Ann Arbor expands and simplifies Home Energy Rebate Program; e-bike funds exhausted for 2024 program year

The Ann Arbor Energy Commission on Feb. 11 heard a presentation from program contractors and city staff on updates to the Home Energy Rebate Program, a city-funded initiative to support home electrification and weatherization that has a first-year budget of $1.9 million. Jamie Simmons of Elevate and Brandon Kwalek of Michigan Energy Options detailed program structure, new measures, application changes and participation to date.

Program partners said the changes are meant to simplify access and boost uptake. "We moved to a full reservation system where we no longer have separate budgets for reserved and unreserved funds," Brandon Kwalek said, describing a change designed to remove uncertainty for residents who want to reserve incentives before completing projects. Jamie Simmons said the program aims to push the market toward full electrification and energy efficiency within Ann Arbor.

The Home Energy Rebate Program offers two tiers of incentives: market-rate rebates open to anyone 18 or older living in Ann Arbor and higher income-qualified rebates for households at or below the program's area median income thresholds. Eligibility was expanded to include all residential property types, removing the earlier restriction that limited some rebates to 1–4 unit properties.

Program design and amounts: the presenters outlined measures and typical rebate amounts. Weatherization measures (attic, wall, rim/band joist, basement/crawlspace insulation and air sealing) carry market rebates of $500 per measure and income-qualified rebates of $1,000 per measure; completing two or more insulation measures plus air sealing triggers a bonus (market: $1,500;…