to a contractor and installation starts.

Q: What are the incentives offered by the program?

A: The program offers generous incentives—up to $14,000 per home—for eligible energy efficiency and electrification upgrades.

Appliance Rebates:

• Heat Pump Water Heater – Up to $1,750

• Heat Pump for Space Heating or Cooling – Up to $8,000

• Electric Stove, Cooktop, Range, or Oven – Up to $840

• Heat Pump Clothes Dryer or Heat Pump Washer/Dryer Combo – Up to $840

Building Material Rebates:

• Electric Load Service Center – Up to $4,000

• Insulation, Air Sealing, and Ventilation – Up to $1,600

• Electric Wiring – Up to $2,500

Note: Maximum rebate for combined appliances and materials is $14,000. This covers both labor and material costs for the qualified products.

Q: What is the forecasted participation in the program?

A: Over the course of the next few years, the program is estimating 10,000 to 15,000 home energy improvements with multiple measures in many of those homes. The goal is to distribute more than 40% of rebates to disadvantaged communities and 10% to multi-family housing.

Q: From the homeowner/renters perspective, how does this program work?

A: The steps are listed with additional information at: pennenergysavers.com/contractors.

1. Learn about Penn Energy Savers from program-led outreach.

2. Evaluate the options and requirements including income eligibility.

3. Submit an application and officially confirm eligibility at start the process.

4. Schedule a professional energy assessment with the program contact center.

5. Review the suggested home energy upgrades, costs, and rebates.

6. Select preferred home energy measures and sign the work order.

7. Schedule the professional installation with the program contact center.*

8. A third party will review the project for quality completion.

9. Benefit from the home energy upgrades.

*If the resident has a preferred contractor, they can let the contact center and/or energy auditor know. The program team will work to accommodate that request, as long as the contractor is part of the Qualified Contractor (QC) network.

Q: What services does Penn Energy Savers not provide?

A: Penn Energy Savers does not provide:

• Roof replacements

• Boiler replacements

• Heat pump for heat pump replacements

• Refrigerators, microwaves, and countertop appliances,

• Whole house window or door replacements, or

• Extensive repairs for water damage or other health and safety issues.

Q: What is the current status of the program?

A: The program is currently awaiting approval to launch from the Department of Energy (DOE), which is the final step required before the program can accept applications. To date, the program has gained interest from nearly 1,300 stakeholders across the Commonwealth and the number is growing daily.

Q: When will the Penn Energy Savers Program officially launch?

A: There is no official launch date just yet. While the program application has been approved and the funding has been fully allocated, the program is awaiting approval to launch from the Department of Energy. In the interim, it is important to get contractors on board now so projects can begin as soon as possible upon receiving approval to launch.

Q: Before I apply to become a qualified contractor, how can I learn more about the program?

A: There are a few ways to learn more:

1. Review the program documents, particularly the Contractor Manual.

2. Watch this video summary. (Coming soon!)

3. Attend a virtual information session. Sign up for upcoming sessions here.

4. Contact us using the form here at the bottom of the Contractor Resources page.

Q: Can an applicant receive a quote before the program launches or before applying to the program?

A: No. Project cost estimates and rebates are only valid after an application is completed, eligibility verified, energy assessment is completed, and the estimate is delivered by a member of the PESP Team.

Q: Do energy audits need to be done before installation?

A: Yes, prior to product installation, an energy assessment must be completed by a PESP team member. Though not a full energy audit, the assessment will identify which products are recommended for the home and determine next steps for program participation.

Q: How is the scope of work/work order created?

A: Before the Qualified Contractor receives the scope of work, the PESP Team confirms the applicants eligibility, completes an energy assessment to identify applicable measures and associated rebate values, and collects the applicant's agreement to proceed with the project along with any required cost share payment (i.e. the balance after rebate).

Q: Can the RGC buy equipment directly from distributors? 

A: Yes, that’s an option. It depends on the Regional General Contractor's (RGC) and Qualified Contractor's (QC) capabilities and preferences. 

Q: What determines an applicant’s eligibility for the Penn Energy Savers program? Who confirms that eligibility?

A: Eligibility is primarily based on household income and number of household members. Click here for more information.

