Low-Income Incentives

Financial incentives are available for builders of new low-income homes serviced by Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power, or West Penn Power.

The program offers two incentive tiers for builders of low-income or LIHTC new homes that exceed the minimum energy code. The program defines low-income housing as homes inhabited by residents earning no greater than 150 percent of the federal income poverty guideline.

The table below summarizes the low-income incentive structure
Requirement Incentives*
Tier 1: ≥15% above 2015 IECC code 33¢ per kWh
Tier 2: ≥15% above 2015 IECC code + ENERGY STAR V3.1 certification 38¢ per kWh

*Multifamily projects are eligible to receive incentives if the units are individually metered.

Tier 1:

Builders of new, low-income housing are eligible to receive 33¢ per kWh saved for homes that perform 15 percent better than the 2015 IECC. Eligible low-income housing must be affordable to residents earning no greater than 150 percent of the federal income poverty guideline.

Tier 2:

Eligible low-income housing that meets ENERGY STAR V3.1 certification qualifies to receive 38¢ per kWh saved. To qualify, buildings must also perform 15 percent better than the 2015 IECC.

With incentives measured by total kWh saved annually, the more builders save the more they earn. Builders of qualifying homes can earn hundreds of dollars or more. For multifamily projects, builders can earn thousands of dollars per building with rebates issued on a per-unit basis.

All homes must be inspected and verified by a certified HERS Rater to qualify for program incentives. ENERGY STAR-certified homes must also complete all V3.1 checklists.

*The percent savings over code is determined in REM/Rate using the FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Report. This report is customized for Pennsylvania and includes savings from high-efficiency HVAC, water heaters, and lighting.