Federal Incentives for Energy Efficiency Expiring Soon!
Federal Incentives for Energy Efficiency Expiring Soon!
by Kristina Weldon,
Climate & Energy Technician
Sierra Region
Rural PG&E customers can now access expanded residential energy rebates through the Northern Rural Energy Network (NREN) to make energy-efficient home upgrades and lower costs, but many rebates and federal tax credits will expire at the end of 2025. By combining NREN incentives with upcoming holiday sales, rural Californians can still save significantly on qualifying appliances and equipment before these opportunities end.
Rural Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) customers, thanks to the new Northern Rural Energy Network (NREN) program, can now access increased residential energy rebates to improve energy efficiency in their homes and lower their energy costs. Many rebate measures, including those on ENERGY STAR refrigerators, and federal tax credits will expire at the end of 2025, leaving customers with less than 2 months left to stack these incentives.
“By pairing the NREN rebates with additional Black Friday, Veteran’s Day, and holiday season deals, this is a great time for rural Californians to get new energy efficient equipment at an affordable price,” saidBrittney Gutierrez, project manager, NREN Residential Rebate Program.
Formed to expand energy efficiency services for rural Californians, NREN is a program independent of PG&E that offers residential rebates on home energy equipment and appliances, offering money back towards qualifying efficient home energy equipment purchases. As end-of-year opportunities to leverage holiday sales draw near, residents can save big on new refrigerators, washers and dryers, air conditioners, and more.
“Tax credits for energy equipment are expiring at the end of this year, but Californians still have time to take advantage of this opportunity before it ends,” said David Jaeger, NREN project manager. “These credits can offer a big incentive to upgrade home energy equipment and support homeowners and renters who are feeling the crunch of rising costs.”
The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit, which offers 30% back towards eligible purchases on home energy upgrades and energy audits, is set to expire on December 31, 2025. Customers can search NREN’s website by their zip code to identify rebates available in their area. Appliance purchases made in the last 90 days may also still be rebate-eligible. Small- or medium-sized businesses may also still be eligible for tax credits for energy efficiency upgrades before they expire.
NREN is administered by the regional nonprofit Sierra Business Council in the following 14 Sierra Nevada counties: Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, El Dorado, Lassen, Mariposa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sierra, Sutter, Tuolumne and Yuba counties.
About the Northern Rural Energy Network:
Northern Rural Energy Network (NREN) offers energy efficiency programs to rural communities, delivering cost savings and strengthening community resilience for the North Coast and the Sierra Nevada. More information on NREN’s services can be found at NorthernREN.org.