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West Virginia Office of Energy holds public input session on federally funded home energy rebates
Summary
The West Virginia Office of Energy hosted its first public input webinar outlining two DOE‑funded Home Energy Rebate programs (whole‑home efficiency and appliance electrification), soliciting feedback on design, explaining eligibility and contractor roles, and answering consumer‑protection questions.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Office of Energy on a public webinar outlined plans to administer two Department of Energy‑funded Home Energy Rebates programs and invited residents and contractors to shape program design.
Clay Stevens, manager for the home energy rebates programs at the West Virginia Office of Energy, opened the session and said the Office will administer two distinct programs: Home Efficiency Rebates (HEER), focused on whole‑home assessments and upgrades, and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR), a point‑of‑sale program for efficient electric appliances. "These programs are designed to empower residents in our state to save money on upgrades to their home," Stevens said.
The Office placed the effort in the federal context, noting the Inflation Reduction Act and Department of Energy funding and oversight for state rebate programs. Stevens said the Office is preparing an application to DOE and that final program timing and some design elements depend on DOE guidance; he added that funds "may reach your community as early as this time next year." The Office also said it will publish detailed program rules, application materials and a contractor list on its website.
HEER will be contractor‑led and begin with a home assessment to identify the most effective upgrades — heat pumps, gas water heaters, furnaces, insulation and weatherization among them — with rebate amounts based on estimated energy savings, location and household income. Stevens said low‑income households may qualify for full project cost coverage. HEAR will target low and moderate income households for appliance and equipment rebates at the point of sale; Stevens said combined rebates could be "up to $14,000." Both programs will include income verification or categorical eligibility options.
On equity, Stevens cited DOE's Justice40 goal and said the Office will allocate at least 40% of rebate funds to disadvantaged communities, referencing the federal Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool. He told participants the Office intends to use categorical eligibility (enrollment in programs such as SNAP or Medicaid) to reduce paperwork for applicants.
Participants used the webinar Q&A to ask about eligibility, documentation, consumer protections and multifamily participation. In response to a question about consumer protections, Stevens said, "we are in the design process of developing a comprehensive consumer protection plan," adding that the Office will outline mechanisms to mitigate fraud and prevent price inflation by retailers or contractors once design is complete.
Stevens encouraged contractors to participate and said the Office is developing training, certification and a contractor network to support delivery. He also announced an in‑person public input event at the Capitol Complex scheduled for Sept. 25 and said the Office will post a link to a survey and further materials in the webinar chat.
The Office of Energy invited attendees to submit additional questions through the survey and Q&A; unanswered questions will be added to an FAQ on the agency website. The session closed with a call for ongoing engagement as program rules are finalized.