Depending on the products needed, additional requirements must be met. (Ex: incentives are not available for a heat pump replacing an existing heat pump)

Note: Contractors are not responsible for validating program eligibility or rebate amounts. The reference tables should be used for general guidance only. Official eligibility and rebate potential will be confirmed after program application is reviewed by the program team. "

Q: What information needs to be collected during installations, and how is it submitted?

A: The program will provide a field tool to collect project information including required photos. The information will be specific to the project/measure type. Detailed instructions will be shared during contractor onboarding training sessions.

Q: How long will it take to verify eligibility, complete the energy audit, and identify rebate amounts for the suggested measures?

A: The timeline may vary between project, depending on variables such as project volume, documentation provided, measures identified, contractor availability, etc. On average, the program estimates it will take an average of 2-3 weeks from complete application submission to have the income verified and energy assessment completed.

Note: This program is not designed for emergency replacements, rather encourages proactive upgrades.

Q: If my company installed a eligible measure before the customer applied or the program launched, can they still get a rebate/discount?

A: No. Rebates are not available for projects or installations completed before the program launches or before the customer/project is qualified.

Q: How are project costs developed?

A: The program uses a standardized pricing approach to minimize the risk of fraud, waste, or abuse. Consumer costs for the equipment and labor are pre-set, then reviewed a few times per year to adjust for any changes in the market.

Costs are available for different equipment sizes and two tiers of efficiency (i.e. multiple tonnage options and two levels of SEER2 ratings) Variable costs such as labor and insulation at unit-based (i.e. Per hour and square feet).

This helps to quickly move through the program process from applications to energy audits to installation while also reducing risk of fraud and waste. It also helps to reduce administrative burden and marketing costs for contractors. (See question #X about the program process.)

Q: What are the steps to become a Qualified Contractor (QC) and participate in the program?

A: Contractors can apply online here. The six steps to applying are:

1. Review the participation requirements.

2. Complete your application and submit required documentation.

3. Application review by the program team.

4. Gain provisional approval.

5. Complete the required training and complete first (5) projects.

6. Start helping homeowners and renters.

Q: Can contractors work in multiple regions if their territory spans more than one? 

A: Yes, contractors can work statewide if they choose. 

Q: What’s the role of the Regional General Contractor (RGC)? 

A: The Regional General Contractor (RGC) supports efficient installation of multiple measures while reducing time and impact to the applicants home. Additionally, the RGC enables faster payments to QC while waiting on distribution of rebate funds and any cost share from the program which can take up to 45 days.

Q: Are RGCs expected to do the heat load calculations and inspections, or is that left to the qualified contractor?

A: Since the Regional General Contractor (RGC) and the PESP auditor are on-site, the expectation is that the RGC will handle the heat load calculations and related specifications. 

Q: Who pulls the permit, completes the heat load calculation, and/or purchases the equipment?

A: The Regional General Contractor (RGC) will pull any permits, complete the heat load calculation, and purchase equipment prior to coordinating with the Qualified Contractor (QC) for the installation. On a referral or other case-by-case bases, other arrangements may be made between the RGC and QC.

Q: Do you apply as a qualified contractor first and then get selected as an RGC later? 

A: Yes. During the first few months of the program, installations will be completed by Qualified Contractors (QC). As program awareness and interest grows, Regional General Contractors (RGC) will be selected.

On the application form, there's a checkbox for those interested in learning more about being an RGC. Checking that box initiates a follow-up conversation.

Q: Do contractors need licenses if not required by their jurisdiction? 

A: At a minimum, Qualified Contractors must comply with local licensing requirements in the specific jurisdiction where they operate.

The Contractor Manual outlines the minimum business, license/certification, experience, and insurance requirements which vary for each trade (i.e. mechanical, electrical, weatherization, etc.).

Registration to do business with the Department of State and Home Improvement Contractive (HIC) with the Attorney General are two requirements for all trades and all regions.

Q: Are there minimum efficiency standards required (SEER2, EER2, HSPF2)? 

A: Yes, most products must be ENERGY STAR certified. Learn more about the minimum efficiency requirements in the Contractor Manual.

Q: Are contractors required to install certain brands of equipment?

A: There are no specific requirements for make or model, as long as the equipment meets or exceeds the efficiency standards. You can learn more about the minimum efficiency requirements in the Contractor Manual.