Georgia homeowners looking to make their homes more energy-efficient may qualify for financial assistance following the reopening of part of the state’s Home Energy Rebates program on Monday, October 26.

The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority reopened the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates program with limited funding and revised eligibility requirements.

Under the program, qualifying homeowners can receive financial assistance for electrical wiring improvements and electrical panel upgrades when those improvements are part of an approved home energy-efficiency project.

Eligible households may receive up to $2,500 for electrical wiring improvements and up to $4,000 for electrical panel upgrades.

The amount of assistance available depends on household income.

Households earning less than 80 percent of their county’s area median income may qualify for rebates covering up to 100 percent of eligible costs, subject to program limits.

Households earning between 80 percent and less than 150 percent of the area median income may qualify for rebates covering up to 50 percent of eligible costs.

Households earning 150 percent or more of the area median income are not eligible for this particular rebate program, although other home energy assistance programs may be available.

The electrical improvements must be connected to an approved energy-efficiency project. Replacing an electrical panel or wiring by itself does not automatically qualify a homeowner for a rebate.

The application process begins with a home energy audit conducted by a program-approved contractor. The audit identifies potential improvements and helps determine which upgrades qualify for assistance.

The reopening applies to qualifying single-family homes. Multifamily and do-it-yourself application options are not reopening at this time.

For homeowners in Chattooga County and surrounding communities, the rebates could help reduce the expense of upgrading older homes, particularly when electrical improvements are needed as part of a larger energy-efficiency project.

Homeowners are encouraged to confirm their eligibility and work with an approved contractor before beginning improvements. Rebates are subject to available funding, and work completed before program approval generally does not qualify.

Residents can learn more about the program, review eligibility requirements and locate approved contractors at energyrebates.georgia.gov.

Additional information is available by calling 877-348-5237, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.