Program update (August 2026): Georgia's rebate programs are changing. The Home Efficiency Rebates (HER) program is open now at every income level, and its income tiers below are current. The HEAR program closed to new applications on August 10, 2026 while the state prepares a relaunch with new eligibility rules. To see where your household stands, check your rebate tier or call (404) 798-9672.
If you're considering using Georgia's energy rebate programs to save on home improvements, you may be wondering whether you qualify. Both the Home Efficiency Rebates (HER) and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) programs offer different savings levels depending on household income.
Before we take a closer look, know this: Any household that reduces energy consumption by 20% can qualify for savings, regardless of income!
Let's take a deep dive into the Georgia energy rebates income eligibility criteria. We'll look at how the HER program accounts for income when determining your maximum savings, and where the HEAR program's income rules stand.
HER program income requirements
If you own your home, you qualify for HER rebates. There is no income cap!
That being said, household income does determine the amount of money you can save on eligible home improvements. Basically, low to moderate-income households qualify for a larger total reimbursement percentage when they pursue HER-eligible upgrades.
Higher-income households still receive a rebate. It's just that the total reimbursement percentage is lower.
So, what are those reimbursement percentages? And how are they determined?
The HER program relies on area median income (AMI) to determine rebate percentages. AMI is a figure that comes from data collected by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and it varies by household size and county. Households with lower incomes relative to the AMI in Georgia (and, for the area we serve, the AMI for Metro Atlanta) will qualify for more savings. Here's how it breaks down for the HER program (Source: GEFA):
- Households making 80% AMI or less: Receive up to 98% reimbursement of the total project cost up to $16,000.
- Households making more than 80% AMI: Receive up to 50% reimbursement of the project cost up to $4,000.
Note: Total savings amounts also depend on how much energy you save as a result of the upgrade. When upgrades result in an energy use reduction of 20% to 34%, the rebate is capped at $10,000 (households earning less than 80% AMI) or $2,000 (households earning more than 80% AMI). Only upgrades resulting in energy use reduction of 35% or higher qualify for the $16,000 rebate (lower-income households) or $4,000 rebate (higher-income households).
Here's a chart that shows the relationship between household income and savings amounts:
Wondering how all of this plays out in the real world? Consider this example:
Say you replace an old furnace and AC, air seal your home, and bulk up your attic insulation. These projects result in energy savings of 25%. The total cost of these projects is $16,000. AMI for your area is $100,000, and your household earns $75,000. Since that's less than 80% of AMI, you would qualify for a rebate of $10,000.
In other words, the net cost for the entire project would only be $6,000. And you'll likely save thousands more in the long run thanks to the more efficient furnace and savings on cooling costs!
Using the same example, let's say your income was over $100,000 (it
