NC Expands Energy Saver Rebate Program Statewide

Governor Stein announces $208,000 federally funded program to help low-to-middle income households upgrade homes and appliances.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein announced the expansion of the NC Energy Saver rebate program to all 100 counties in the state. The program provides up to $16,000 for whole home efficiency upgrades and up to $14,000 for new energy-efficient appliances for eligible households between 80% to 150% of the area's median income. The governor says the program will save participating families nearly $1,000 per year on utility bills, support 2,300 jobs, and reduce carbon emissions.

Why it matters

The expansion of the NC Energy Saver program aims to make utility bills more affordable for low-to-middle income families across the state, while also supporting local contractors and reducing the state's carbon footprint. As North Carolina's population and energy demands continue to grow, the program is a key part of the state's efforts to manage rising energy costs and environmental impacts.

The details

The NC Energy Saver program provides two rebates to eligible households - up to $16,000 for whole home efficiency upgrades like new HVAC systems, and up to $14,000 for new energy-efficient appliances. The program is federally funded through the Department of Energy and is projected to save participating families nearly $1,000 per year on utility bills. Since launching in January 2025, the program has received over 4,800 applications, with 1,709 approved so far, resulting in an estimated $770,000 in energy efficiency projects and 293 kilowatt hours saved.

  • The NC Energy Saver program launched in January 2025 in two counties and finished its statewide expansion last month.
  • The program has a deadline of 2031 for the one-time use rebates.

The players

Josh Stein

The Democratic Governor of North Carolina who announced the expansion of the NC Energy Saver program.

Jon Sanders

The director of the Center for Food, Power, and Life at the John Locke Foundation, who criticized the governor's approach to keeping electricity costs low.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's a win for families who participate, because they get significant savings for upgrading their appliances and HVAC system, and then they save thousands of dollars on their utility bills over time.”

— Josh Stein, Governor (carolinajournal.com)

“First, you don't keep costs down by shifting them from electricity bills to tax bills. Second, as the world learned from the Soviet Union, you don't put the economy under the direction of an executive government committee and expect growth. Third, even if the governor worries about fuel costs, he should know that there are many costs to electricity generating facilities other than fuel, including capital costs, curtailment, operations and maintenance, and utility profits.”

— Jon Sanders, Director, Center for Food, Power, and Life at the John Locke Foundation (carolinajournal.com)

What’s next

Governor Stein is awaiting the first report from his Energy Policy Task Force, which he created in August to provide guidance on managing North Carolina's growing energy demands, including from data centers and the state's rapidly increasing population.

The takeaway

The expansion of the NC Energy Saver program demonstrates North Carolina's commitment to making energy efficiency upgrades more accessible and affordable for low-to-middle income families, while also supporting local jobs and reducing the state's carbon footprint. However, the program's long-term success will depend on the state's ability to balance rising energy demands with cost-effective and environmentally sustainable solutions.