Before You Replace Your HVAC, Windows or Insulation: A South Carolina Program Worth Watching

Owning a home means eventually replacing things we would rather not replace. HVAC systems wear out, windows become less efficient, insulation settles, and sometimes our electric bill tells us there is a problem before we know exactly where that problem is. South Carolina homeowners may soon have another source of help with some of those expenses. The state's Home Efficiency Rebates, or HOMES program, is expected to launch in 2026 and could help qualifying homeowners pay for improvements that make their homes more energy efficient.

The important thing to understand is that HOMES is not simply a coupon for a new air conditioner or a rebate you request after buying windows. It is designed around the overall energy efficiency of the home. When the program launches, the process is expected to begin with an energy assessment performed by a program-approved contractor. That assessment identifies where the home is losing energy, and the contractor develops a plan for improvements. Potential projects include insulation and air sealing, high-efficiency HVAC systems, energy-efficient windows and doors, smart thermostats and other improvements that contribute to whole-home energy savings.

The amount of assistance could be significant. For single-family homes, the current South Carolina program design provides rebates ranging from $2,000 to as much as $16,000, depending upon the household's income, project cost and expected energy savings. Households below 80% of their county's Area Median Income, or AMI, may qualify for substantially greater assistance. HOMES itself is not limited to lower-income households; households at other income levels may also qualify, although their maximum rebate is lower.

There is another South Carolina program coming alongside HOMES called HEAR — Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates. HEAR is specifically for households earning less than 150% of their county's AMI and could provide up to $14,000 per household for qualifying improvements such as heat-pump water heaters, certain heat pumps, electrical panels and wiring, insulation, heat-pump dryers and electric cooking appliances. The two programs have different rules, and a household may potentially participate in both, but the same individual improvement cannot receive both rebates.

Perhaps the most useful thing homeowners can do right now is wait before making a decision based on these rebates. As of September 2026, South Carolina says HOMES and HEAR are still being developed and the rebates are not yet available. For HOMES, qualifying projects will need to follow the state's program process and be led by a certified contractor. The state also warns that these programs should not be relied upon for an emergency repair that needs to be completed now.

That does not mean putting off a necessary repair. A broken air conditioner in a South Carolina summer is still a broken air conditioner. But if your HVAC is working and you are considering replacing it, adding insulation, replacing inefficient windows or making other major energy improvements, it may be worth knowing about HOMES before you spend the money. Sometimes being a good homeowner isn't just knowing what needs to be improved. It is knowing what questions to ask before the work begins.

For current eligibility requirements, approved contractors and launch information, always check directly with the South Carolina Energy Office before beginning a project.

South Carolina Energy Office — Home Energy Rebates

Program information is subject to change as South Carolina finalizes HOMES and HEAR. Updated September 2026.

Bonnie Wicks, licensed as Bonnie Jean Wicks Bertalot, is an Associate Broker with Carolina One Real Estate serving Mount Pleasant, Charleston, and surrounding Lowcountry communities. BonnieWicks.com | 843-754-0754