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Incentive Stacking Resources for Clean Buildings

A repository for federal, RMI, and external resources on how to “stack” or combine federal programs and incentives for building electrification and decarbonization. If you’re a state agency seeking stacking support or tailored analysis, please contact us at buildings-contact@rmi.org

An unprecedented amount of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and existing state and utility funding is available to decarbonize our homes, offices, and countless other buildings. These structures are responsible for 35 percent of US energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, making them a critical pillar of the energy transition.

When households are cashing in on multiple incentives for one retrofit project (i.e., “stacking”), households will pay less for home upgrades. However, households need efficient and easy access to maximize incentive uptake. RMI, the federal government, and other stakeholders have developed resources and guidance to support state energy offices, incentive program administrators, and communities in understanding and easing barriers to incentive stacking. This webpage is a clearinghouse of available resources on the topic.

Federal Guidance and Resources
It is important to note that these federal programs occasionally receive updates from their authorizing agency and further guidelines from DOE, Treasury, and other agencies that may impact program stackability. Program designers and administrators, contractors, and consumers should always ensure they are working with the latest rules and guidelines from federal agencies regarding program and funding stacking.
Federal Tax Guidance on Stacking IRA Rebates and Tax Credits

IRS published information on the tax treatment of amounts paid for stacking IRA tax credits and rebates.
Weatherization Program Notice (WPN) 22-9

Weatherization Program Notice (WPN) 22-9 serves to transmit information to the Weatherization Assistance Program network on how to manage multiple funding streams within the program.
IRS Tax Credit Fact Sheet

General questions on stacking can be found on page 7.
Home Energy Rebate Instructions

Information about maximizing rebate impact through combining rebates can be found on pages 80-82.
Weatherization Program Notice: Integrating the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) with Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR)

How to get started on integrating the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) with Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR).
DOE's Categorical Eligibility for Stacking Guidance

Federal Programs Approved for Categorical Eligibility For DOE Home Energy Rebates (“Recognized Programs”).
DOE's Guidelines for Leveraging Other Funding Sources with Home Energy Rebates

Table showing “braiding” and “stacking” guidelines.
Weatherization & LIHEAP Eligibility and Coordination

A resource from DOE on weatherization and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program

RMI Resources

inner city detroit homes
Funding Our Future: Creating a One-Stop Shop for Whole-Home Retrofits

An Introduction to the Concept of Whole-Home Retrofits & Stacking

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The United States Capitol, often called Capitol Hill, is the seat of the United States Congress, the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government. Capitol Hill, at the eastern end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Gaps and Barriers to Stacking Federal, State, and Local Incentives

To deliver effective, more affordable retrofits, residents need to combine (i.e., stack) as many incentives as they qualify for and access them in an efficient, user-friendly manner.

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An Opportunity to Make Home Retrofits More Affordable

State energy offices can stack Inflation Reduction Act incentives to maximize home energy upgrades and savings.

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Pathways to Equity and Savings for Low-Income Households

How tax incentives and updated standards are changing home construction.

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External Resources
Retrofitting America’s Homes: Designing Home Energy Programs that Leverage Federal Climate Investments with Other Funding

A white paper outlining strategies to stack funds to facilitate retrofits.
A memo from AnnDyl Public Policy

The Residential Capital Stack - Maximizing Impacts of HOMES, HEEHR, 25C Tax Credit, WAP, GGRF, and Utility Programs for Existing Single-Family Homes
Combining Incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act, Tax Credits and Other Sources

A presentation to the DOE Better Buildings program featuring DOE, NASEO, and AnnDyl Public Policy
Home Energy Upgrade Incentives - Programs in the Inflation Reduction Act and other recent federal laws

A policy brief from ACEEE summarizing key federal funding streams for building retrofits
WAP Income Generation and Leveraging—A State Perspective

A report from National Association of State Community Service Programs (NASCSP) to detail opportunities for resource leveraging with WAP
How States Can Equitably Deliver Home Electrification Rebates

A policy report from the Center for American Progress including examples of whole-home, one-stop-shop retrofit programs from different parts of the country.
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